Academy’s Sci-Tech Council Brings "Movie Magic" to the Screen

May 1, 2006, Beverly Hills, CA — Beginning May 10, a screening series of four films, all notable for their technological innovations, will be presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Science and Technology Council. All of the films to be presented in “Movie Magic” were discussed in previous events staged by the Council.

Following is the series schedule:

May 10 at 7:30 p.m., Samuel Goldwyn Theater: “The Rains Came” (1939). Known for its spectacular monsoon and earthquake sequences, “The Rains Came” won the first Academy Award given in the Special Effects category; E. H. Hanson and Fred Sersen were honored for both sound and visual effects. The newly-restored print will be introduced by Academy Governor Craig Barron, who represents the Visual Effects branch.

May 24 at 7:30 p.m., Linwood Dunn Theater: “Applause” (1929). This early sound film, starring Helen Morgan, marked the directorial debut of Russian-born Rouben Mamoulian. In the new era of the “talkie,” it was the first film ever to be made in a two-channel monophonic mix and is credited as a giant step forward in motion picture sound technique. A restored print of the “The Gigolo Racket,” a Vitaphone short also starring Morgan, will be screened as well. Scott MacQueen, Director, ProTek Restoration Management, will introduce the films.

June 7 at 7:30 p.m., Samuel Goldwyn Theater: “Tron” (1982). Disney Studios filmmakers embraced the use of the computer as a creative tool as it had never been used before, creating a surreal backdrop for this ground-breaking feature and forever changing the landscape for computer-generated imagery. A 70mm print will be screened. The evening also will include a discussion with Richard Taylor and Steve Lisberger, the film’s visual effects supervisor and director, respectively. Oscar nominee Bill Kroyer (“Technological Threat”), who is a member of the Science and Technology Council, will introduce the film and moderate the discussion.

June 21 at 7:30 p.m., Samuel Goldwyn Theater: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (1935). Presented in conjunction with the Academy’s Tribute to Olivia de Havilland (June 15) and the retrospective of her films at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, this visually stunning film earned the Academy Award for Cinematography for Hal Mohr. Cinematographer Ralph B. Woolsey will introduce the film.

Tickets for each screening are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with valid ID. They may be purchased in advance by mail, in person at the Academy’s headquarters in Beverly Hills during regular business hours, or on the night of the screening when the doors open at 6:30 p.m. The Academy’s headquarters and Samuel Goldwyn Theater are located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. The Linwood Dunn Theater, where only the May 24 screening will take place, is located at 1313 Vine Street in Hollywood. For more information, call 310-247-3600.

Editors: Please note that downloadable images are available at http://photos.oscars.org/.

Contact Information

Leslie Unger

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

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