On September 6, the Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Foundation donated $1,500 to the Humanitas film program.
The foundation runs on one of comedian Jack Oakie’s final wishes: “Give the money to the children.” In order to fulfill Oakie’s wish, the foundation gifted the Humanitas film program with the grant.
The foundation sent representatives to educate film students about Jack Oakie, a successful American actor, and his film career. According to film teacher Melissa Valenzuela, the foundation donated the funds in order to maintain Oakie’s legacy for future generations.
“Someone came from the foundation and gave a presentation to my Humanitas Seniors and they watched the classic film ‘The Dictator’ in which Jack Oakie stars alongside Charlie Chaplin,” Valenzuela said.
Valenzuela also stated that the grant will be used to purchase new film equipment such as cameras, microphones, lights, and accessories, all essential equipment in to teaching students how to produce films and inspiring them to embrace their artistic ambitions.
The Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Foundation was established in 1989 by Oakie’s wife, American actress Victoria Horne Oakie. She took it upon herself to ensure that her husband’s memory would live on through future generations of actors, filmmakers, and artists.
The foundation is best known for giving scholarships to prestigious institutions throughout the country. However, in order to be eligible for a scholarship, the applicant must watch a Jack Oakie or Victoria Horne Oakie film, write a synopsis about the film and describe what he or she would have contributed to or changed in the film as a part of the film’s crew.
Many large schools have received scholarships from the foundation, including the UCLA Film and Television Archives, Syracuse University, and USC School of Cinematic Arts.
The foundation’s donations to film programs across the country have been helpful in both funding programs and allowing them to purchase better equipment.
Overall, film students and teachers are pleased to learn more about the visual and performing arts while also receiving the tools that help develop their film and photography skills.
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