Presented in conjunction with
ASIFA-Hollywood (International Animated Film Society) and Golden Apple Comics.
Blasted into public consciousness — and controversy — by the
first X-rated cartoon, FRITZ THE CAT, legendary writer/director/producer Ralph
Bakshi’s career in animation spans an astounding 50 years. Highlights of the series
THE LORD OF THE RINGS & WIZARDS are his own personal prints and are rarely seen. A
selection of Bakshi rarities and a long-lost series of Coca-Cola commercials.
As part of our ongoing "Animation A-Go-Go!" Series, this
three-night tribute celebrates the films that solidified Bakshi’s stake in animation
history while digging up rarities from his personal collection that have rarely—if
ever—been viewed publicly. Retailer Golden Apple Comics will be on-site at the
Egyptian for this special Bakshi event. Details on the web www.goldenapplecomics.com.
The series is highlighted by screenings of Bakshi’s personal
prints of LORD OF THE RINGS (1978) and WIZARDS, which rarely, if ever screened; as well as
a selection of rareties including the World Premiere of an unseen Bakshi short, plus a
long-lost series of 1960s Coca-Cola commercials made by Bakshi and Peter Max.
He started as a cel polisher at Terrytoons Animation Studio, and rose
to the rank of creative director by the age of 28. That led to headlining directorial gigs
for decades to come: theatricals for Paramount; translating Spider-Man from comic book
panels to the small screen; opening his own production house, Ralph’s Spot, for
shorts and commercials; and eventually colliding head-on with the world of features.
COONSKIN, HEAVY TRAFFIC, WIZARDS, THE LORD OF THE RINGS, AMERICAN POP, FIRE & ICE and
a slew of others led up to his re-invention of Saturday morning cartoons with "The
New Adventures of Mighty Mouse," a show that proved to be a precursor for irreverent
fare like "The Ren & Stimpy Show." And after a fierce yet legendary career
in animation, Bakshi has since found solace with his paintbrush. His work can be viewed at
www.ralphbakshi.com
As part of our ongoing "Animation
A-Go-Go!" Series, this three-night tribute celebrates the films that solidified
Bakshi’s stake in animation history while digging up rarities from his personal
collection that have rarely—if ever—been viewed publicly. We’re
thrilled to welcome Ralph Bakshi to the Egyptian and Aero Theatres for the first major Los
Angeles retrospective of his work!!
Friday, April 29 – 7:30 PM
Double Feature:
FRITZ THE CAT, 1972, MGM/UA, 78 min. Dir. Ralph Bakshi.
Slapped with the first X-rating for an animated feature, FRITZ charts the odyssey of a
drop-out tom-cat through 60’s over-indulgence — humping, hash, hippies, and
Hell’s Angels — as writer R. Crumb originally chronicled it in his comics.
HEAVY TRAFFIC, 1973, MGM/UA, 77 min. Dir. Ralph
Bakshi. The roaring follow-up to FRITZ, HEAVY TRAFFIC offers up another highly
personalized view of urban America, this time about Michael, a down-and-out cartoonist
drowning in the sounds of the city around him — pimps, pushers, provocateurs, and
all. Plus, a selection of Bakshi rarities, including the World Premiere of the unseen
Bakshi short "The Cigarette & The Weed" (3 min.); the 1967 short "Marvin
Digs" (Paramount, 8 min.); and a long-lost series of Coca-Cola commercials made
in the 1960’s by Bakshi and Peter Max!! Discussion between films with director
Ralph Bakshi, moderated by Jon M. Gibson.
>> FRITZ THE CAT also playing at the Aero on May 1.
>> HEAVY TRAFFIC An Egyptian Theatre Exclusive!
Saturday, April 30 – 7:00 PM
Double Feature:
WIZARDS, 1977, 20th Century Fox/Criterion, 82 min.
Dir. Ralph Bakshi. A post-apocalyptic vision like none before, where twin wizards
— the wicked Blackwolf and the good-hearted Avatar — battle for rule over an
epic, fantasy wasteland. This is rarely, if ever screened – we’ll be showing
Bakshi’s personal print of the film, so don’t miss it!!
COONSKIN (a.k.a. STREETFIGHT), 1975, Xenon Films, 100
min. Dir. Ralph Bakshi. Bleak and brutal, this is the biting tale of Harlem street
survival — an unforgiving war between gun-clad punks, prostitutes, and all the cool,
cruel people that populate the rest of the sidewalk. Plus, "The New Adventures of
Mighty Mouse: Night of the BatBat" (1987, Paramount, 30 min., Dir. Ralph Bakshi.)
Bakshi completely reinvented the classic "Mighty Mouse" series with his frantic
and subversive visual humor, paving the way for later shows like "Ren &
Stimpy," "Dexter’s Laboratory" and more.
Discussion between films with director Ralph Bakshi, moderated
by Jon M. Gibson.
>> WIZARDS also playing at the Aero on May 1.
>> COONSKIN An Egyptian Theatre Exclusive!
Sunday, May 1 – 5:00 PM
Double Feature:
THE LORD OF THE RINGS, 1978, The Saul Zaentz Co.,
132 min. Dir. Ralph Bakshi. Originally a topic of griping among hardcore Tolkien
fans, Bakshi’s bold, hallucinogenic interpretation of hobbits and the journey they
undertake to save Middle Earth was recently hailed by Peter Jackson as one of his
inspirations for the live-action trilogy. Another film that is almost never revived
on-screen – we’ll be showing Bakshi’s personal print, so catch it now or
you may never see it again!!
AMERICAN POP, 1981, Columbia, 96 min. Dir. Ralph
Bakshi. The bouncing and bruising story of four sets of fathers and sons, this is
Bakshi’s musical cruise through rock ‘n’ roll history, fueled by classic
tunes from Gershwin, Bob Dylan, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Seger, and dozens of others.
>> An Egyptian Theatre Exclusive!
