This Frank Capra-directed classic is emblematic of how Hollywood constructed paradise—by way of China. The Oscar-winning art direction presents an opulent Shangri-La, yet the story is predicated on the subjugation of the Chinese by white saviors and colonialist, missionary ideals. The National Film Registry considered the film differently, however, when in 2016 it honored the film as “an emotional respite to an American public seeking escape from the Depression and yearning for their own personal utopias.” Lost Horizon received seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and produced wins for Film Editing (Stephen Goosson) and Art Direction (Gene Havlick, Gene Milford). 

DIRECTOR: Frank Capra. WRITTEN BY: Robert Riskin. CAST: Ronald Colman, Jane Wyatt, Edward Everett Horton, John Howard. 1937. 132 min. USA. B&W. English. DCP. 

November’s Oscar® Sundays are programmed as part of the series Hollywood Chinese: The First 100 Years, guest programmed by Arthur Dong.

Academy Museum film programming generously funded by the Richard Roth Foundation. 

Make It Dinner and a Movie

Fanny's Restaurant & Café

All guests who present a ticket for a film screening, Tuesday through Saturday (and the first Sunday of every month), receive 10% off all food and non-alcoholic beverages at Fanny's. Discount only applicable on the same day as the screening and cannot be redeemed for another screening or date. Dinner reservations can be made on OpenTable or Resy.