HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Walt Disney's animated masterpiece "Cinderella" will look and sound better than ever when it is digitally projected during a special 11-day engagement at Hollywood's legendary El Capitan Theatre from September 15th - 25th, it was announced today by Lylle Breier, senior vice president of worldwide special events for Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. The film, which has undergone an extensive digital restoration that included high resolution scanning of the original camera negative and removal of cel dirt, is scheduled to make its DVD debut on October 4th. The El Capitan engagement of "Cinderella" will kick-off on September 15th with a special filmmakers' panel featuring Ilene Woods- Shaughnessy (the original voice of Cinderella), June Foray (voice of Lucifer the cat), Lucille Bliss (voice of stepsister Anastasia), legendary Disney animator Ollie Johnston, veteran Disney animator Andreas Deja, along with restoration experts John Lowry (founder and CTO of DTS Digital Images), and Disney's Dave Bossert, and Stephen Poehlein. KTLA entertainment reporter Ross King will moderate the discussion. Costume characters from the film -- Cinderella, Prince Charming, the Fairy Godmother, and the mice in their crystal coach -- will also be on hand for the opening night festivities. Tickets are available at the box office, by phone (1-800-DISNEY6) or on-line at www.elcapitantickets.com.

To further mark this special engagement, The Disney Soda Fountain and Studio Store, located next to the El Capitan Theatre, will be offering an exclusive collectable "Cinderella" pin with each pre-order purchase of the DVD. That offer also includes a commemorative poster for the first 2,000 orders.

Commenting on the announcement, Breier said, "We're thrilled to be bringing this beloved Disney favorite back to the big screen and to be presenting the West Coast premiere of the digitally restored version. The Disney restoration team and DTS Digital Images have used state-of-the-art digital technology to enhance and re-master this classic film to create an exciting new visual experience and a landmark event. Audiences are going to be blown away by the sound and picture quality. This is a wonderful chance to see one of greatest animated masterpieces of all-time as you've never seen it before at Hollywood's legendary movie palace."

John Lowry, founder and CTO of DTS Digital Images (formerly Lowry Digital Images), added, "DTS Digital Images is pleased to have had the opportunity to work on the digital restoration and enhancement of 'Cinderella,' one of Disney's most celebrated animated features. By leveraging our experience and advanced digital restoration technology, we were able to assist the Disney team in presenting this treasured classic in a way that only the original animators experienced."

Walt Disney's "Cinderella" was originally released in 1950, and went on to become one of the Studio's all-time most successful and best loved animated classics. "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" was nominated for a "Best Song" Academy Award(R), and the film received a second nomination for "Best Score." Directed by Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, and Clyde Geronimi, "Cinderella" follows the rags-to-riches story of a beautiful young girl who is reduced to being a servant by her jealous Stepmother and Stepsisters, Anastasia and Drizella. Cinderella gets the chance to escape the drudgery of her workaday world when her Fairy Godmother magically appears, and gives her a beautiful dress, and a magnificent coach, which allows her to go to a royal ball. She inadvertently falls in love with the Prince, but makes a mad dash for home at midnight, the hour when the magic spell is due to end. With only a glass slipper left behind as a clue, the prince and his Grand Duke set out to find the shoe's rightful owner. With the help of her little mice and bird friends, she is discovered and assured a true fairy tale ending. "Cinderella" is based on a fairy tale written in 1697 by French author Charles Perrault.

Founded in 1998, DTS Digital Images, formerly Lowry Digital Images, is a market leader in digital restoration and enhancement of moving pictures. The stunning quality DTS Digital Images delivers is based on a series of groundbreaking image processing algorithms developed by the company's founder, John Lowry, who revolutionized video imaging processing in the 1970s; his first breakthrough inventions were used on live video signals from the Apollo 16 and 17 missions. Since its inception, DTS Digital Images has applied its image processing magic to more than 100 of the world's most recognized feature films with output to broadcast television, DVD, 35mm and IMAX(TM). Recent restorations include the "Indiana Jones" and "Star Wars" trilogies. DTS Digital Images is a subsidiary of DTS, Inc.

About the El Capitan Theatre

The El Capitan Theatre debuted on May 3, 1926 as Hollywood's First Home of Spoken Drama. The successful 1941 World Premiere of Orson Welles' Academy Award(R)-winning film, "Citizen Kane" inspired the transformation of the El Capitan Theatre into a movie house. Re-opened in 1991 and fully-restored as a historic landmark, the El Capitan Theatre now offers the latest in state-of- the-art film, digital, and video presentations. The El Capitan Theatre is also home to many World Premieres such as, "The Incredibles," "Finding Nemo," "Lilo & Stitch," "Princess Diaries," and "Tarzan." Guests of the El Capitan Theatre enjoy the best in moviegoing experiences including a commercial-free environment, a musical presentation before each show on the Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ by 2005 American Theater Organist of the Year Rob Richards, a thriving advance sales ticket program including special group rates, and the popular El Capitan Theatre Birthday Party Program. The El Capitan Theatre is conveniently located adjacent to Disney's Soda Fountain and Studio Store proudly serving Dewar's ice cream and the official home to Disney DVD releases. More information is available by calling 1-800-DISNEY6 or visiting www.elcapitantickets.com.

Source: The Walt Disney Studios

Web site: http://www.elcapitantickets.com/