August 25, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:  Leslie Unger — (310) 247-3000
                         lunger@oscars.org

Film Musicals Celebrated in Academy Screening

Beverly Hills, CA — A fully re-mastered digital presentation of “That’s Entertainment!,” showcasing 125 stars from nearly 100 film musicals, will take place at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Friday, September 17, at 8 p.m. in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. A reunion of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer stars will be part of the evening, which will be presented as the September installment of the Academy’s Gold Standard series.

Produced, written and directed in 1974 by Jack Haley Jr. for the fiftieth anniversary of MGM, “That’s Entertainment!” launched a rebirth of the public’s appreciation for and love of film musicals. Many of the studio’s contract stars appear on camera to guide the viewer through this ode to the genre’s heyday. Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Gene Kelly, Peter Lawford, Liza Minnelli, Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Mickey Rooney, Frank Sinatra, James Stewart and Elizabeth Taylor are the narrators, with many other talents featured throughout. In honor of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the movie musical genre, “That’s Entertainment” has been recently re-mastered by Warner Home Video, with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio.

Turner Entertainment Co. president and COO Roger Mayer will serve as host for the evening. Among those expected for the reunion Cyd Charisse, Arlene Dahl, Howard Keel, Janet Leigh, Tony Martin, Margaret O’Brien, Janis Paige, Debbie Reynolds and Russ Tamblyn.

The Academy’s monthly Gold Standard series features Academy Award-winning and nominated films, as well as other titles that showcase the talents of Academy-honored individuals.

Tickets for “That’s Entertainment!” go on sale September 1 for $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members. They may be purchased in advance at the Academy during regular business hours, by mail, or on the night of the event, if still available, 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.

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