Richard is a film historian and author of books on Laurel and Hardy, Our Gang, W.C. Fields, Hal Roach, and John Wayne. He’s also a regular essayist for Lone Pine at the Movies, and a major source for 16mm prints for the Film Festival the last 20 years. Bann started his career as a CPA, testifying on behalf of William Boyd Enterprises; was vice president of Blackhawk Films, and served as consultant to CMG Worldwide agency, which represents the estates of Marilyn Monroe, Mark Twain, Babe Ruth, James Dean, Jackie Robinson, and others. Bann is a library consultant to European film and TV company Kirch Media GmbH, responsible for restoring and preserving the Hal Roach Studios 35mm nitrate film collection.
