"Kelly Preston has kids, and while not necessary for an actor, it really helped since she had a wonderfully natural way with the kids. She’s just a naturally warm, loving person, and that shows. She really becomes that beautiful mom of storybooks. She looks like a million bucks,” says director Bo Welch.
It was a family affair as “The Cat in the Hat” star Preston was joined at the movie’s World Premiere by actor/hubby, John Travolta. Looking like a couple straight off the pages of a glamour magazine, Kelly Preston and John Travolta shared a few laughs with reporters and talked about their personal memories of reading Dr. Seuss books.
As a mom, how similar are you to your character in this movie?
Well, I think the mom in this movie gets a little more stressed and a little more “Yipes” in this film. I’m a little more calmed down in my real life, but I love my kids just as much as this mom loves her kids.
What’s your earliest memory of Dr. Seuss?
For me, it was 3 years-old and reading “The Cat in the Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham.”
What about you, John?
Actually, reading it to my nephew because even though it came out when I was a kid, we were more into the “Peter Pan” thing. But when my nephew was a baby, Dr. Seuss was ‘it.’ I used to read it to him, actually.
How easy was it to get into the world of Dr. Seuss on the set?
It was so easy because Alex McDowell, who is the most amazing production designer, created this entire world and Rita Ryack with the costumes - it was brilliant. You could step into the shoes every day.
Did you have much input in your character or was she pretty much as scripted?
No, very much so because she’s a foot in the book. The writers did a great job, but we were able to create her from the ground up so it was a lot of fun.
Was this a movie that you did because you could share it with your children?
Absolutely. I’m thrilled [and] I can’t wait to see it with kids.
"The Cat in the Hat" Premiere Interviews:
Mike Myers, Alec Baldwin, Sean Hayes, Dakota Fanning, Spencer Breslin and Amy Hill
Additional Resources:
”The Cat in the Hat" Premiere Photo Gallery
”The Cat in the Hat" Production Photos
"The Cat in the Hat" Trailer, Cast List, and Movie News
