Peter Beagle to Host 'The Last Unicorn' Screenings at Hollywood Theater

Peter S. Beagle, award-winning author of the animated “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and a number of other well-known titles, is hosting an event at Dormont’s Hollywood Theater.

On Dec. 28, 29 and 30, Beagle will host screenings of his own animated movie, “The Last Unicorn,” at The Hollywood Theater on Potomac Avenue. In addition to the screenings, fans will have a chance to ask questions and have books signed by Peter.

All proceeds from ticket sales and 10% of book sales will be donated to The Hollywood Theater, a non-profit organization. Donations also are being collected currently to help the theater in its Go Digital or Go Dark campaign.

The theater is attempting to raise $75,000 to buy a digital movie projector, which will help the theater continue to survive. Read about the project in Hollywood Theater manager Chad Hunter’s blog.

Originally released in 1982, the animated classic tells the story of a unicorn (Mia Farrow) who leaves her forest to learn why the rest of her kind have disappeared from the world.

Along the way she meets a bumbling magician (Alan Arkin) and a sharp-tongued woman (Tammy Grimes) who travel with her to the realm of an evil king (Christopher Lee), and the dangerous Red Bull. Other voice actors include Angela Lansbury, Jeff Bridges and Rene Auberjenois.

Beagle, who grew up in New York City, received a creative writing degree from the University of Pittsburgh, where he was still a student when he wrote his first novel, “A Fine and Private Place.”  The novel was published by Viking in 1960.

Beagle's screenwriting credits include the animated "Lord of the Rings" (1978), and the screenplay of his own novel "The Last Unicorn" (1982).

The author of numerous novels, short stories, poems, and songs, he has won the Hugo, Nebula, and Mythopoeic Awards and a World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement.

If you’re going:

What: “The Last Unicorn” (1982) showing, hosted by Peter S. Beagle.

Where: Dormont’s Hollywood Theater.

When: Dec. 28 at 7 p.m.; Dec. 29 at 2 p.m.; and Dec. 30 at 5 p.m.

Cost: Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and children under 12. Tickets purchased through the Showclix website are subject to a service charge. Tickets can be purchased at The Hollywood Theater box office or through www.showclix.com/event/TheLastUnicornWithPeterBeagle.

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