Stunning series of gag drawings by Tom Oreb being auctioned at the moment on Hakes.com.

Do not miss today:

- Disney-Commissioned Imagineering Docu Under Way by Dave McNary

This book has just been released. I will review it as soon as I get it.

This just in from Dave de Caro:

[ I just got back from the Walt Disney Family Museum; I was fortunate to go right after the photo ban was lifted, so mine are probably some of the first images to be released, other than those from their publicity department. I am doing a 4-part series on my blog this week. The first one from today details the Snow White Exhibit.]

- From the Archives: Johnny Shiloh by Jim Hollifield
- INTERVIEWS WITH DISNEY "PETER PAN" ... by Todd Garbarini

This seen recently on Facebook: "Music in Walt’s Animated Features: From ‘Snow White’ to ‘The Jungle Book’" is a forthcoming book by James Bohn.

I had a chance to interview the author. Here are his answers.

Didier Ghez: What is the exact focus of your book?

James Bohn: The focus is how music functions in the early Disney animated features ('Snow White' to 'The Jungle Book'), as well as the role that music plays in the success of these films.

DG: When and why did you decide to write it?

JB: Two and a half years ago I started teaching a course at Bridgewater State University entitled "The Walt Disney Company and Music."  When I proposed the course, I knew that there was really no suitable book on the topic, so I have been writing chapters for the class to read, and slowly compiling it into a book.  In fact, one of the main reasons I decided to teach the class was that I wanted to write the book.

DG: What type of research did you conduct before writting it?

JB: My background is primarily in Music Theory.  The bulk of my research involves watching the movies and shorts, and analyzing how the music functions in the film.  Some of this analysis involves legitimate music theory, and basic music elements like following leitmotifs in each film.  Some if it involves analyzing the lyrics, and considering how they work to relate the narrative of the movie and how they work to establish character.  It also concerns how the music and visual imagery work together to create an effective whole.

Unfortunately thus far I have not been able to do much research utilizing primary materials at library archives, as Disney would not give me permission to access any such materials until I procured a publisher, and I have only just done so.  I am awaiting word from Disney whether I will be given permission to access scores being held at several different University archives.

I also have not been able to do much primary research regarding interviews, as the individuals involved in making these films are nearly all gone.  I have been able to contact a few descendants of Disney composers, and gleaned some information from them.
 
DG: What were some of the most astounishing things your learned while writting it?

JB: Astonishing?  Not sure.  One of the things I've enjoyed doing the most is researching early Mickey Mouse novelty songs, and early Disney recordings on 78 rpm records.

DG: Could you open our appetite by mentioning a few things that serious Disney historians will learn while reading your book?

JB: Perhaps the best chapter in the book is the one on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  The major point of the chapter is that Snow White is essentially an animated operetta.  Furthermore, the techniques used to establish this are used and re-used in numerous Disney animated films.

DG: What will be the chapters of the book?

JB: Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphonies
[focuses on Steamboat Willie, Mickey Mouse Novelty Songs, The Skeleton Dance, Flowers and Trees, and The Three Little Pigs]
2  Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
3  Pinocchio and Fantasia
[note:  my coverage of Fantasia mainly concerns Fantasound and future plans that Walt had for the film]
4  Dumbo and Bambi
5  Cinderella
6  Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan
7  Disney Animated Features from 1955-1961
8  The Sword in the Stone and The Jungle Book

DG: How long is the book and does it contain any illustrations?

JB: Currently, the book is about 53,000 words.  It will include illustrations.  I am not sure how many.  I believe we may only have a budget for around ten images.  I am currently in the process for applying for copyright clearance for the images.  I am proposing many more than ten.  I am waiting to see what Disney gives me clearance to use, and considering alternate ways to increase the budget for images in the book.

Paul F. Anderson reminds us that the Disney History Institute store has been updated.

DISNEYLAND STORE LINK
DISNEY BOOK STORE LINK

Do not miss today:

- The Colorful Life of Disney Legend Mel Shaw by Rick Wright (Thanks to Michael Goldeberg for the link)
- Tony Baxter and Walt Disney by Jim Korkis
- Carlene Thie: Keeping her grandfather's legacy alive through his classic Disney photos by Chuck Schmidt
- Carlene Thie has made it her business to preserve precious Disney memories by Chuck Schmidt
- What’s Up, Ward Kimball? by Amid Amidi
- Mary Louise Whitham Eastman on Michael Spron's blog
-  Treasures of Disney's Boardwalk Inn and Villas: Part One by Jim Korkis
- Experimental Yzma by Andreas Deja

The blog will be updated again on March 11.

Two great books are already available for pre-order on Amazon:

- Tinker Bell: An Evolution by Mindy Johnson [I have seen the first layouts and this is a "must-have" if there is one and a great candidate for "best Disney History book of 2013"]

- Remembering Roy E. Disney: Memories and Photos of a Storied Life by David Bossert.

Do not miss today:

- Gary K Wolf updates AICN regarding THE STOOGE starring Roger Rabbit & Mickey Mouse!!! (Thanks to Jim Korkis for the link)
- Getty, Disney partner on study of animation cel artwork (Thanks to Emmanuel Bourmalo for the link)
- Jungle Book Recording Session Break by Andreas Deja
- Debunking Disney Stories by Jim Korkis

Exceptional photo of Mary Blair by George Hurrell being sold at the moment by Howard Lowery.

This just in thanks to Gunnar Andreassen: Great ad found inside front cover of Photoplay, June 1934.

If you just bought this magazine on ebay today and are reading this blog, would you be kind enough to send me a high resolution scan of the article it contains about Walt? I was stupid enough not to bid and am having terrible second thoughts. I would be very happy to pay the full $40 to get it the scan.

Beautiful ad released in the December 28, 1933 edition of the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia.

This small and cheap ebook is definitely worth picking up. Full of photos I had never seen before (about 50% of them) and a short, but excellent text. The book is also available as a hardcover, but while I would happily pay $40 for this short 96-page volume, due to the rare photos, most of you will definitely want to stick to the ebook.

Not sure how good this upcoming book will be, but I am certain that most of you will at least want to have it on your radar.

The cover of Marty Sklar upcoming autobiography, Dream It! Do It! (The People, The Places, The Projects): My Half-Century Creating Disney's Magic Kingdoms has now been released. Can't wait!

This just in from Jack Lindquist:

[2012 was a busy, lifestyle-changing year for Belle and me. We decided that the time was here for us to give up our 4000 square foot, half-acre home of nearly 40 years and look into the potential of moving into an "assisted living" facility. After much research and investigating we finally selected Walnut Village, a wonderful Community in Anaheim, just a few blocks from Disneyland; sort of like completing the whole circle. We have been here almost 7 months now and are very happy with our l250 sq. ft. apartment, our wonderful and caring neighbors, the delightful food services and the wealth of activities available to us and now that we are finally settled in our new home I am finally seriously starting to work on my next book. After much soul searching, discussions, arguments, and many questioning my ever growing senility I have decided to attempt to write, "Before, During, And After The Mouse...A Maverick's Look At A Pretty Amazing, Exciting, Lucky Life." A personal look, comments and observations on Los Angeles in the 30's when it was changing from a pueblo into a city...the War Years of the 40's...50's through today when it has evolved into the economic, social, political, entertainment, lifestyle leader it is today. Along the way, my personal involvement with Hollywood and the Movie Making industry plus a few more untold tales from my days at Disneyland. Same sort of stuff you seemed to enjoy with "In Service To The Mouse" but with a broader background. I would love it have it finished by the end of the year, but I am making no promises. But what I will do is put bits and pieces of the story on our website and Facebook page as they come along so you will have a chance to get the feel of what "Before, During, And After The Mouse" is going to be like and I will also put a pre-publication offer on the website at least 90 days before it will be available to the public. So if you think you will like it, you can get your copy first and at a reduced price. Anyway, that's the plan.]

Do not miss today:

- Milt Kahl's Black Cauldron by Andreas Deja
- Walt and Walt Disney World by Todd James Pierce
- Don Rosa’s Comics and Stories by Mark Evanier (Thanks to Jim Korkis and Michael Goldberg for the link)
- When Walt Laid a Golden Egg by Jim Korkis

I missed this incredibly rare Mickey Mouse book from Iceland on ebay recently. Aaargh.

Here are three great Serbian ads from the magazine Politika, sent by my friend Sasa Rakezic.

[The first one, from 22.11.1940, was probably made by a local artist (I would guess Djuka Jankovic), and it says: "The Goofy - After the return from Africa with his inseparable companion Mickey, will go through many new adventrures in the upcoming issues of Politikin Zabavnik".

The second ad (26.11.1940.) says, obviously stating Goofy's words: "Hello Mickey! I'm not late, I'm just running to bring my latest manuscript regarding my latest adventure, which comes out in... Politikin Zabavnik". The new issue came out toda, price 1 dinar" - it's written "Staff of Politikin Zabavnik" at the entrance of the house.

The third one (08.11.1940.) says" "Walt Disney is the favourite artist of the US and the world. All his characters appear in every issue of Politikin Zabavnik. The new issue came out today". There is also a signed Disney's photo, it says - "za Politiku (for Politika)- Sincerely Walt Disney".]

This just in from Gunnar Andreassen:

[Photo taken outside The Rivoli, NY 1932.

From the ad in “Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphonies Exhibitors Campaign Book” (United Artists 1932):

PUT MICKEY MOUSE IN YOUR LOBBY

And Children Business in Your BOX-OFFICE!

Every wise showman knows that the backbone of his gross is dependent on the volume of childen business he does.  Children talk about the picture, drag their parents in, and are the greatest movie audience in the world.  The MICKEY MOUSE sculptured figure shown on this page, and illustrated as well in the lobby display section of this pressbook, is the official MICKEY MOUSE lobby fixture.

25 % discount on each display

Though a special arrangement with United Artists Pictures Corporation we are offering this figure direct to the exhibitors at a saving of 25 %, - our regular price is $ 4,00 per display, 25 % discount bringing the net price down to $ 3,00 each.

MICKEY MOUSE relief statuette is a startlingly attractive figure.  The pants are red, buttons blue, shoes are orange, gloves a vivid yellow.  There is an easel on the back so that you can stand it up in the lobby of your theatre or if desired, you can remove the easel and mount it against the wall.

Laminite . . .

Exclusive Paper Mache

This MICKEY MOUSE figure is made of Laminite (exclusive paper maché), perfected by Old King Cole, Inc.  It will stand the onslaughts of rough wear and hard usage.  To even further preserve the life of this display it can be varnished so that it can be used in front of your theatre or on the marquee.

OLD KING COLE, Inc. 

Canton . Ohio]

Astounishing magazine cover found on ebay recently.

I just stumbled this weekend upon this clip of Walt arriving in the UK in 1935 and thought that many of you would enjoy it.

You may remember a post from a few years ago about Walt and the cat from the Isle of Man. Here is another photo from that same day, sent by Gunnar Andreassen and found in the Spanish magazine Films Selectos from October 28, 1933.

This just in from Sam Gennaway:

[I am pleased to announce that my next book - The Disneyland That Was, Is, and Never Will Be - is coming out this July on Clerisy Press.

Walt Disney said, “Disneyland is the star. Everything else is in the supporting role.”

The Disneyland that Was, Is, and Never Will Be is the story of how Walt Disney’s greatest creation was conceived, nurtured, and how it grew into a source of joy and inspiration for generations of visitors. Despite his successors battles with the whims of history and their own doubts and egos, Walt’s vision maintained momentum, thrived, and taught future generations how to do it Walt Disney's way.]

I just got some news from Ross Care, famous among Disney historians for his in-depth pieces about Disney music history.

The book Music in the Western: Notes From the Frontier edited by Kathryn Kalinak contains Ross Care's surprising piece connecting Walt Disney's Pecos Bill and John Ford's Wagonmaster and is therefore worth checking out.

Also of strong interest is the long article Disney Unlocks the Music Vault by Ross.

And if you enjoy all of this you may also want to check out Ross' non-Disney articles.

Do not miss today:

- PROMOTING OIL WITH OIL~The Beginning by Paul F. Anderson
- Walt Kelly Disney Related Artwork (Thanks to Jim Korkis for the link)
- Purple Martins of Epcot by Jim Korkis
- Tony Baxter to transition from being a full-time Imagineer to becoming a WDI consultant by Jim Hill

The new issue of Disney's Twenty-Three will be released on February 12. Among the highlights is the article about puppeteer Bob Baker (whom Jim Korkis interviewed a few years back for a future volume of Walt's People).

I just picked up this book which, from page 195 to 216, contains the excellent essay by David Leon Higdon and Phill Lehrman titled Huxley's ´Deep Jam´ and the Adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, complete with Aldous Huxley's full synopsis for Alice in Wonderland.

Speaking of Disney's Lost Chords, did any reader of this blog realize that Disney launched earlier this year digital albums on Amazon featuring the never-released Disney songs?!!

As part of this great series you will be able to get:

Cinderella, The Aristocats, and The Rescuers (thanks to Greg Ehrbar for the heads up about all this).

Disney's Lost Chords - Volumes 1 and 2 are two of the very best Disney History books published in recent years. If you have not yet done so, I would strongly encourage you to pick them up via Amazon. Russell has only a few copies left and he is running out of them fast.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0615206336/didierghezsdisneA/

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0615134513/didierghezsdisneA/

My plug here is kind of selfish: I really would like to see volume 3 being released soon and that will only happen after Russell manages to sell a few more copies of the first two volumes!

According to Heritage Auction this Lucky Strike ad was created by the Disney Studio. Could any reader confirm this?

Since finding issues of the seminal Disney History magazine Peristence of Vision is so tough these days, here is a heads up about a set which is currently being sold on the ebay. The auction ends this Sunday.

Wonderful Freddie Moore drawing seem this week on Heritage Auctions.

There is so much good stuff being posted at the moment on Heritage Auctions that it is difficult to spot all the great items there. This concept art from Walt Peregoy for the abandoned Don Quixote project is one of the highlights.

Do not miss today:

- PROMOTING OIL WITH OIL by Paul F. Anderson
- Main Street, U.S.A. Is NOT Based on Marceline by Jim Korkis

Thanks to JB Kaufman, here is a true gem: the only interview I know of Disney composer Leigh Harline. Enjoy!

Do not miss today:

- KEN ANDERSON AND THE HAUNTED MANSION by Paul F. Anderson
- Ferdinand Horvath Character Concept Drawing - Horned Creature by Matt Crandall
- Ferdinand Horvath Character Concept Drawing - Tiger Bird by Matt Crandall
- Prince John & Sir Hiss Pencil Test by Andreas Deja

Since this is a slow month when it comes to Disney book releases, I thought some of you might like to hear about a new biography of John Lasseter which has just been released in Spain (in Spanish), written by journalist and Disney enthusiast Jorge Fonte.

Do not miss today:

- Lost Disney Gag Drawings of “Snow White” Artist Discovered by Amid Amidi
- Roger Broggie Jr. dies at 73; audio-animatronics whiz for Disney by Valerie Nelson
- Super Goof Flies Again by Jim Korkis

This just in from Gunnar:

[I just found this rather exeptional piece of art on ComicArt Fans:

From description:

Story Painting for Winken, Blinken and Nod, 1938

Signed pre-production artwork from the Disney studio is very rare. This exceptional painting in watercolor and guache is signed by Emil Flohri, who worked for Disney from 1929 until 1938. It is painted on paper similar to that used for background paintings and is rather large for story art -- 9 X 11 inches.]

This just in:

[Swann Auction Galleries will spotlight a wide variety of Disney cartoons and drawings during its sale of 20th Century Illustration on January 24.

Swann will be offering 19 lots of Disney material.  Image lot numbers and catalogue descriptions are as follows:

Lot 136, (WALT DISNEY STUDIOS.) "The Art of Skiing." Hand-painted animation cel featuring Goofy from The Art of Skiing. 230x190 mm; 9x7 1/2 inches. 1941. Matted with affixed caption below reading "Eyes should be kept to the front because objects sometimes appear with amazing suddenness." Courvoisier Galleries label and Disney Productions rubberstamp on verso. Estimate $1,500-2,500

Lot 137, (WALT DISNEY STUDIOS.) Grumpy. Graphite and color pencil. 255x305 mm; 10x12 inches, sheet. Animation drawing for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Circa 1937. Estimate $800-1,200

Lot 138, (WALT DISNEY STUDIOS.) Sleepy. Graphite and color pencil. 255x305 mm; 10x12 inches, sheet. Animation drawing for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Circa 1937. Disney Studio rubberstamp lower left. Estimate $500-750

Lot 139, (WALT DISNEY STUDIOS.) Happy. Graphite. 255x305 mm; 10x12 inches, sheet. Animation drawing for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Circa 1937. Estimate $500-750

Lot 140, (WALT DISNEY STUDIOS.) Doc. Graphite and color pencil. 315x375 mm; 12 1/2x14 3/4 inches, sheet. Animation drawing for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Circa 1937. Estimate $400-600

Lot 141, (WALT DISNEY STUDIOS.) Bambi. Graphite and color pencil. 255x305 mm; 10x12 inches, sheet. Animation drawing. Circa 1941. Estimate $500-750

Lot 142, (WALT DISNEY STUDIOS.) Captain Donald Duck and His Performing Seals. Graphite and color pencil. Two animation drawings (each 180x290 mm; 6 3/4x11 1/2 inches) for the animated short Mickey's Circus (1937). Estimate $1,000-1,500.  Donald is partially hidden by the jumble of hungry seals in one of the two drawings, the other shows three performing seals.

Lot 143, (WALT DISNEY STUDIOS.) Sir Cumference. Color crayon. Each 170 x 213mm; 6 x 8 1/4 inches. Two concept drawings for the animated short Knight for a Day (1946). Estimate $1,000-1,500.  Bold, lively sketches of the jousting champion in the popular Goofy cartoon.

Lot 144, (WALT DISNEY STUDIOS.) The Hunstman. Hand-painted cel over wood. 140x135 mm; 5 1/2x5 1/4 inches. Not examined out of frame. Circa 1937. Estimate $800-1,200.  From Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first feature-length animated film from Disney, as well as the first full-length cel animated feature in motion picture history.

Lot 145, (WALT DISNEY STUDIOS.) Fantasia. Pencil with colored pencil border on paper. 253x303 mm; 10x12 inches. Rubberstamp on verso with faint bleed-through lower right. Not examined out of frame. Circa 1940. Estimate $1,200-1,800.  Sketch prepared for the Dance of the Hours sequence showing high-kicking ostriches and grinning crocodiles.

Lot 146, (WALT DISNEY STUDIOS.) Flora and Merryweather. Painted cel for Sleeping Beauty (1959). 155x235 mm; 6 1/4x9 1/4 inches. Disney Production gold label on verso. Estimate $800-1,200.  The Good Fairies sew a gown as a special surprise present for Princess Aurora on her sixteenth birthday. Sold by the Art Corner in Disneyland in Anaheim, Ca.

Lot 147, (WALT DISNEY STUDIOS.) Donald Duck in night cap. Painted cel for an unidentified episode of The Wonderful World of Color. 160x235 mm; 6 1/4 x 9 1/2 inches. Disney Production gold label on verso. Estimate $800-1,200

Lot 148, (WALT DISNEY STUDIOS.) Donald Duck and Tinkerbell. Painted cell for an unidentified episode of The Wonderful World of Color. 160x235mm; 6 1/4x 9 1/2 inches. Disney Production gold label on verso. Estimate $800-1,200

Lot 149, (WALT DISNEY STUDIOS.) The Aristocats. Gouache and ink. 220x260 mm; 8 3/4x10 1/4 inches. Finished illustration possibly for the British edition of Disneyland Magazine. Estimate $500-750.  Painting of Duchess and her three kittens Marie, Berlioz, and Toulouse from the 1970 animated feature film.

Lot 150, (WALT DISNEY STUDIOS.) Happy Birthday to Pooh. Pen and ink and watercolor. 190x290 mm; 7 1/2x11 1/4 inches. Finished illustration possibly for the British edition of Disneyland Magazine. Nd. Estimate $1,500-2,500.  Although one of the most famous episodes in A. A. Milne's books and the Walt Disney films was Eeyore's birthday, he oddly does not join all the other famous Pooh characters round the table in this picture. Pooh prefers to eat honey at this celebration in his honor while the rest of the gang enjoys birthday cake.

Lot 151, (WALT DISNEY STUDIOS.) Shere Khan the Tiger. Gouache and ink. 170x330 mm; 6 3/4x13 1/4 inches. Finished illustration possibly for the British edition of Disneyland Magazine. Nd. Estimate $500-750.  Painting of a frog menaced by Shere Khan, the villain in Disney's The Jungle Book (1967). George Sanders provided the malevolent beast's voice in the popular animated feature.

Lot 152, (WALT DISNEY STUDIOS.) Tigger. Pen and ink and watercolor. 135x333 mm; 5 1/4x13 inches. Finished illustration possibly for the British edition of Disneyland Magazine. Nd. Estimate $800-1,200.  Tigger is today one of the most beloved Disney characters. Puppeteer Paul Winchell supplied the voice of this endearing cartoon personality.

Lot 153, (WALT DISNEY STUDIOS.) 'So yuh wanna play games huh!' Pencil. 145x195 mm; 5 3/4x7 1/4 inches. Concept drawing of Pete for an unidentified Walt Disney animated short. Estimate $400-600.  Pete was the proverbial villain of the early Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck cartoons. This sketch does not seem to match up with any of the released animated shorts and may be for an unrealized project.

Lot 154, (WALT DISNEY STUDIOS.) Mickey Mouse. Original 3-tiered Sunday comic strip, ink on stiff paper; Mickey Mouse logo pastedown. 400x590 mm; 15 3/4x23 inches. Dated November 12, 1950 (King Features Syndicate). Upper margin with production notes in pencil and studio rubberstamps, bottom tier separated cleanly and stapled at far left margin, light smudging and some minor yellowing chiefly along margins. Not examined out of frame. Estimate $3,500-5,000.  Featuring Goofy improvising his inaugural "travelogue movie" (filmed for "WOW T.V") with the help of some tattooed sailors as Mickey looks on with Minnie.

I have also attached two high-resolution images: lot 145 (M25669-2) and lot 150 (M25995-2).



If you’d like to view the online catalogue, please click here: http://catalogue.swanngalleries.com/asp/searchresults.asp?st=U&view1=View&sale_value=2300&rf_lot_range_from=1&rf_lot_range_to=End, or http://www.swanngalleries.com/3dcat/2300/ for the 3D version.]

This just in from Gunnar Andreassen:

[Enclosed an early article (Sept. 30 - 1933) by "Walt Disney" - an English one that you might not have seen.  Very probably not written by WD, perhaps by his publicity department, or more likely assembled by an English writer and based on available material.]