Commission approves $5,000 sponsorship for outdoor ‘Classics Under the Stars’ after agreement on content disclaimers

The Glendale Arts and Culture Commission on March 19 approved a sponsorship of up to $5,000 for the Alex Film Society’s Classics Under the Stars series at Brand Park, contingent on adding contextual disclaimers for films that include dated or offensive portrayals.

The motion, made and seconded during the meeting, passed on a roll-call vote with Vice Chair Kasumian, Commissioner Hay, Commissioner Vidor and Chair Zadorian recorded as voting yes. Commissioners said they supported the program’s goal of bringing classic cinema to the community while acknowledging that some older films include material that may be harmful or triggering to audience members.

Steven Meek, an Alex Film Society board member, described the nonprofit’s work to preserve classic films and to partner with local organizations — including the Glendale Historical Society and the Parks Department — to present free outdoor screenings. Randy Carter, the society’s president, told commissioners the Doctor’s House lawn at Brand Park has become a valued venue and that combining nonprofit outreach helped increase attendance in recent years.

Frank Gladstone, introduced to the commission as a board member and a film instructor, addressed the commission about content concerns in older films, saying some sequences in Dumbo and other early animations have long been criticized as racist. “It has two sequences in it, the roustabout sequence and then most especially the crow sequence near the end,” Gladstone said, adding that he presents such work in a historical context when teaching.

Glendale’s arts director asked how the society would handle those sequences in a family-friendly outdoor setting and suggested adding a short on-screen contextual statement. Meek and Gladstone agreed the society could include a message before and after screenings and in pre-roll material to explain historical context and to note that the depicted attitudes do not reflect the city’s values.

A commissioner motioned to approve the sponsorship with the caveat that disclaimers be produced and displayed where appropriate; the motion was seconded and passed. The commission’s action funds programming from the 2025–2026 work plan and formalizes staff direction that the society provide contextual material for potentially harmful imagery.

The commission’s staff will coordinate final language for any disclaimer with legal review and forward it to the Alex Film Society. The series is scheduled once a month from June through September 2026 at Brand Park.