The Wave: Palo Alto’s 1967 Experiment in Fascism
Conversation and Reception Wednesday, March 22, 2017 – 7pm
Cubberley Theatre, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto
Please join us for a special screening of “The Lesson Plan” – a world-renowned documentary never before shown in Palo Alto.
April, 1967: Innovative Cubberley High School teacher Ron Jones seeks to teach his students how people could accept the actions of the Nazi regime during WWII by creating “The Third Wave,” a series of exercises modeled on certain characteristics of the Nazi movement. The experiment is successful – too much so.
“It is the ultimate classroom mind-game. A charismatic teacher suddenly introduces strict discipline into his lessons and, far from rebelling, the students embrace it with gusto. Within a week, they have devised a uniform, insignia, salute and banners, and eagerly spy on and intimidate schoolmates.” – Sheila Johnston, The Telegraph (UK) – 9.5.2008
“Both the Third Wave and Jones are known everywhere but in the United States and especially here in the Bay Area, where the experiment took place.” – Sam Whiting, San Francisco Chronicle – 1.30.2010
Producers (and former students) Mark Hancock and Philip Neel will join their former teacher (Jones) for a postfilm conversation. The public is invited to a reception following the program. Free. Space is limited. RSVP here: http://conta.cc/2mmmPNY.