For one night only, the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood had a special showing of the Walt Disney classic, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” to commemorate its release in the new home video series, Walt Disney Signature Collection.

The evening began with a short drawing for “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” Collection Blu-rays, and then a few words by renowned Disney animator, Mark Henn.

After watching a short documentary on the making of “Snow White,” the princess herself came out to greet the audience.

In the lobby, Walt Disney Animation Studios showcased some original works of arts inspired by the Dwarfs from the film, including long-time animator Eric Goldberg.

As for the movie itself, I suspect I don’t have to tell anyone what a masterpiece it is, or how its artistry is unmatched by any other animated film beyond “Pinocchio” and maybe a handful of others. That the first feature-length animated feature was made at all, is an enormous credit to the determination of Walt Disney, and the unqualified success of it must have been one of the largest unalloyed triumphs of his career.

I will say that I continue to disagree with those who put “Snow White” up, along with many of the earlier princess films, as having poor examples of weak female characters. In “Snow White,” the kingdom is ruled solely by a female monarch who has not only political power but intrinsic magical skills as well. She has clearly defined goals and takes decisive, if questionably ethical, action to achieve them. Snow White, on the other hand, has to learn to confront her fears and fend for her own survival on the run. She works for her room and board at the cottage, and transforms the Dwarfs with her intrinsic kindness and civilizing influence. While there is some debate about it, to my mind the movie passes the Bechdel Test with flying colors, which is more than you can say of a large proportion of films today.

The film has countless strong scenes, most markedly the chilling moment after Snow White bites the apple and the Evil Queen mutters the poison’s effects. With just a lifeless “thud” of an arm hitting the floor and the remnants of an apple rolling away, Disney evokes an almost Hitchcockian degree of horror.

One of my favorites moments is Snow White’s hysterical flight and subsequent realization that the benign forest creatures were the object of all her terror. What a comforting thing for children to be told–that in their darkest hours, if they can just hold on until the light comes again, they may find the source of their dismay nothing more than their own fears and anxiety.

The Walt Disney Signature Collection allows viewers to experience classic Disney films in Digital HD, Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA,) and on Blu-rayâ„¢ Combo Pack. Some of the new special features included with “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs:” “In Walt’s Words: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Iconography,” “@DisneyAnimation: Designing Disney’s First Princess,” “The Fairest Facts of Them All: 7 Facts You May Not Know About Snow White,” “Snow White in Seventy Seconds,” and “Alternate Sequence: The Prince Meets Snow White”