Each month, we introduce you to one of our Members, so you can see the varied and frequently fascinating people who have come together to learn and experience more about the life, work, philosophies, and ideals of Walt Disney. This month, we’d like you to meet one of our most far-away Members, Pedro Cherem.
On Saturday, January 28th 2012 at The Walt Disney Family Museum, the San Francisco chapter of the CalArts Alumni Association—in conjunction with The Walt Disney Family Museum—is presenting a special day of FREE film screenings, educational animation activities, a daytime performance event, and an evening concert.
Although animator and Imagineer Marc Davis is famed for his design influence and animation performance of Maleficent in Walt Disney's 1959 animated feature Sleeping Beauty, less well-known is that the majestic and powerful dragon was the work of Ken Anderson (also remembered for another dragon, Pete's Dragon in 1977) under the direction of Woolie Reitherman. Marc said, "I had nothing to do with the dragon, but it was based on Maleficent…there was a consistentcy. This wasn't just a dragon she turned into, this was her own particular dragon."
Our Film of the Month for January has been called “the best Disney live-action feature that you’ve never seen” by film writer Karl Holzheimer. Although acclaimed as of the finest adventure dramas of its era, Third Man on the Mountain has never reached the status in the Disney legacy that it richly deserves.
In October of 1966, Walt Disney was declared “Showman of the World” by the National Association of Theatre Owners. His creative legacy was so diverse, spanning so many realms of entertainment and outdoor recreation, it’s remarkable to think that before 1955 he was “merely” a producer of motion pictures...
Hide in plain sight.
As a student of Disney history I have come to embrace that particular cliché. Simple and almost always overlooked details in Disney entertainment can often lead to very enjoyable and enlightening journeys of historical discovery. I recently embarked on such a journey after watching the Goofy cartoon The Art of Skiing...
It was a Friday. It was about week before Christmas. And it was official: The U.S. Forest Service awarded the right to develop the Mineral King area of Sequoia National Forest to Walt Disney Productions. The year was 1965...
"We won't turn into a live-action studio, but we'll get into the live-action business." —Walt Disney
The end of World War II presented a new creative opportunity for Walt. Like most war-damaged countries, Britain had frozen payments due to American film companies. Disney and RKO had millions of dollars that could only be spent in the United Kingdom...
Each month, we ask a museum staff member to answer five questions about their position at The Walt Disney Family Museum, their fondest Disney memories, and personal tidbits. We decided to shine the light on our museum... as a TEAM. This month, we talk to Alyson Fried--the manager of The Walt Disney Family Museum's first ever softball team: The Blue Sox!
One of Walt Disney’s many talents was a flair for casting, and a genius for recognizing unusual talent. Although the application of this gift within the Animation trade is well-known, as is the roster of live-action stars who came to be associated with Walt, both professionally and culturally...