Photo courtesy of Shout! Studios. Ⓒ Tatsunoko Production
Japan Society, Shout! Studios, and Anime NYC present a very special screening of SPEED RACER: THE MOVIE on 35mm with original “Trixie” Voice Actress Corinne Orr. This event is in celebration of SPEED RACER coming to major digital platforms in both English and Japanese for the first time through Shout! Studios beginning June 1.
Japan Society is a 117-year-old nonprofit organization with a goal of bringing the U.S. and Japan together, and it is honored to present this evening recognizing SPEED RACER’s artistic and cultural merit on the occasion of it being newly accessible for a whole new generation.
A 1992 theatrical compilation produced by Speed Racer Enterprises and Streamline Pictures - one of the pioneering American distributors of English dubbed anime, including AKIRA and early Miyazaki - SPEED RACER: THE MOVIE links together multiple episodes from the iconic Americanized version of the 1960s anime. An early example of the success of Japanese animation in the United States, SPEED RACER was notable for its rapid-fire, fast-paced dialogue (meant to match the quick lip movements of the anime) which was produced locally by New York-based dubbing studio Titra Studios and featured the vocal talents of Corinne Orr (Trixie, Spritle, Mom) and Peter Fernandez - who not only voiced the titular Speed Racer, but served as the series’ co-writer and voice director. Struck from the original Japanese 35mm masters, this theatrical re-release selects two of the show’s most absurd adventures: THE CAR HATER and THE RACE AGAINST THE MAMMOTH CAR. Competing in auto races across the world, Speed, Trixie and the gang go head-to-head with an embittered man on horseback who forbids his daughter from driving and a massive segmented car in the No-Limits World Race—aided, of course, by the powerful Mach 5, the “most fabulous car ever driven.”
Archival 35mm Presentation. 35mm print courtesy of the Chicago Film Society.
Commemorative posters will be provided to all attendees.
Voice actress Corinne Orr will introduce SPEED RACER: THE MOVIE, host a Q&A following the screening, and conduct a paid autograph session at the conclusion of the event.
Public tickets are available now at japansociety.org/film.
Screening will take place at Japan Society’s landmarked headquarters at 333 East 47th St, New York, NY 10017, one block from the United Nations and minutes from Grand Central Terminal.
About Corinne Orr
Actress Corinne Orr was born in Montreal, Quebec and began acting professionally in Canada at age 14. She trained at the Montreal Repertory Theater and was a member of the Montreal Shakespeare Company. In Canada, she worked beside greats including William Shatner, Christopher Plummer, Rupert Caplan and Silvio Narizzano.
After moving to New York, Orr worked across many soap operas and radio programs and soon started in animation. Her first such role was in JOHNNY CYPHER IN DIMENSION ZERO, which led to a career of over 300 cartoons and over 1,000 commercials. She is most known as the voices of Trixie and Spritle in SPEED RACER and further appeared in STAR BLAZERS, MARINE BOY, ULTRAMAN, GIGANTOR, GAMERA, and KIMBA THE WHITE LION, as well as SESAME STREET, and Disney’s PB&J OTTER. She also voiced Snuggle Fabric Softener’s Snuggle the Bear for over 15 years.
About Shout! Studios
Shout! Studios is a multi-platform media company specializing in film and TV distribution, development, and production. The company has evolved with the changing entertainment landscape to excel in all forms of content distribution, including theatrical, digital streaming, broadcast and in-flight licensing, physical media, and more. Shout! Studios owns and manages a large portfolio of contemporary and classic feature films, series, animation, and documentaries. The company’s creative acquisition mandate has established it as a leading independent distributor, with partners and properties including Aardman Animations, ALF, THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW, Stephen J. Cannell Productions, the Roger Corman New Horizons Pictures Library, GKIDS, Studio Ghibli, ITV Studios, THE JOHNNY CARSON SHOW, LAIKA Studios, MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 (in partnership with creator Joel Hodgson), and SESAME STREET, alongside many others. Shout! Kids focuses on live-action and animated kids and family properties including anime, and the company releases genre and horror films and television shows under the Scream Factory imprint. Shout! Studios also produces, acquires, and distributes new films, and operates the acclaimed streaming service Shout! TV and its family of FAST channels. Shout! Studios is based in Los Angeles, California. For more on Shout! Studios, visit ShoutStudios.com
About Japan Society
Japan Society is the premier organization connecting Japanese arts, culture, business, and society with audiences in New York and around the world. At Japan Society, we are inspired by the Japanese concept of kizuna (絆)–forging deep connections to bind people together. We are committed to telling the story of Japan while strengthening connections within New York City and building new bridges beyond. In over 100 years of work, we’ve inspired generations by establishing ourselves as pioneers in supporting international exchanges in arts and culture, business and policy, as well as education between Japan and the U.S. We strive to convene important conversations on topics that bind our two countries together, champion the next generation of innovative creators, promote mutual understanding, and serve as a trusted guide for people everywhere who seek to more fully appreciate the rich complexities and abundance of Japan. From our New York headquarters, a landmark building designed by architect Junzo Yoshimura that opened to the public in 1971, we look forward to the years ahead, which will be defined by our digital and ideational impact through the kizuna that we build. Our future can only be enhanced by learning from our peers and engaging with our audiences, both near and afar.
Japan Society programs are made possible by leadership support from Booth Ferris Foundation, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Film programs are generously supported by ORIX Corporation USA, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and Yen Press. Endowment support is provided by the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Endowment Fund and The John and Miyoko Davey Endowment Fund. Additional season support is provided by The Globus Family, David Toberisky, and Friends of Film. Transportation assistance is provided by Japan Airlines, the official Japanese airline sponsor of Japan Society Film. Housing assistance is provided by the Kitano Hotel, the official hotel sponsor of Japan Society Film.