Film students and enthusiasts gathered in the Advanced Technology Center to celebrate De Anza College film instructor Glenn Lovell’s published book, “Escape Artist: The Life and Films of John Sturges.” Film television instructor Susan Tavernetti hosted the event, held on Jan. 26.

Scheduled for 4:30 p.m., the event began around 5 p.m with the showing of a 15-minute video clip. It featured the begining of “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral,” along with scenes from “The Great Escape” and “Hour of the Gun.”

After the clip, Tavernetti introduced Lovell as he walked onto the stage. After a brief introduction, he read the first chapter of his book “Sturges with a Blast of Rum.” In this short chapter, Lovell took the audience back in time to when he first met Sturges in San Luis Obispo.

After reading the chapter, Lovell spoke about Sturges’ early life and his rise to fame, and the influence it had on him personally.

After a question-and-answer session, Lovell signed copies of his book. The book was available for purchase at $52 for the hardcover edition and $23.50 for a paperback copy.

Sturges was an acclaimed director known for several cinematic masterpieces, which include “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral,” “The Magnificent Seven” and “The Great Escape.”

Yet because of his low-key profile in the Hollywood circle, Sturges’ contribution to cinema has often gone unnoticed. “The most under-looked post-WWII artist,” said Tavernetti.