Wednesday, April 30, 2014

It is a real pleasure to announce the release of the long-awaited Walt's People - Volume 14! This is an extremely strong volume. Probably the strongest to date.

Here is the table of contents:

Foreword: Todd James Pierce

Bob Thomas: Carman Maxwell
Mark Mayerson: Dick Lundy
Leonard Maltin: Dick Lundy
Leonard Maltin: Phil Klein
Leonard Maltin: Zack Schwartz
John Culhane: Ray Patterson
Didier Ghez: Marge Champion
John Canemaker: Joe Grant
Dave Smith: Bob Jones
Jim Korkis & Didier Ghez: Bob Baker
Vincent Randle: A Life Rendering: The Unrealized Art of Richmond “Dick” Kelsey
David Culbert: Eric Knight at Disney
The Holling C. Holling letters
John Culhane: Bill Justice
John Culhane: Irvin Graham
Michael Broggie: Lillian Disney
Alberto Becattini: Carson Van Osten
George Sherman: Bruce Bushman
George Sherman: Bob Mattey
Dave Smith: Chris Mueller
John G. West: Arthur Vitarelli
Charles Solomon: Alice Davis
Didier Ghez: Lucile Bosché
Harry Wessel: Joe Fowler
Didier Ghez: Eddie Sotto

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Here is a new book released by Theme Park Press which might interest some of us. I will review it when I get a copy. In the meantime, here is what the publisher had to say about it:

[LIGHTS! CAMERA! TAKE ACTION!

Guests at Disney's Hollywood Studios become the stars in a theme park experience like no other. In this behind-the-camera book, you’ll find out how Disney does it, and how you can use the same techniques to bring some show biz into your biz, with your customers the stars.

_Stories from the Studios_

Former Disney University executive J. Jeff Kober shares little-known stories behind dozens of park attractions, restaurants, and shops, and teaches you how to use Disney's peerless storytelling and customer service secrets to take your life and your business to new heights.

From the "ugly ducklings" of Min and Bill's Dockside Diner (and how to turn your own weaknesses into strengths) to Toy Story Midway Mania (and how to prevent "mania" from undermining your success), Kober takes you on a tour of Disney's Hollywood Studios that will change how you view the park - and how you view your own life, both personal and professional.

_Putting on the Show_

"Disney's Hollywood Studios: From Show Biz to Your Biz" is the only book devoted entirely to the Hollywood Studios theme park, with over forty chapters of park history, Disney trivia, and business best practices, including:

- How the experience starts in the parking lot

- A tale of two movie moguls: Walt Disney vs Louis B. Mayer

- The valuable lessons of "merchantainment"

- Adventures in partnership with George Lucas, Jim Henson, and Aerosmith

- How Disney turns mundane minutes into Magical Moments

- Hidden secrets of the Tower of Terror, and how Disney exceeded even its own standards

Get your business ready for *its* close-up!]

Monday, April 28, 2014

The Kindle version of Walt's People - Volume 1 is now available. Its price is only $0.99! For those of you who have yet to check out the Walt's People book series, this is your opportunity to do so.

This just in:


[The Disneyland Resort diversity group is flying Jim Korkis out to Anaheim to do a presentation on Asian-Pacific heritage and the many connections to Disney.  The presentation is for Disney cast members and will be held 5:30pm on Wednesday May 21 at the Sequoia Ballroom of the Grand Californian Hotel.   Contact Jeff L. Chang if you are eligible to attend and are interested]
The Disney Books Network was updated over the weekend.

Friday, April 25, 2014

This just in from Disney archivist Ed Ovalle about the photo I posted on March 3, 2014.

[The group of French journalists visited the Walt Disney Studio and met Walt on February 14, 1945.

There were eight journalists in the group which Walt met:

Mme. Etiennette Benichon
Mme. D'Ardene de Tizac
Jean-Paul Sartre
Stephane Pizella
Pierre Denoyer
Louis Lombard
Robert Wischner
Joseph Antonorsi

According to an IOC from Jack Cutting to Walt, the O.W.I.'s main purpose in having the journalists tour the country was to get them to do a series of articles on "America at War".  During their visit to the studio, they were shown numerous samples of the Army and Navy training films, C.I.A.A. Health films and were very enthusiastic about them.

One of the journalists told Walt how Léon Bancal was put in jail by the Germans because of the implications in his first Mickey Mouse article. I assume they were talking about, "Au Revoir, Mickey" which appeared on Oct. 1, 1942, in Le Petit Marseillais. They asked that Walt honor Léon Bancal  by making a drawing of Mickey on a reprint of the article and Mme. Benichon asked if Walt could send a brief greeting addressed to the children of France.]

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Beautiful photo of Walt seen on HowardLowery.com recently.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

This just in:

[I thought you might be interested to know that Swann Auction Galleries in New York will offer a charming Disney poster at its Modernist Posters auction on April 24.

The poster is one of the few early Disney posters with a prominent cross-marketing pitch – in this case, Pepsi was an official sponsor of Disneyland from opening day, 1955, through 1990.  (Lot 142, $700 - $1,000).]

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

While looking for information about Ethel Kulsar and Gyo Fujikawa, I stumbled about this 1941 article from the LA Times, which I believe a few of you will enjoy.

Monday, April 21, 2014

As promised, Walt's People - Volume 1 has just been re-released by Theme Park Press. No new content, but the formatting is much nicer and the few annoying typos are gone. A very, very cheap Kindle version should be available soon.

Friday, April 18, 2014

I have just received my review copy of Charles Solomon's book about The Art of Disney Golden Books. This beautiful book is all that I expected: the text is a little bit too light for my tastes (for an in-depth history of the Golden Books, pick up Leonard Marcus' seminal volume, Golden Legacy: How Golden Books Won Children's Hearts, Changed Publishing Forever, and Became An American Icon Along the Way), but the nonetheless very well-written text is not why the book exists. Its heart is clearly the artwork, which is reproduced beautifully and which you have never seen this way before.

From my standpoint, the pieces of art by Bianca Majolie for the Surprise Package book and the illustrations by Mary Blair justify in themselves owning this beautiful volume.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Found online recently by my good friend Sebastien Durand.

Garry Apgar mentions that the likely date of the exhibition are December 1945 to January-February 1946.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Found recently on the internet: Actress Thelma Todd and Kay Kamen.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

This photo was posted a few months ago on the Disney History Institute's Facebook page. Unfortunately Paul F. Anderson is unable to locate the magazine it originally came from. Would anyone happen to have seen that photo at some point? If so, would you be willing to send me a high resolution scan?

Monday, April 14, 2014

Disney-history-wise and popular-culture-wise, the release of this long-awaited book at the end of the year should be a major landmark. Can't wait.

By the way, for those of you who did not notice, Michael Barrier has started posting on his blog again.

Sunday, April 13, 2014

This just in from Paul F. Anderson:

[NEWLY FOUND PERSISTENCE OF VISIONS
***FIRST COME FIRST SERVE***
PERSISTENCE OF VISION ISSUES FOR SALE

I have received so many requests the last few months on POV, that my son and I went in search of some (where they were last seen here at DHI). As luck would have it, we found about a half a case or less of each of the last four issues. These are basically straight from the printer, never removed (as mint as mint can be). So I am offering them first here to the Institute faithful (posting in the middle of the night to give everyone an equal chance--only thing I could think of). I am going to hold about four issues of each to put in the DHI Store over on our website (they will be priced higher than those being offered here). I have found a few from time to time in the past and have put them up in the DHI Store where they typically sell right away (I’ve had #9 up there for a few months at $45, but since the store has not been updated for some time, it has gone unnoticed).

For those who are not familiar, Persistence of Vision was a historical journal celebrating the creative legacy of Walt Disney. Published irregularly (to say the least) in the 1990s, it is considered by most the best Disney history publication ever. (I might be a bit biased.) I was the publisher and editor and wrote a lot of the articles.

These people had this to say about POV: Diane Disney Miller: “I am really impressed with POV. You have caught much of my dad’s spirit.” Disney Legend Ken Anderson: “I’m proud to be involved with this. It’s the best!” Lucille Ryman Carroll (Herbie’s Sister): “I do indeed enjoy POV--as soon as it arrives, I have to read it from cover to cover.” To name just a few.
I will take requests in the order they come in (determined by date and time).

 I prefer PM (message) through Facebook. it is easiest to keep track of time order. You can email me directly at povpfa [at] me [dot] com too. PLEASE be patient as I go through the requests, as some will want certain issues and not others, and I want to keep a close count on inventory, so I don’t disappoint anyone.

I prefer Paypal and will send an Invoice (I’ll need your email). Visa, MC, Amex, Check, or Money Order, too. U.S. POSTAGE is $9.95 for PRIORITY MAIL (any number of issues) or $5.00 for MEDIA MAIL (any number of issues). STRICT LIMIT OF ONE OF EACH ISSUE PER PERSON (PLEASE!! My intention to offer these below their market value is to allow folks to get them, I don’t want someone buying up all of one issue and reselling them, so no dealer orders. If you have family members, I will be happy to do that, but within reason please.) FOREIGN POSTAGE will be quoted to you. Sadly, the USPS has limited how we can send heavy materials, these all weigh over First Class International Rates, so we are left with International Priority Mail (typically around $20 or more depending on location). Sorry.

I WILL LIST ISSUES AND PRICES FIRST (Contents of each issue at the end of this post.)

***POV #6/7 THE WORLD’S FAIR ISSUE (144 Pages!) (See Full Contents Below). Famed Imagineer David Mumford called this issue “the single greatest Disney history piece ever written!” Probably the most in demand issue. There have been two issues for sale on Ebay the last three months (sold for $45 and $56). Currently on Ebay at $66.87. (Ebay issues were “used”.) COST: $35.00

***POV #8 TONY BAXTER TRIBUTE (100 Pages), Disneyland Monorail, Donald Duck, More. (See Full Contents Below). Only one issue on Ebay the last three months (sold for $20). Currently on Ebay at $66.87. COST: $30.00

***POV #9 HAUNTED MANSION ISSUE, (100 Pages) (See Full Contents Below). Only one on Ebay in the last three months, did not sell for $20 (not sure how that slipped through, bad time of year and poor description ... I would have bought it). Currently on Ebay at $66.87 COST: $30 (It is listed in the DHI store at $45, and I have sold a few.)

***POV #10 WALT DISNEY AND THE CIRCUS (100 Pages), Spin and Marty, Disneyland, more (See Full Contents Below). No recent issues on Ebay (however far back my Ebay search goes). Currently on Ebay at $66.87. COST: $25.00

***BUY ALL FOUR ($120)
AND I’LL PAY FOR MEDIA MAIL POSTAGE WITH INSURANCE AND DELIVERY CONFIRMATION (or upgrade to Priority Mail for $3.00).

GOOD LUCK. Feel free to email me with any questions. Anybody who has any comments about POV and the quality of the publication, I appreciate. Thank you.

**********CONTENTS OF ALL FOUR ISSUES***********
*****CONTENTS #6/7 (144 pages)*****
THE WORLD’S FAIR ISSUE
REGULAR COLUMNS
-WALT’S WORLD (Short anecdotes, stories, images, humor, cartoons, Walt (and other old-timers) quotes, and much more. All about Walt Disney’s creative legacy.
-SOME GREAT CARICATURES IN DISNEY HISTORY by renowned former Disney artist, Peter Emslie.
-THE BRIAR PATCH Gossip, rumors, and news about current Disney projects. (The only thing dated in this issue.)
-VINTAGE NOTES: Disney and His Competitors 1930s
-SPEAKING OF CHARACTERS: Sterling Holloway
-WDW: THE EARLY YEARS By first-year cast member, Paul Smith. “Life in the Haunted Mansion.”
-OUT OF THE INKWELL Letters and responses
FEATURES
-A CHAP CHATS WITH CAPS Disney Animation
-VICARIOUS EXPERIENCES On the Disneyland LPs (Record Albums)
-RECOLLECTIONS OF A FRIENDSHIP By Herbert Ryman (nice story!)
-A GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL TOMORROW (150,000 Words, the definitive piece on Walt Disney and the 1964 New York World’s Fair ... what Imagineer David Mumford called, “The single greatest Disney history piece ever written!”
INCLUDES:
-1964 NYWF
-The Ford Motor Company
-General Electric
-Illinois “Land of Lincoln” Pavilion
-It’s a Small World
-Highway in the Sky: Potential Derailed (Monorail)
-Up and Running: The Fair and Beyond
-Disney and New York: Lessons and Legacies
-Thanks and Endnotes
-HI-HO, COME TO THE FAIR Extensive history of the Disney music for the Fair and its creation. (By master musician and historian Alex Rannie!)
*****CONTENTS #8 (100 pages)*****
TONY BAXTER TRIBUTE ISSUE
REGULAR COLUMNS
-WALT’S WORLD (Short anecdotes, stories, images, humor, cartoons, Walt (and other old-timers) quotes, and much more. All about Walt Disney’s creative legacy.
-MOAT POINTS Disney Underwear Through the Ages (Seriously! VERY Funny article.)
-THE BRIAR PATCH Gossip, rumors, and news about current Disney projects. (The only thing dated in this issue.)
-WDW: THE EARLY YEARS By first-year cast member, Paul Smith. The Costumed Characters.
-OUT OF THE INKWELL Letters and responses
FEATURES
-AN ANIMATED LIFE: The Story of Jack Hannah by Jim Korkis
-Hannah and the Disney Comic Books
-Lost Donald Duck Cartoon
-Story Behind the Story of Pirate Gold (Barks)
-Lost Story Meeting Notes for Donald’s Stratosphere
-Jack Hannah: A Personal Memory
-Secrets
-Hannah in His Own Words
-Hannah Filmography
-DISNEY KING OF SELF CENSORSHIP A listing of all cartoons, their cuts and edits and information on them. Invaluable resource!
-TONY BAXTER: WORLD-WIDE IMAGINEER (Including Four Pages of color, with WED Art, and Photos of Tony during his career)
-WHO’S THE LEADER OF THE CLUB ... ? Jimmie Dodd and the Mickey Mouse Club
-THE MONORAIL REVISITED (LOTS OF PHOTOS, over 30)
*****CONTENTS #9 (100 pages)*****
HAUNTED MANSION ISSUE
REGULAR COLUMNS
-Walt’s World (Short anecdotes, stories, images, humor, cartoons, Walt (and other old-timers) quotes, and much more. All about Walt Disney’s creative legacy.
-MOAT POINTS This issue about Disney Film Exploitation.
-SOME GREAT CARICATURES IN DISNEY HISTORY by renowned former Disney artist, Peter Emslie.
-THE BRIAR PATCH Gossip, rumors, and news about current Disney projects. (The only thing dated in this issue.)
-WDW: THE EARLY YEARS By first-year cast member, Paul Smith. “Life in the Haunted Mansion.”
-OUT OF THE INKWELL Letters and responses
FEATURES
-BE SURE YOU’RE RIGHT: THEN GO AHEAD The Early Disney Westerns
-HAUNTING MELODY The Story Behind Buddy Baker’s Score for the Haunted Mansion. Includes FOUR Color Pages of Imagineering Art (three pages) and behind-the-scenes images (one page).
-WALT DISNEY’S LOST MASTERPIECE: The Strange History of Bedknobs and Broomsticks
*****CONTENTS #10 (100 pages)*****
REGULAR COLUMNS
-WALT’S WORLD (Short anecdotes, stories, images, humor, cartoons, Walt (and other old-timers) quotes, and much more. All about Walt Disney’s creative legacy.
-MOUSE TRACKS by Randy Thornton. Walt Disney Records
-THE BRIAR PATCH Gossip, rumors, and news about current Disney projects. (The only thing dated in this issue.)
-SPEAKING OF CHARACTERS
-OUT OF THE INKWELL Letters and responses
FEATURES
-A CONCEPT VISION OF THE NEW TOMORROWLAND by Disneyland CM Ray Haller (30 plus years, great artist)
-A CULTURAL ANALYSIS OF DISNEY’S MAIN STREET U.S.A.
-THE DISNEY CIRCUS WAGONS (Disneyland, Toby Tyler)
-THE MICKEY MOUSE CLUB CIRCUS
-THE CIRCUS IN DISNEYLAND: A PICTORIAL
-THE MICKEY MOUSE CLUB SERIALS
-SPIN AND MARTY by Dave Smith
Good luck.]

Friday, April 04, 2014

Would any of you happen to have a copy of this fanzine from 1971? It contains three pages libked to Albert Hurter but I have no idea how interesting they are.

Thursday, April 03, 2014

The blog will updated again on April 14.

Two upcoming books which could be of interest to some of you (thanks to David Peake for the heads up: The Art of Big Hero 6 and The Art of Planes.
Jake Friedman just posted two fantastic videos from Art Babbitt's archives here and here.

Enjoy!


Tuesday, April 01, 2014

I received a few weeks ago a digital review copy of the book by John Frost Dispatch from Disneyland. This is a really nice collection of rather poetic essays linked to John's visits to the park. It is well written and for those of you who are looking for an oniric reflection about the Happiest Place on Earth it is a good read.

This is not Disney history at all though.