In the 1960s Walt Disney had one rule for Annette Funicello, the leading lady of all Disney beach franchise films, she could wear a swimsuit, but she could never show a bare midriff. To do so would risk Annette’s brand as the wholesome girl next… Read More »Miley Cyrus jeopardizing her career with leaked photos?
Bob Logan has some amazing up-close portraits of the audio-animatronics from Disneyland’s Pirates Of The Caribbean attraction. Elisabeth reports back from her trip to Disney World as part of the Disney Mom’s Panel. She dishes on the one thing that really excited her… the food.… Read More »Linky Disney Goodness – Thursday Roundup
Author and social media strategist Shel Israel gazes into the crystal ball and sees a future populated by children who learned everything they needed to know about how to interact online from a Disney owned Social Network or Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG).
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(Editors note: I’m the process of writing the review for the recent re-release of “The Three Caballeros” and “Saludos Amigos” on DVD. That DVD has a wonderful extra that just skims the top of Walt’s famous 1941 trip to Latin America. It has always left me wanting to know more about that trip. Now “Walt & El Grupo” has answered that call. I hope they’re able to bring it out to Central Florida for a screening sometime soon.
I want to thank Leo Holzer for sending in this great article about what sounds like an exciting new documentary concerning a very critical moment in Walt’s career. “Walt & El Grupo” is premiering at the San Francisco International Film Festival on Saturday, April 26, 2008. – John)
By Leo N. Holzer
Special to The Disney Blog
The loss of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and the birth of Mickey Mouse in 1928. The creation and release of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in 1937. The development of Disneyland and its opening in 1955.
All of these were important and challenging periods for Walt Disney and his company.
But there was another time when life as Walt Disney knew it would forever change, both personally and professionally. The year was 1941, months before Pearl Harbor, when Walt and his studio were embroiled in labor unrest with an animators’ strike and challenged by the shrinking international box office returns as the war in Europe expanded.
It’s this period of Walt Disney’s life — and the “godsend” he found with a U.S.-government-sponsored working trip to Central and South America — that documentary filmmaker Ted Thomas (“Frank and Ollie”) explores in his new film, “Walt & El Grupo.”
Read More »“Walt & El Grupo” documentary to premiere this Saturday in San Francisco
Compare the 10th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom to that of Disneyland or the Magic Kingdom and you’ll be disappointed in the company’s failure to property celebrate the wonder and magic created by this unique theme park. But taken on its face, the events on April 22nd were very well done and enjoyed by all who participated.
I took a few quick video snippets throughout the day and have compiled them into three videos. The first two are off the morning ceremony and a few moments from Joe Rohde’s speech on the creation of the DAK. The third is a “long photo” or mood piece (a genre I’m experimenting with to capture some of the details of the Disney experience). If the camera work is a little shaky, I apologize, but the text and meaning is there.
Part I: Morning Procession.
Part II: Morning Speeches — Erin Wallace, Jane Goodall and Joe Rohde.
That hooting by Dr. Goodall… that was the Chimpanzee call for “Thank You”. Being that close to Dr. Goodall is a bit like being in the presence of royalty. Her seal of approval means a lot to the staff of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and its well deserved.
For those of you with the inclination and time on your hands, LaughingPlace.com has the full 45-minute talk given by Imagineer Joe Rohde. Joe is quite a good speaker and I learn many new things every time I hear him speak, this talk was no exception.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Reflections is below the cut:
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Time to eliminate one more star. Since I have nothing witty to say, it’s getting late, and I’m tired, shall we cut to the cut?Read More »Dancing with the Stars 6.6 Results
In a poorly timed event, couldn’t they find a day other than Earth Day and the 10th Anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom to end this months long contest, the winner of the Disney Parks Chief Magic Official position has been announced. Justin Muchoney claims the… Read More »Justin Muchoney is first Disney Parks Chief Magic Official