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I've seen all of the shorts shown several times and actually dozed off during Egyptian Melodies (which I've never cared for). It was good see them (particularly Music Land) on a big screen but seeing eight in a row really emphasized why they showed one or two shorts and then a feature and not a dozen in a row.
Like I said, I'd seem them all several times so I was there for the panel which was interesting but, in my opinion, a little dull. Part of the problem, I felt, was that Russell Merritt was trying to pull things around to justify why an all sound program was being shown as part of the Silent Film Festival. It was nice that Leslie Iwerks was there but she seemed like a bit of a spare wheel since they only stopped talking about Walt for brief moments to force a question in her direction.
While nothing particularly new was said (though I'm sure a lot of it was new to most of the audience) it is always interesting to hear it discussed in detail and I'm glad I went. And the opportunity to talk to them afterwards would have been wonderful (I didn't feel like stacking in a very crowded small space for signed books) since that is the environment where the best insights are shared.
Also once we were there it occured to us that we hadn't been to the Castro since we saw a full slate of shows for the Asian Film Festival (culminating with Flower Drum Song several years ago). That was too long and hopefully we'll get back up there for the Bogie double feature later this month.
Followed it up with some time in Japantown and a wonderful dinner at one of the few restaurants there we haven't tried before (Maki, strongly recommended).
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