FOR KIDS : Theaters Offer Summer Camp of Reel Fun

When the heat and smog become unbearable this summer, even the littlest children can find relief at the movies.

General Cinema Corp. theaters in Northridge and Woodland Hills will host their Summer MovieCamp each Wednesday morning through Aug. 21.

“We’re getting a lot of feedback from the community,” said Jodi Castellanos, camp director and manager of the Northridge GCC Theater. “This is the kind of thing kids really like to do on their summer vacation.”

Castellanos and Woodland Hills GCC Theater Manager Colleen Kelley said they do not know of similar programs at other theaters.

“As far as we know, we’re the only ones putting on this kind of program for the kids,” Kelley said.

The camp, which costs $2 for people of any age, consists of a feature-length, G-rated animated or adventure movie and games and activities for the children. Popcorn and a soft drink are included in the cost. The Woodland Hills theater offers camp sessions from 10 a.m. to noon and another from noon to 2 p.m. each Wednesday. The Northridge theater will have just one Wednesday camp from 10 a.m. to noon.

“Kids don’t get a lot of chances to watch their favorite shows on the big screen,” Castellanos said. “Besides, it’s air-conditioned and it gives the moms and dads a chance to relax too.”

The following is a schedule of movies that will be shown this summer:

* “The Adventures of Milo and Otis”--(June 26, Woodland Hills). An action adventure about a mischievous kitten and a pug-nosed puppy, narrated by Dudley Moore.

* “Care Bears II”--(June 26, Northridge). An animated feature film featuring the popular Care Bears.

* “The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking”--(July 3, Woodland Hills; July 10, Northridge). Pippi, an 11-year-old girl with pigtails, loses her father in a shipwreck, moves into her own house with her pet horse and monkey, and begins to take advantage of being parentless.

* “Pound Puppies”--(July 3, Northridge; July 10, Woodland Hills). An animated musical feature starring the pound puppies, dogs that can speak with people through the use of a magical bone. In this film, a villain learns of the magical bone and plans to steal it.

* “Muppets Take Manhattan”--(July 17, Woodland Hills; July 24, Northridge). The Muppets’ senior class takes a field trip to New York hoping to stage a musical on Broadway.

* “Follow That Bird!”--(July 17, Northridge; July 24, Woodland Hills). A musical comedy adventure featuring the characters of “Sesame Street,” including Big Bird.

* “Rainbow Brite”--(July 31, Woodland Hills; Aug. 7, Northridge). An action adventure story set in Rainbowland featuring the pretty young girl Rainbow Brite and her magical, colorful horse.

* “Babar”--(July 31, Northridge; Aug. 7, Woodland Hills). The full-length animated feature classic about Babar, prince of the elephants, who brings peace to troubled Elephantland.

* “Jetsons”--(Aug. 14, Woodland Hills; Aug. 21, Northridge). An animated feature film based on the 1960s cartoon about a space-age family. In this movie, George Jetson is promoted, and his family must adjust to moving into a new neighborhood.

* “All Dogs Go to Heaven”--(Aug. 14, Northridge; Aug. 21, Woodland Hills). An animated feature film about a little girl named Anne Marie who can talk to animals. The film features the voices of Burt Reynolds, Loni Anderson and Dom DeLuise.