Jim Henson's THE STORYTELLER — Three Classic Tales on the Big Screen!

A special free-with-RSVP screening of three episodes of Henson's visionary fairy and folk tale television series! A rare big screen event!
About this Event

Admission is free with RSVP; advance RSVP is required. See end of listing for more details.*

As part of Through Mirrors, Webs, & Woods: A Month of Folk & Fairy Tales at PRS, a journey through the strange, magical, and transformative worlds of folk and fairy tales, 7th House and Cinemyth present a special free screening of three episodes of Jim Henson’s visionary television series THE STORYTELLER (1987–89), presented in conjunction with our one-night-only program

Conceived by Henson with his daughter Lisa, whose studies in folklore and mythology at Harvard helped inspire the project, The Storyteller looked back to the ancient tradition of telling fairy tales aloud, while using the possibilities of television to bring their strange and magical worlds vividly to life. To find its stories, researchers were enlisted to scour libraries on both sides of the Atlantic for early versions of European folk tales, which writer Anthony Minghella (The English Patient, The Talented Mr. Ripley) wove into nine richly imaginative episodes. At the heart of it all is the great John Hurt, whose wonderfully rich, lived-in performance as the wry, weathered, eponymous Storyteller — whose tales are punctuated by the irreverent commentary of his ever-skeptical talking dog — invites us to cozy up to the fire as his spellbinding narration paints each story with warmth and wonder.

Around Hurt’s fireside narration, Henson and his Creature Shop conjured a jaw-dropping parade of monsters, giants, devils, enchanted animals, and a host of fantastical beings, combining puppetry, animatronics, and live-action performance to give these old tales an immersive and tactile world all their own.

For this special screening, we’ve selected three of our favorite episodes from the series: THE LUCK CHILD, a darkly comic tale of prophecy, royal treachery, and a perilous encounter with a Griffin, brought spectacularly to life as one of the series’ most astonishing creature creations; THE THREE RAVENS, a haunting, lyrical tale of three princes transformed into ravens by an evil queen (Miranda Richardson), and the sister determined to save them; and THE SOLDIER AND DEATH, directed by Henson himself, a gleefully macabre tale of a returning soldier who discovers he can trap devils — and even Death itself — in a magical sack.

Suitable for all ages — contains potentially frightening imagery. Parental discretion advised.

*PLEASE NOTE: Admission to this event is free with advance RSVP. RSVP does not guarantee admission; seating is first come, first served and subject to capacity. Ticketholders for who have also RSVP’d for THE STORYTELLER will receive priority re-entry before general RSVP admission. A ticket to the separate, ticketed FAIRY TALES companion event does not constitute an RSVP for this screening. Ticketholders wishing to attend THE STORYTELLER must RSVP separately.

Tickets: Free with RSVP (All Screenings Are In Person Only)

Please email [email protected] or phone 323-663-2167 with any questions.

ADVISORY DISCLAIMER

With some exception, The Philosophical Research Society’s 7th House Screenings does not typically provide advisory warnings about potentially upsetting content or subject matter, as sensitivities are particular to each viewer. Please be sure to read event listings, research on the web, or visit Common Sense Media, IMDb, and DoesTheDogDie.com for thorough info on content and age-appropriateness. If you have any specific content advisory questions, please email [email protected].

CONTENT DISCLAIMER

The views, opinions, and thoughts expressed within exhibited works are solely those of their creators and may not represent those of the Philosophical Research Society (PRS), its affiliates, or any individuals associated with PRS. Screenings are intended for educational and entertainment purposes.

ACCESSIBILITY

PRS wants all guests to be able to enjoy our events safely and comfortably. If you require any accessibility accommodation, please reach out to [email protected] before showtime and we will be happy to assist you.

REFUND POLICIES

All 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.

PARKING

Limited parking is available onsite at PRS in both the front lot (entry from Los Feliz Blvd. when heading east), 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

• We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.
• Events are subject to change without notice, including guest speakers and/or performers.
• 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.
• Please turn off all mobile devices before the show. Talking and texting are not allowed during the events.
• No filming, audio recording or mobile phone recording of events, screenings, concerts or other programs by audience members is allowed without permission.
• There is no smoking permitted on PRS grounds.
• We strongly encourage guests to wear masks to PRS events to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
• 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.
• Please do not bring outside food or drink into PRS events.
• Weapons are strictly prohibited at PRS events.