Name: NUTCRACKER FANTASY (1979) on 16mm! A Beautiful, Bonkers Stop-Motion Rarity!
Start: 2024-12-07T19:00:00-08:00
End: 2024-12-07T21:00:00-08:00
Location: Philosophical Research Society

NUTCRACKER FANTASY (1979) on 16mm! A Beautiful, Bonkers Stop-Motion Rarity!

The Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles is a nonprofit cultural and educational organization which presents concerts, film screenings, lectures, performance art and theatre events, gallery exhibits and more on the intersection between the creative arts and mythology, mysticism and metaphysics.

The Philosophical Research Society

Don't miss this rare chance to experience one of the most far-out, peculiar, delicious stop-motion confections of all time on gorgeous 16mm!

Philosophical Research Society

The Philosophical Research Society is getting into the holiday spirit…the super strange holiday spirit...with an unbelievably rare screening of the truly bizarre and beautiful, stop-motion animated NUTCRACKER FANTASY (1979)! We’ll not only get the chance to experience Takeo Nakamura’s extraordinary oddity - unlike any other stop motion animated feature before or since – on the big screen but, thanks to co-presenter See It On 16mm, we’ll be screening a gorgeous 16mm print from PRS programmer Alex’s personal collection! “Let Yourself Believe that Once Upon A Time Good Prevailed Where Evil Existed and Puppets Walked Without Strings” – just by reading its awkward US tagline you know there's something wondrously off about Sanrio's NUTCRACKER FANTASY. The Hello Kitty magnate, then dipping their toes into film production, hired Nakamura, an ex-Rankin-Bass animator, to direct their vaguely festive stop-motion fantasy epic and employ the same signature Animagic technique that brought the beloved Rudolph &amp; Co. to life. The titular fantasy seems (if anything!) adapted from a poor German-to-Japanese-to-English translation of E.T.A. Hoffman's original yuletide yarn rather than the beloved ballet, though Tchaikovsky’s melodies are infused with the amazing Moog drenched soundtrack to supergroovy effect. What results is an awesomely bizarro sugarplum dream, at once familiar and alien. The signifiers of classic Christmas fare are there, from that unmistakable “holiday TV special” style (though the animation is exquisite and far more refined than Rudolph and the Misfits toys, a testament to the talent of the animators when not constrained by a Rankin-Bass budget) to the Tchaikovsky tunes to the basic story – under threat of evil rodent army, a young girl journeys to the Kingdom of the Dolls in search of her enchanted nutcracker – except Christmas is never once mentioned and all the elements have been mutated and peppered with a pinch of nightmare dust (several scenes, deemed too dark or strange, were cut from later versions of the American release). Adding to the beautiful confusion are elaborate, often psychedelic musical sequences, memorable songs and – in the English version – the voice talents of Christopher Lee (who sings!), Roddy McDowall, Eva Gabor, Dick Van Patten, an achingly earnest Melissa Gilbert (Little House on the Prairie) as Clara, and Jo Anne Worley as the “Nut of Darkness” wielding two-headed rat queen (yup!). Yet when mixed together with visually stunning animation throughout, this all makes for a peculiarly delicious confection that has sadly laid largely unsavored for ages. Incredibly rarely screened, totally enchanting (and surprisingly moving), hilariously odd, a total blast of a trip with an audience, and absolutely gorgeous in 16mm on the big screen, buy a ticket and take the ride for your new favorite weirdo animated film – the great NUTCRACKER FANTASY! Dir. Takeo Nakamura, 1979, 95 mins, Unrated (Suitable for All Audiences), Japan, English Dub, Color, 16mm Film. Special thanks to Michael Aguirre from See It On 16mm for projection ABOUT SEE IT ON 16MMSee It On 16mm is a traveling film projection pop up, run by Mikey Aguirre. Armed with a print collection that ranges from Hollywood classics, exploitation, horror and genre films, and everything in between, See It On 16mm has been bringing back the film projection experience to theaters and venues that are not equipped for film exhibition. Since 2020, See It On 16MM has been doing monthly residencies at multiple theaters, programming festivals and marathons, and touring across the United States with projectors and prints in hand. Aguirre’s is an awesome one man operation with no end in sight! <h3>TICKETS: $10 (In Person Event Only)</h3>Please email events@prs.org or phone 323-663-2167 with any questions.

ACCESSIBILITYPRS wants all guests to be able to enjoy our events safely and comfortably. If you require any accessibility accommodation, please reach out to events@prs.org before showtime and we will be happy to assist you. REFUND POLICIESAll sales are final. There are no refunds for PRS events , except in the event of a medical emergency, including but not limited to a positive COVID-19 test. Ticket exchanges may be granted on a case by case basis, pending circumstances.In the event that PRS is forced to cancel an event entirely, tickets will be refunded or vouchers offered for a rescheduled event. PARKINGLimited parking is available onsite at PRS in both the front lot (entry from Los Feliz Blvd. when heading east) and back lot (entry from first alley way, off Griffith Park Blvd. from intersection with Los Feliz Blvd.), as well as street parking on Griffith Park Blvd. and (after 7 PM) on Los Feliz Blvd. We encourage attendees to consider carpooling, walking or biking to events if possible, and please be considerate of our Los Feliz neighbors when parking. PRS EVENT POLICIES<ul><li>We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.</li><li>Events are subject to change without notice, including guest speakers and/or performers.</li><li>We encourage you to arrive at least 30 min. before the scheduled event start time to find parking, enjoy the Bookstore and take your seats.</li><li>Please turn off all mobile devices before the show. Talking and texting are not allowed during the events.</li><li>No filming, audio recording or mobile phone recording of events, screenings, concerts or other programs by audience members is allowed without permission.</li><li>There is no smoking permitted on PRS grounds.</li><li>We strongly encourage guests to wear masks to PRS events to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.</li><li>PRS allows Service Animals into the facility under ADA and state guidelines. For further details please visit www.ADA.gov. No animals permitted whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support, under ADA guidelines and CA Health Code.</li><li>Please do not bring outside food or drink into PRS events.</li><li>Weapons are strictly prohibited at PRS events.</li></ul>

NUTCRACKER FANTASY (1979) on 16mm! A Beautiful, Bonkers Stop-Motion Rarity!

More events from The Philosophical Research Society

Discover more events from The Philosophical Research Society, from Film & Media to other experiences you might love.

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all events in Los Angeles and filter by date, category, and more to find the perfect fit.

NUTCRACKER FANTASY (1979) on 16mm! A Beautiful, Bonkers Stop-Motion Rarity!

More events from The Philosophical Research Society

Discover more events from The Philosophical Research Society, from Film & Media to other experiences you might love.

You might also like...

Browse more events with different dates, prices, and formats to find your next great experience.

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all events in Los Angeles and filter by date, category, and more to find the perfect fit.