Disney Films Come to the Music Box Theatre

Christian Bale in Newsies. Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures.

The Music Box Theatre in Chicago will close out 2018 and ring in the new year with a number of live-action Disney films, including Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Return to Oz, Newsies, Heavyweights, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, and 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.

According to the Music Box Theatre, tickets will be as priced:

  • $11 General Admission
  • $9 Seniors
  • $7 for Members & Kids under 12

Film and Showtime Information:

BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS
(Robert Stevenson, 1971, 117 mins, 35MM)

When young Charlie, Carrie and Paul move to a small village during World War II, they discover their host, Miss Price (a divine Angela Lansbury), is an apprentice witch! Although her early attempts at magic create hilarious results, she successfully casts a traveling spell on an ordinary bedknob, and they fly to the fantastic, animated Isle of Naboombu to find a powerful spell that will save England!

  • Wednesday, December 26 at 1:00pm
  • Sunday, December 30 at 1:45pm
  • Monday, December 31 at 4:45pm
  • Wednesday, January 2 at 7:00pm
  • Thursday, January 3 at 4:15pm

RETURN TO OZ
(Walter Murch, 1985, 113 mins, 35MM)

The movie that scarred an uncountable amount of children! In this belated sequel, Dorothy finds herself back in the land of her dreams, and makes delightful new friends (like Tik Tok, Jack Pumpkinhead, and the Gump), and dangerous new enemies (the creepy Wheelers, the head-hunting Princess Mombi, and the evil Nome King). Unforgettable character designs and haunting scenes in the more dangerous corners of imagination ensured that once you saw RETURN TO OZ, you’d never forget it!

  • Thursday, December 27 at 7:00pm
  • Friday, December 28 at 1:45pm
  • Tuesday, January 1 at 7:15pm
  • Wednesday, January 2 at 4:15pm
  • Thursday, January 3 at 1:30pm

NEWSIES
(Kenny Ortega, 1992, 121 mins, 35MM)

A teenage Christian Bale (THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY, THE FIGHTER, AMERICAN PSYCHO) sings & dances his way through NEWSIES! This early-90s musical tells the true story of the 1899 New York City newsboys strike, as Bale leads a ragtag group of misfits in a rebellion against newspaper magnate Joseph Pulitzer (A mustache-twirling Robert Duvall). A disappointment at the box office on release, NEWSIES soon gained a cult following, and was later adapted into a Tony-winning Broadway musical.

  • Thursday, December 27 at 1:30pm
  • Friday, December 28 at 7:00pm
  • Saturday, December 29 at 11:30am
  • Sunday, December 30 at 4:15pm
  • Tuesday, January 1 at 4:30pm

HEAVYWEIGHTS
(Steven Brill, 1995, 100 mins, 35MM)

Before Ben Stiller made THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY, before Judd Apatow made THE 40-YEAR OLD VIRGIN, before Paul Feig made BRIDESMAIDS, they made HEAVYWEIGHTS, the endlessly-quotable summer comedy! A group of overweight, underdog kids discover their camp has been sold to a crazy fitness fanatic who’s determined to make their lives miserable. With no other options, they must take back the camp, by any means necessary!

  • Thursday, December 27 at 4:15pm
  • Friday, December 28 at 4:30pm
  • Saturday, December 29 at 7:00pm
  • Sunday, December 30 at 11:30am
  • Monday, December 31 at 2:15pm

    HOMEWARD BOUND: THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY
    (Duwayne Dunham, 1993, 84 mins, DCP)

The adventure begins when the loving owners of bulldog Chance (voiced by Michael J. Fox), Himalayan cat Sassy (voiced by Sally Field), and Golden Retriever Shadow (voiced by Don Ameche) are forced to leave them in the temporary care of a friend who lives hundreds of miles away. But after several days, the worried animals begin to think their family must be in trouble, so they decide to head for home. On their incredible journey across the ruggedly beautiful Sierras, they encounter unexpected surprises from man, beast, and nature alike.

  • Wednesday, December 26 at 3:45pm
  • Saturday, December 29 at 4:45pm
  • Sunday, December 30 at 7:00pm
  • Monday, December 31 at Noon
  • Tuesday, January 1 at 2:30pm

20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA
(Richard Fleischer, 1954, 127 mins, 35MM)

For its first CinemaScope production, the Mouse House turned to Richard Fleischer, son of Disney’s long-time rival and the results are seaworthy and then some. (Fans of Fleischer’s VIOLENT SATURDAY and THE BOSTON STRANGLER shouldn’t shun this kiddie show.) Adapted from Jules Verne’s novel with rare brio and infectious energy, 20,000 LEAGUES also boasts the most distinguished grown-up cast of any vintage Disney picture: Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Peter Lorre, and a killer squid!

  • Wednesday, December 26 at 6:30pm
  • Saturday, December 29 at 2:00pm
  • Tuesday, January 1 at 11:45am
  • Wednesday, January 2 at 1:30pm
  • Thursday, January 3 at 7:00pm

For more information on the Live-Action Disney Films series at the Music Box Theatre, please click here.

Danielle Solzman

Danielle Solzman is native of Louisville, KY, and holds a BA in Public Relations from Northern Kentucky University and a MA in Media Communications from Webster University. She roots for her beloved Kentucky Wildcats, St. Louis Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, and Boston Celtics. Living less than a mile away from Wrigley Field in Chicago, she is an active reader (sports/entertainment/history/biographies/select fiction) and involved with the Chicago improv scene. She also sees many movies and reviews them. She has previously written for Redbird Rants, Wildcat Blue Nation, and Hidden Remote/Flicksided. From April 2016 through May 2017, her film reviews can be found on Creators.