articles

NEW tricks and treats for The El Capitan Theatre’s

Tim Burton’s “THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS” & Disney’s “HOCUS POCUS”

October 20, 2016
NEW tricks and treats for The El Capitan Theatre’s 
23rd Annual Celebration of
Tim Burton’s “THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS”
in 3D with Interactive 4D Sensory Effects Oct. 25 – 31
and Disney’s “HOCUS POCUS” Oct. 21-23
 
NEW -- HAUNTED SPOOKTACULAR BACKSTAGE TOUR
NEW -- RARE DISNEY SHORT “THE SKELETON DANCE”
with live accompaniment by Rob Richards 
on The Mighty Wurlitzer Organ
 
ALSO props, costumes and photo opportunities from these beloved movies
ONLY AT THE EL CAPITAN THEATRE IN HOLLYWOOD
 
The legendary El Capitan Theatre becomes your Hollywood destination for Halloween -- showing Disney’s “Hocus Pocus” October 21-23 and the 23rd annual presentation of Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” October 25-31, in 3D with spine-tingling interactive 4D sensory effects, including wind, snow, fog and much more. 
 
Prior to every screening of “Hocus Pocus” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” The El Capitan Theatre’s own award-winning organist Rob Richards will accompany the 1929 classic Disney short “The Skeleton Dance” live on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ.  In the lobby, theatre guests may enjoy props, costumes and photo opportunities from these two beloved classic Halloween movies before and after every screening.
 
This year, in addition to the movie-going experience, The El Capitan Theatre introduces its new Spooktacular BACKSTAGE Tour.  Guests will be guided through areas of the theatre rarely open to the public -- history will be shared about the Ghouls and Haunts of this historic venue, including the origins of The Mighty Wurlitzer Organ.  Ghosts and Goblins of all ages are encouraged to attend in costume. Advance reservations are required as there is limited space per tour.
 
“This Halloween season, Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre adds our new backstage haunted theatre tour and a rare Disney animated short to our Halloween season to both screenings of ‘Hocus Pocus’ and the 23rd Edition of Tim Burton’s ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas 4D,’ said Ed Collins, General Manager of The El Capitan Theatre.  “We promise plenty of new tricks and treats for this year!”
 
Showtimes for both movies are 12:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 7:10 p.m. and 10:35 p.m. Tickets are on sale now, and available at The El Capitan Theatre (6838 Hollywood Blvd.), online at 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. Showtimes are subject to change.
 
The El Capitan Theatre will also host a very special Tiny Tot Tuesday on October 25, 2016 at 12:30 p.m. during the run of “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”  During this special screening, parents and small children may enjoy the movie in a tot-friendly way— in 2D with lights dimmed rather than out and reduced sound levels.
 
ABOUT “HOCUS POCUS”
You're in for a devil of a time when three outlandishly wild witches – Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy return from 17th-century Salem after they're accidentally conjured up by some unsuspecting pranksters! It's a night full of zany fun and comic chaos once the tricky 300-year-old trio sets out to cast a spell on the town and reclaim their youth – but first they must get their act together and outwit three kids and a talking cat!
 
ABOUT “THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS”
First released in 1993, Tim Burton's “The Nightmare Before Christmas” was directed by Henry Selick and based on a story and characters by Tim Burton. The film follows the earnest-but-misguided adventures of Jack Skellington, Halloween Town's beloved Pumpkin King, as he attempts to take over the Christmas holiday. Against the advice of Sally, a lonely rag doll who has feelings for him, Jack enlists three mischievous trick-or-treaters – Lock, Shock and Barrel – to help him kidnap Santa Claus.
Jack eventually realizes his mistake but has to contend with the evil Oogie Boogie before he can make things right and restore the Christmas holiday. Fueled by an unforgettable Grammy-nominated soundtrack featuring songs by Oscar® nominee Danny Elfman, Tim Burton's “The Nightmare Before Christmas” in spine-tingling 4-D (interactive sensory effects including lights, scents, wind, snow and fog) promises to be fun for the whole family.
 
ABOUT THE EL CAPITAN THEATRE 
Declared a Historic Cultural Monument by the City of Los Angeles and restored to showcase its original lavish architecture, The El Capitan Theatre has been since 1991 an exclusive first run theatre, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, for The Walt Disney Studios. The theatre also hosts live stage shows, world premieres, special events, and screenings of classic Disney films.
 
In the 1920s, real estate developer Charles Toberman and Sid Grauman built the Egyptian, Chinese and El Capitan theatres.  Los Angeles based Stiles O. Clements designed the elaborate cast-concrete Spanish Colonial style exterior; San Francisco architect G. Albert Lansburgh, known for his design of over 50 West Coast theatres and luxury cinema houses, designed the lavish East Indian inspired interior.  Originally a legitimate theatre (over 120 plays and musicals were staged), it was converted for film for the world premiere of Orson Welles’ “Citizen Kane.”  The theatre then was renovated, reopening in March 1942 as the Hollywood Paramount, a streamlined "art moderne" first run movie house.
 
In 1989, the Walt Disney Company joined forces with Pacific Theatres and launched a two-year, museum quality restoration of The El Capitan, led by renowned theatre designer Joseph J. Musil. Musil with the supervision of the National Park Service's Department of the Interior, and guidance from conservator Martin Weil and architect Ed Fields, achieved the goal recreating the original 1926 look and feel -- including original design elements such as the ornate plasterwork found hidden behind walls and the opera boxes in the main auditorium.