The Valley Line: An animated night at the Orpheum
Venturing out of our Foothills and into the big city, I attended “LACO @ the Movies: An evening of Disney Silly Symphonies,” held at the historic Orpheum Theatre movie palace on West Broadway in downtown L.A.
More than 1,200 people turned out to experience this fun night of film and live music performed by the musicians of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.
Chip McLean, senior vice president/general manager of Disney Concerts told those assembled, “We are immensely proud to be associated with the world-class Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra in featuring a celebration of Disney’s Silly Symphonies. The Silly Symphony series of animated shorts was born out of music itself with the concept of fashioning storytelling around musical scores. These shorts were produced by Walt Disney Productions from 1929 to 1939.”
The films were projected without sound, and the orchestra, seated on the immense stage, played the film scores live.
The delightful shorts shown were “The Skeleton Dance,” 1929; “Flowers and Trees,” 1932; “Three Little Pigs,” 1933; “The Country Cousin,” 1936; “The Old Mill,” 1937; “The Ugly Duckling,” 1939; and “Music Land,” 1935.
There was a slight hitch at the beginning of the program because the musicians’ video became unplugged. After some electronic tweaks here and there, the program began again to enthusiastic applause.
The timeless fairy tales and fantastical scenarios with music that raced ahead at full speed evoked just about every emotion, perfectly showcasing the interplay of music and film.
The audience, comprised of adults and kids, seemed to love the short films and were amazed by the percussion miracles such as bird tweets bells, and horns. There was much laughter that rippled through the theater.
Another musical wonder was the thundering sound of the “Mighty Wurlitzer” organ that was installed in 1928 to accompany the silent pictures that were shown after vaudeville went out of fashion. This is one of a few surviving theater Wurlitzer organs in the country. (La Cañadans can take some pride in knowing the 4/37 Wurlitzer that survives at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood was housed for many years at the Lanterman estate on Encinas Drive, now known to us as Lanterman House museum. Frank Lanterman installed it there in the early 1960s. After his death it changed hands and was eventually installed at the El Capitan.)
Scott Harrison, executive director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, welcomed the guests to the event at the Orpheum that ended the LACO season. “Tonight we are celebrating the inextricable link between great films and great music as illustrated by classic Walt Disney animation alongside the world-class musicians of L.A. Chamber Orchestra,” he said. He went on to thank actor Dustin Hoffman, “a steadfast advocate of LACO’s film presentation for 16 seasons, as well as our creative partners at Disney Music Group, Dave Bossert and former LACO board president Ed Nowak, who have made tonight’s collaboration possible.”
For me it was a thrill just to walk into the theater’s Beaux Arts décor. It is an absolute gem and has been artfully restored after a $3-million makeover by current owner Steve Needleman.
The marble clad walls, fabulous chandeliers and plush furnishings hearken to days gone by. The theater opened in 1926 and it was a popular venue for burlesque queen Sally Rand, the Marx Brothers, Will Rogers, Judy Garland, comedian Jack Benny, as well as jazz greats Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington. It had its day during the rock ‘n’ roll era, featuring Little Richard, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. Currently it is a venue for live concerts, movie premieres and location shoots.
Movie theater architect G. Albert Lansburg designed the theater. He also designed the Wiltern Theatre, El Capitan Theatre and the interior of the Shrine Auditorium.
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JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@aol.com with news of your special event.