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Walt & El Grupo

MADCAP Theaters
Tempe, AZ

NOTE: ONLINE TICKET SALES FOR ALL MADCAP EVENTS STOP AT 4PM OF THE EVENT DAY - PLEASE CALL THE THEATER AT 480 634 5192 FOR TICKET AVAILABILITY - TICKETS ALWAYS SOLD AT THE VENUE'S BOX OFFICE UNTIL FULL CAPACITY.

J.B. Kaufman is an author and film historian on the staff of the Walt Disney Family Foundation, and has published extensively on topics including Disney animation and American silent film. He will be at MADCAP Theaters to present the 6pm and 8pm screenings of Walt and El Grupo on Saturday February 6th. He will be signing copies of his book South of the Border With Disney: Walt Disney and the Good Neighbor Program, 1941-1948 in conjunction with the screenings (Books are $30).

Drawing on the director's intimate familiarity with the Disney studios and enviable access to archival materials, this film penetrates deep into studio lore in documenting a fascinating and little known chapter of film history: a 1941 research trip-cumgoodwill tour of South America by Walt Disney and a hand-picked group of his artists, nicknamed El Grupo.

Out of this trip came a series of Latin American-themed Disney films, including Saludos Amigos, The Three Caballeros and other pictures that supported the U.S. Good Neighbor program. Now the award-winning husband-and-wife filmmaking team of Ted Thomas and Kuniko Okubo chronicle the trip itself. Walt & El Grupo benefits from a singular family connection: Ted Thomas is the son of legendary Disney animator Frank Thomas-one of the members of that original tour. He unearths such artifacts as priceless 16mm color footage of the tour, hidden in the Disney vaults for more than 60 years. But Thomas and Okubo dont stop there. With their camera crew, they retrace El Grupos steps throughout South America, juxtaposing 1941 views with the same locations as they appear today. Images come supplemented by the words of the artists, recorded in letters and journals and read aloud by present-day family members; and by South American eyewitnesses and their descendants who describe, sometimes touchingly, the impact of the Disney encounter on their lives. Produced with wit, compassion and a keen eye for historical resonance, Walt & El Grupo reveals one of our preeminent film artists and his collaborators participating in a significant moment in history.

-J.B. Kaufman

DISCLAIMER: DUE TO THE AGE & CONDITION OF THE FILMS WE SHOW THERE MIGHT BE POOR AUDIO AND OR VISUAL SEQUENCES DURING THE SCREENINGS. THE FILMS MIGHT ALSO STOP INTERMITTENTLY. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO REFUNDS. WE APPRECIATE YOUR UNDERSTANDING IN THIS MATTER.

Note: Notes FREE parking for MADCAP is available at: Hayden Square Surface Lot at Ash between 3rd and 5th Streets (FREE after 4pm) Farmer Ave. & 5th St. Surface Lot (all day) Paid parking near MADCAP is available at: Centerpoint Garage on Ash just north of University: $1.00 20 min, $12.00 all day Centerpoint Surface Lot on Maple and 5th St.: First hour FREE $1.00/hr, $8.00 all day Brickyard Garage on 7th St. just east of Mill Ave.: First hour FREE $1.50/hr, $12.00 all day Hayden Square Garage on 3rd St. just west of Mill Ave.: First hour FREE $1.00/hr, $8.00 all day City Hall Garage on 5th St. just east of Mill Ave.: First hour FREE $1.50 1 hr, $12.00 all day Parking is also available at other garages, surface lots, and metered parking spaces throughout the Mill Avenue District. Disabled parking is always free and is available at all garages, lots, and meters. *Parking conditions subject to change without notice due to events happening on or around Mill Avenue. MADCAP and its clients are not responsible for parking conditions under any circumstances.

Minimum Age: 10

Kid Friendly: No

Dog Friendly: No

Non-Smoking: No

Wheelchair Accessible: No

Contact

Who:	Andrea Beesley-Brown
Phone:	480-634-5192
Email:	andrea@madcaptheaters.com
Web:	http://www.madcaptheaters.com
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