America's First Sci-Fi Musical Hit JUST IMAGINE Screens Sunday at the Aero!

Art Directors Guild Film Society and The American Cinematheque Present Screening and Special Panel

Sunday, August 19, 5:30 p.m. Aero Theatre in Santa Monica

The Art Directors Guild (ADG) Film Society and American Cinematheque will screen Just Imagine (1930), arguably Hollywood’s very first major science-fiction film, on Sunday, August 19, at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica.  Though Just Imagine was reportedly inspired by the grim Metropolis (1927), this rarely seen film is a fascinating musical comedy set in the then unimaginably distant future of 1980 – a future of personal airships and rockets to Mars – starring Maureen O’Sullivan, El Brendel, John Garrick, and the exotic “Joyzelle.” The program, sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter, will explore the film’s place at the very beginning of futurism in American movies, as well as honor the film’s legendary Oscar-winning Production Designer Stephen Goosson for his major design contributions to this highly influential film.

Just Imagine, a very expensive film, was considered only a modest success in its time and almost forgotten. Today it has become something of a “lost” film and nearly impossible to see on the big screen. “While the beautiful art deco sets, enormous miniatures, and remarkable projection effects still amaze,” says Production Designer John Muto, Founder of the ADG Film Series, “the music, comedy, and love story are derived from vaudeville and must have seemed very dated as cinematic musicals exploded in the 1930s. I suspect that may be why the film faded from view.  Our audience will discover a very surprising film!”

See the film's opening sequence:

“Today, most films set in the future portray a bleak, dystopian, even apocalyptic world.  Just Imagine’s vision of the future is a beautiful, playful utopia. Prohibition may be a nuisance in their 1980 – but a hero can still woo his girl by leading an expedition to Mars – where he discovers a planet ruled by a showgirl in a chrome sarong!”

“The art direction in Just Imagine is unforgettable by any standard,” said Muto.  The centerpiece of the film, an enormous miniature of a future New York City, filled an airship hanger in Arcadia, required more than 200 craftsmen working over five months to build, and cost $250,000 in 1930 dollars! Besides the many classy art deco settings, the film includes a remarkable laboratory set – the first to feature the Kenneth Strickfaden electrical equipment later made famous in the Frankenstein films.  The fantastic rocketship created for the film went on to become Flash Gordon’s trademark spaceship in the most successful serial of all time. “Given that Just Imagine had such a unique and unconventional look for its day, it was a remarkable tribute to Mr. Gooson when he was recognized with a nomination for the Best Art Direction Oscar of 1930.”

After the feature, a series of clips illustrating the influence of Just Imagine on such films as The Fifth Element (1997), Blade Runner (1982), Minority Report (2002), Things To Come (1936), Logan’s Run (1976), Brazil (1985), Soylent Green (1973), and Sleeper (1973) will screen.

A Q&A will follow, moderated by Muto, which will feature Nicholas Cull, Professor of Public Diplomacy at USC’s Annenberg School. Cull’s books include Projecting Empire:  Imperialism and the Popular Cinema and the forthcoming Projecting Tomorrow: Science Fiction and the Popular Cinema.

Just Imagine’s Production Designer, Stephen Goosson (1889 – 1973), was Columbia Pictures' supervising art director for 25 years. A gifted artist, he is responsible for the look of some of the most memorable films in Hollywood history. Goosson worked for a number of pioneer film companies including Lewis J. Selznick, Mary Pickford Productions, Frank Lloyd, DeMille Pictures, and Fox, before being hired by Columbia. Nominated for five Academy Awards, Goosson won for his magnificent Shangri-La set for Frank Capra's Lost Horizon (1937). A very short selection of his other memorable film designs might include The Lady From Shanghai (1947), Gilda (1946), The Little Foxes (1941), Meet John Doe (1941), Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), and It Happened One Night (1934).

“As 2012 heralds the Guild's 75th anniversary year, we have 
chosen this visually amazing film as our way of honoring the memory of some of
our industry's finest artisans and performers such as Stephen Goosson,” said Tom Walsh, President of the ADG.  “The atmosphere at our screenings is very casual and the audience of film enthusiasts, students, and colleagues from the film industry bring
their love of film to the Q&A, which creates an atmosphere for some 
lively and entertaining discussions.”