B.W. COOK
Johnny Depp's latest movie made its O.C. debut last week at Edwards
Big Newport.
"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," screened for some 1,000
guests of Hoag Hospital's 552 Club two days prior to its national
release.
Hosted by Regal Entertainment Group in association with Hoag's 552
Club, the movie premiere was a huge success.
The big event began with a 5 p.m. dinner in the parking lot. Some
36 purveyors of fine food set up shop in the lot, offering generous
samples to the enormous crowd.
From the fine pasta of Antonello's to the Asian cuisine of Ho Sum
Bistro to the American roast beef sliced by Lawry's Carvery, there
was something for everyone. Maggiano's South Coast Plaza was there,
as was Muldoon's Irish Pub, Newport Rib Company, Royal Thai, Roy's
Newport Beach, the Rusty Pelican, Sabatino's, and Coco's Fashion
Island, just to name a few.
As if that wasn't enough, a huge dessert buffet with three
chocolate fountains -- provided by the Turnip Rose -- catered to a
host of sweet teeth.
By 7 p.m., the crowd was filling up the seating around "the
largest screen in the west" as 552 Club executive committee members
-- including Terry Callahan, Mark Doyle, Mark Hardtke, Arlene Howard,
James Johnson, Margie Lord, David Meyer, Gregory Miles and Margaret
M. Von Tiesenhausen -- joined chairs Patti and Jim Edwards and vice
chair Dave Snowden to rally the crowd to bid on a live auction just
prior to the screening of Depp's film. The auction was hot, and
figures surpassed previous year's efforts raising the financial level
of giving to Hoag.
Among the 552 Club board members supporting the evening at the
movies were Lin Auer of Newport Beach, Alan Beyer, Richard Haskell,
Daily Pilot publisher Tom Johnson, Debra Simon, Leighton Smith and
Pamela Young.
In addition to the wonderful dinner, organizers went one step
further. There was chocolate of every variety piled high. There was
so much chocolate, even Veruca Salt would have been happy (in case
you don't recall, Veruca is the greedy little girl in the Willy Wonka
story who wants it all and ends up being sent down the garbage
chute).
Finally, five of the chocolate bars in the massive chocolate
giveaway contained golden tickets, echoing the film's famous plot
line. Lucky ticket holders won great gifts, courtesy of local
vendors.
In addition to Regal Entertainment, sponsors of the evening
included Aloha Airlines, KIA Motorcars, Village Roadshow Pictures,
the Ritz Carlton Hotel and Warner Bros. Pictures.
Proceeds from the event, which will surely exceed six figures, are
earmarked to benefit the Hoag Heart & Vascular Institute. Plus,
experts say a moderate serving of dark chocolate on a regular basis
is good for the heart.
For more information on Hoag, the 552 Club, the Hoag Vascular
Institute, or the Hoag Hospital Foundation, please call (949)
764-7214.
* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.
