I was browsing on Amazon today and just spotted an exciting book to be released next year by University of Mississippi Press: the autobiography of former Disney-artist and Scooby-Doo creator, Iwao Takamoto (see one of the past volumes of Walt's People for an interview with him).

Iwao Takamoto: My Life with a Thousand Characters will be released in March 2009. Can't wait.

This just in from Gunnar:

[Enclosed you'll find copy of an item that I recently bought on Ebay:An invitation to an evening with Walt Disney that should have taken place on December 13th, 1966. We all know that he didn't visit Little Rock on that date.]

Walt had been admitted at Saint Joseph's Hospital and passed away on December 15, 1966.

Do not miss today:

- Quite a few new posts on Vintage Disneyana Collectibles by David Lesjak
- Tytla’s Action Analysis by Michael Sporn

Since the long awaited Walt Disney Animation Studios The Archive Series: Story has just been released this week, I took the opportunity to interview the head of Disney's Animation Research Library to understand how this book came into being and the future of the series. I found Lella's last answer particularly exciting.

Didier Ghez: How did you get involved with this project?

Lella Smith: The ARL often provides images for book projects for clients throughout the Disney Company. (The library is the repository for about 60 million pieces of animation artwork at the Walt Disney Company.) We have wanted to do a book about the collections of the Disney Animation Research Library for some time and now we have the opportunity. We are grateful that John Lasseter and Disney Publishing are giving us this opportunity.

DG: What were your criteria to select the artwork?

LS: We wanted great images that would inspire artists and intrigue non-artists.
It was quite a challenge reducing the amount of artwork to fit the size of the book (approx. 275 pages). We had to make some hard choices and we are proud of the final selection.

DG: What were the most surprising discoveries that you made while selecting the artwork?

LS: According to Fox Carney, our lead researcher, here are his answers to that question: “We discovered the numerous styles of drawings that each epitomized the styles of the eras in which they were drawn. We studied the detailed pencil renderings of the early era of animation in the 1920's & 1930s. We marveled at Bill Peet's elementary yet evocative drawings that capture the stylings of the 1940s & 1950s. Every artistic period seemed to be on display through the decades as we researched the history of Disney animated films.

We learned how some animators lent their creative talents not just to character animation but engaged their artistry in telling the larger story. Marc Davis' story sketches capture the idealistic joie de vive of Bambi's youth. Glen Keane's powerful experimentation with charcoals and mixed media explode with the ferocity of the bear fight from The Fox and the Hound.

We learned, first hand, through researching these drawings how every individual sketch was a crucial work of art, not only telling the structure of the story, but each conveying the mood, style or essence of the full film itself.”

DG: For true Disney historians, what will be the highlights of the book?

LS: We searched our vaults for many hours on our own and we also met with John Lasseter and his Story Trust to find out about their favorite story moments. It was really interesting how many times that same works were mentioned.

The Dumbo images from the Roustabout scene are fantastic. Many of these monochromatic pastels were drawn rather quickly on construction paper but they are dynamic and they evoke the mood of the film beautifully.

Susie the Little Blue Coupe is another favorite because of the period style and humor.

DG: The title of the book strongly suggests that it is the first in a series. Could you tell us a bit more about the future of that series?

LS: When John Lasseter became the Chief Creative Officer, Walt Disney & Pixar Animation Studios, he thought of the idea of creating an Archive Series that would feature artwork one animation element at a time: Story, Animation, Design and Background/layouts.

We also want to produce smaller , supplemental books that focus on individuals, special sequences, etc. Our first book for this would highlight the artwork by the great story artist, Bill Peet.

Do not miss today:

- Silicon Valley innovator left legacy of fun and thrills by Mike Cassidy (thanks to Jim Korkis for the link)
- 13th Armored Division - Christmas card by David Lesjak
- 1935 Walt Disney Christmas card by David Lesjak
- New York Santa Clauses in revolt! by David Lesjak

If you are an animator the upcoming book I just spotted on Amazon will probably excite you no end.

I am talking about Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes, Volume 1: The Walt Stanchfield Lectures and Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes, Volume 2: The Walt Stanchfield Lectures edited by Don Hahn.

What a sabbatical Don is having! Writting a great book, editing a series of truly exciting books and preparing a documentary about Joe Grant. We always knew that Don was part of the "good guys" but the fact that he is spending his time away from the Studio tackling so many projects that help preserve Disney history and get people excited about animation is one more clear proof of this if we ever needed one.

We are getting close to Xmas and I thought you would enjoy this item from a 1949 issue of the magazine Rexall that Jeff Kurtti sent me a while back.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to write a detailed article about the Mexican Disney figurines from Cuernavaca for Tomart's Disneyana Update. I listed all the items I knew at the time. Those did not include this Big Bad Wolf that I discovered on ebay a few days ago.

Here is the caption that appeared on ebay:

[A difficult to find a Cuernavaca, Mexico. Ceramics of Big Bad Wolf. Excellent condition. Only has clear glaze crazing due to the age. Size: 7 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 5 1/2".]

Do not miss today:

- "The Archive Series: Story" features a stunning selection of art from Disney's Animation Research Library by Jim Hill
- Song of the South That Never Was by Wade Sampson

An other great concept drawing by Mary Blair being sold at the moment by Van Eaton Galleries for your enjoyment.

I am still catching up with a million things. More soon this week.

Do not miss all the great new posts from David Lesjak on Vintage Disney Collectibles, as well as:

- Bob McCrea by Hans Perk
- Well Deserved Praise by Hans Perk

Walt's People - Volume 7 is now available on Amazon.com.

This just in from Don Brockway:

[CELEBRATING THE ART OF DISNEY

The Art of Disney Stamps limited edtion book.

USPS ISSUES NEW COLLECTOR’S BOOK

The Postal Service is introducing a new limited-edition book.

A great holiday gift, the 105-page Art of Disney Stamps hardback book features rare, behind-the-scenes concept sketches and a synopsis of each Disney character’s creation — beginning with Mickey’s 1928 appearance in the world’s first synchronized sound cartoon, “Steamboat Willie.”

Also included in the Art of Disney Stamps hardback book are all 21 Disney-themed stamps, including an original Walt Disney stamp issued in 1968.

USPS issued five Art of Disney commemorative stamp series. Each series is based on a theme:

The Art of Disney, Friendship (2004) depicts Goofy and Donald Duck; Bambi and Thumper; Mufasa and Simba (from the “Lion King”); and, Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket.

Art of Disney: Celebration (2005) features Snow White and Dopey; Alice and the Mad Hatter; Mickey and Pluto; and, Ariel and Flounder (from “The Little Mermaid”).

The Art of Disney: Romance series (2006) includes Cinderella and Prince Charming; Beauty and the Beast; Lady and the Tramp; and, Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

The Art of Disney: Magic (2007) has Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice; Peter Pan and Tinker Bell; Aladdin and the Genie (from “Aladdin”); and, Dumbo and Timothy Mouse.

The Art of Disney: Imagination (2008) set celebrated Pongo and Pepper (from “101 Dalmatians”); Princess Aurora, Flora, Fauna and Merryweather (from “Sleeping Beauty”); Steamboat Willie; and, Mowgli and Baloo (from “The Jungle Book”).

The Art of Disney Stamps book costs $49.95 and can be purchased online at usps.com or at 800-STAMP24.]

The new issue of the magazine Tales from the Laughing Place (13) is out and I must admit that I am particularly looking forward to read Rhett Wickham's interview of Ruben Procopio, titled Family Ties.

This just in from Jim Korkis:

[4 Sundays of old school Disney movies on Turner Classic Movies, including:

An ALL-NEW documentary called 'The Age of Believing: The Live-Action Disney Classics' (2 showtimes)

December 14 at 7:00pm

December 21 at 11:45pm

Also, check out this website they set up for it:My cable provider does not supply TCM so I will try to have a friend tape the documentary for me.]

Outstanding Mary Blair concept art being sold these days by Van Eaton Galleries.

We are back from India. Frankly, although we were extremely far from Mumbay, it wasn't the most relaxing trip we ever spent. I had never been to India (my wife Rita had 12 years ago) and I found the experience overwhelming. Beautiful - often stunning - temples and palaces, fascinating from a cultural perspective but way too cahotic from my point of view. I thought that Latin America and Mozambique had prepared me for environments that are not as structured as Europe, but they had not. Don't get me wrong: I do not regret the trip but it was by far the toughest vacation we have experienced to this day. The next one will have to take place in a very relaxing setting.

And now back to our usual programming with quite a few important links you may have missed while I was away:

- Home (Page) Again by Michael Barrier (November 25, 2008)
- The Hilberman File by Michael Barrier (December 1, 2008)

- The Walt Disney Family Foundation site has been updated
- Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N. Premieres by Wade Sampson
- Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N. Remembered by Wade Sampson
- Live-Action Photos from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty by Amid Amidi
- Japanese-American Animation Artists of the Golden Age by Amid Amidi (outstanding post)
- Ward Kimball Headstand by Amid Amidi
- Tyrus Wong Interview by Amid Amidi
- Recap - Pink Elephants by Michael Sporn
- Memories of Mouse Club conventions past by Greg White
- The Illustrator Fall76 Part I by Joakim Gunnarsson
- the Illustrator Fall76 Part II by Joakim Gunnarsson
- The Illustrator Fall76 Part III by Joakim Gunnarsson
- Jack Foster by Floyd Norman

See you all around December 10.

Reviewing the new Alice in Wonderland book illustrated by Mary Blair is a no-brainer. It is obviously too short like the Cinderella book in the same series. One would have hoped for something along the lines of the Alice's Adventures in Wonderland book edited by Brian Sibley and illustrated by David Hall.

That being said, aside from this obvious drawback, the book is everything that one could hope for: a beautiful way to discover some beautiful Blair concept paintings (granted: a few had already been featured in Canemaker's book about Blair) and to share them with your kids.

I can't wait to get the Peter Pan volume that should be released next year.

Do not forget to check the new Life Magazine photo archive repository. The photos of Walt it contains are outstanding and the parts about the 1941 to Latin America (which Disney and More will feature in an article later today) are simply unbelievable.

I will update the blog tomorrow (with a review of Alice in Wonderland illustrated by Mary Blair), but as a heads-up: I will be on vacations starting this Friday and until December 7 (we are going to Rajasthan and if one of you lives in Delhi, please let me know). The blog will probably only be updated again starting on December 10th.

Amazon has just released updated covers for two upcoming books: The Disney Sketchbook 1928 - 2008 and Disney's Neglected Prince: The Art of Disney's Knights in Shining Armor (and Loincloths).

As you can guess, I already own The Imagineering Field Guide to the Magic Kingdom, The Imagineering Field Guide to EPCOT, and The Imagineering Field Guide to Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World, so I was quite glad to receive The Imagineering Field Guide to Disneyland yesterday.

That volume has all the flaws and strengths of its predecessors: the stories it contains are way too short for Disney historians but are also a great springboard for new Disney enthusiasts, giving them the basis to move later to more serious books like The Nickel Tour. This being said, when it comes to the newest attractions the series always contains a few stories that we had never heard.

The same can be said about the artwork: since the books are way, way smaller than art books (after all they are pocket books that are meant to be used during a trip to the parks) the artwork's format is way too small and you are better off getting books like The Art of Disneyland or the upcoming Art of Walt Disney World. But the authors seem to know this and offer us in each volume enough never-seen-before renderings to make the books interesting.

In summary: Great books for beginners, a few gems for historians.

Hake's newest auction opened yesterday. As ever, there are a few nice surprises like those three toothbrush holders by the English S. Maw & Sons.

The item above is currently being sold on ebay. Here is the caption:

[I'm back again with more Disney Studio Documents that came from the collections of Directors, Animators and Publicity Director William Hosey. I am listing just a few tonight but will do more as the week goes on.

What you are looking at is the cover and several interior pages of Dalton S. Reymond's story treatment for Joel Chandler Harris' "UNCLE REMUS" stories that eventually became "SONG OF THE SOUTH"! The entire document consists of 63 pages plus the cover and the back cover. I have scanned the dated title page (May 15, 1944), the first and third pages of the story treatment and the first page of the story outline. If you have a decent computer monitor you should be able to read the pages in the pictures. I reproduced them in a larger format then the cover and first page in the hope that they could be read.

The story treatment consists of 5 pages that explains HOW the stories should be handled, which characters should be included and how they should be handled and how the animation & live action should be integrated together and musical possibilities. There's a lot more to it of course but that's good basic outline. The remaining 57 pages are the story as envisioned by Reymond, which was the basis of the story that became the film.]

Mark Sonntag who sent me the link said "I would if I could. I'd love to read this." Believe me, I agree with that statement.

Do not miss today:

- Toon Tuesday: Looking Back on Disney's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" -- Part Deux by Floyd Norman
- Tribute to Imagineer Marvin Davis by Wade Sampson

- Sherman Brothers Receive National Medal of Arts Award by Timothy Gallaher

I had the pleasure of receiving yesterday Don Hahn's new book The Alchemy of Animation: Making an Animated Film in the Modern Age. This book is clearly a very good surprise: it is very readable (Don Hanh's previous book was too), longer and much better illustrated than Hahn's Disney's Animation Magic.

Is this a Disney-historian dream? Frankly it isn't and it isn't meant to be. It is clearly a book aimed at a very general audience. And that goal is reached, with honors. In fact, I believe this book is doing exactly what The Art of Animation by Bob Thomas did in its time: it creates a nice window in the life of current Disney artists and on the world of Disney animation. If I were a kid today, this book would definitely get me excited and make me want to become an animator (if I had any talent that is!) Everything is clearly explained and the book does not talk down to its audience in any way.

Conclusion: Not a revolution in terms of Disney history, but wonderful book for your kids and great book for Disney enthusiasts thanks to the artwork selection.

Interesting magazine cover from Argentina found yesterday on ebay.

One more interesting article from the '30s thanks to Gunnar Andreassen.

Do not miss today:

- Disney's Frank Thomas on the dawn of computer animation by David Price

Walt's People - Volume 8

I have just sent the manuscript of Walt's People - Volume 8 to all the contributors to get their comments and corrections. This means that we should be about 5 months from publication.

As a reminder, here is the table of contents for this upcoming volume:

Foreword: Paula Sigman-Lowery
Dave Smith: Ruth Disney Beecher
Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston: Les Clark
Richard Hubler: Harry Tytle
Milt Gray: James Bodrero
Robin Allan: Theo Halladay about Sylvia Holland
Robin Allan: Retta Scott
Jim Korkis: Retta Davidson
Floyd Norman : Retta Davidson (TBC)
Steve Hulett: Mark Kirkland about Moe Gollub
Richard Hubler: Ben Sharpsteen
David Tietyen: Lou Debney
David Tietyen: Jim MacDonald
David Tietyen: Charles Wolcott
Richard Hubler: Bill Cottrell
Richard Hubler: Herb Ryman
Richard Hubler: Donn Tatum
Richard Hubler: Card Walker
Richard Hubler: Bob Sherman
Richard Hubler: Dolores Voght
Richard Hubler: Tommie Wilck
Richard Hubler: Welton Becket
John G. West: Bill Anderson
Richard Hubler: Robert Stevenson
Christopher Finch and Linda Rosenkrantz: Don Griffith
Jim Korkis: Floyd Gottfredson
Tony Fischier: Floyd Gottfredson
Jim Korkis: Al Taliaferro
Jim Korkis: Jack Hannah
Jim Fanning: Carl Barks
Scott Wolf: Harriet Burns
Charles Solomon: Roy E. Disney
Göran Broling: Correspondence with Frank Thomas
Didier Ghez: Bud Hester
Didier Ghez: Ken Southworth
Didier Ghez: Dale Baer

Do not miss today:

- The Disneyland expansion plan that never happened by Jim Hill
- Toot Art - 3 by Michael Sporn
- BOOK REVIEW: The Art of Disney’s Bolt by Amid Amidi

Fun article from the '30s thanks to Gunnar again.

Animation writer and critic Emru Townsend who had been diagnosed last December with leukemia passed away yesterday evening at the age of 38.

Emru had founded the Frames Per Second Magazine in 1991 and had been a penpal of mine since the launch of Walt's People 4 years ago.

Amid Amidi said about him in February this year: "Emru has for decades been one of animation’s best friends and most intelligent critics."

Let me add that Emru was really an astounding human being. When he was diagnosed with leukemia, he and his sister Tamu started a worldwide campaign to promote bone marrow donations. This campaign was amazingly successful and generated unbelievable amount of TV and press coverage. Emru until his last few days also maintained a mailing list that kept us all informed about what he was going through. Every single one of those emails (including the one where he announced that he would soon die) were full of an infecting sense of humour. I have never - and I mean never - seen anyone stay so positive and full of life right at the gates of heaven.

He is someone who in my eyes will clearly never die.

The upcoming Walt's People - Volume 8 is dedicated to him.

This article from 1937, which I just received from Gunnar Andreassen, is often quoted. I thought you might enjoy it. I must admit that I had a lot of fun with the three illustrations.

Do not miss today:

- Seldom-seen concept art a highlight of "The Imagineering Field Guide to Disneyland" by Jim Hill
- Adventurers Club Final Farewell: Part Two by Wade Sampson
- LP Lotion: 2008 Disney Legend Ceremony
- A Service in Celebration and Thanksgiving for the Life of Harriet Burns by Doug Marsh

I can't wait for this book to come out next year! (the cover has just been revealed on Amazon)

Autographed versions of Walt's People - Volumes 6

For those of you who would like to get signed copies of Walt's People - Volume 6, I have two copies available that I could sell directly.

The cost is $20 per volume (includimg postage), payable through a gift certificate on Amazon.com

Just email me at dghez@hotmail.com

This just in from Ross Anderson:

[My wife and I recently returned from a trip to Europe that combined some work, but more touring. In Belarus I was surprised and amused to see this sign using a mash-up of the Chip 'n' Dale characters for the city's beaver symbol. It was the only similar representation I saw of the beaver. I found an old Disney comic cover that shows Chip and Dale for comparison. Interestingly, it also shows a beaver.]

This just in:

[My name is Julie Thomas. I've been loving your blog and your book series for months now. I'm a Carolwood Pacific Historical Society Member and wonder if you could do us a favor.

Don Peri will be appearing at Walt's Barn on November 16th. The Barn is open every third Sunday from 11AM - 3PM. Please post a mention of Don's appearance on your blog. The CPHS website for the link is Carolwood.org. On that site you will find information on Walt's Barn and directions to it.]

This is definitely an event I would love to attend.

Do not miss today:

- Walt at Paramount by Mark Sonntag
- The Charlie Downs Interview by Steve Hulett
- Eric Goldberg, Part Two by Clay Kaytis
- Toon Tuesday: Looking Back on Disney's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" -- Part Un by Jim Hill

Gunnar Andreassen has kindly sent me various articles from the '30s from the New York Times. I will post a few of them during the next few days for your enjoyment.The first one is an interview of Walt conducted by artist S. J. Woolf.

Gunnar sent us the following background about Samuel Johnson Woolf (1880 - 1948):

[One of America's greatest twentieth century portraitists, Samuel Johnson Woolf was equally accomplished as a painter, lithographer and illustrator. He studied art in New York at both the Art Students League and at the National Academy of Design, under Cox and Brush. Early in the twentieth century he established himself as a great portrait painter and his work was frequently exhibited at such major institutions as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New York Public Library, the University of Michigan, the Carnegie Institute, the Corcoran Gallery, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the National Academy of Design.

During the First World War, Samuel Johnson Woolf was appointed a special correspondent with the American Expeditionary Force and painted the portraits of Joffre, Pershing and other commanders. Both his lithographs and paintings received many awards during his distinguished career. Some of these are the Hallgarten Prize, National Academy of Design (1904), the St. Louis Exposition (1904), the Appalachian Exposition (1910) and the Paris Salon Medal, Paris, France (1937).]

I have a few problems on my PC that prevent me from updating the blog properly today. More on Monday.

Do not miss today:

- Mickey Ville , The Toon Town that never was by Alain Littaye
- Toot Art - 2 by Michael Sporn

This question just in from Gunnar:

[I have a question for you: Do you know of any color photos of the Hyperion Studio ? I have never seen any of the studio buildings, except one of the neon sign.

Enclosed you will find my amateurish attempt of coloring a photo of the Studio by night (Maybe it was the night that Walt told the story about Snow White ?)]

I had the pleasure of receiving a few days ago an email from composer John Debney, son of the late Disney artist Lou Debney. John is trying to gather as much information about his father's career as possible. Would anyone of you be able and willing to help?

Lou Debney was featured in Walt's People - Volume 4 and will also appear in Walt's People - Volume 8. Here is the introduction I wrote about him for Volume 4:

[Lou Debney virtually spent his whole life working at Disney.
Born on January 3, 1916, he joined the Studio in 1934 at the age of 17. His career started in the Cutting Department, but soon became assistant director on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, working on most of the sequences directed by Ben Sharpsteen. From 1939 to 1943, he teamed up with with Jack Kinney working on all of the Goofy shorts released during that period, and later tackled projects like Peter Pan and Perri.
His claim to fame, however, comes from his key roles on the Mickey Mouse Club and Zorro, as he acted as producer of about 100 episodes of the first series and virtually all episodes of the second.
In the ‘60s he became production coordinator on The Wonderful World of Color and seems to have remained active at the Studio till his death on April 8, 1986.
Lou Debney’s son, John, is a famous composer who created the music of several Disney TV shows and movies, including The Disney Family Album series and Chicken Little.]

Do not miss today:

- Colony Theatre 9/24/27 by Jerry Beck
- Art Stevens by Floyd Norman
- Woolie’s wing by Floyd Norman

This just in from Celbi Pegoraro:

[Hi Didier,

I really liked the Carousel of Progress/Carl Bongirno history and the american election posts. Let´s hope we can have a world a little better from now.

I would like to share with you a really nice picture of Walt Disney visiting Portela Samba School in Rio de Janeiro (1941). You know the original plan was to Walt visit Portela to see the Samba dancing presentation for only a few moments but he liked so much that spent hours there. As you know the Brazilian government at that time didn´t like the idea to show the so called "african inspired" samba to the Disney crew. In the end this was one of the highlights for the touring group. This picture shows Walt watching a little girl dancing Samba.

I hope to share more pictures from my research - Disney in Brazil book in the near future.]

Three additional notes about the Wally Boag book:

It is being pre-sold on the following web site.

Carlene Thie from Ape Pen Publishing has a lot of articles related to Wally Boag for sale.

Finally, please do let me know if you are aware of other independently published books about Disney that you may be aware of.