Though it started as a hashtag on Twitter and Instagram, Throwback Thursday has grown into theme that several have embraced. The El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood is no exception. The theatre has been hosting screenings of classic Disney films as chosen by their fans on Facebook. On October 9th the El Cap presented the original “The Parent Trap” starring Hayley Mills.
In addition to the film itself, the El Capitan always has manages to have some special guests on hand. First up was Disney Archivist Becky Cline. Cline shared several photos taken during the filming of “The Parent Trap” including some of Walt on the set. Additionally costumes and other props from the film were on display in the theatre’s lobby during the evening.
The audience was then treated to a short performance and presentation from Disney Legend Richard Sherman. Sherman not only performed excerpts from the film’s three songs but also shared anecdotes about his experiences working on the film. For instance he shared how Hayley Mills wasn’t confident about recording “Let’s Get Together” because, as he said, she was an actress, not a singer. To this Sherman allegedly replied what if you act like a singer? He also shared that Haley’s mispronunciation of “alligator” is part of the reason that song has been enduring.
After Sherman performed the film’s theme, the screen came back down and the projector was struck. Fans applauded throughout the opening titles but roared when the Sherman Brothers’ credit hit the screen.
It seemed a lot of the audience hadn’t seen the film in a while and were taken aback at just how funny the movie is (“Boston is no place to rekindle a romance!”). A lot of the humor might have even sailed over our heads when watching at a younger age but now caused the crowd to laugh out loud throughout.
Also unexpected was the film’s runtime. At nearly two hours and ten minutes, the audience seemed to grow a little restless near the end of the third act. In fact, as my friend Chis joked, when Maureen O’ Hara asks Brian Keith what took him so long, the answer very well could have been, “ask the editor.”
Critiques of 50 year old films aside, the evening proved another special production from the El Capitan. Each Throwback Thursday screening I’ve attended has had its own surprises and touches that go beyond the opportunity to revisit these classics.
The next Throwback Thursday event will be on December 11th as the El Capitan presents The Swiss Family Robinson. It’ll be interesting to see what the theatre has up its sleeve for for that evening.