October 1, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dawn Newell (310) 247-3000
                 dnewell@oscars.org

Charlie Chaplin's "The Circus" Comes to Academy Screen

	Charlie Chaplin's 1928 Academy Award®-winning silent film "The Circus" stars Chaplin as a tramp who falls in love with a circus owner's acrobatic daughter.

Robert Israel Orchestra to Perform Chaplin's Original Score

Beverly Hills, CA - Charlie Chaplin's 1928 Academy Award^®-winning silent film "The Circus" will be presented, with musical accompaniment by the Robert Israel Orchestra, on Friday, October 18, at 8 p.m. in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

This screening celebrates the Academy's 75th anniversary as it honors Chaplin, who was the recipient of the first Honorary Academy Award. At the first Academy Awards^® presentation on May 16, 1929, Chaplin was awarded the special statuette for "versatility and genius" in acting, writing, directing and producing "The Circus."

The newly-restored print of this classic film, which stars Chaplin as a tramp who falls in love with a circus owner's acrobatic daughter, comes to the screen as part of the Academy Standards Screening Series. This restoration has been completed by the Academy Film Archive, with the cooperation of the Chaplin Estate. A later score, written for the film by Chaplin himself in 1967, will be performed live by the Robert Israel Orchestra, a 25-piece ensemble with a full complement of strings, wind, brass and percussion.

Tickets for the screening are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members. They may be purchased by mail, in person at the Academy during regular business hours beginning October 1, or, pending availability, the night of the screening when the doors open at 7 p.m. The Academy is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. For more information, call 310-247-3600.

Editors: Please note that downloadable photos from this film are available at http://photos.oscars.org