By Lookout Staff

February 3, 2011 - What public policy issues lurk in the heart of Roger Rabbit? Or the Wizard of Oz?

Find out when former California State Senator Sheila Kuehl takes her audience on a guided tour of the political subtexts underlying some of Hollywood's greatest entertainments at Santa Monica College Thursday, February 24.

“People go to the movies all the time and they often don’t focus on decision points in the films that are public policy decisions and how they affect millions of lives,” said Kuehl, a former television and film actor.

“I want people, at least once a year, to think generally about public policy in a larger context, not just how they’re going to vote that year,” she said.

Political junkies who attend the program will get to analyze Eddie Valiant's declaration, “Who needs a car in L.A.” as charactors hop on the Red Line streetcars that used to traverse the entire city.

And Kuehl will explain why the Wizard of Oz is like our government – messy and often inept. She'll also investigate the political ramifications of Inherit the Wind and that great L.A. classic, Chinatown.

She'll show film clips from these movies at “Public Policy in the Movies,” a follow-up to last year's “Public Policy on Broadway.” Both programs are presented by SMC's Public Policy Institute, of which Kuehl is a founding director.

The Institute's mission is to engage the public in discussion and analysis of policy issues, especially those that effect local politics.

Kuehl's presentation will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24 in Room 123 of the Santa Monica College's Bundy Campus, 3171 S. Bundy Dr., Los Angeles. The event is free, and ample free parking is available.

Seating is limited and reservations are required. To RSVP, email ppi.rsvp@smc.edu or call (310) 434-3429.

For more information about the institute and its activities, please email Kuehl.website@gmail.com.

"People go to the movies all the time and they often don't focus on decision points in the films that are public policy decisions and how they affect millions of lives,"
      Sheila Kuehl