More of those great 1930s postcards from Japan! Apparently some of these "art deco" ones may have been drawn by artist Takahashi Shunka.

 

Thanks to some of you, over recent days I have become aware of the fascinating world of early Japanese Disney postcards (unauthorized). 

I will be posting some of my favorite ones over the next few days. I wish I could locate a big collector who could scan some of the originals for me.

 

Stephen Anderson joined Walt Disney Animation Studios in 1999 as a story artist on Tarzan. Following Tarzan, Anderson served as story supervisor for The Emperor's New Groove and Brother Bear. He later directed Meet the Robinsons and co-directed Winnie the Pooh.

He wrote recently on Instagram:

[Playing around with a cover idea for my book ‘Disney Inbetween’ - the story of the 20 years between Walt Disney’s death and the Eisner/Katzenberg takeover. I’ve been working on this project for a good 10 years and am happy to say that it’s in the editing phase right now. After that, it’ll be time to figure out publishing.

This is NOT final, approved cover art! Just me having fun.]

Two more early Japanese documents found on eBay a few days ago.

 

This just in from Jeremie Noyer:

[You've been waiting for lightyears – some engaging in scientific calculations or drawing up comet plans – wanting to know when the long-awaited book will be published.

Well dear explorers, we won't make you wait any longer. We are pleased to announce “Space Mountain: From Earth to the Stars” will be available starting tomorrow!

Following in the footsteps of “Pirates of the Caribbean - A Treasure of an Attraction” and “Phantom Manor: Attraction Decrypted,” discover the history of this iconic attraction, from its origins all the way to Hyperspace Mountain, including of course From the Earth to the Moon and Mission 2.

Discover the sources of inspiration and the technological challenges that led to its creation, all richly illustrated with concepts and photos stretching over the years.

“Space Mountain: From Earth to the Stars” will be on sale for 22€ starting this Friday, February 12, at the World of Disney Store in Disney Village. As this is not a limited edition, stock will be reordered regularly.

All right, you've got the green light for take-off! Good luck in your intergalactic mission!]

 

My good friend David Peake spotted three upcoming books that have just been announced by Disney Editions. The last two are of particular interest to me considering who their authors are!

Walt's Disneyland - A Walk in the Park with Walt Disney (October 2021)

Walt Disney World: A Portrait of the First Half Century by Kevin M. Kern, Tim O'Day, Stacy Shoff, Steven Vagnini (September 2021)

Not Just a Walk in the Park - The Creation of Disney's Global Resorts by Jim Cora (November 2021)

[The never-before-told, behind-the-scenes story of Disney’s pioneering and triumphant global theme park and resort expansion.

On June 16, 2016, Shanghai Disneyland Park, located in Pudong, Shanghai, opened to great fanfare and acclaim. Disney Chairman and Chief Executive Bob Iger called the world's twelfth Disney park “one of the proudest and most exciting moments in the history of The Walt Disney Company.” But a short three decades before, there were only two Disney parks—both in the U.S. How this unique entertainment enterprise expanded and was embraced all around the world is one of the most ambitious and successful, but little-documented aspects of The Walt Disney Company’s history.

Leading that pioneering and influential initiative was a fascinating man who, like Walt Disney himself, was the right combination of experience, enterprise, curiosity, and cultural complement at just the right time and place: Disney Legend Jim Cora. Part memoir, part cultural history, part documentary—and always fascinating, revealing, candid, and frequently humorous—Not Just a Walk in the Park: The Creation of Disney’s Global Resorts is the first-ever documentation of Disney’s rise as a worldwide powerhouse in destination recreation and cultural export; and the circumstances, events, and individuals who brought it all to life.

Filled with remarkable information, insight, anecdotes, and reflections of places, people, projects, problems, and ultimate successes, this is a one-of-a-kind recollection of a previously unknown aspect of the wide, wonderful world of Disney and how it got that way.]

Two more examples of those unauthorized Japanese publications from the 1930s.

 

I spent some time over the past few days researching Disney and Japan in the 1930s and 1940s.

While doing so, I stumbled upon these unauthorized publications from the 1930s. 

Are there any Japanese speakers reading this post? I would love to get help to locate some of those rare books. There is especially one from 1934 that I am dying to find and buy. If you are willing to try and help, could you email me at didier.ghez@gmail.com?

 

 

I was editing an interview with Disney director Jeff Blyth by Todd James Pierce this weekend and, when conducting some additional research, I stumbled upon this video that I believe many of you will enjoy.

Looking forward to the next issue of Disney Twenty-Three.

 This just in:

[Ken Kebow (producer of Rolly's "The Whimsical Imagineer") here.  I hope this finds you and your family safe and well during these challenging times.

I thought your audiences and readers would be interested to know that we are making "A Walk in the Park", Rolly's audio tour of Disneyland, available to listen to for free for the entire month of February 2021!  Rolly used to actually give walking tours of the Park many years ago and his stories and observations in "A Walk in the Park" are one-of-a-kind and unforgettable.  And told in a way that only Rolly Crump can do!

Here is a Vimeo link to the audio file:

Link:  https://vimeo.com/503845284
Password:  CRUMP2021 ]