Mickey Mouse 80th Film Fest in Buffalo, NY

[cpdavison]

"Happy Birthday, Mickey Mouse!
A Celebration of Walt Disney and the Creators of Mickey Mouse
in honor of Mickey's 80th Birthday, 1928-2008"

Oh, you lucky Western-New-Yorkers! This event has been postponed from 12/13/08 to sometime in January, 2009, but it looks to be well worth the wait (http://www.buffalofilmfestival.com/events/mickeymouse80birthday.html)!

Craig D.

[AcmeCoyote]

Very nice! I'll have to keep checking to see when this will be, but it looks like I will be making a trip to Buffalo. (only about a 90 minute trip for me).
Sidenote:I am actually glad it is not the 13th because my cat has an appointment with a cardiologist that day (long story).

[Geezil]

Wait, don't tell me, let me guess ... 15 feet of snow. :eek:

[Mr. Semaj]

I hope to God I'm able to make it on whatever day they're showing this. Sounds like the kind of thing I'd love to spend a day at. :)

[Thad]

I'll be there.

[Leviathan]

....WITH A LOVE THAT WILL SHELTER YOU!!!!!!!

I'LLLLLLL BE THERE.... WITH A LOVE THAT WILL SEE YOU THROUGH [/bad Four Tops song reference]

[cpdavison]

Just a quick note: Looks like the re-scheduled date is APRIL 4th, 2009.

Mark your calendars, you lucky Western New Yorkers!

Craig D.

[Geezil]

Wait, don't tell me, let me guess ... 15 feet of snow. :eek:

Just a quick note: Looks like the re-scheduled date is APRIL 4th, 2009.

Wait, don't tell me, let me guess ... 20 feet of snow! :eek: :eek:

[cpdavison]

Now, Geez, let's keep Danny Neaverth out of this, please!

Signed,
Stan Roberts

[Nelson]

Take advantage my friends, it's not everyday you see classic Mickey Mouse cartoons on the big screen anymore and seeing Mickey on the silver screen is defintely a great way to truly apperciate these gems.

[Mr. Semaj]

Wait, don't tell me, let me guess ... 20 feet of snow! :eek: :eek:

Not in April.

But you never know for sure. :)

[nickramer]

That reminds me. Earlier in December, The Wexner Center in Columbus, Ohio had a 10:00 A.M. 45 minute screening of 35mm prints of classic Disney cartoons as part of their annual Children's film festeval event. Unfortuantly, I had work on that day, so I don't know the full list of what Disney shorts they had. However, the pamplet mention some of the shorts such as "Magician Mickey", "Loansome Ghosts", "Boat Builders", and "Thru the Mirrior".

[cpdavison]

Take advantage my friends, it's not everyday you see classic Mickey Mouse cartoons on the big screen anymore and seeing Mickey on the silver screen is defintely a great way to truly apperciate these gems.

Truer words were never spoken, Nelson. The Sheas Buffalo is a fully-restored, opulent movie palace! It is the ultimate old-school movie viewing experience.

Craig D.

[Geezil]

Wait, don't tell me, let me guess ... 20 feet of snow! :eek: :eek:

Not in April.

But you never know for sure. :)

An excellent point, true, but I'm thinking more in terms of now. :chilly:

[Thad]

Just an FYI, it hasn't been postponed, it will still be on April 4th. I'll try and make it there since it's on a Saturday...

http://www.fest21.com/en/blog/buffalofilmfestival/mickey_mouses_birthday_party_a_celebration_of_walt _disney_at_sheas_buffalo_april_4_2009

Keep an eye out for other potential classic cartoon and film screenings this summer in the Western New York area...

[Mr. Semaj]

I got up (very) early, and took the bus from Rochester to make this show, and I just got back to my apartment a while ago. Given that such a thing normally reserved for Los Angeles or New York was taking place in a forgotten city, practically my own backyard, it would've been stupid of me NOT to go.

Anyways, the first portion had a documentary on the life and career of Ub Iwerks, produced by his granddaughter, Leslie. It featured a lot of interesting facts behind Iwerks' early involvement in the foundation of what would become Walt Disney Productions, and gave credit to where it was due for both Ub Iwerks and Walt Disney. It also mentioned how some other names in animation (including Chuck Jones) got started working for Iwerks' independent studio. The documentary was followed by a showing of The Skeleton Dance.

The second portion featured some cartoons highlighting Mickey's theatrical career, as well as Walt's earlier animation career. The silent cartoons were accompanied at the organ by Bruce Woody. Steamboat Willie censored the bit where Mickey plays with a pig's teats, even though the clip was shown in the documentary. The Band Concert got big laughs. Also shown was The Sorceror's Apprentice, which was shown again in the Fantasia screening.

The third and final portion was the 1940 Roadshow version of Fantasia, which was formatted as close as possible to its original debut almost 70 years ago. This included some extended footage of the symphony orchestra and a 15-minute intermission. Some minor edits were made in The Pastoral Symphony, but those who aren't thoroughly familiar with the film wouldn't notice.

In between were chats and introductions between Buffalo International Film Festival president Edward Summer and Disney critic/historian John Culhane (who IS related to Shamus Culhane), plus a question and answer round. Culhane gave a lot of insight behind Mickey's shorts, and had some particularly cool stories to tell about his times with Walt and Ub, as well as some of the animators and artists that worked for them, and of course, his immortalization as Mr. Snoops from The Rescuers.

Out in the lobby were frames featuring some storyboards for Plane Crazy and a sketch from the first Mickey comic strip, all done by Ub Iwerks. There was also marble cake served for Mickey's birthday.

It turned out to be a lot of fun and a great rare experience. Going into the evening of a Sabres game, I'm sure for many visitors especially, there was more than plenty to do in this otherwise sleepy city on this Saturday.

For the record, it was a cool and windy day, but NO sign of the white stuff. :)