The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present a special screening of the 1939 action-adventure film GUNGA DIN on Friday, June 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. Before the presentation, Oscar winners Ben Burtt and Craig Barron will discuss the sound and visual effects used in the film. The program also will be presented in New York on Monday, June 15, at 7:30 p.m. at the Academy Theater in New York City.
Produced and directed by two-time Oscar winner (and nine-time nominee) George Stevens, GUNGA DIN stars Cary Grant, Victor McLaglen, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Joan Fontaine. The film is set in late 19th century British India during a Thuggee uprising. This program is presented as an installment of the Academy's George Stevens Lecture Series.
Burtt and Barron will explore the "state-of-the-art" techniques used to create the film. The evening will also highlight the locations used in the film, revealing Lone Pine, California as the stand-in for India.
Burtt has won Academy Awards for Sound Effects Editing on STAR WARS (1977), RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981), E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982) and INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (1989). He was most recently nominated for Sound Editing and Sound Mixing on WALL-E (2008).
Barron won an Oscar for the visual effects of THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (2008) and was nominated for his work on BATMAN RETURNS (1992). He currently serves as a governor representing the Academy's Visual Effects Branch.
Tickets for GUNGA DIN (Los Angeles or New York City) are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Tickets may be purchased online at www.oscars.org or by mail (a printable order form is available in the Events & Exhibitions section of the Web site). Tickets may also be purchased at the box office on the night of the event (subject to availability). All seating is unreserved.
The Samuel Goldwyn Theater is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call (310) 247-3600.
The Academy Theater is located at 111 East 59th Street in New York City. Doors open at 7 p.m. All seating is unreserved. For more information, call (212) 821-9251.
