"Lady and the Tramp" at the El Capitan - Feb. 2 - 14, 2006

[cstephens]

In case anyone's interested, just a note that "Lady and the Tramp" in an "all-new digitally restored with enhanced picture and sound" version will be shown at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood from Feb. 2 - 14, 2006.

On opening night, February 2, 7pm, there will be a panel discussion presumably before the film), though there is no indication of who will be on the panel.

General admission and reserved VIP tickets are available.

We went to a showing last year of "Cinderella" and really enjoyed it, so we're definitely going to this.

Here's the El Capitan website (http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/el_capitan/index.html), from which you can order tickets.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

If any of you can make it to the panel discussion, I highly recommend it (and will likely be going myself.)

I went to the Cinderella panel discussion and it was one of the most interesting things I've ever seen. I suspect that circumstances wouldn't be exactly the same for the L&T panel, but at the last panel, Andreas Dejas interviewed Ollie Johnston and it moved me to tears. More on this in a forthcoming open mic thread.

[innerSpaceman]

While the panel discussion would be nice, Lady and Tramp seems like it would make a much more appropriate Valentine's Day film, since it happens to be playing on that date.

All couples should smuggle a plate of spaghetti into the El Cap for their romantic reenactments of the classic canine love scene.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Bump! I'll be at the panel discussion tomorrow night, in case anyone else will be there.

Though I'm leaving before the film starts. Tom works nights so I'm waiting to actually watch the film until next weekend (it's our weekend-of-non-Hallmark-holiday-romance-for-the-sake-of-romance.)

[innerSpaceman]

Heheh, and it turns out I'll be there on Friday. A friend of mine is getting her first screen credit (her company does all the film restoration work for Disney). So zapppop and I are planning to go after all.

Anyone know someplace in Hollywood where we can get some spaghetti, to go?

[Not Afraid]

Try Micellii's around the corner from the Egyptian.

[cstephens]

They finally released balcony VIP tickets yesterday, so we got them last night. And I'm remembering this time that it takes me about an hour to get there, so I'm leaving work tonight between 5:00 and 5:30 so I'm not cutting it close for the 7pm panel.

[cstephens]

We had a great time last night. I got to Hollywood and Highland at about 6:20 and met up with a friend who had already arrived. The Mann Chinese was hosting the premiere of Harrison Ford's new movie "Firewall", so there were people lined up on the street to see the celebrities arrive on the red carpet. On the second level of Hollywood and Highland by the back of Build-A-Bear is an area where you can see the red carpet quite well from an elevated standpoint, so we stood there with other people for a while to see if we could see anyone, but we never actually saw anyone we recognized, and then it was time to head across the street. We went to the Soda Fountain to ask what time they'd be closing that night because we were wanting to go in and browse at the store after the show. The CM at the door informed us that they were open until 10pm. We were talking about the food selections at the Soda Fountain, and I made a comment about the grilled cheese and hot dog that were on the menu, and the CM mentioned that they were actually serving spaghetti. No way! She showed us the special insert menu related to "Lady and the Tramp", and sure enough, spaghetti! We knew we had to go back after the show.

We went inside the theatre, and as we entered, we were handed a piece of paper with the itinerary for the evening, and they were also handing out a sheet of four Valentine's Day cards themed to the 50th anniversary of "Lady and the Tramp". The cards are so pretty, and I'm presuming they'll be giving them out at all showings. In the lobby, they had an accordionist and a mandolin player. How cool, and what a nice touch! (My husband noted later that the mandolin player was the identical twin of a certain former Billy Hiller who we've of late seen performing in Downtown Disney.) We went upstairs, picked up our popcorn and drink (and ran into my husband doing the same thing), and then we all made our way to our favorite balcony seats.

Everything got under way shortly after 7pm. The Master of Ceremonies was John Canemaker, and he introduced a number of dignitaries who were in the audience this evening, including Alice Davis (though we were a bit perturbed that she was introduced only as Marc Davis' wife with no mention of her own numerous accomplishments). He then introduced the panelists: Theo Gluck, Richard Sherman, Stan Freberg and Andreas Deja. They discussed the digital restoration of the film, and Richard Sherman talked about Peggy Lee's involvement in the film. They then showed a clip of Peggy Lee singing "He's a Tramp" in the recording studio, with the Mello Men backing her. Stan Freberg then talked about his association with Walt Disney and how he came about creating the voice of the beaver and Walt's contribution to the beaver's whistling affectation, and he even gave a demonstration. Andreas then showed a number of concept drawings and character drawings. They then showed a clip that was billed as a deleted scene in which the dogs fantasize about what it would be like if the roles were reversed and they were in charge of the humans.

After the panel discussion, we got to the regular part of the show, which will be featured before each screening of the film. First was a showing of the short film "Puppy Love", a Valentine's Day color short with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and Fifi. Then there's a live stage appearance by Mickey and Minnie themselves. Then the movie was shown.

By the time everything was done, it was about 9:30, so we headed next door (passing Tony Baxter on our way in). We were seated at a table and then I had a chance to better peruse the special insert menu. In addition to a fresh fruit bowl, a chili cheese dog and a tuna salad sandwich, the themed additions to the menu were spaghetti with meatballs (Celebrate "Lady and the Tramp" with a plate of our home-style whole wheat spaghetti, served with a rich tomato sauce and tasty meatballs. adult plate - $7.25; child plate - $5.25) and the Sweetheart Sundae (Inspired by the greatest love story ever animated, Walt Disney's "Lady and the Tramp", we present "The Sweetheart Sundae". This special sundae features generous scoops of Dewar's vanilla and strawberry ice creams smothered in our homemade strawberry sauce and a dollop of marshmallow. Topped with dreamy whipped cream, Valentine's Day sprinkles, and two luscious red cherries. Enjoy the Sundae and keep the bowl! $8.75) We didn't get a good look at the keepsake bowl, but it's not like the other ones that have been featured which are themed specifically to a film. It looked like a red bowl with hearts on it.

All three of us of course ordered the spaghetti. While we were waiting for our food, our friend and I decided to do some shopping in the store. They have a number of new merchandise themed to "Lady and the Tramp", including a set of plush connected by a string of spaghetti. The plush are in the "mangy" style that I'm not particularly fond of. They also have a salt and pepper set and a heart-shaped picture frame and a jersey shirt with a picture of Lady and Tramp and the words "first romance". That was a very popular shirt as I saw many people in line to purchase one. We got in line to make our various purchases and then went back to the table.

Our food didn't arrive for some time after that. Our server was very nice, but service in my experience at the Soda Fountain is often slow because the kitchen area is so small. When we eventually got our food, the spaghetti was ok (the wheat version was different than I'm used to), and we enjoyed our meal. They were no longer allowing people into the Soda Fountain/store, but the retail section remained open as long as there were people inside. In talking to our server and another CM at the end of our meal, we learned that this was the first night they'd started serving the special menu, and with some staffing and logistical issues that hadn't been worked out beforehand, there were some challenges. We noted that on this evening, there was only one screening of the film, whereas on subsequent nights, there would be multiple screenings and a lot more people, so they were preparing themselves for an onslaught since the spaghetti addition proved to be a popular item. For anyone who decides to visit either before or after a film, make sure you allow plenty of extra time, and be armed with patience. The CM also said that they normally close at 9pm but that they were expecting to stay open later for the run of this film.

It was a great night all around, and we definitely expect to attend any more of these sessions that are held at the El Capitan.

[innerSpaceman]

Thanks for the report. Heheh, I think I will indeed try the spaghetti, wheat or not. I'll leave plenty of time. My partner, even though he's not chaff, will likely go for the ice cream. But I hope no one minds the homo version of the spaghetti kiss that's bound to happen.

[mousepod]

But I hope no one minds the homo version of the spaghetti kiss that's bound to happen.

But who's going to be rolling the meatball with his nose?

(That sounded dirtier than I meant it)

[Snowflake]

But who's going to be rolling the meatball with his nose?

(That sounded dirtier than I meant it)

Okay, I vote this the funniest post today. :D

[cstephens]

Thanks for the report. Heheh, I think I will indeed try the spaghetti, wheat or not. I'll leave plenty of time. My partner, even though he's not chaff, will likely go for the ice cream. But I hope no one minds the homo version of the spaghetti kiss that's bound to happen.

How was the screening and your evening?

[innerSpaceman]

The screening was really fun. No panel discussion, natch. But it was made up for by seeing my friend's restoration screen credit displayed and a bunch of us getting to cheer her in person. The print looked great, and the short "Puppy Love" was a delightful surprise.

On the more imporant spaghetti front, however, news was disappointing. Though the "wheat" pasta as the Disney soda fountain next door was quite yummy, the sauce was the very definition of weak-sauce. And, what were they thinking? - they cut the spaghetti into tiny pieces - which, while perhaps suitable for toddlers, makes performance of the Lady/Tramp spaghetti kiss impossible (perhaps that was the point). Oh, and they messed up our very simply Sundae order. Gak.

After the show, we also tried the spaghetti and meataballs at Micellii's, but it, too, was disappointing bland.


Great film, bad food.

[cstephens]

Though the "wheat" pasta as the Disney soda fountain next door was quite yummy, the sauce was the very definition of weak-sauce. And, what were they thinking? - they cut the spaghetti into tiny pieces.

I agree that the sauce was pretty week. Did they mix your noodles and sauce? We got a mixture of both - one plate that had the noodles and sauce already mixed together and two plates with the noodles on the bottom and the sauce just spooned on top. That's bizarre about cutting the noodles. They didn't do that Thursday night. I wonder if this was another side-effect of the cooking/space problem. How was the service as far as waiting for the food? Just wondering if it was as crazy as we/they expected.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

I went and saw it tonite (Tues) all I can say is "WOW."

Lot of memories seeing it again. Great theatre, great presentation. Just WOW!

[innerSpaceman]

Well, they were lickity splilt about serving the food, but un-restaurant lazy about taking away the empty plates. Instead, all the CMs sat around and talked with each other while there was clearly work to be done. Reminded me of Disneyland!

Then they made a 'black and white' sundae with no white. Chocolate ice cream only, with zero vanilla. Maybe it was the day the Disney ice cream parlor was out of vanilla (which would, of course, remind me of the Saturday that the bar at Tortilla Jo's was out of orange juice).