Hucknall Arc Cinema hosts weekend event for cult film Short Circuit featuring life-size replica of Johnny 5 robot built by local engineer

The Arc Cinema in Hucknall hosted a popular 35th anniversary screening of cult science-fiction film 'Short Circuit' on Saturday (4 December).

The event saw two screenings of the film and a life-size replica of the robot in the film, Johnny 5, which was built by a Hucknall engineer, on display throughout the day.

Fans were able to have pictures with the robot and watch its creator, Ryan Howard, demonstrate the array of movements it can make which are a relatively new feature to this ever evolving project.

Speaking to Hucknall Nub News, Mr Howard said: "Even before I can remember watching films I've known Johnny 5.

"I bought a 3D printer and I started printing plastic parts and whatnot and actually built it completely from plastic to start with but soon I realised that it was getting too heavy to even support its own weight and I thought if I'm going to do this, I'm going to do it properly.

"I bought a lathe, a CNC, a mill, pillar drills everything and I thought I'm going to do it, I'm going to learn, it was one hell of a learning curve."

He got in contact with Terry Andrews Jr an American man who stripped the original robot down, and he passed on the measurements and relevant information required to build a replica.

Mr Howard then embarked on the project which he insists helped him get through the various Coronavirus related lockdowns of the last year and three quarters.

"During the pandemic that's all I did. I was furloughed for a bit and I literally spent 12 hours a day, five days a week, just machined and machined and I really enjoyed it."

"There's nothing else you could do. I was lucky. I was trapped in the four walls, and I thought now is the time to do it and so I bought lots of metal and sort of worked away."

As already alluded to, the project isn't finished yet.

"I'm aiming to make a telematic suit so he's going to copy everything that I do.

"So far he's taken about four and a half years including the plastic one but it's maybe two years when I started machining things and buying things."

On the event itself Mr Howard added: "It's fantastic. I live in Hucknall, I grew up in Hucknall. I came to watch films here as a kid, it's great that it's here in my local town."

Speaking to Hucknall Nub News, cinema manager Mark Gallagher said: "I saw an article on Ryan building the robot, the Johnny 5, and being a big fan of the film as a kid myself instantly thought right, I need to get this in the cinema.

"I didn't even contemplate putting a screening on, I just wanted it in the foyer for people to come and have a look.

"Then I thought I wonder if there's an anniversary coming up, so I Googled when the film came out and it was 5 December 1986, which is 35 years to the day, and I thought this is too good to be true.

Mr Gallagher then had a struggle to get the rights to the film and after many fruitless discussions with various film distributors he was put in touch with the film's original producer John Hyde.

"He produced The Lost Boys, Flight of the Navigator, both Short Circuits, he was Vice President of the Jim Henson Company so he's a big deal in Hollywood and here I am emailing him, I thought this has blown up out of control," added Mr Gallagher.

Initially Mr Hyde had no interest in granting The Arc Cinema permission to show the film but once he heard about the replica Johnny 5, he changed his mind.

The legendary producer then surprised everyone by waiving any fees that he would be due which for an old film is normally between 40-50% of ticket sales.

Mr Gallagher added: "He said 'don't worry about paying us any revenue just put the money towards putting more family friendly events on' and I though what a lovely bloke."