| My living room is a wonderful setting for home entertainment.
I have a large plasma television, surround sound speakers, a subscription to all
the pay channels my digital cable company carries, a subscription to Netflix,
and a video library which allows me to swoon over Fred Astaire any time my heart
desires.
Despite all the niceties listed above, there is still one movie house which I
find irresistible. Every few weeks, a new film event opens at the Walt Disney
Company's El Capitan Theater on Hollywood Boulevard, and I wouldn't miss any of
them.
The El Capitan is one of the great old movie palaces which have been lovingly
restored in every sense of the word. Yes, the decorations are all perfect, but
that is only part of the experience. There is a huge, antique, gilded Wurlitzer
organ which rises from under the stage to fill the air with music. Nobody who
hears it can keep from singing along to all the happy melodies, especially if
Balloo or Tigger are there to be encouraging.
Now, you'd think that would be enough to make anyone smile, and indeed that
audience is beaming by the time the organ starts its descent. All eyes are on
the curtain ready and glad about the movie they think is about to begin. Does
it? No; now it's time for the stage show. There are singers and dancers aplenty,
perhaps Mickey or Goofy to do a soft shoe: it is movie palace magnificence of a
sort you might have thought was gone forever.
Applause and cheers are heard all around, as the performers take their bows.
Then there are gasps at the beauty of the curtains, one of which is shimmering
silver, and all settle in to enjoy the film. Enjoy it we do, as it's sure to be
entertaining without the excess of violence or bad taste which is so notable at
your local multiplex.
All of this is run with courtesy and a cheerful spirit by a manager and staff
who are delightful in their desire to please. Those people are the reason I am
writing this column.
After having enjoyed so many wonderful times at the El Capitan, I decided that
my conscience could not rest another moment until I was able to give them the
praise they so deserved. This was not a simple task for although the Disney
Company is set up to deal with all manner of consumer problems, it has fewer
channels for the expression of gratitude. This is because the unfortunate
reality of our society is that too many folks are more vocal about
dissatisfaction than happiness.
Well, I reached the right person; a lovely woman named Lylle Breier, and let her
know how much I appreciated the wonderful people who keep the El Capitan a
setting for joy. Gee, it felt good to express some of the gladness they had
given to me. As our conversation drew to an end, my smile was broad, and I was
glad to have spoken to her.
Then, a most miraculous thing occurred. Ms Breier invited me to attend the 40th
anniversary re-premiere of Mary Poppins, to be held the following week at the El
Capitan. I fairly whooped with glee. See Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke in
person? Me, the little cook? wheeeeeeeeeee
That is how I came to roll down the red carpet, meet the staff who treated me as
though I were Belle being invited to Be Our Guest, and settle into a seat next
to Glynis Johns, who is still the most glamorous mermaid who ever graced the
screen. After the show, there was a real old-style Hollywood party, which was as
practically perfect in every way as Ms. Poppins herself.
The folks at Disney had no reason to be so nice to me. I do not write glamorous
pieces for fancy magazines. My readers are just home folks who want to make
their families happy, and have pleasant dinners. Remember when your mother said
that please and thank-you were magic words? She was right. Saying a simple
thank-you brought me an evening of magic which I will treasure always.
The true magic, however, was the glow I felt when saying thanks. Is there
someone who makes your life better, perhaps a nice mail carrier, or a friendly
checker at the supermarket? Let them know that you appreciate their efforts. I
guarantee you will feel as glad as they.
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