Tim Burton’s stop motion animated musical classic The Nightmare Before Christmas has become a holiday tradition for all ages. This Halloween, the historic El Capitan movie palace in Hollywood is giving fans and newcomers another chance to see it on the big screen, along with Burton’s rarely seen early shorts Frankenweenie and Vincent.
The limited engagement kicks off on Friday, Oct. 25 with two filmmaker panels featuring Nightmare director Henry Selick (James and the Giant Peach, Monkeybone), Frankenweenie co-star Shelley Duvall, and Nightmare co-star Glenn Shadix, who provides the voice of the Mayor of Halloween Town. E! Entertainment’s on-air personality Todd Newton will moderate both the 7:00 p.m. session and a second panel at 9:30 p.m., which was added after overwhelming advance sales.
Based on a story and characters created by Tim Burton, The Nightmare Before Christmas follows the earnest but misguided adventures of Halloween Town’s beloved Pumpkin King, Jack Skellington, who discovers something called Christmas and attempts to take it over.
In addition to being a masterpiece of animation, the film is also a lavish musical, featuring 10 songs by Danny Elfman, who provides the singing voice for Jack. The voice cast also includes Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Paul Reubens and Ken Page.
Both Frankenweenie (1984), a 30-minute live-action homage to the fright films of the 1930s, and Vincent (1982), a stop motion love letter to horror icon Vincent Price, have developed cult followings in their own right.
In addition to the opening-night festivities, the entire run features a special exhibit of Nightmare props and sets on display in the El Capitan’s lobby.
Show Times:
October 25 at 9:30 p.m. and 12 midnight
October 26 at 11:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 12 midnight
October 27 at 7:00 p.m.
October 28 at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
October 29-30 at 2:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 9:30 p.m.
October 31 at 2:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 12 midnight
Tickets are $10 for adults; $6.50 for children 3-11 and seniors; and $6.00 per person for groups of 20 or more. VIP admission of $19 includes popcorn, soft drink and a reserved "best seat in the house"–plus no waiting in line.
For more information and to purchase tickets, call 1-800-347-6396.
