Vintage Disney Collectibles

M.J. Winkler + Felix the Cat = Walt Disney's Alice

2012-01-16T23:54:00.000-08:00

In my last post I asked readers what the connection was between M.J. Winkler, Felix the Cat, and Walt Disney.

Margaret J. Winkler began her career in the film industry as Harry M. Warner's executive secretary. Warner took the then 21-year old to film conventions on the east and west coasts, where she established contacts within the industry, and learned the trade.

Fast forward seven years. In 1921, Pat Sullivan brought Warner samples of his Felix the Cat series to show Warner, with the hope he'd distribute the cartoon. When Winkler expressed an interest in the series, Warner suggested she not only distribute the Felix cartoons, but also Max Fleischer's Out of the Inkwell series. Winkler ended-up signing both Sullivan and Fleischer to contracts, and in doing so, the 28-year old became America's first female film distributor.

Walt Disney had written to Winkler while he was in Kansas City as the head of Laugh-O-gram Films. Disney was looking for a distributor of his Alice Comedies, a new cartoon series he was developing that would see a live-action actor interact with cartoon characters (a reverse of Fleischer's Out of the Inkwell series that saw cartoon characters in live-action surroundings). Winkler expressed an interest but Disney's Laugh-O-gram Films went bankrupt before Disney could fully exploit his idea.

In August 1923, Disney left Kansas City for California. On the 25th of the month he again wrote to Winkler indicating he was no longer associated with Laugh-O-gram, and that he was "establishing a studio in Los Angeles for the purpose of producing the new and novel series of cartoons I have previously written about."

Unbeknownst to Disney, Winkler was on the verge of losing the Fleischer series, and her contract with Sullivan was about to expire. When she informed Sullivan she was going to exercise her option to distribute the Felix cartoons for another year, Sullivan balked. The contract between the two allowed for the option as long as the "reels were similar in number and length to those of the first series." To circumnavigate the contract, Sullivan indicated he was going to change the cartoon's length, and the number of cartoons produced. Winkler publicly threatened legal action.

As these events unfolded, Winkler responded to Disney's letter requesting to see a sample of his new series. Disney had previously mailed Alice's Wonderland, the one and only Alice cartoon produced while in Kansas City, to a New York agent, who in turn arranged to show the film to Winkler.

After viewing the film, and with the fear her two main products were about to be lost, Winkler sent Disney a telegram on October 15, 1923, which stated in part: "Believe series can be put over...will pay fifteen hundred each negative for first six and to show my good faith will pay full amount on each of these six immediately on delivery of negative."

The contract that followed enlarged the option to 12 cartoons in 1925, and 12 more in 1926. Elated with the news, Disney convinced his brother Roy, who was resting in a hospital due to a bout of tuberculosis, to join him in producing the series. This contract started Walt Disney on the path to becoming the most successful cartoon producer and innovator of his day.

The question I ask is, would Winkler have even bothered with Disney had she not been on the verge of losing her two most successful series?

As a side-note, Winkler and Sullivan temporarily worked out their differences for the 1924 series. Sullivan switched to Educational Pictures for the distribution of his cartoon in 1925.

Most of the facts in this post have come from Timothy Susanin's excellent book, Walt Before Mickey. Disney's Early Years, 1919-1928. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is a fantastic manuscript detailing Walt's early years. Tim's book should be part of any serious Disney historian's library. All of the illustrations in this post were discovered by me in various issues of The Film Daily.

M.J. Winkler and Felix the cat - what's the Disney connection?

2012-01-12T22:33:00.000-08:00

Here's a pair of threatening ads I searched for and located in a 1923 magazine.

Just what does this Felix the Cat and M.J. Winkler have to do with Disney, you ask?

Well, I'll write about these ads and the very important connection they have in the realm of Disney history this coming Monday. Stay tuned.

1935 Walt Disney Studio (Hyperion Ave.) ad

2012-01-08T11:27:00.000-08:00

Here's a great 1935 magazine ad for GE light bulbs that shows a camera stand inside Disney's Hyperion Avenue studio. Not sure how many cameras the studio had in operation at this time. Maybe this was the only one.

Regardless, there are two great Silly Symphony posters in the background: King Neptune on the left, and, the first Technicolor three-process color cartoon, Flowers and Trees, on the right. There is also what appears to be a Charlotte Clark Mickey Mouse doll on the right, and a Knickerbocker Minnie Mouse doll on the left.

I love seeing these early images of the Hyperion Studio - this is where the foundation of the present day studio came to be - where many of the great innovations in the cartoon industry were either invented or exploited.

Work continues on my book detailing the history of the Hyperion location of the Walt Disney Studio. Myself and three other researchers have been working on this project for well over a year now. If you have any interesting items to share, please email me. We're always on the hunt for photographs, staff newsletters, inter-office communications, letters, and anything else of interest.

1938 Snow White parade float

2012-01-03T22:55:00.000-08:00

This was the Disney Studio's entry in the 1938 Pasadena Tournament of Roses parade.

Marjorie Belcher, who was filmed as the live-action model for the character Snow White, donned a costume once more and played the part of Disney's princess on the Tournament of Roses float.

Marjorie Belcher, seen here in costume on the grounds of Disney's Hyperion Studio. Image courtesy Robert Cowan and the Ingeborg Willy scrapbook.

The costumed dwarfs on the float are the same actors who were present at the film's premiere at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Hollywood on December 21, 1937.

Comedian Bob Burns and the actors interact outside the Carthay Circle on premiere night.

Several years ago, my friend and fellow Disney researcher Jim Korkis found this clip of the 1938 parade. The Snow White float drives by just past the mid-way mark of the clip.

Disney New Year's greetings from the 1930s

2012-01-01T23:06:00.000-08:00

Here's a few New Year's greetings from years gone by. Respectively they are from December 1930, January 1934, and January 1938. Enjoy.

Snow White magazine Gustaf Tenggren cover

2011-12-29T23:59:00.000-08:00

This magazine with a great Snow White cover illustration by Gustaf Tenggren sold on eBay recently. I forgot about the item and didn't get a bid in on time. The magazine sold for $21.50, which I think was a very reasonable price.

The cover date for this issue was September 17, 1938, and the magazine also included a two-page article.

Disney Christmas ad 1933

2011-12-22T19:50:00.000-08:00

This ad for two Silly Symphony cartoons and a Mickey Mouse short appeared in the November 1933 edition of Motion Picture Daily.

Mickey's Good Deed happens to be one of my favorite mouse cartoons. I posted a story about that film four years ago. You can read it here.

1937 Snow White advertising

2011-12-22T16:40:00.000-08:00

The following full-page ad appeared in the December 25, 1937 edition of Box Office magazine.

The following ads appeared in the January1, 1938 issue of Box Office.

Snow White's premiere - 74 years ago tonight

2011-12-21T22:13:00.000-08:00

Tonight marks the 74th anniversary of the premiere of Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Hollywood.

I've written extensively about this eventul evening in several other posts on this blog. You can read them by clicking on this "Snow White" link.

Here are a few more interesting photos to go along with all the others I've published in the past.

A quartet of comedians and comediennes: Jack Benny, Mary Livingstone, George Burns, and Gracie Allen walk down the blue carpet under a canopy of lights to attend the premiere.

The entrance to the Carthay Circle Theatre showing the canopied, blue-carpeted walkway. Check out my other Snow White posts to see more images taken premiere night.

The Dwarf's cottage and several other structures were constructed on Wilshire Boulevard to add to the flavor of the event. Image courtesy the Los Angeles Public Library.

Walt Disney receives the special Academy Award for the film from child star Shirley Temple.

Here's a YouTube video of a clip from an RKO-Pathe newsreel showing some of the night's glitter.

Walt, Kay, and Disney gifts

2011-12-19T10:49:00.000-08:00

A post I've written about Kay Kamen, and vintage 1930s Disney Christmas-related items has been published on The Walt Disney Family Museum blog. Click here to check it out.

1935 Mickey Mouse stocking stuffer

2011-12-18T21:58:00.000-08:00

In our house the tradition has always been to put a Japanese mandarin orange in the toe of our children's Christmas stockings. It's something my parents and my wife's parents did when we were young. Back in 1935, little kids in the U.K. might find a jar of marmalade in their Christmas stocking. Beats a lump of coal I guess . . . but not by much.

The actual jar of Mickey Mouse marmalade was one of dozens of items featured in George Kamen's 1935 English Disney licensees catalog. Image courtesy Hake's Americana.

Diane Disney Miller - Happy Birthday!

2011-12-18T13:34:00.000-08:00

On this day in 1933 Diane Marie Disney was born.

Click here to see a post I published in 2009 in honor of the event.

Walter Elias Disney: 1901-1966

2011-12-15T21:29:00.000-08:00

Walter Elias Disney. December 5, 1901 - December 15, 1966.

Hard to believe today marks the 45th anniversary of his death. Despite all the years that have come and gone since his passing, Walt Disney still continues to have a positive impact on people all around the world.

The image in this post was part of an ad which appeared in the 1936 Film Daily Yearbook.

1934 Kamen / Disney Christmas store display advertising

2011-12-12T23:01:00.000-08:00

Kay Kamen's 1934 Christmas Promotion manual is filled with great photos of some of the advertising items that were available to retailers - this material ranged from paper banners, to column decorations, to large multi-colored scenes, some of which had moving parts.

What follows are images of two of the larger vignettes that were offered in the 1934 manual. According to the captions, the two pictured here measured 5x7. Others measured a whopping 6x9 feet! These pieces would have been painted in vibrant colors, just like the toy sign I'm using this month as the header at the top of my blog. (The toy sign was an item available in Kamen's 1935 Christmas manual.)

The Walt Disney Family Museum has an example of the first vignette in their collection. If you look closely at the second vignette pictured, you'll see some great representations of other Disney characters including a super, long-beaked Donald Duck, Clarabelle Cow, Horace Horsecollar, the Big Bad Wolf, a rarely, if ever seen, Little Red Riding Hood, and even what appears to be one of the bunny rabbits from the Silly Symphony cartoon Funny Little Bunnies.

In the display piece above, the signpost reads "Chicago." The sign in the vignette at The Walt Disney Family Museum reads "London." I would imagine the signpost would have the name of the city painted on it that the store purchasing the display piece was located in.

The next three images show some of the banners that were available in 1934. These decorations would have been printed in color on paper, and either taped or tied to columns, posts, and/or the walls in strategic locations around the store.

All of the photos in this post are courtesy my friend Ted Hake, of Hake's Americana.

"A Christmas gift from Mickey Mouse" - 1934

2011-12-08T21:33:00.000-08:00

This premium was featured in Kay Kamen's 1934 Christmas Promotion manual. Retailers purchased these little booklets by the gross and had their toyland Santa give them away to children. What a great way to get a neat Disney item . . . and it was free!

Of course the visiting children and their parents had to navigate all of the point of sale display advertising, and aisles with shelves filled to the brim with neat merchandise, to get in line to see Santa . . . and this usually resulted in more than a few sales, thus offsetting the cost of the premium to the retailer. So much for free.

Image courtesy Hake's Americana.

The premium is from my own collection. The two images show the front cover, and the interior spread.

The wheel seen on the left with all the little illustrations could be spun. When viewed through a small opening on the front cover, the spinning illustrations gave the illusion of Mickey ice-skating. When viewed through the opening in the back cover, the illustrations depicted Minnie walking down a snowy trail.

Mickey Mouse at Toyfair - Christmas 1933

2011-12-07T21:51:00.000-08:00

Great pair of sample ads that were included in Disney merchandising rep Kay Kamen's 1933 Christmas Promotion campaign manual.

Images courtesy Hakes Americana.

Happy Birthday Walt Disney

2011-12-05T01:10:00.000-08:00

Walt Disney and his brand new 1932 Packard DeLuxe Roadster.

2719 Hyperion Avenue - then and now

2011-11-30T00:03:00.000-08:00

Research continues on the Hyperion history project with several new and exciting discoveries over the past couple of months. I can't quite tell you what those new finds are just yet. Instead, here are a couple of related images I think readers of this blog might enjoy:

First, the new addition to the front of the Disney studio's original 1925 building, circa the spring of 1930. This addition brought the front of the building flush to the sidewalk. The entrance door was also relocated several feet to the east:

Next up is a photo of the same spot taken just a couple of months ago:

Lastly, the two images married together courtesy my time machine (aka friend Paul Sorokowski). If only . . .

As always, I'm looking for any historic material related to Hyperion including letters, documents, staff newsletters, interior and exterior photographs, etc. Please email me if you have any related material to share or for sale.

Kamen, Blair, and a boy named Tim

2011-11-18T00:34:00.000-08:00

Prior to becoming Disney's sole merchandising rep, Herman Samuel "Kay" Kamen, (the son of Russian immigrants), and his business partner Streeter Blair, operated a marketing firm called Kamen-Blair out of Omaha, and later Kansas City.

In the 1920s the duo ran a department store campaign, which promoted the sale of boy's clothing. The main attraction was a club called The Pie-eaters, which by some accounts had 500,000 members aged six to 16 years of age.

Members of The Pie-eaters received a pin-back button, which featured the likeness of the club's leader, a cartoon character named Tim.

Tim was described as "the world's most famous author, inventor, and champion detective." Tim's exploits were documented in The Knicker, a multi-page newsletter edited by Blair, which contained short stories, cartoons, and advertising. I own several copies of this little publication, and what strikes me are the similarities in content and layout between The Knicker and the early Mickey Mouse dairy magazines, which Kamen was instrumental in launching.

From my collection:

In the 1920s, Kay Kamen, Kamen's first wife Lilaine, and Streeter Blair drove cross-country promoting Tim and The Pie-eater's club. Note the art on the spare tire cover on the rear of the car.

Kamen and Blair eventually parted company. As for Tim, he eventually became associated with Superman.

There can be no doubt the experience Kamen gained from marketing Tim, (and Our Gang merchandise for Hal Roach's series of the same name), served him well when he was at the helm of Disney's merchandise and licensing division.

Hyperion Avenue night shot circa 1931

2011-09-04T00:27:00.000-07:00

This post features a night shot of The Walt Disney Studio, which at this point in time was located at 2719 Hyperion Avenue, in the Los Feliz district of Los Angeles.

This image was actually created by my friend Paul Sorkowski, and it's based on a daytime press photo of the newly completed "L-shaped" Animator's Building No. 1, and sound stage, which were built in 1931.

To the center-left of this photo are the two music rooms, while on the far right side of the second floor is Walt's office.

Paul has also created about a dozen schematics showing the physical development of the Hyperion site, and floor plans detailing the various rooms. He is now working on a three-dimensional computer model. It's all amazing stuff.

Followers of this blog know I am currently researching the history of Disney's Hyperion Avenue studio. If anyone has anything related to Hyperion they wish to share, I'd love to hear from you. Myself and several other researchers are now working on this project, which will document the years 1925-1939/40.

I'm currently looking for Hyperion-related photos, employee recollections, letters, diaries, internal company documents like inter-office memos, lecture/classroom notes, employee newsletters, as well as newspaper and magazine articles. If you have items for sale, or are willing to make copies (I'll pay any related costs), please contact me.

Disney Film Recording Corp. Roy Disney with trucks, 1929

2011-08-17T00:47:00.000-07:00

The photograph in this post is currently being offered on eBay right now. While I have read about the Disney Film Recording Corporation and how the brothers had a fleet of mobile sound trucks, until yesterday I had never seen an image of one.

The following great image shows two converted trucks and another vehicle - the sum of the rolling stock of the Disney's Film Recording Corp. Walt's brother Roy is pictured in the center of the image, which appears to have been taken on a Studio back lot. I'm not sure who the fellows on each side of Roy are.

Walt Disney signed a contract with his distributor Pat Powers for the use of Power's sound recording system, known as Cinephone. In 1927 Powers had hired a former DeForest Phonofilm sound technician and had him create a clone of the DeForest system, which Powers promptly marketed as his own. The sound technician's name? None other than Bill Garity.

Detail from a 1929 trade magazine ad.

After inking an option deal in the spring of 1929 for the further use of Power's sound system, Bill Garity traveled to Hollywood to oversee the installation of Cinephone equipment at the Disney's new sound studio, which was located across the street from Paramount on Melrose Avenue. After the construction of the Animator's Building No. 1 and the sound stage in 1931, the sound studio was relocated to Disney's Hyperion Avenue Studio.

March 7, 1929 The Film Daily article.

March 27, 1929 The Film Daily article.

Garity was later hired by Walt Disney and became the Studio's chief sound technician. He also helped design the Studio's version of a multiplane camera, (for which he holds the patent on), as well as several other pieces of equipment. My friend Hans Perk has written extensively about Garity on his own blog A. Film L.A.

UPDATE - I'm just wondering now if the person on the far right side of the photo might possibly be Bill Garity? Here's another image the person selling the image posted:

Click on any of the images to make them appear larger.

1924 Walt Disney and Virginia Davis photo

2011-08-09T22:50:00.000-07:00

Stumbled across an interesting site tonight while conducting some research on the internet. Young Hollywood Hall of Fame showcases some of Hollywood's youngest stars going all the way back to 1908. They happen to have a nice page devoted to Disney star Virginia Davis.

The above image was taken at Santa Monica Beach during the filming of a 1924 Alice Comedies titled Alice's Day At Sea. Virginia Davis is seated second from the left, a young Walt Disney sits to her left, while Virginia's mom (seated) and dad (standing) appear on the far right side.

Click on the above image to see a larger version. If you look closely you'll see a dog on the left side of the fire pit standing on its hind legs. Walt Disney is smiling, while the dog seems to be the focus of everyone's attention.

Be sure to check out the Young Hollywood Hall of Fame for more great Virginia Davis images.

Walt at Harvard, June 23, 1938

2011-08-07T01:50:00.000-07:00

This great image was sold on eBay last week. The photograph shows Walt Disney, walking on the left, at Harvard, where he received the Honorary Degree of Master of Arts on Commencement Day, June 23, 1938.

To read a great essay about this event, and the honorary degree Disney received from Yale the day before, visit my friend Michael Barrier's website by clicking on this link.

Pinocchio photostat model sheets

2011-08-04T00:30:00.000-07:00

Fellow collector and researcher Robert Cowan sent me an email after seeing yesterday's post about the very first Pinocchio model sheet. Robert thought readers would be interested in seeing the following pair of photostat model sheets from his own collection.

I have seen literally dozens and dozens of model sheets over the course of the many years I have been collecting vintage Disneyana. I must admit, however, I have never previously seen either of the above model sheets Robert sent along.

I'm curious to know when the above revised sheet was created. If you look closely at this sheet you'll see written above the second image of Pinocchio at the top right side of the paper the notation, "OK Joe Grant." That notation was the signal the model sheet was officially approved and ready for distribution to those working on the film. Later sheets were initialed simply "OK JG." It's also interesting to note the design of Pinocchio in the revised sheet has changed substantially from that first model sheet shown here yesterday.

I also think it's fascinating to see the one sheet of all of the poses for Pinocchio's head. I think this just indicates the lengths Walt Disney and his artists went to in order to assure continuity when making a feature.

My thanks to Robert for again sharing some great items from his collection...very much appreciated. To see more of his collection click on the link under the Friends heading to the right.

Albert Hurter Pinocchio model sheet

2011-08-02T23:40:00.000-07:00

Continuing now with some more posts of material from the Disney Studio Model Department, I present this absolutely stunning model sheet of Pinocchio. This wonderful piece of original art comes from the collection of my very good friend Dennis Books.

Dennis reports, "This model sheet is composed of images created by legendary concept artist Albert Hurter, and is the first model sheet ever created of Pinocchio. These details were confirmed by both Joe Grant and Bob Jones."

This art depicts Pinocchio with paddle hands, which were later changed to fingered gloves. The style of shoes worn by Pinocchio in the finished film were also changed, and the length of his shirt sleeves were also elongated to cover the joints on his arms.

In this instance, you can see where the person who assembled this model sheet cut out images from other sheets of paper and glued them onto this one piece of heavy stock paper. The original model sheets where reproduced as photostats and distributed to those working on the film.

An outstanding piece created by a master artist!

Disney's Woking Way home - more photos

2011-07-28T00:24:00.000-07:00

Here are some more images from Walt Disney's Woking Way home. Some are from the real estate agent who's listed the house for sale, while others come from the collection of my friend Mark Sonntag, the January 1940 edition of Better Homes and Gardens, and the Walt Disney Family Museum.

The first two images show the living room. The 1930s image shows the living room decked out with a Christmas tree. The modern day photo shows the beautiful floor to ceiling stained glass window, which I believe has a view of he swimming pool. This is the window the Christmas tree was placed in front of.

The stained glass window had some gorgeous detailed work. Walt Disney's daughter Diane Disney Miller recalled there was also an insert featuring an image of William Shakespeare.

The next image shows the back side of the house, where the pool would eventually be built. You an see the aforementioned stained glass window on the right side of the image. On the left side is the staircase where the color photo of Walt and Lillian was taken.

The following set of images show Walt Disney in the backyard before the swimming pool was built. In August 1942 Disney participated in a Los Angeles wartime scrap drive by donating two iron deer to the War Production Board's Conservation Division. The Snow White playhouse built for Diane and her sister Sharon is visible in the background.

In The Animated Man, A Life of Walt Disney, author Michael Barrier wrote, "Roy Disney marveled in 1968 at the audacity of the construction: 'He hung this swimming pool up on the corner of this darn thing. It's a granite hill and we were taking bets to see if it would stand. It's thirty-five years and it's still there.'"

As you can see in the second image, the swimming pool and the playhouse are still there to this very day.

On a clear day, this is the view Disney and his family enjoyed. According to the Better Homes and Gardens article, "When the air [is] clear...he has a 90-degree view. He can see the Pacific and even Santa Catalina Island, about 40 miles away. Below is spread that fascinating checkered panorama of Pasadena, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Beverley Hills...he can see his beloved studio, where inanimate pictures leap magically to life."

The next image shows the beautiful winding staircase that joins the two floors. Regarding the gorgeous painted ceiling, Michael Barrier wrote, "'Everybody gets mad at the rich for owning these big places,' [Walt Disney] told the Hollywood columnist Hedda Hopper, 'but they forget how many jobs it creates . . . I built a house in Los Feliz during the Depression. Men used to line up there in the morning hoping to get work. I found a graduate of the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts and had him paint my whole ceiling.'"

The second image in this set shows Walt and Lillian posing on the right side at the base of the staircase. The shot was taken by famed photographer Clarence Sinclair Bull, who took several images of Walt and Lillian throughout the house during that shoot.

The next two images picture Walt and Lillian in the home library. The images were an almost identical pose.

The next two photos show the screening room. The family would often get together to watch first run movies like Gone With the Wind. Diane Disney Miller recalled, "That room was once the den and a guest bedroom. It was furnished differently . . . it had a couch. We saw all the great movies of the time, including Hop-a-long Cassidy and Roy Rogers films, as well as dailies from dad's current live-action films."

The final image shows Walt standing beside what looks like the fireplace visible in the first two images at the start of this post.

Hope you enjoyed this trip back in time!

Walt Disney's Woking Way home for sale

2011-07-22T13:50:00.000-07:00

Here's the official listing the real estate agent sent me with a gallery containing quite a few outstanding images, including the Snow White playhouse built for daughters Diane and Sharon. What a beautiful house! The asking price is $3,650,000.

Click here.

I'll be publishing a post later tonight or tomorrow with some of the home's history, and several interior shots of the house from when the Disney family lived there.

Les Clark playing polo

2011-07-20T22:12:00.000-07:00

I've been conducting lots of research lately for a multitude of different areas of Disney history that interest me.

One area I'm keen on is Walt's love of polo. Several Disney staffers took-up the hobby with the boss including his brother Roy, studio lawyer Gunther Lessing, Les Clark, Dick Lundy, Bill Tytla, Bill Cottrell, Jack Cutting, and Norm Ferguson.

I have around four-dozen newspaper clippings, and many magazine articles from the 1930s that cover Walt's polo hobby. The earliest newspaper clipping I have dates from April 1933.

In August 1933 a magazine columnist wrote: "Walt polo's a bit himself, but the only thing wrong with his playing is that he spends more time under the horse than on top of one.Walt says he does it to keep out of the sun, but it sounds like a lot of horse to me."

Les Clark joined the studio just days after graduating from high school and stayed with Walt for an amazing 48 years. Clark was one of Walt's "Nine Old Men," and was posthumously named a a Disney Legend.

I recently made contact with a member of Clark's family. They have graciously been going through boxes of Les Clark's belongings looking for things to share with me. Here's one interesting item they sent my way:

This is a photo of Les Clark playing polo with several other Disney artists. Clark is second from the left. Not sure if this is a full-fledged game, or just a practice. I don't think this is a sanctioned game as the player on the far left isn't wearing a helmet.

I have some images of the Riviera Country Club's polo fields and the background buildings in this image don't match. This could have been at DuBrock's as the "Mickey Mouse Team," as they was sometimes called, played there quite a bit, but I've never seen a photo from that field either, so I can't make a comparison. In all there were over 20 different polo fields in the Los Angeles/Hollywood area in the 1930s.

As we all know, Walt Disney was quite an accomplished polo player. Walt's polo career ended when he took a polo shot to the back of the neck while practicing with the visiting Argentinian national team. The injury wasn't treated properly and Walt suffered with debilitating pain for the rest of his life.

I have several other neat items from the Clark family I hope to post at a later date.

Ferdinand Horvath Big Bad Wolf drawing

2011-07-20T00:06:00.000-07:00

This great storyboard drawing of the menacing wolf is courtesy my friend Dennis Books.

The Big Bad Wolf is looking at the Little Wolves (not seen) and commands, "Remember! No eats 'till I get back!" This art was created in 1937 for the short cartoon The Practical Pig, which was released in 1939.

Horvath was one of many great artists employed at The Walt Disney Studio during the heights of the Great Depression. This piece bears Horvath's signature in the lower right corner.

Early signed Walt Disney image

2011-07-19T00:58:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my friends Mark Sonntag and Gunnar Andreassen who both alerted me to this photo, which is currently for sale on eBay.

Judging by Walt Disney's office, I'd say this photo was taken no earlier than July 1929, and is no later than the Spring of 1931. As Walt and Roy made a little money, they would expand and add rooms to the original 1926 building at 2719 Hyperion Avenue, in Los Feliz, California.

The office in this image does not look like the first one occupied by Walt, which was located to the left as you entered the main door of the 1926 building. This office appears to me to be the one that was moved when they added the two western additions to the original building in July 1929. At this time Roy moved into Walt's first office, and Walt moved into the new western addition.

When the big "L" shaped Animator's Building No. 1 was built in the Spring of 1931, Walt's office was spacious, and had dark colored wood paneling, so the office depicted in this photo is not the office in that new building.

A great image! Thanks again Mark and Gunnar!

(UPDATE July 19 - when I posted this image I didn't have access to the eBay listing. The auction description notes the photo is stamped on verso with the date February 21, 1933. After some consideration, I still believe the image is earlier than that. The date referenced on the image could have been when the photo was distributed by Acme, or used by a particular newspaper. By February 1933 Walt would have moved into his new office in Animator's Building No. 1, and this is defintiely not that particular office depicted in the photo. Do any of my readers have any thoughts?)

Nubian Centaurette maquette

2011-07-17T23:18:00.000-07:00

Two Nubian Centaurettes were part of the Bacchus sequence of the Pastoral Symphony segment of Fantasia. They were edited out of later re-releases of the film. This is the maquette.

As seen in an issue of Click magazine. (Image courtesy Dennis Books.)

The Nubian maquette can be seen in the left side of this photo, near the edge of Walt's desk,beside the sculpture of Hyacinth Hippo.

She was also featured in a mid-1940s issue of Look Magazine. Read more about this magazine image at this link, and this link.

A screen grab from the live-action sequence of The Reluctant Dragon. In this scene comedian Robert Benchley is a mock-up of the Model Department.

More of Stromboli's Model Department wagons

2011-07-13T02:51:00.000-07:00

Here's a couple of more shots of Stromboli's wagons about to be filmed by Bob Jones and the gang in the Model Department. These models were built by Bob Jones and Wah Ming Chang.

After the wagons were filmed going down a simulated cobblestone road, they were rotoscoped, which involved projecting the live-action photos frame by frame onto a transparent panel, through which they were traced.

My friend and fellow researcher Dennis Books says, "Walt improved the system by having each frame of film printed onto photographic paper the same size as the drawing paper. These photostats were then punched to fit the pegs of an animation desk. The animator could now study or draw the action by flipping the photostats."

Stromboli's wagon - three-dimensional model

2011-07-10T10:43:00.000-07:00

My friend Kevin Kidney just had an article he's written about the late-1930s Disney Studio Model Department published on The Walt Disney Family Museum page. Take a moment to read his fantastic expose by clicking on this link.

In his article, Kevin published a photo of the great puppeteer Bob Jones posing beside a three-dimensional model of two of Stromboli's wagons.

Master puppeteer Bob Jones poses with a model of Stromboli's wagons. A maquette of the sadistic coachman who was in-charge of Pleasure Island can be seen on the left side of the photo. Image courtesy Kevin Kidney.

This weighted model was complete with a working suspension system. Here's an image of the evil taskmaster's wagon about to be filmed.

You can see wooden sticks placed on the "road" the wagons will travel. This was designed to capture the movement of the wagons as they bumped along the cobblestone alleys and roads in Geppetto's town.

My friend Dennis Books and myself have long wanted to write a book on the Model Department. Many years ago, Dennis interviewed several of the artists who worked in that magnificent department. Dennis also owns many wonderful related artifacts, including maquettes, photos, original and photostat model sheets.

Over the next few weeks I'll be publishing Model Department artifacts on the blog, so stay tuned for some great images and stories.

Model Department Fantasia maquettes

2011-07-07T20:55:00.000-07:00

A couple of great color photos showing some of the fantastic maquettes created in Disney's Model Department for Fantasia.

These photos were sold several months ago at auction.

The Walt Disney Studio - One Year On

2011-06-07T22:52:00.001-07:00

Interesting article found in the November 21, 1929 issue of The Film Daily. This little snippet was published just over one year from the date the first Mickey Mouse sound cartoon Steamboat Willie made its debut in New York City.

Judging by the list of prestigious theaters now playing Disney cartoons, I'd say this Walt Disney fellow will probably be around for awhile.

Early Mickey Mouse publicity material

2011-06-07T22:42:00.000-07:00

This full-page ad appeared in the May 13, 1929 Edition of The Film Daily.

The Mickey Mouse graphics in this ad were drawn by animator Les Clark. These illustrations also appeared in several other 1929 and 1930 magazines featuring Disney articles, and they represent some of the earliest Mickey Mouse publicity drawings ever created.

Mickey Mouse Goes Abroad

2011-06-07T22:34:00.000-07:00

From the February 3, 1929 edition of The Film Daily comes the announcement that Mickey Mouse cartoons will be distributed internationally.

No long after this announcement was published, Disney cartoons began appearing on the screens of theaters in England, France, and Germany.

And you call that a vacation?

2011-05-22T22:54:00.000-07:00

From the February 28, 1928 issue of The Film Daily:

On this particular trip, Walt Disney was in New York to meet with Charlie Mintz about negotiating a higher fee per short. Mintz was married to Margaret Winkler, whose company distributed the early Alice Comedies, and then later, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.

Not only did Mintz rebuff Disney's request, but he demanded Disney take a 20 percent pay cut. When Disney refused, Mintz informed him he had hired away many of his key animators. Disney was also told he retained no rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, and in fact, Universal owned the character.

Walt Disney and his wife returned home dejected.

Never one to stay down for the count, Disney and his remaining staff began work on a new cartoon series starring a new creation. His name? None other than Mickey Mouse.

Coming by popular demand! 1929 Mickey Mouse ad

2011-05-22T22:47:00.000-07:00

A great two-page ad from the September 4, 1929 edition of The Film Daily.

Historic 1928 Disney announcement

2011-05-19T21:54:00.000-07:00

This could be, perhaps, one of the very first public announcement of Disney's groundbreaking accomplishment.

This six line announcement appeared in the October 2, 1928 edition of The Film Daily.

1922 Laugh-O-Gram ad and a 1925 Disney biography

2011-05-17T21:32:00.000-07:00

A great new addition to a resource I'd previously known about was uncovered by Leonard Maltin and subsequently announced on the animation site Cartoon Brew. The research site, internetarchive.org, has hundreds of entries ranging from magazines to films.

I've used the site previously to search through 1930s magazines they've posted online, but hadn't visited recently. The site just uploaded a run of a The Film Daily, a trade magazine from the 1920s, and it's proving to be a trove of information for Disney geeks like me.

Over the past several days I have been searching through the issues that have been posted online, and I have to admit I've been amazed and delighted with the Disney content I've uncovered. I've located several dozen Disney-related ads, articles, and reviews, dating back to 1922.

The following Laugh-O-Gram ad was published in the June 19, 1922 edition. A little over one year after this ad appeared, Walt Disney had left Kansas City, Missouri, for Hollywood, California.

The following Walt Disney biography appeared in the June 27, 1925 edition. Just under one month after this ad was published, Walt and his brother Roy would place a down payment on a small plot of land on Hyperion Avenue, in the Los Feliz district of Los Angeles. The Hyperion location would undergo drastic expansion over the next 14 years, eventually occupying the whole block. The Hyperion Studio would become home to Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Snow White and many other timeless characters.

I'll be posting many more of these great finds over the ensuing weeks. Enjoy!

1930s Christmas greetings from Mickey Mouse

2010-12-25T10:01:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all had a great day with family and friends. Here are a couple of neat Mickey images to close out the Christmas 2010 series.

First up is a nice Christmas illustration, which appeared in newspaper across America in 1932.

The second illustration was printed inside a circa 1933 Hall Brothers Mickey Mouse Christmas card.

The two images are somewhat similar in design. I own the first item, but not the second.

Hope Santa brought you a few of the collectible items on your want list.

Cheers!

Snow White at the Carthay - 73 years tonight

2010-12-21T21:30:00.000-08:00

73 years ago tonight, spotlights scanned the night sky, and stargazers lined the streets, as Walt Disney's masterpiece, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, made its premiere at the Carthay Circle Theater, in Hollywood, California.

The large Christmas tree is visible on the left side of this image. Invited guests walked down the carpet under the canopy to the entrance of the theater, just visible on the right. NBC radio broadcast the event live on premiere night. The garden with the Snow White characters, can be seen to the left of the center of the photo.

Three years ago I posted a major story on that evening and the run-up to it. Click this link to read that post. Here are some new images I came across on eBay earlier this year, which show the exterior of the Carthay during Snow White's run.

Large papier mache heads of the Dwarfs line the top of a canopy. Cels, backgrounds, model sheets, drawings, and photographs were displayed to satisfy the curiosity of those wanting to know more about the animation process.

Snow White and Dwarf figurines on display in a garden bed outside the theater.

The December 22, 1937 issue of Variety reported in part:

"Crowd of more than 20,000 jammed entrance to premiere of Walt Disney's first all-color feature length cartoon, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, at the Carthay Theater last night. Assistant Chief of Police George Allen had 80 coppers on hand, 15 more than for the ordinary preem [sic] detail. Aiding them were 11 RKO Studio policemen. Two women fainted in the early crush."

When Snow White went into general release, film critic Frank S. Nugent wrote in the January 14, 1938 edition of the New York Times:

"Sheer fantasy, delightful, gay and altogether captivating, touched the screen yesterday, when Walt Disney's long awaited feature-length cartoon, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs had its local premiere at the Radio City Music Hall. Let your fears be quieted at once: Mr. Disney and his amazing technical crew have outdone themselves. The picture more than matches expectations. It is a classic, as important as "Birth of a Nation," or the birth of Mickey Mouse. Nothing quite like it has been done before; and already we have grown impolite enough to clamor for an encore. Another helping please!"

The article continued:

"...no child of course, could dream a dream like this. For Mr. Disney's humor has the simplicity of extreme sophistication...and technically it is superb. In some of the early sequences there may be an uncertainty of line, a jerkiness in the movements of the Princess; but it is corrected later and hand and lip movements assume an uncanny reality. The Dwarfs and animals are flawless from the start. Chromatically it is the best Technicolor to date, achieving effects possible only to the cartoon, obtaining - through the multi-plane camera - an effortless third dimension. You'll not, most of the time, realize you are watching animated cartoons. And if you do, it will only be with a sense of amazement.

Nor can any description overlook so important a Disney element as the score. There are eight songs - solos, duets, choruses - which perfectly counterpoint the action...they're gay and friendly and pleasant, all of them, and so is the picture. If you miss it, you'll be missing the ten best pictures of 1938. Thank you very much Mr. Disney, and come again very soon."

Snow White went on to gross over eight million dollars. The Disney brothers were able to pay back their Bank of America loan, and Walt Disney was able to plan and build his new state-of-the-art studio, just down the road from his Los Feliz location, in Burbank.

British Disney Christmas tree lights

2010-12-20T21:36:00.001-08:00

Here are two different sets of lights manufactured in Britain by the Thomson-Houston Company.

First up is the Pinocchio set, which was made in 1939. While the gummed decals used on the shades appear to be the same as the ones issued in the Pinocchio light set by NOMA in the United States, the art on the box is lacking - Pinocchio looks a bit off, as does Jiminy Cricket.

Next up is the Fantasia set. This set was manufactured in 1940.

You can always tell when the lampshades have been used. When illuminated, the heat from the bulb turns the glue on the decal a brownish color.

I don't own either of these sets.

Happy Birthday Diane Disney Miller

2010-12-18T21:08:00.000-08:00

Diane Marie Disney was born on this day in 1933.

Here's a link to a story on this blog I posted last year.

Happy Birthday Diane!

In memoriam - Walt Disney - December 15, 1966

2010-12-15T20:27:00.000-08:00

In memory of Walt Disney, who passed away on this day in 1966.

Photo by Clarence Sinclair Bull

With wife Lillian - the first award, and many more to come - 1932

Paris, France

With wife Lillian - winter fun at Lake Arrowhead

At the Riviera Country Club, watching a game of polo

With wife Lillian - Santa Anita racetrack

Woking Way residence, Los Feliz

With Shirley Temple - special Academy Award for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Thank you Walt, for giving me and my family many hours of quality entertainment, and for being the visionary that you were.

Snow's in the forecast - shovel, or snowball fight?

2010-12-14T22:24:00.000-08:00

Should I shovel, or should I play?

The shovel was made by the Ohio Art Company, a Disney licensee who manufactured a large variety of great tin litho items. The shovel dates from about 1936.

Love seeing the "Don" get beaned! Wonder if a mouse in hiding tossed that one?

Unfortunately, I own neither item...but we can still enjoy the great graphics!

Disney corporate Christmas card - unused art

2010-12-14T00:12:00.001-08:00

This art has been posted on my friend Kevin Kidney`s site.

Click this link to learn more.

This piece looks like Floyd Gottfredson art to me. The lettering is a bit off, but the moon with the houses is replicated on Disney`s first corporate card. See this earlier post on my own blog, which showcases Disney`s first Christmas card - one that was attributed to the great Gottfredson.

"Meet Me At Merkel's Toyland" - Mickey Mouse pin

2010-12-13T00:38:00.000-08:00

This great little pin was made for the Merkel's department store. Mickey Mouse is dressed as Santa carrying a sack of toys, and if you look closely, you'll see a Mickey Mouse doll and a Mickey Mouse drum in that bag.

Image courtesy Hakes.com

The pin measures approximately 1.25 inches in diameter. A paper insert on the back indicates the pin was made in 1931, and was distributed by the Philadelphia Badge Company. Three different text versions of this pin exist.

I love the graphics on this pin and hope you do too!

1930s Donald Duck gift tags

2010-12-12T00:21:00.000-08:00

Here's a couple of great looking mid-1930s Dennison items - a Donald Duck gift tag and a sticker, which uses the same image.

Who wouldn't want to receive a Christmas gift labeled with these beauties? They date from 1934, or 1935, when the duck still sported his long beak. One is marked "© Walt Disney Enterprises."

Belated birthday wishes

2010-12-06T20:36:00.000-08:00

Missed it by one day - yesterday would have been Walt Disney's 109th birthday.

The gang's all here - Hank Porter Christmas art

2010-12-02T00:48:00.001-08:00

As many of my readers might know, I have been working on the biography of Disney Merchandise and Publicity artist Hank Porter for several years now.

In the course of writing this book, I have amassed an archive of close to 800 or so images of art created by Porter. The following piece if by far one of the best pieces of art executed by the master draftsman, who Walt Disney once referred to as a "one man art department."

Porter studied at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, completing a four year course in just two years. While at the Academy he studied under famed illustrators Philip Lyford and Franklin Booth.

Lyford was a commercial artist and magazine illustrator who created imaginative advertising for a diverse range of clients including Smith and Wesson, Mazda Lamps, and Coca-Cola. His art appeared in many leading magazines of the day, and he even created art found on patriotic WW I recruiting posters.

In a letter to his father, Porter referred to Booth as "the famous pen and ink illustrator." Booth created works of art that featured extremely detailed scrolls, decorative borders, and classic hand lettering, using literally thousands of strokes of ink.

I have a copy of a promotional brochure Porter published when he ran his own commercial art studio. The pen and ink art in this pamphlet is stunning, especially when you consider Porter was just in his early 20s when he created the booklet. It's clear to me Porter mastered the art of pen and ink at an early age.

I have to agree with Porter's daughter Maxine, who told me in an interview her father, "was a good pen and ink artist. That came from working on a...newspaper, and then having his own commercial art business. He [was] a crackerjack of pen, and ink, and scratchboard. I think this is why [Walt Disney] singled him out to do some of the illustrations. He did terrific lettering."

It's not known at this time which publication this art was created for. The illustration is circa 1938, and measures approximately 17 by 21 inches. I can only imagine the amount of time and effort it took Porter to create this masterpiece. It's definitely one of my favorites.

Please click on the image to see a larger view...and enjoy!

Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse! (belated post)

2010-11-18T23:23:00.000-08:00

Today marks Mickey’s 82nd birthday. Or does it? The Walt Disney Company has always proclaimed November 18, 1928 as Mickey’s birthday, because this was the day the first Mickey Mouse synchronized sound cartoon, Steamboat Willie, premiered at the Colony Theater in New York.

November 18, however, has not always been the day Mickey's birthday has been celebrated.

According to Cecile Munsey’s book, Disneyana, a trademark for the name Mickey Mouse was applied for on May 16, 1928. Trademark 247,156 granting Disney the rights to the name Mickey Mouse, was issued on September 28, 1928.

Several 1930s trade journal and newspaper articles publicized Mickey’s birth date as September 28, the same day the trademark for Mickey’s name was granted. I recently spent some time going through my newspaper and magazine archives and discovered Mickey’s birthday was consistently celebrated in the 1930s between late September and mid-October.

One of the earliest accounts of a Mickey Mouse birthday celebration appeared in a small display ad in the October 18, 1931 edition of The Ogden Standard Examiner. The ad featured a classic Mickey Mouse illustration and the following text:

Mickey Mouse Birthday Program
Next Saturday Morning
At 10 o’clock
Special Stage Acts
Contests With Special Prizes
Election of Officers
Thrilling South Sea
Island Picture, "Vanishing Legion."
Admission Only 10c

An article in the October 21, 1931 The Fresno Bee stated: "It’s always customary when people have birthdays, for their friends to give then presents and to have a big party for them...Saturday is Mickey Mouse’s birthday and Mickey asked Walt Disney, his creator; Frank Newman, of the Warner Brothers’ Theater, and The Fresno Bee to see if they couldn’t arrange a big party…in honor of the occasion."

Even though Mickey Mouse is a fictional character, Disney's star received hundreds of pieces of fan mail every day. Walt Disney wrote in the British magazine Film Pictorial, "It is hard not to regard him as human. He is very real to me and to those fellow workers of mine who guide his impish footsteps on the screen. He is just as real to millions of filmgoers. He personally receives about 800,000 letters in a year. They are addressed to him, not to me."

To celebrate Mickey's fourth birthday, Walt Disney took out the following double-page trade ad in the October 1, 1932 issue of the Motion Picture Herald:

Courtesy Steve Geppi's Scoop newsletter

The September 25, 1932 Charleston Gazette reported: "Mickey will be four years old October 1. Special clerical help will be put in to handle the mail, for a Hollywood star who can receive 20,000 letters in three weeks during ordinary times is expected to be swamped with mail on his birthday."

The article in the Gazette continued: "Mickey Mouse, the stars' star, is going to have a birthday and there are going to be all sorts of parties and celebrations and such. And plans are on foot to make the celebration international, with Mickey's millions of admirers sharing in the fun and festivities. The big celebration will, of course, occur in Hollywood at Mickey's home, with Walt Disney, his Alter Ego, being the central figure. His Mouster's Voice, so to speak!"

The October 7, 1932 San Antonio Light reported that one of Mickey's birthday parties was held at the prestigious Cocoanut Grove nightclub, with "Walt Disney cutting Mickey's birthday cake."

The September 30, 1932 Oakland Tribune reported, "Two birthdays were celebreated in Hollywood this weekend. Jackie Cooper ushered in his ninth year with a party in Beverley Hills, and Mickey Mouse observes his fourth tomorrow, with Walt Disney, his creator, eating the cake."

And finally, the September 30, 1932 Big Spring Daily Herald ran the following ad:

The above art was re-used in 1933 with the following modifications: Mickey held a huge cake knife in his right hand, another birthday candle was added to the cake, and the fan mail was omitted from the illustration.

In 1933 Mickey’s birthday was celebrated on Saturday, September 30. Ad copy under one related newspaper illustration read, "Mickey Mouse has risen to a place in the hearts of the children of old lands that is only equaled by one other, Santa Claus himself. (In fact, if you explore a previous post on this blog by clicking here, you’ll see there was a Santa Claus revolt of sorts against Mickey Mouse back in 1933).

The Friday, September 29, 1933 Big Spring Herald reported plans for Mickey's fifth birthday with the following advertisement:

Mickey Mouse Birthday Program Is Announced

Program for the fifth birthday anniversary celebration of Mickey Mouse has been announced. The birthday of the popular Walt Disney character will be observed in a special party at the Ritz theatre Saturday morning. The program follows:
Song - Betty Bob Diltz and Helen Marie Ellis
Acrobatic Dance - Elizabeth Moody
Tap Trio - Noma and Yvonne Phifer and Marie Dunham
Song and dance - Mary Ruth Diltz
To every child attending, Mickey promises and ice cream cone

Mickey's sixth birthday in September 1934 was marked with the following illustration:

Disney’s film distributor, United Artists (UA), ran an advertisement in the August 21, 1935 issue of The Film Daily, congratulating Mickey on the occasion of his seventh birthday. The ad read in part, "On Sept. 28, 1935, Mickey Mouse will be exactly seven years old." The ad featured a still from the short cartoon Mickey’s Gala Premiere, showing Mickey being congratulated by several movie stars including Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo, and Groucho Marx.

UA published a theater manager’s publicity manual in 1935 filled with promotional ideas and merchandise, to promote Mickey’s seventh. The manual’s front cover proclaimed, "Join Mickey Mouse in his Lucky Seventh Birthday Party! September 28, 1935."

UA press manual, courtesy the collection of Dennis Books

A pinback button bearing Mickey’s likeness was offered for sale in the manual, imprinted with the same September 28 date. The buttons could be purchased through the United Artists Home Office. "The prices are reasonable, and the buttons are a marvelous giveaway for stirring up plenty of excitement and focusing the town’s attention on your Mickey Mouse Lucky Seventh Birthday Celebration." Prices for the buttons were: 100 for $2.50; 200 for $4.00; 500 for $8.50; or you could literally get a box of 1,000 buttons for $15.00.

Pinback, courtesy Hakes.com

The UA manual contained a quote attributed to Walt Disney: "When people laugh at Mickey Mouse it’s because he’s so human; and that is the secret of his popularity."

Six black and white stills were also offered to theater managers, "especially made for your convenience to advertise and exploit your Mickey Mouse Revue and celebration." The set was available for the princely sum of 60 cents. A special advertising trailer, available from the National Screen Service, was also produced.

"Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse, whose Lucky Seventh Birthday is being celebrated internationally during the week of September 28 to October 4, [is] proving himself the greatest ambassador of goodwill the United States has ever sent abroad. Mickey not only makes the whole world laugh, but in that laughter he makes the whole world kin. Kings and beggars, nobles and peasants, highbrows and lowbrows are numbered among Mickey’s fan following."

September 29, 1935 San Antonio Express: "Mickey Mouse, the world’s most popular picture star, will be seven years old on Saturday, October 5, and his birthday will be celebrated throughout the country. It was just seven years ago that Walt Disney sent his little film hero scampering across the screen, and in that time Mickey has risen to a point where he has no rivals for first place in the hearts of motion picture goers. Special radio programs, huge birthday cakes and screenings of Mickey’s pictures in theaters everywhere will mark the birthday. The Majestic Theater will hold a special showing...at Mickey’s party."

The ad listed the shorts which were to be part of the special celebration: "Mickey’s Pet Store", "Mickey’s Steam Roller," "Mickey’s Orphan Benefit," "Mail Pilot," "Grasshopper and the Ants," "The China Shop," "Lullaby Land," and, "The Pied Piper."

An interesting illustration, which appeared in the publicity manual, has been recently discussed on my friend Michael Barrier's blog. The image on the left side of the drawing has also surfaced on a sheet of Mickey Mouse drawings the Walt Disney Family Museum has labeled as "the earliest drawings of Mickey Mouse."

The following illustration was used by many newspapers in 1935, including the September 26 edition of The Sandusky Register, and the October 1 edition of The San Antonio Light.

Mickey Mouse illustration from the United Artists 1935 publicity manual. Courtesy Michael Barrier, via Hans Perk

Sheet of Mickey Mouse drawings courtesy The Walt Disney Family Museum. Note the Mickey drawing in the upper left corner, which matches the Mickey drawing fround in the 1935 UA publicity manual.

The September 1936 edition of Playthings magazine pictured Mickey shaking hands with a caricatured globe. The ad read, "All the world pays homage, Happy Birthday Mickey." Disney’s licensing rep Kay Kamen, frequently bought front cover advertising space from the toy trade magazine.

The Playthings illustration was originally part of the set of stills made available to theater managers through the 1935 UA publicity manual. This same illustration was also used on the cover of the October 1936 Mickey Mouse Magazine.

1935 UA publicity still courtesy the collection of Dennis Books

Cover for the October 1936 Mickey Mouse Magazine

October 1936 Mickey Mouse Magazine - illustration celebrating Mickey's eighth birthday

The September 24, 1936 Syracuse Herald reported: "Mickey Mouse, diminutive screen star and international favorite, is eight years old this week. Walt Disney’s best known character was created eight years ago during he week of Sept. 25 and nation-wide celebrations befitting a president or king are planned. Music from the Mickey Mouse Silly Symphony features will be broadcast in a number of radio programs, including short-wave to foreign lands where Mickey is the leading cinema attraction."

The October 3, 1936 issue of The Literary Digest ran a story titled, "Mickey Mouse is Eight Years Old." The article stated, "This week Mickey Mouse celebrates his 8 birthday friskily aware that he played to 468,000,000 paid admissions last year."

The September 29, 1936 Oakland Tribune reported: "Hapy Birthday to you! That's the glad tidings around Walt Disney's studio today, and all ofthe world joins in in celebrating hte eighth year of Mickey Mouse's existence. Hailed as a suplremely fine artist in every language...decorated with 21 medals of real international importance, and bread winner for 175 artists, editors and 'gag' men, Mickey really casts his memor far, far, back."

Even The Walt Disney studio’s own company employee newsletter, the Bulletin, listed Mickey’s birthday in September. The Volume 3, Number 23, March 28, 1941 issue contained an article on Mickey’s twelve-and-a-half birthday. Add another six months to that date and you arrive at September 28.

Mickey's birthday continued to be celebrated in late September, early October right through the mid-1940s, when interest in the day waned as world events took center stage.

When queried in 2002 as to why The Walt Disney Company has declared Mickey’s birthday as November 18 and not September 28, Disney Archivist Dave Smith responded: "In the 1930s, Disney marketing people would often pick a nice Saturday in the fall when the could celebrate Mickey’s birthday. However, it was always pegged to the opening at the Colony Theater. No one ever bothered to look up the date, which was Nov. 18. We have used that date for the past 30 years."

A lengthy article in the September 27, 1935 Syracuse Herald contains possibly the best explanation for Mickey's success, and the reason why so many were interested in the fictional character's birthday: "To millions who see Mickey Mouse regularly on the world's screens he is a star of major dramatic magnitude. To many other millions he is a cute figure who flashes through moments of simple diversion. To those of a moral turn Mickey points the way that is good and true. To those of a more complex philosophical bent, he is an indicator of the world's foibles. Mickey has that about him, which makes him all things to all men."

In closing...Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse...whatever the day...you certainly have come a long way since those first films were made so long ago.

Happy Anniversary Walt Disney Family Museum

2010-10-01T06:54:00.000-07:00

The Walt Disney Family Museum turns one year old today.

Hard to believe one year has passed already. Through my small involvement, I was able to see the facility progress...from the construction of the new glass infill building that started out as a hole in the ground in the back courtyard area, to the empty shell of a building that was upgraded to building code standards and then filled with the most wonderful displays loaded with historically important artifacts.

The best decision made during the planning process was to use the many television and radio appearances and interviews Walt Disney participated in during his lifetime. Audio and visual clips from these broadcasts have been used extensively throughout the Museum, so in effect, Walt Disney tells his own story.

While Walt may not have necessarily approved of a Museum, I think in some way he would have been pleased with the technology used, and with the fact that by showcasing his own achievements, the Museum may encourage and motivate future artists.

If you are a fan of Walt Disney, you need to make the trip.

To read more about the Museum visit a previous post on the topic.

To visit the official Museum site click here. Happy birthday Walt Disney Family Museum!

Diane Disney Miller Remembers Art Linkletter

2010-05-26T22:34:00.001-07:00

Art Linkletter passed away today. He was 97.

Linkletter was asked by Walt Disney to be the primary host for the televised live-opening broadcast of Disneyland on July 17, 1955.

I emailed Walt's daughter, Diane Disney Miller, asking for her thoughts. She forwarded the following release to me:

"I just heard the news and came to my computer to address it. Art and Lois Linkletter were two of my parents very dearest friends. My sister and I had the opportunity to know them and their family through this friendship, and it was precious to us. As I consider my father's life to be an inspirational story, Art's life was certainly one, too. They were much alike in that they made a career out of bringing joy and laughter to the world .. love, even. Art and Lois knew the pain of tragic personal loss, but his wit, wisdom, kindness, and energy survived and continued to cheer and inspire others. He was, as others are saying, a wonderful man."

Art Linkletter is survived by two of his five children and his wife of over 74 years, Lois.

Happy Easter #1

2010-04-04T23:38:00.000-07:00

Courtesy Hake's Americana, a great Easter related point of sale counter display.

The display originally held multiple packages of Paas Dye Company "Transfer-O-S For Easter Eggs." The display measured 4 by 11.5 by 9.5 inches.

Each pack of transfers originally retailed for 10 cents each, or three for 25 cents, and contained four sheets with a total of 37 images. Characters represented on the sheets included Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle the Cow.

Happy Easter - #2

2010-04-04T17:30:00.000-07:00

Courtesy Hake's Americana, here is a set of three Fisher-Price pull toys circa 1939-1942. These pieces were originally sold as part of the "Walt Disney's Easter Parade" set in 1936. According to the Hake's auction description the toys measured approximately three inches tall.

The characters made their appearance in the 1934 Silly Symphony Funny Little Bunnies, which was released on March 24, 1934. The short was directed by Wilfred Jackson, (who helped develop the method in which sound was synchronized in the third Mickey Mouse cartoon, Steamboat Willie), with animation by Wolfgang Reitherman and Art Babbitt.

Click here to go to Rob Richards' blog "Animation Backgrounds," to see some of the background art, which appeared in the short.

Mickey Mouse cachets

2010-03-17T23:38:00.000-07:00

A couple of more neat 1930s cachets which sold recently at auction.

Some additional postal covers that I posted on the blog last year can be viewed by clicking this link.

Walt and South America

2010-03-17T23:35:00.001-07:00

Received word of a new blog, which will focus on Disney's wartime visit to Chile. You can visit the blog by clicking this link.

Mickey Mouse model sheets

2010-01-05T19:07:00.000-08:00

On December 31, 2009, fellow blogger Michael Sporn posted several Mickey Mouse model sheets on his blog. I thought this would be a great time to showcase three Mickey Mouse model sheets that currently reside in the collection of my good friend and fellow researcher Dennis Books. Enjoy!

First up, an original, graphite, 1930 model sheet purchased from the estate of Les Clark:

Next, another original graphite Les Clark model sheet, this time of Mickey as the Sorcerer's Apprentice. Over the years, Dennis became good friends with Bob Jones, who worked closely with Joe Grant in the Disney Model Department from its inception. Dennis interviewed Jones extensively. Here's what Jones said about this next model sheet:

"Serious work on the Sorcerer's Apprentice had already been started when the Character Model Department got off the ground. However, the Sorcerer unit in another department had specialists doing the same work. They used a general purpose stamp - rather than the specialized one used solely in the Character Model Department. Since Les Clark was one of the authorities on Mickey Mouse, and was one of the head animators in this unit, his pencil initials would be required on the sheet before distribution."

Clark's "L.C." initials are visible in the lower right corner of the ink stamp. Here's the model sheet:

Finally, we have a change in artists for this last model sheet. This next one was executed by legendary newspaper strip artist Floyd Gottfredson, who titled the work, "Mickey Mouse Expressions and regular cast of characters." This huge piece was done in india ink and is signed by Gottfredson in the lower left corner. Dennis says this original was one of two Gottfredson created for the comics. Here it is:

Click this link to see more of my Dennis' outstanding collection.

Walt Disney caricature - artwork

2010-01-01T11:04:00.000-08:00

Artist Thom Buchanan runs a very interesting blog titled The Pictorial Arts, where he posts and discusses magazine, newspaper, comic, and book illustrations. He has posted hundreds of examples of art, many of which are simply gorgeous in both their composition and use of color.

Occasionally Thom posts Disney-related material. The image in this post in one such item, which he coincidentally owns. In the accompanying post, Thom said he thought the art may have been created by the great Disney artist Floyd Gottfredson.

Do any of my readers have an opinion as to who might have created this art, or the premise behind it? Perhaps the art was created after Snow White's conclusion and just before the Studio strike?

I welcome your comments, and when you have a moment be sure to stop by Thom's blog, which can be accessed by clicking on this link.

As I was re-reading this post, I noticed Walt sports Mickey traits - he appears to have so-called "pie-eyes," and his hands only have four fingers, much like Mickey's four-fingered gloves.

1st Disney Studio Christmas card - 1930

2009-12-31T09:57:00.001-08:00

Thanks to my friend Gunnar Andreassen for the heads-up on this great Christmas card currently up for auction at Hake's Americana.

Image courtesy Hake's Americana.

According to the auction description, the card measures 4 1/2 by 6 inches. The reverse is blank.

The illustration was created by legendary Disney newspaper strip artist Floyd Gottfredson, and was apparently the first piece of Gottfrdson's work to be reproduced in color. Hake's claims there are just two examples of this card known to exist.

What a great way to end the year! A little late for Christmas, but what a super find! Thanks Gunnar!

Winter fun with Walt and Mickey

2009-12-29T22:17:00.000-08:00

I found this really cool, no pun intended, photo of Walt recently. It took me awhile, but I've also found the story behind the image.

In his early days, Walt Disney had the time to partake in wintertime fun. Numerous photos exist of Walt and his wife Lillian engaged in winter activities, including tobogganing, ice-skating and skiing.

This photo was taken at Lake Arrowhead on January 19, 1933. Walt Disney has just presented the little girl, Mildred Chanter, with a Mickey Mouse doll created by seamstress Carolyn "Charlotte" Clark. Mildred won a "Mickey Mouse" snowman building contest. Judging by the looks of her snow sculpture, I'd say she deserved to win!

Turns out the contest wasn't a spur of the moment idea. The contest was part of a Mickey Mouse Club Mid-Winter get together. According to the December 31, 1932 Hamilton Daily News:

"...the Mid-Winter Snow Carnival, dedicated to Mickey Mouse...is to be held January 14 in the Arrowhead mountains. The affair will be under auspices of the Mickey Mouse clubs and 50,000 children are expected to attend."

During the 1930s, literally tens of thousands of children across America were members of the theater Mickey Mouse Club. At one point, Mouse Club members outnumbered the combined memberships of the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. The Clubs held various special events for their members, including picnics, parades, contests and even a national convention.

I'm not sure how many children actually attended the Arrowhead Carnival, but judging by the expression on little Mildred Chanter's face, at least one attendee went away happy.

Season's Greetings

2009-12-25T23:03:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone!

Hope you all had an enjoyable day today with friends or family.

Santa's Workshop

2009-12-22T22:49:00.000-08:00

This English book was published by Collins in 1934, and was based on the Silly Symphony of the same title. The book numbers some 128 pages and contains 8 gorgeous color plates.

To see another Silly Symphony Santa Claus related post from two years ago, please click on this link.

Notice in the above illustration that Santa has stamped the bottoms of the dolls on the shelves with "NG" for "No Good." If the dolls followed Santa's prompt and said, "Mamma," they passed. If not, they were rejected. I wonder if these toys eventually found their way to the Isle of Misfit Toys? Oh wait, that was another holiday classic.

Diane Disney Miller - Happy Birthday !

2009-12-18T20:04:00.000-08:00

Diane Disney Miller celebrates a birthday today – she was born on December 18, 1933. Walt Disney was a lucky man that Monday, for the stork brought him a beautiful little girl, and he won an award from a prestigious magazine too.

In the December 1933 edition of Good Housekeeping, reporter Dixie Willson asked several celebrities, "What do you want for Christmas?" Walt Disney replied, "Well, this Christmas is different. You see, we’re waiting for the stork."

In the article Disney said if the baby were a girl they would name her Diane, but if the baby were a boy he’d be known as Walt Jr. "I suppose this year I’ll fix two Christmas trees," Disney said. "One at home and one to take to the hospital. And, when you ask me what I want for Christmas – Christmas is so much fun I hardly care, just so there’s something to open up from somebody...one thing I don’t want is shirts, but I’m shy on polo ponies. I wouldn’t mind a couple of those."

A December 19, 1933 article in the Jefferson City Post-Tribune reported: "Mickey and Minnie Mouse and the Three Little Pigs shared the spotlight today with a newcomer at the Walt Disney Studios. The newcomer was an 8-pound girl born to Mrs. Walt Disney. Mrs. Disney, who underwent a caesarian operation, was reported doing well. The child will be named Dianne [sic] Marie."

The San Antonio Light reported, "Monday was a big day for Walt Disney...at a banquet he was presented with a medal for distinguished service to childhood, the award being based upon the enjoyment children have derived from 'Mickey Mouse.' At a hospital his wife presented him with Diana [sic] Marie Disney, weight eight pounds, two ounces."

This photo and illustration accompanied the January 1934 PARENT'S MAGAZINE article. Image courtesy Gunnar Andreassen, via Didier Ghez.

The January 1934 edition of THE PARENT’S MAGAZINE ran the following short article: "THE PARENT’S MAGAZINE is happy to announce that it has awarded its medal for distinguished service to children to Walt Disney, the creator of the 'Silly Symphonies,' notably 'The Three Little Pigs.' The award was decided upon by a committee if its editors who felt that Mr. Disney made an outstanding contribution to childhood when he created an entirely new type of motion picture which not only delights children but us enjoyed by adults. This magazine is glad to command the humor and artistry, which is making the Symphonies beloved the world over. The medal was awarded to Mr. Disney by a representative of the Editorial Department of THE PARENT’S MAGAZINE, at a luncheon at the Disney Studios, Hollywood, California. Among the guests were a number of distinguished leaders in parental education and child welfare work."

Guests at the ceremony were apparently startled by Disney’s sudden departure. The South Carolina Morning News reported: "They were awarding a medal…and right in the midst of the ceremony, Walt grabbed his coat and hat, mumbled 16 words of thanks, and dashed to a hospital. A group of 75 guests at the banquet were at a loss to understand Disney’s hurried departure. Dr. Rufus von Kleinsmid, president of the University of Southern California, who acted as toastmaster, was as surprised as the rest, but all was forgiven when the whole story developed at the Good Samaritan Hospital."

The Good Housekeeping article concluded with reporter Willson asking, "I wonder, would you like a basket for Christmas to carry the baby home in from the hospital?" To which Disney replied, "Well, I guess baskets are all right. I suppose we’ll put it in one after we’ve had it for awhile, but, you know how it is – never had one before – so coming home from the hospital, I think I’ll carry it."

Happy Birthday Diane!

Roy Edward Disney - R.I.P.

2009-12-17T22:24:00.000-08:00

Sad news for Disney fans this week - Roy E. Disney, son of Roy Oliver and nephew to Walt Disney, passed away on December 16th at the age of 79. Roy succumbed to stomach cancer at a hospital in Newport Beach, California.

The month of December seems to be a bad one for the Disney clan. Walt and his wife Lillian, and Roy O. and his wife Edna all passed away in previous years in the month of December.

Instead of recapping Roy's extensive and impressive career, I will instead share my one personal memory of meeting Roy. I was part of EPCOT's World Showcase Fellowship Program between 1987 and 1988. During my one year tenure, those of us in the Fellowship Program were invited to be part of a press event - I can't remember what the event was promoting.

Castmembers participating in the event were obliged to wear our costumes...being a member of the Canadian contingent I was dressed in the costume of the exhibit's lumberjack. We were stationed around the hall and our instructions were to greet the press and answer any questions they had about the various pavilions in World Showcase.

Roy E. attended the event and eventually made his way to where I was standing. We made eye contact. I nodded at him in acknowledgment and he immediately came over and engaged me in conversation.

I told him I was a collector of 1930s Disney memorabilia, after which he asked me some questions about my collection. We spoke for around 5 - 10 minutes. I recall he seemed to be genuinely interested in what I was saying and appreciated my interest in the early history of the company his uncle and father had built. I must admit too that I was a bit in awe at the time. He looked like the spitting image of his Uncle Walt and I was taken aback by how uncanny that was.

It's sort of sad to know there is no one from either side of the Disney clan actively involved with the running of the company now, and that most of those who profit have no direct relation to either founder.

Santa / Mickey Lionel hand car

2009-12-16T23:37:00.000-08:00

Box top for Lionel product #1105, the Santa/Mickey hand car, manufactured in 1935.

In May 1934 the Lionel Corporation went into receivership. In June Disney merchandising rep Herman "Kay" Kamen licensed Lionel to produce a toy train. Based on the contract, Lionel was allowed to borrow $350-thousand from the bank, with the proviso the company repay the loan by January 1935.

The toy train in question turned out to be a tin wind-up hand car featuring Mickey Mouse on one side, and Minnie Mouse on the other pumping the handles. Lionel reported sales of some 250,000 units in the first four months alone.

Lionel brochure showing the company's first Disney product (the Mickey/Minnie hand car), their second (the Donald/Pluto hand car), and their rarest (the Santa/Mickey hand car). Image courtesy hakes.com

By November 1934 Lionel had repaid their loan and by the end of the year had settled all of their outstanding accounts with creditors. Lionel executives credited their Disney line with having saved the comapny from bankruptcy. Lionel went on to produce a Mickey Mouse circus set, Donald Duck / Pluto hand car and the rarest of all in their Disney line, a Mickey Mouse / Santa hand car.

I will write more about Lionel and their success as a Disney licensee at a later date, but in the meantime, enjoy these images of one of the rarest 1930s Disney toys to exist.

As Santa pumped the hand car around the track, Mickey peeked out from his sack. The Christmas tree and Santa pieces were made of a composition material. Due to the seasonal nature of the toy, production was limited.

While he does appear to be smiling, Mickey looks to be hanging on for dear life...

Walter Elias Disney 1901-1966

2009-12-15T21:48:00.000-08:00

Today marks the anniversary of the death of Walt Disney. I was surprised at how little attention this anniversary received on all of the various blogs I visit.

I have in my collection, a small sampling of historic Disney-related newspapers. In tribute, I present the front page of the December 15, 1966 Santa Monica Evening Outlook.

Under the banner: DEATH TAKES WALT DISNEY, were several articles. Here are some excerpts:

"Walt Disney, who fashioned a golden entertainment empire from the gossamer threads of fantasy to the delight of commoners and kings alike, died today at the age of 65.

He died about 9:35 a.m. at St. Joseph's Hospital in Burbank where he returned for a postoperative checkup following recent surgery.

Disney underwent surgery for removal of one lung Nov. 21, after doctors found a tumor which had caused an abscess.

His studio, after at first declining to give the cause of death, later attributed it to 'acute circulatory collapse.' There was no elaboration. However, an informed source said Disney suffered from spreading cancer.

A spokesman said private funeral services would be held. The cartoonist-turned-movie-mogul, amusement park operator and television emcee was one of the world's most beloved and honored figures of the 20th century."

Under the headline: Tributes Pour In For Walt Disney:

"Film stars and directors, political figures and actors-turned-politicians joined in the general mourning this afternoon for the passing of Walt Disney.

Gov-elect Ronald Reagan, himself a former star, led the tributes: 'There just aren't enough words to express my personal grief,' Reagan said. 'The entire world is a poorer place now.'

U.S. Sen. George Murphy, R-Calif., also a former actor, called Disney 'one of the greatest human beings in all of history. This is a great loss not only to the entertainment industry, but to the nation and the entire world. I know of no individual who has contributed more to the general welfare of mankind or in telling the true and exciting story of our great country, which he loved so dearly,' Murphy said. 'Walt Disney was a beloved friend and in my estimation one of the great human beings in all of history'."

The coverage included this image, which ran with the following caption: "Walt Disney, with life-sized creation of the cartoon character that first made him famous, Mickey Mouse, rode proudly as grand marshal of the Rose Parade, Jan. 1, 1966."

Uncle Robert's house for sale

2009-12-10T00:13:00.000-08:00

Walt Disney's Uncle Robert's house at 4406 Kingswell in the Los Feliz district of Los Angeles is up for sale. The asking price? A cool $769,000.

Walt Disney lived in this house for a short time when he moved to L.A. in the summer of 1923. Disney bought a used camera, constructed a camera stand from scratch, and began producing Alice Comedies in his Uncle's garage, which at that time was located behind the house. The garage has since been relocated to the Stanley Ranch Museum in Garden Grove.

The above image shows what Uncle Robert's house looks like today.

Thanks to Cartoon Brew for the heads-up.

Happy 108th Birthday Walter Elias Disney

2009-12-05T15:31:00.001-08:00

On the occasion of Walt Disney's birthday, I thought I would reproduce a newspaper article, which appeared in the December 15, 1935 edition of the San Antonio Express, two weeks after Walt turned 34:

DISNEY HOPEFUL FILMS WILL LIVE
Creator of Mickey Mouse Grateful to the Kiddies And World at Large

Walt Disney, creator of Mickey Mouse and author of the Silly Symphonies, who now is thirty-four, sets his birthday aside to answer some questions which have accumulated in the past seven years during which he has risen from complete obscurity to a position where he yields worldwide influence.

For seven years Disney has let his characters do all the talking. He now comes from behind to express his own views.

Asked what he would do if the popularity of Mickey Mouse began to wane, Disney replies that he would continue to produce motion pictures: "The future of our industry," he says, "seems so unlimited to us that it is difficult to predict how we would replace Mickey Mouse; possibly we would confine ourselves to feature-length productions and Silly Symphonies, or, again, we might attempt to popularize a new character to take Mickey's place; or build up one of our present personalities such as Donald Duck."

Disney hopes that his first feature-length picture "Snow White" will be completed and ready for presentation in 1937. He frankly admits he does not know how much it will cost. "The final cost," he states, "will depend to a considerable extent on footage and the amount of trouble we run into, two factors which are unpredictable at this stage of the game."

To the question as to which country takes a greater interest in Mickey Mouse Disney replied: "I don't know if there is any particular country which takes a greater interest in Mickey than any other country. The little fellow seems to make friends regardless of race, color, or national boundaries."

Asked for a birthday "message" the youthful prodcer states no reason to make one.

"I have always been short on words that 'echo around the world,' so let's consider this an opportunity again to thank our friends the world over, especially the children, for standing by us like good friends through good pictures and bad, and for all that priceless encouragement, which helps so much in a business where there are so many discouragements."

There has been one question asked of Disney more frequently than any other single question: How does it feel to be a celebrity? To this he answers:

"It feels fine when being a celebrity helps get choice reservations for a football game. It doesn't feel so good when an autograph enthusiast picks you out in a crowd. Most of the time, I imagine, people just don't go around feeling that they are celebrities. It is safe to say that ninety-nine per cent of the time I go around feeling exactly as I would if nobody knew I was alive. As far as I can remember, being a celebrity has never helped me make a good picture, or a good shot at polo, or command the obedience of my daughter, or impress my wife. It doesn't even seem to help me keep fleas off our dogs, and if being a celebrity won't even give one the advantage over a couple of fleas, then I guess there can't be much in being a celebrity at all."

Here are images of celebrities Walt Disney either met or associated with in the 1930s:

...in 1933, at a Writer's Club dinner, with actor and social commentator Will Rogers.

...in 1935, in France, with famed French filmmaker Louis Lumiere.

...in 1935, with the 1934 Nobel Prize in Literature winner, Italian writer Luigi Pirandello.

...in 1938, at the polo field, with actor Spencer Tracy.

...in 1939, at the Santa Anita racetrack, with friend and fellow producer Charles Chaplin.

Walt Disney and the Benton Grammar School

2009-11-30T23:19:00.000-08:00

On September 12, 1904, the residents of Kansas City, Missouri, celebrated the opening of the Benton Grammar School. Named in honor of Senator Thomas Benton, the school as originally built had just 12 rooms and a kindergarten.

Benton Grammar School.

Walt Disney attended Benton between September 1911 and June 1917. While at Benton, a young Walt Disney impersonated President Abraham Lincoln, going so far as to don a cape and stovepipe hat. Disney so impressed the principal with his recitation of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, he was taken into each of the school’s classrooms, where he repeated his performance for the enjoyment of other students.

Front cover of The Bentonian, a soft-cover yearbook-type booklet published by the school's administrators.

About six months ago I acquired a soft-cover yearbook publication titled, "The Bentonian." The booklet contains a letter written by Walt Disney, in response to request from his former principal for a post graduation update. In the letter, dated February 18, 1931, Walt Disney wrote:

"Dear Mr. Cottingham: I was very pleased to receive your kind letter of February 6. I have often thought of you and my former teachers at Benton and have always had a feeling that I should enjoy a little visit with you on one of my trips to New York. Quite a few of my classmates have dropped in to see me, from time to time, and I have enjoyed discussing with them our school days together.

When I was in school, Benton had a record of winning the K.C.A.C. meet six years in succession. I have often wondered what sort of record the school has held since that time. I was graduated from Benton in June of 1917 and spent my last year under Miss Beck. I have often wondered about Miss Beck, and if she is still teaching in Kansas City. I would like you to extend to her my kindest regards.

My high school career was very short. After I was graduated I worked during the summer as a News Butch on the railroad, and the following fall moved to Chicago. I spent my Freshman year there. Following that I joined the Red Cross as an ambulance driver and went to France. I was in France one year. I met an old classmate from Benton while in France. I can’t seem to remember his name, but he was one of two brothers, who were on the track team in school. He told me that Walter Clayton was in a hospital in Toul, France, but by the time I arrived in Toul, Walter had been transferred. I returned from France in the fall of 1919.

I went to Kansas City, and started to work for the Grey Advertising Company as an Apprentice Artist. I left that company to work for the Film Service Company of Kansas City, and it was there that I learned the work in which I am still engaged.

While I was working with the Film Service Company I made a short weekly film for Frank Newman, and this led to the establishing of a Studio of my own. I made cartoon versions of fairy tales, but this venture was not successful. I moved to California in 1923 and started in business with my brother Roy. Since that time we have built our business up to what it is today, and at the present time we have a Studio employing about seventy-five persons, both artists and technicians.

Our products are shown all over the world and are meeting with great success. We have our own sound apparatus and produce the entire picture in our own Studio. In addition to the Mickey Mouse cartoons, we produce a series known as Silly Symphony cartoons. Several years ago I produced a series of educational films on "Child Care of the Teeth," for Doctor McCrum, who conducts a dental clinic at the Linwood School. I thank you for your interest, and extend to you my best personal regards. It was good to know that I have not been forgotten by my Alma Mater. Kindly extend my kindest regards to all my friends and former teachers at Benton, and be assured that I am looking forward to the time when I can visit Benton again.

My best personal regards to you,

Walt Disney."

The back cover of The Bentonian features a great Mickey Mouse illustration.

Almost 11 years to the day he wrote that letter, Walt Disney and his wife Lillian made a stopover in Kansas City. The Disney’s were on their way back to California, after attending the Washington, D.C. premiere of The New Spirit, an income tax film produced at the Studio for the Treasury Department. Disney had been invited back to Kansas City by his former teacher, Miss Daisy Beck. While there Disney renewed old friendships and visited childhood haunts.

A special mural unveiling ceremony was held in Disney’s honor in the Benton gymnasium. An article in the Port Arthur News, published the year prior to Disney’s visit reported: "Miss Corrine Mitchell, working on a Works Progress Administration art project and using drawings from Disney’s studio, is making the murals in two 4 by 10 panels. In them, Pluto, Mickey Mouse, Snow White, Donald Duck and others will be depicted."

Disney treated the estimated 800 students, teachers and parents in attendance to a showing of two cartoons, including The New Spirit. Disney voice talent Clarence Nash, and a Works Progress Administration orchestra provided additional entertainment. The February 20, 1942 Emporia Daily Gazette reported, "...present at the reunion was 'the voice of Donald Duck,' Clarence Nash. He had a dummy of 'Donald' and the dummy was presented with a birthday cake in honor of 'Donald's' eighth year of success."

Following Nash’s skit, Disney was awarded the school’s silver Loving Cup, which Benton’s relay team had won in 1917. Disney had participated on the team at the behest of teacher Daisy Beck.

South Central Business Association luncheon that followed the Benton Grammar School ceremony. From left to right: Homer Blackwell (National Screen Service); Clarance Nash (voice of Donald Duck); Mrs. Lillian Disney; John Gage (Kansas City Mayor); Walt Disney; Edwin Barnes Sr. (SCBA President); Frank Land (founder of the Grand Council of DeMolay, of which Walt Disney was a member); Mrs. Joseph Wirthman; Keith Martin (Director of the Kansas City Art Institute - Disney attended the school); and three of Disney's Benton classmates.
Photo courtesy Kansas City Library Archives.

At the conclusion of the school ceremony, Disney and his entourage attended a luncheon in his honor, sponsored by the South Central Business Association. The luncheon was held at the Blue Bird Cafeteria, not far from Disney’s old Laugh-O-Gram studio on Troost Street, and Bert Hudson’s barbershop, where Disney’s early childhood drawings had been purchased and put on display.

1931 Christmas card, sent to Disney's grade two teacher, Ethel Fischer.
Courtesy Hake's Americana.

Despite a whack on the wrist for bringing a live mouse to school, Disney had an affinity for his Benton Grammar School teachers, including Miss Daisy Beck, whom he frequently corresponded with. The Disney’s visit to Kansas City ended with a dinner hosted by Beck at a private residence.

The Benton School was recently sold and was undergoing conversion into condominiums. It’s not known what happened to the murals.

Rare footage of Walt Disney skiing

2009-11-28T10:01:00.000-08:00

Click here.

Gobble, gobble...

2009-11-26T21:53:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends from your neighbor north of the 49th.

Today's post features the original "rough" art for the November 1947 issue of Western Family magazine. The art was created by legendary Disney Publicity and Merchandise Department artist Hank Porter. Porter created well over a dozen different covers for Western Family.

An October 1947 note from Western Family Editor, Audree Lyons regarding this particular cover read in part: “Dear Hank. Just a note to express thanks from all of us over here for the fine job you did on our Thanksgiving cover. We...are very pleased with the looks of the cover...thank you – again – for an excellent job.”

A letter from the editor published in the Thanksgiving issue read, “We’re always being asked to use more Walt Disney characters on our covers. Seems that many of our readers save the covers, frame them for the walls of their children’s rooms. It’s an idea, if your child sighs for Mickey Mouse. Our friend, Hank Porter, of the Disney Studios, drew this Thanksgiving cover for us.”

Enjoy!

Mickey Mouse and the North Pole

2009-11-15T00:31:00.000-08:00

George Hubert Wilkins was an Australian-born pilot, soldier, polar explorer, geographer, and bird lover. Perhaps his most notable feat was his submarine expedition to the North Pole. With financial and scientific support from several prominent organizations and wealthy businessmen, Wilkins hatched a plan to become the first person to sail a submarine under the Polar Ice Cap.

In July 1930 Wilkins signed an agreement for the use of the 0-12 submarine for scientific research. Simon Lake, the father of the modern submarine, chose the name Nautilus for the 0-12, hoping in part to capitalize on the association with Jules Verne’s novel.

Nautilus measured 175 feet in length, weighed 560 tons and was powered by electric batteries. The submarine’s air capacity could supply 20 men for five days and the hull could withstand pressure up to 200 feet below sea level.

Presentation art given to Wilkins by Walt Disney. Image courtesy the Ohio State University Library Archives.

Before embarking on his mission, Wilkins received numerous messages from well-wishers, including a piece of art sent by Walt Disney. Wilkins later said, "One of the greetings I appreciated most came from Walt Disney in Hollywood."

Wilkins’ polar mission was fraught with bad luck from the outset – prior to christening the sub’s quartermaster was swept overboard and drowned, and while transiting the Atlantic, the sub’s engines failed and Nautilus had to be towed to Ireland for repairs.

Perhaps the most depressing news, however, came when Nautilus arrived in Arctic waters and was just 600 miles from the North Pole – at this critical moment in the mission’s history, commander Captain Danenhower, discovered the sub’s diving planes were missing. Wilkins thought privately one of the crew had purposely forgotten to load the pieces of equipment due to the prevailing thought the mission was suicidal in nature.

Wilkins and his submarine Nautilus in the Arctic. Image courtesy the Ohio State University Library Archives.

On August 31, 1931, Danenhower devised a technique to take the sub under the ice by trimming the sub two degrees down at the bow, and after meeting Wilkins to discuss his idea, Danenhower proceeded to take Nautilus under a three-foot ice flow. In spite of the missing diving planes, Wilkins considered the mission a success – he became the first to sail a sub under the Arctic ice; determined the salinity of water at various depths; took samples of plankton and mapped northern geography.

Walt Disney actually had the pleasure of meeting Wilkins at a gathering of the Breakfast Club, on September 28, 1932. The club, whose members included Louis B. Mayer, Darryl Zanuck, Tom Mix, Cecile B. DeMille, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and Jack and Harry Warner, met every Wednesday morning for a breakfast social centered on the consumption of ham and eggs. The club's first meetings were held on the grounds of a riding stable on the outskirts of Griffith Park. Participants were entertained during their meeting with music and guest speakers, and the event was usually broadcast on live radio.

From left: Captain Bernt Balchen, Walt Disney astride a wooden pony nicknamed "Ham," and Sir Hubert Wilkins. The photo was taken at a Breakfast Club meeting, September 28, 1932. (Balchen was a polar and aviation pioneer who also served in the U.S. Army Air Force in WW II. Postwar Balchen commanded the 10th Rescue Squadron. Under his leadership the unit developed cutting edge cold weather search and rescue techniques still in use today). Image courtesy the Ohio State University Library Archives.

Besides paying a $500 entrance fee, the club’s bizarre initiation ritual had new members mount the club’s mascot “Ham,” a wooden horse, where they were then instructed to hold his tail with their right hand, place their left hand on a plate of ham and eggs and recite the club’s pledge of allegiance.

I am not sure why Walt Disney created the publicity art for Wilkins – did Disney harbor an interest in polar exploration; was there a personal connection to Wilkins; or was it just a friendly gesture made by a cartoon producer caught-up in the publicity surrounding the romance of the mission? Unfortunately Ohio State University, where many of Wilkins' private papers and photographs are housed, was unable to provide any further information.

Mickey, Donald, Pluto and the Boy Scouts

2009-11-03T22:41:00.000-08:00

Another piece of publicity art created at the Disney Studio for the Boy Scouts of America. This illustration was created in 1935 and appeared in an issue of Boy's Life magazine, which I acquired last month.

The caption under Walt Disney's signature line reads, "This cartoon was prepared especially for the Jamboree Journal. The cancellation of that Event permits us to print it here."

It appears Mickey is referring to Donald as a "Tenderfoot," which was the first rank earned as a Boy Scout. Judging by the amount of gear he carries, I think Donald has taken the Scout motto "be prepared" to heart.

Walt Disney was also a Tenderfoot. He went on to be awarded the Silver Buffalo, which is currently on display at The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco.

To read more about Walt Disney and the Scout movement and to see additional pieces of art created at the Studio for the organization, please visit an earlier post on my blog by clicking here.

Brave Little Tailor

2009-10-31T09:22:00.000-07:00

This Mickey Mouse one reel cartoon is one of my all-time favorites. The story was based on the Grimm Brothers fairytale, The Valiant Tailor. Animators included: Fred Moore, Bill Tytla, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston. The cartoon was released by RKO Radio Pictures on September 29, 1938.

The piece of art in this post features a production cel overlay of the king and the original matching watercolor background, which was created by artist Samuel Armstrong.

When I see these pieces of vintage animation art, I am always amazed at the skill level which would have been required to both ink and paint the cel. The background is also gorgeous, considering it may have only been used for just a few scenes.

The art comes to us courtesy the collection of my good friend and fellow researcher Dennis Books.

Anniversary of the genesis of a creative empire

2009-10-15T22:06:00.000-07:00

On October 15, 1923, Walt Disney received a telegram from Margaret Winkler, distributor of the Felix the Cat and Out of the Inkwell cartoon series, in which the New York distributor offered to pay $1,500 each for the first six of Disney's so-called Alice Comedies, with options on an additional six. Walt and Roy, as the Disney Bros. Studio, agreed to Winkler's terms.

Eighty-six years ago, on October 16, 1923, Walt wrote to the mother of his four year old Alice star, Virginia Davis, asking if the Davis' would move to Hollywood so their daughter could continue to star in the cartoon series. This date is considered by many to be the founding date of what would become the Walt Disney Studio.

The original letter is now on display at The Walt Disney Family Museum, courtesy Phil Sears, a world renowned Disney autograph expert who acquired the letter directly from Virginia Davis in the 1990s. Click on the images to enlarge them.

Letter and envelope courtesy phil-sears.com

The Walt Disney Family Museum

2009-09-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

This image was taken two years ago on one of my first visits to San Francisco. Walt Disney's daughter, Diane Disney Miller, stands amidst the renovations in barracks building 104 on the grounds of the Presidio, which now houses the new Walt Disney Family Museum.

I have been very fortunate to have been involved, in a very small way, with the new Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco. Last week I had the opportunity to attend two preview events that included entrance to the Museum as well as a reception.

The back courtyard of building 104, taken two years ago. A basement and new ground level glass infill building would soon occupy this space.

The back courtyard of building 104, with the newly installed glass infill building, as of September 24, 2009.

The view from the glass infill building, looking out towards the Golden Gate Bridge.

I was going to write a gallery-by-gallery review, but have instead opted to just list some of my favorite artifacts, followed by a description of some of my favorite technical / audio-visual displays. There are so many neat items to see it's hard to choose, but here goes, in no particular order:

The reception area. The awards display cases are visible in the background along the walls.

1) past the reception area you'll find nine huge display cases filled with just a sampling (just under 250 by my quick count), of the many awards, plaques, certificates, medals and sculptures given to Walt Disney over the course of his lifetime.

One of nine display cases.

2) one display case features his Academy Awards including 15 Oscar statuettes, six Award(s) for Outstanding Merit, and four Distinctive Achievement Certificate(s). Included in this case are his first two Academy Awards, given in 1932: the Honorary Special Award for the creation of Mickey Mouse, and the Certificate of Honorable Mention for the first color Silly Symphony Flowers and Trees. Also on display is the specially made Academy Award for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which features one large and seven smaller statuettes and his Irving Thalberg award.

This photo, taken on one of my earlier visits to the original museum, shows the Academy Awards on display in the new museum.

3) the three page letter written to the mother of Virginia Davis in October 1923. Virginia was the little girl who starred in the so-called "Alice" comedies. In the letter, Walt asks Mrs. Davis to bring young Virginia to Hollywood so work could resume on the Alice Comedies.

4) there are several dozen three-dimensional maquettes on display in various galleries: Mickey, Pluto, Goofy, Dopey, Pinocchio, Gepetto, Stromboli, Vulcan, Ben Ali Gator, Hyacinth Hippo, Bacchus and Jacchus and even Casey Jr.

A Pinocchio maquette. Animators would refer to these models during production. This pose of Pinocchio, made in the Studio's Model Department, is believed to be the first three-dimensional maquette design to have been created.

5) a display case filled with Snow White related memorabilia including a Snow White book autographed by Walt Disney to his young daughter Diane...part of the inscription read, "from your daddy, Walt Disney."

6) animation art: spectacular production drawings of the Hag from Snow White and Chernabog from Fantasia were some of my favorites. There are also dozens of pieces of conceptual art: great watercolors of Mickey as the Sorcerer's Apprentice, two Old Mill watercolors by Tenggren, Kay Nielsen pastels from Ave Maria; pastels from the Nutcracker Suite; and watercolor backgrounds from Pinocchio and Snow White. What are believed to be one of the earliest Mickey Mouse drawings are also on display.

Old Mill watercolor conceptual art by Swedish artist Gustaf Tenggren.

7) the Herman Schultheis Camera Department Process Lab notebook. This notebook is filled with photographs and notes and documents many of the special effects and film processes used in the creation of several of the golden-age classics. This notebook is a treasure trove of information, much of which was previously unknown.

The Schultheis notebook.

8) a huge display case filled with 1930s memorabilia - items related to the 1930s Mickey Mouse Club including a rare child's vest and fez, Campaign Book and pinback buttons, a merchandising rep Herman "Kay" Kamen catalog, dolls, storybooks, advertising items, bisques and more - this case is a visual treat for the eyes.

9) rare posters from the Alice comedies and the Oswald series.

10) selection of items from the strike including several issues of the trade magazine Variety.

11) three display cases filled with rare war-related items including original insignia art and home front related pieces.

12) Walt Disney's train, the Lilly Belle, and rare paper items related to his backyard railroad the Carolwood Pacific.

The Lilly Belle, as seen in the first museum.

13) a huge animated model of Disneyland, not as it was completed, but the one envisioned in Walt Disney's mind. This model is amazing and has many, many moving parts.

The detail in this model is exact and amazing!

14) Eyvind Earle conceptual art for Sleeping Beauty.

15) a display case filled with Zorro memorabilia.

16) the sculpted model bust of President Abraham Lincoln, which was used in the audio-animatronic, as well as the audio-animatronic tube frame of the President's upper torso.

17) A small gallery with display cases featuring personal objects - Walt Disney's watch, money clip, Lillian's perfume bottles, jewelry, a case of miniatures from Walt's own collection and a handwritten note from Walt detailing the types of food he enjoyed eating, complete with the remark: "Only one vegetable" with each meal. What was Walt's favorite meal you ask? Two cans of Hormel and Gebhardt's chili mixed together. Lemon Jell-O was one of his favorite desserts. Elias Disney's fiddle is also on display and there is a small vignette in the awards gallery that features pieces of furniture from Walt and Lillian's Disneyland apartment.

18) hundreds of photos and 16 mm film of Walt Disney - family pictures as well as professional images catch Walt Disney at work and play. Perhaps the most touching image was one taken by his son-in-law Ron Miller on the last family vacation - the photo shows Walt Disney sitting on a log on a beach on the coast of British Columbia, Canada. Walt has a movie camera on his lap and is tipping his hat. A very moving and poignant photo before one of the last galleries, which documents the world's reaction to news of Walt's death.

This image is found in gallery one and shows Walt with his sister Ruth.

Some really neat audio-visual related notes:

1) a decision was made early on in the project to use Walt Disney's own voice to tell his story. This was one of the best decisions made. Who better than Walt Disney to tell his own story? Clips are used from many of Disney's television appearances, as well as various radio interviews, including the over 12 hours of tape captured by Pete Martin and Walt's daughter Diane for the series of articles that appeared in the Saturday Evening Post.

2) There are many additional audio clips to listen to: you can hear Disney employees speak on a wide range of topics.

3) There are three neat shows to see in Gallery 1 - the three separate vignettes have Walt telling the story of a) his childhood on the farm; b) growing up in Chicago; and c) volunteering for duty as an ambulance driver with the Red Cross in France. Each uses paper cut-outs in an amusing and entertainingly whimsical fashion!

4) The elevator ride to the second floor has a neat angle - it's made out to be a Santa Fe railroad car and has Walt speaking about his journey west to Hollywood.

5) The Schultheis notebook has been digitized. The original notebook is on display in a cabinet with the digitized version avalable for viewing - this was a very cool display!

6) A couple of reactrix displays (at least I think that is what they are called)...a flat horizontal screen in front of the guest displays various small images. You point and press the circle you want more info on and a detailed image appears in front of you on a vertical screen.

7) A fanciful recreation of a Moviola, where you can control the speed and forward or reverse direction of a sequence from Snow White. Very, very cool!

8) A two-storey multi-plane camera. Just an amazing piece of equipment. The camera punches up through the second floor of the Museum and gives guests an idea just how large this mechanical wonder really was.

These are just some of the wonderful things that await you on your visit. I had the opportunity to spend two very brief evenings at the Museum. I believe 4 1/2 hours is what Museum staff have calculated to be the minimum amount of time needed to see most of the exhibits. One could easily spend the whole day there.

Photography is not allowed in the Museum. The images in this post have come from photos I was allowed to take on previous visits at the old museum and other sources on the internet, including Roger Colton and his great website: http://www.theblueparrot.info

Diane Disney Miller and me on the evening of September 24, 2009. Ron Miller was also in the photo, but he had his eyes closed...sorry for editing you out Ron!

Around the world...

2009-09-08T21:47:00.000-07:00

Found this neat image on the net recently. The caption said the photo was of a piece of luggage Walt Disney used while traveling in the 1930s. I thought it was neat to see...nothing spectacular and a bit esoteric, but think of all the places that trunk has gone.

Photo courtesy Monica Almeida / The New York Times

Virginia Davis - 1918-2009

2009-08-16T22:01:00.000-07:00

Virginia Davis, star of Walt Disney's early "Alice Comedies," passed away Saturday morning, August 15, 2009, at the age of 90.

Disney approached the parents of the four year old Davis in 1923, after seeing her in an advertisement in a local Kansas City theater. After inking a deal, Davis went on to star in the first 13 "Alice" cartoons, which combined live-action and cartoon animation.

Alice was to have appeared with Margaret Kerry , the live-action model for Tinkerbell, at the upcoming D23 convention in Los Angeles.

Mickey Mouse & Ginger Rogers

2009-07-01T01:15:00.000-07:00

This piece of art was created by Hank Porter. The fan card was sent to famed Hollywood actress Ginger Rogers on the occasion of her 28th birthday.

Disney postal covers

2009-06-02T22:26:00.000-07:00

The cachets in this post were part of the collection of noted philatelist Ken Lawrence, who assembled a rather neat collection of interesting Disney related postal items. Note the cancellation marks on the envelope: Mickey Texas; Mousie Kentucky; Donald Wisconsin; and Duck North Carolina.

Some of the more novel items in the Lawrence colleciton included an envelope bearing a cancel from the French town that was the origination of Disney's surname, Isigny, France:

as well as a cancel from the town of Disney, Nebraska:

Other interesting cachets featured 1930s ink stamped images of Disney characters, hand drawn illustrations of Mickey and Donald and even an item with a postal cancel showing the date and city of Walt Disney's birth, December 5, 1901, Chicago.

Southern Dairies

2009-05-31T09:24:00.000-07:00

With summer fast approaching, I thought it appropriate to post some ice-cream related images.

Southern Dairies became a Disney licensee in 1936. The publicity image of Walt Disney and some of his staff was taken on the grounds of the Hyperion Studio. Walt Disney sits on a box of ice cream cup novelties, while other staff hold paper banners advertising the cool summer treat. Disney and some of the others seem to be indulging in the tasty delight.

Besides the posters and actual ice cream cups, a pin-back button and play money were also issued. The novelty items were usually used by participating merchants who sponsored their local theater's Mickey Mouse Club. The pin and money would have been used in Club promotions as a means of getting children into the retailer's outlet.

The publicity image is courtesy my friend Mark Sonntag. The ice cream cup was auctioned on eBay several months ago, while the pin and money images are courtesy Hake's Americana and Heritage Auctions.

Wayne Allwine - 1947-2009

2009-05-19T23:44:00.000-07:00

This sad news just in: Wayne Allwine, the official voice of Mickey Mouse, passed away May 16, 2009, due to complications from diabetes.

Allwine was just the third person to provide Mickey with his voice, the others being Walt Disney and Disney sound effects man Jimmy Macdonald. Allwine was married to Russi Taylor, the current voice of Minnie Mouse.

Walt Disney portrait

2009-05-16T01:03:00.000-07:00

Back in the fall of 2008 Google started posting images online from the Life magazine collection - some great Disney related photographs are now available for viewing.

I'm not quite sure why, but this is one of my favorites - a very pensive looking Walt Disney, obviously tired, with an expression that indicates he carries the weight of the world upon his shoulders, taken in his Hyperion Avenue office in November 1938. That looks to be a budget, or some type of financial document on his desk.

When my seven year old daughter saw this photo she remarked, "Why does he look so sad?" Good question. She then quickly added, "Maybe he's trying to figure out a new story." I'd say she's a pretty smart kid.

Maybe he's trying to figure out how to ask brother Roy for more money to help fund one of the many projects the Studio had in production at the time. I suppose we'll never know for sure, but like I said, for some reason this image really appeals to me.

Enjoy!

Walt Disney and the Red Cross - part 4

2009-04-27T23:32:00.000-07:00

This is the fourth post in my series exploring Walt Disney's time in France as an ambulance driver with the Red Cross. The other installments can be found by clicking here. Unless otherwise indicated, the quotes attributed to Disney come from his series of interviews conducted with journalist Pete Martin in 1955.

H. Alice Howell was the matriarch of the Red Cross canteen in Neufchateau, France. Walt Disney and Howell struck-up an endearing friendship, which lasted until Howell's death in 1944.

H. Alice Howell, seated center, first row, (red underline). This image originally appeared in a 1915 University of Nebraska "Cornhuskers" yearbook.

Howell had a deep sense of public duty. The head of the dramatic arts department at the University of Nebraska had tried several times to get to France, offering her assistance to a multitude of service organizations, including the YMCA, before she was finally accepted by the Red Cross. Despite her successful application however, Howell still had to pay her own way to Europe - she sailed to France aboard the transport Niagara, along with a group of Red Cross nurses and several companies of fighting men.

H. Alice Howell. Official portrait. Courtesy The Johnny Carson School of Theater and Film, University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Walt Disney had fond recollections of Howell:

"Mrs. Howell ran this canteen. [She was] a wonderful woman from Omaha, Nebraska. [She was] a very close friend of [General] Pershing. She was respected by everybody and she was decorated. She was given the Croix de Guerre for her work in Nancy during the bombardment. She had a wonderful canteen...when the boys got off the train, they could go in there...and take a bath and throw their old underwear away...she gave them new underwear and things.

A May 13, 1934 newspaper article detailed Howell’s wartime association with Disney. The article read in part:

Alice Howell Recalls War Days in France With Walt Disney As Her Chauffeur

"People the world over will always have a warm spot in their heart for Mr. Disney. But no one will have a greater interest in his work than will Miss H. Alice Howell…who for many months after the last war, was closely associated with the cartoonist far up in the front line trenches.

Even today Mr. Disney still refers to Miss Howell as his ‘boss’ at Neufchateau. Pals on the battlefield – they remain closest of friends here at home, although hundreds of miles separate them. Frequent letters, interspersed with drawings and elaborate Mickey Mouse dolls, serve to keep war experiences alive in the minds of both people.

It was at Neufchateau, France, immediately following the Armistice that Disney was appointed as Miss Howell’s chauffeur. It was his duty to drive her across the battlefields to the hospitals where she, as the head of one of the Red Cross canteens, had charge of delivering doughnuts and other refreshments to the sick and injured.

This cartoon of Howell and Disney appeared in the May 13, 1934 edition of the Lincoln Sunday Journal. The illustration was created by a staff artist at the newspaper.

The university woman laughs now and says that although she never realized then that her chauffeur would become so popular, she realized that he had a talent for drawing even at that early age. His cartoons then were mainly ways of passing spare time and were drawn on his truck and other accommodating places."

In the article Howell mentioned her association with General John “Blackjack” Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force in France. The article indicated Howell “knew General Pershing intimately in Lincoln…the university instructor says she saw him innumerable times in France, sometimes reviewing American troops and again at various public meetings.” Pershing graduated from the University of Nebraska with a law degree in 1893. He also taught courses on military tactics at the university between 1891-1895.

On August 27, 1915, Pershing's private quarters at The Presidio was destroyed by fire. The inferno claimed the lives of his wife and three young daughters. Only his son Warren, pulled from a top floor window, survived.

In 1915 Pershing’s wife and three daughters died in a horrible fire, which consumed most of the top floor of their residence, located on the grounds of The Presidio in San Francisco. Warren was pulled from a top floor window with serious injuries, while Pershing himself was away at Fort Bliss, Texas.

The newspaper article recounted Warren Pershing’s visit with Howell at Neufchateau:

"One day, she recalls, the general sent his young son Warren, then a mere youngster, to stay with her all day. Mr. Disney…drove Warren and Miss Howell to a quiet spot for an afternoon’s picnic."

General John "Blackjack" Pershing and his son Warren. Pershing earned his nickname while in charge of a troop of so-called "Buffalo Soldiers" with the 10th Cavalry Regiment. The Regiment was composed of African American soldiers commanded by white officers.

Disney remembered the day Warren Pershing stopped by for a visit:

"One day…a big excitement. General Pershing was sending his son Warren down to visit Mrs. Howell. They cleaned-up the canteen. The whole place was spruced-up.

I had this old canteen car…wide seat for four…a siren…roll-up curtains. It was a junky looking old thing. Up comes this big locomobile with this Sergeant driving and in the back is sitting this little 10-year old boy in uniform…a duplicate of his father’s uniform. [We] were going on a picnic. There was a little town outside of Neufchateau called Domremy, the birthplace of Joan of Arc. They had a shrine…they had picnic places.

A lot of the canteen girls and some of these soldiers that were stationed there…went along. [Warren] wouldn’t ride in anything but that damned canteen car. It ended-up these buck Privates that were going along rode in the locomobile. They all ploughed in with Warren sitting there and I let him drive the car. I had my feet over the pedals, but Warren got to drive this little old Ford as we went on up to Domremy. [We] had this picnic and drove on back. He was 10 years old…it was a big day, you know?"

Two stories, which to my knowledge have never been reproduced elsewhere, also appeared in the May 1934 newspaper article:

"One day while Disney and his University of Nebraska ‘boss’ were driving over the battlefields taking cake and ice cream to the wounded in hospitals, they came upon a French messenger who had been struck by a truck while riding his motorcycle. Severely injured, Disney and Miss Howell jumped from their truck and approached the man. With his last strength, Miss Howell says he pulled the message from his pocket and asked her to deliver it. The man died shortly after."

The second previously undocumented story dealt with a doughnut delivery:

"At another time, one of the few when the cartoonist became furious, Miss Howell and Disney had left their truck to deliver doughnuts at a hospital. When they came back to the automobile they discovered all of the rest of their cookies, about 500 of them, had been taken by American officers. ‘Walt and I were furious,’ she stated, ‘for we wanted them for the other soldiers.' "

Howell spoke fondly of Walt Disney as well and her quote in the article showed her attachment to the fellow mid-westerner:

"[Disney] was so very nice. Everybody liked him because he was always willing to do things. He was lovable and all the girls around him were fond of him.

Miss Howell visited Europe not long ago and stayed for a time with the French family with whom she had roomed part of the time during the war. A small son of one of the daughters began telling her of his Mickey Mouse storybook.

Do you know Mickey Mouse? I asked. Sure, he replied and drew me a picture of Mickey immediately. I sent the picture to Disney when I returned home and at Christmas time, so I learned later by a letter from my French friends, Walt had sent the boy a Mickey Mouse – the twin to the one I have. I think this shows his generous nature.

The cartoonist always writes Miss Howell on Christmas. He sent her a picture of himself in uniform standing by the truck the two used in delivering doughnuts after the war, another recent picture of himself, which he autographed and a large Mickey Mouse doll dressed in the brightest of colors. On the back of one of the pictures is written – ‘To my boss at Neufchateau, from her chauffeur, Walt Disney.’

Miss Howell remained in France until the following August, fifteen months after the signing of the armistice. Then she came back to Lincoln and took up her work at the university. Looking back on her experience she says:

'That was the highest pointing my life. I don’t suppose I can ever hope to attain such heights again. If there ever is another war I certainly will enlist,' but she added quickly – 'I hope there won’t be another.' "

As a testament to their friendship, Disney sent Howell a Christmas gift in 1939. The following story ran in the Sunday Journal and Star:

"Another person interested in the welfare of Lincoln, Neb., is Walt Disney of Hollywood – for Mr. Disney sent two large boxes of toys, gift, books, etc. to Alice Howell, and she in turn gave them to Social Welfare society."

Nine days after the start of the Second World War, Alice Howell traveled to California. The Sunday Star Journal, detailed Howell’s trip to Hollywood, which included time with Walt Disney at both his studio and socially with his wife Lillian and children Diane and Sharon:

The HOLLYWOOD of which Tourists Dream and which

they Seldom See was Opened to LINCOLN VISITOR

Friends, Who Are Also Studio Officials,

Gave Miss Alice Howell Opportunity

To See Stars, Sets and Scenes

"During the month in Hollywood from which she has just returned, Miss Alice Howell was particularly interested in meeting a young man who was only 17 the last time she saw him. In that year, he was passing himself off as a much hoarier age, but back home in Kansas City he was 17 officially.

When Miss Howell knew him first he was camouflaging helmets, driving her little campion with its load of doughnuts here and there along the battle lines of France, cartooning its canvas sides.

He is, and was, Walt Disney.

As he greeted her, Disney cried: 'Where is your long white veil? I can still see it floating behind you.'

After Mr. Disney had learned his former World War laborer-in-the-cause was in Hollywood, he sent his motor of magnificent proportions and his own chauffeur for Miss Howell. She spent that entire day in the studio, guided by the versatile screen creator of those amusing mites, Dopey, Mickey Mouse, and the ever-violent Donald D.

This image appeared in the September 10, 1939 edition of the Sunday Journal and Star. In the photo Disney shows Howell a Model Department maquette of Pinocchio. While at the Studio, Howell was treated to a private screening of Disney's second full-length animated feature.

During that day, Miss Howell had a world premiere in her honor. In the 'sweat box,' the little studio theater for 'rushes,' she viewed 'Pinocchio,' the enchanting tale of the puppet who longed to be a real little boy. She was especially intrigued by Pinocchio’s conscience, 'Jiminy Crickets' [sic] a lively young cricket all dressed up and probably just as troublesome as any conscience. It is done in lovely color, and probably will be released about the first of the year.

Another film Mr. Disney had previewed for her is a light and delicate fantasy, the dances of the flowers through the seasons. It may never lead the box office lists, but Miss Howell finds it a lovely answer to those who deny the screen can be art. For those with an appreciation of natural beauty, the film carries its great appeal.

Fame, adulation, awards, including the French legion of Honor, recognition from foreign governments, degrees from leading universities have come to Mr. Disney since Miss Howell knew him as a boy with a knack at drawing. But essentially he is unchanged, remaining a very modest, rather shy, gently humorous person, with is studio and his home his two major interest.

When Miss Howell was there, all minds were working out a story, which had a tiny baby and a dog for a beginning. Drawings of unrelated scenes line the walls.

Miss Howell was the guest of Mr. And Mrs. Disney several times at their home in the hills overlooking the studio. It’s much like a pleasant home anywhere, friendly, gracious, simple, with two young daughters, Diane Marie and Sharon Mae, a swimming pool and a barbecue.

On one side of the nursery is a long glass case of dolls, locked most of the time. Miss Howell says the influence of the elder Disney show in his daughters. Rather than asking for a doll, they hunt far and wide through the house for a fairy to come with a key to open the cabinet.

Miss Howell attended the 'Merry Wives of Windsor' in the Hollywood Bowl and The Pilgrimage Play, similar to the Passion Play of Oberammergau, with the Disney’s."

In an email, Diane Disney Miller recalled Howell’s visit with her father and mother at their home on Woking Way, in the Los Feliz / Silverlake district of Los Angeles. On this trip Howell brought the American flag that had flown over the Red Cross canteen at Neufchateau:

She came to our home with the flag…she presented the flag to dad. Dad was very excited about her visit, and I think he came home from the studio early. I was standing by his side when he opened the door. She brought me a little silver cross on a chain, with "Diana" inscribed on the back. Of course it was a treasure. I still have it. In further correspondence he asks her help in getting General Pershing to sign his book that dad has purchased…and she does."

During World War II, H. Alice Howell again answered the call of service when she became the local secretary of The British War Relief, a group of volunteers that gathered donated goods, which were sent to the war weary residents of England.

Howell passed away on July 8, 1944. Her funeral was held in Lincoln, Nebraska, on July 11, 1944. She was buried in Laramie, Wyoming.

There will be one more post on Disney's time in France. The final post will detail his journey home.

Good-Will Ambassador No. 1

2009-04-16T23:18:00.000-07:00

The images in this post were originally published in the January 1942 edition of Movie-Radio Guide. The magazine featured a one-page article on Walt Disney's trip to South America and was illustrated with the following images. I have reproduced the captions verbatum with no alterations.

The caption on the first photo read: "Walt Disney (center) joins a group of musicians in Santiago, Chile, on his South American tour. This doesn't look like work, but Walt went to South America to gather material for 'good neighbor' cartoons. Mixing with Chileans, other Latins, he learned to know their music, their countries, them."

The funny thing about this photo is that Walt Disney didn't know how to play the guitar. While he may have played the fiddle in his youth, he had no formal training on how to play the guitar, nor did he ever play the instrument in his free time.

The next photo showed Disney on a beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The accompanying caption read: "Feted wherever he went as creator of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Disney learned how popular his cartoons are. On Rio beach he attracts much attention."

The third photo showed Disney with Argentine cartoonist Ramon Columba. The caption read: "Disney (second from left) and famed Argentine cartoonist Ramon Columba (bow tie) join other Argentine film notables in round-table broadcast."

During a meeting with Columba, the American and Argentine cartoonists took the time to draw the following caricatures of the other.

Image courtesy CartoonBrew.com

The caption in the final photo contained in the article stated: "High-spots of Disney's trip were meetings with tiny movie-goers, who are his best customers, his most devoted admirers. Here are delighted Chilean schoolschildren at special matinee given in the cartoonist's honor."

I have dozens of newspaper articles in my clipping file related to Disney's South American adventures and chose the following to share. The first was published in the June 1, 1942 issue of The Times and Daily News Leader:

Chile Students Astound Disney

"Two Chilean university students who started out three years ago without any money but with a big idea gave become the budding Walt Disneys of the Latin-American screen.

The two students, Carlos Trupp, 23, and Jainoe Escudero, 27, are not merely imitators of the famous Disney. Their originality already has won praise from Disney himself who visited Chile late in 1941. The young men started from scratch, knowing nothing of the technique or problems of film making.

First they formed a company with half a dozen other cartoonists and then they persuaded the government's Production and Development corporation to lend them 5,000 pesos (about $160). Necessary supplies were obtained and credits established and the group worked without pay. Their progress was remarkable.

When Disney visited Chile last year in search of the material for his own studios, Trupp and Escudero were his hosts when he called at their studios. Fascinated, Disney remained two hours, inspecting their antiquated hand-made equipment and giving them much valuable advice. The American producer was astonished to find that Trupp and Escudero were producing first class films with the same type [of] camera with which he began his own career."

The second article I picked out of my files, if it can be believed, is quite funny. This story appeared in the October 23, 1941 issue of Las Cruzes Sun News:

"Hollywood - Poised in the Argentine town of Mendoza, just before an air hop over the Andes in to Chile, Walt Disney set other Hollywoodities [sic] an example in showmanship.

In his personal appearance before audiences of children in South America, Disney usually gave a 'chalk talk,' with Walt and a few of the boys drawing upon the stage.

But in Mendoza, they found themselves without paper, easels, chalk or anything, and out on the stage of a big theater with a couple of thousand kids in the audience.

Disney couldn't speak their language. Through an interpreter he told the children of his predicament. Under the circumstances, he said, the only thing he could do for them was to stand on his head.

Which he did, and it brought the house down."

The final gem I located in a much larger article detailing Disney's trip to South America. This quote was published on December 7, 1941, the same day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, heralding America's entry into World War II, and the same day an anti-aircraft unit moved in and took over several buildings at the Disney Studio:

"The South American way has hit Disney hard. 'You keep grinding out ducks and mice,' he said, 'and you get in a rut. You begin to get tired. But this thing - it's like a new lease on life.' "

For more info on Disney's South American adventure, please click here.