September 11, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:  Tarrah Lee Curtis - (310) 247-3090
                              tcurtis@oscars.org      

Academy Highlights Role of
Magic Lanterns in
Evolution of Film

Beverly Hills, CA — The dreams of Victorian-era magic lanternists will come to life at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Wednesday, October 4, at 7:30 p.m. Presented in cooperation with Los Angeles Filmforum, “Magic Lanterns and the Evolution of Film Narratives,” a historical review of Victorian projections and illustrated entertainments, will be presented at the Academy’s Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood.

Magic lanternists in the Victorian era had two dreams: first, to make still images move; second, to tell stories in pictures. Mixing historical commentary and period showmanship using an original triunial (three-level) lantern, David Francis of the Library of Congress and Joss Marsh, professor of Victorian studies at Indiana University, will trace the origin and development of those dreams in the context of cartoons, illustrated books, narrative paintings and other 19th century visual art forms. The program will particularly highlight the importance of Charles Dickens and Victorian temperance propaganda to both lanternists’ storytelling and to the early development of narrative film.

“Magic Lanterns” will present a full range of lantern materials – from early engraved, moving and painted slides to “dissolving views” and hand-colored photographic “life model” sets, one of which is an extension of the famous temperance story “Buy Your Own Cherries.” It anticipates the lantern’s competition with film (especially in Britain) into the 1920s.

In addition, the evening will include two films by R. W. Paul, “Buy Your Own Cherries” and “A Christmas Carol,” which illustrate the influences of stage and slide techniques.

Tickets to “Magic Lanterns and the Evolution of Film Narrative” are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Tickets may be purchased at the Academy in person during regular business hours, by mail, or, if still available, at the box office on the night of the event. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at 1313 Vine Street in Hollywood. For more information, call 310-247-3600.

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