Peter Pan at the El Capitan Theatre
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Eric Goldberg, Richard Sherman and Howard Green
Eric Goldberg, well known animator,
is best known for his work animating notable characters such as the zany Genie
in Aladdin, Phil in Hercules and was also co-director of Disney's 1995 feature
Pocahontas. Having been with Disney since around 1990, Eric was able to give
some insights on the animation aspect of films. He told the audience that they
do rotoscope the models or actors but then they make changes to better enhance
the film by making the characters head larger or smaller as well as changing
other characteristics.
Paul Collins, another panelist, is continuing work as an actor today. When Peter
Pan was filmed, he was chosen as the oldest boy, John, in the Darling family.
Asked if he appeared in the Walt Disney Christmas TV segment promoting Peter
Pan, his response was that he would have to see it, as he really didn't remember
as it was so long ago. Surprisingly there just happened to be a copy of it
available for all to see on the screen. Later he commented that of course he
enjoyed making the film. What little boy didn't enjoy playing pirates? This was
the first time that Kathryn Beaumont- Levine and Paul Collins, who had played
brother and sister in the film had met since the filming.
A surprise guest after the panel left the stage was famed composer, Richard
Sherman, Academy Award winner for Mary Poppins Best Music Score and also Best
Song Chim Chim Cher-ee. He showed us a clip of Paige O'Hara (Belle from the
animated film Beauty and the Beast) singing a beautiful song that had only
partially been done for the original film of Peter Pan but had not been finished
and Richard completed it. This will be included in the re-released version of
the film and was the icing on the cake for the audience.
Paul Collins and his wife Ellen with Elizabeth
Sherman, Richard Sherman's wife
The panel discussion was followed by
a viewing of the new digitally enhanced film. Walt Disney's Peter Pan was
originally released in 1953 and is an animated version of J.M. Barries story - a
magical boy who refuses to grow up. Accompanied by the three Darling children
Wendy (Kathryn Beaumont- Levine), John (Paul Collins), and Michael Peter flies
back to Never Land where they encounter the Lost Boys, Indians, Mermaids (June
Foray and Margaret Kerry), and the treacherous pirate Captain Hook. When Peters
fairy pal, Tinker Bell (also Margaret Kerry), becomes jealous of his attentions
toward Wendy and is duped into helping Captain Hook, Peter must fly into action
to save them. Filled with memorable music (including You Can Fly and The Second
Star to the Right), colorful animation, and fantastic characters, Peter Pan
soared to the top of the box office and became a favorite with movie fans all
over the world. The film was directed by Hamilton Luske, Clyde Geronimi, and
Wilfred Jackson.
After the film a group called Teen Squad danced and sang for the audience, which
was followed by a Tinker Bell giving the illusion of dancing in the sky, while
fairy dust rained down upon the audience. A magical time was had by all who
attended.
June Foray with Scarlett Stahl
Tickets for all performances can be
purchased at the El Capitan box office, online at
http://www.elcapitantickets.com, or by calling 1-800-DISNEY6. Special group
rates for parties of 20 or more are available by calling 1-818-845-3110. Daily
show times are 10:00 am, 12:15 pm, 2:30 pm, 4:45 pm, 7:00 pm, and 9:15 pm.
On March 6th, 2007, Walt Disney Home Entertainment will release the special
2-Disc Platinum Edition of Walt Disney/s Peter Pan, brimming with fantasy, fun,
and new bonus features. For this new limited time only release, the film has
undergone an extensive digital restoration and features a new 5.1 Disney
Enhanced Home Theater Mix. Among the highlights of the 2-Disc set: The Peter Pan
That Almost Was - a never-before-seen alternate opening set in Never Land
(instead of the Darlings home), In Walts Words Why I Made Peter Pan! in which
Walt reveals in his own words why he made the film, You Can Fly: The Making of
Peter Pan, three all-new multi-level games, ,a sneak peek at the all-new Tinker
Bell movie and much more!
Discuss It
-- Posted February 9, 2007
-- Text and Pictures by Scarlett Stahl