A Merry Christmas in Walt Disney's Wonderland

60 years ago today, Christmas Day, the world was introduced to Walt Disney's first television production, a Christmas special on NBC (not ABC, as is sometimes reported) entitled One Hour in Wonderland, co-starring the wonderfully gifted Edger Bergen and his ventriloquist dummies Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd. Much has been made of the fact that Walt was friends with Edger Bergen and that friendship being the reason Bergen and his characters appeared on the special (Disney producer/writer Bill Walsh who produced this special had at one time written for Edger Bergen as well) but it was more likely Bergen & McCarthy's association with Coca-Cola that led to their guesting on the show; The Charlie McCarthy Show radio program broadcast on Sunday evenings over CBS starting in October 1949 was sponsored by Coca-Cola, and earlier in 1950, Bergen and his dummies had headlined at least one TV special for Coke. (By the way, the guests on the December 24, 1950 broadcast of The Charlie McCarthy Show were Disney stars Bobby Driscoll and Kathryn Beaumont, who were to appear with Edgar and Charlie the next day on the Disney TV special.) The Coke influence is seen not only in the Coca-Cola announcements at the beginning and end of the special and the commercial break halfway through (Walt insisted there only be one commercial) but in One Hour in Wonderland's main title music, which incorporates Coke's theme song. Although it really didn't have a title (it was usually called The Coca-Cola Theme Song although was sometimes known as "Coca-Cola Signature"), this tune would have been quite familiar to 1950 audiences as Coke had been using the theme since 1930 when it was composed by orchestra leader Leonard Joy. (The song continued on as the theme for the soda's very popular TV program Coke Time starring Eddie Fisher). The colorful detail shown above is from a grand poster, given to Coca-Cola distributors and bottlers. The full poster overflows with Disney art (I agree with those who think it looks like the style of Disney artist Al Dempster who illustrated the Alice in Wonderland Golden Books around this time) and is from the collection of Matt who just published the poster in all its glory on his awesome blog all about Walt Disney's Alice in Wonderland. Hurry on over and you'll also see a lot more about that amazing Disney first, Walt's original TV production One Hour in Wonderland, broadcast on Christmas Day 1950.

The Wonder(Land) Of Christmas

Here's a wondrous way to kick off Christmas Eve—a rare and glorious Disney artwork by Russell Schroeder that was published in two cast member newsletters: Disney Newsreel (Walt Disney Studios) and Eyes and Ears (Walt Disney World). I love how it incorporates so many Wonderland characters (and the King). And if you have ever wanted to celebrate Christmas in Wonderland, check out this charming non-Disney comic-book story from 1943.

Lost in Tulgey Wood

Like that recently departed TV series on ABC, things have been dark and mysterious and well, lost, here at Tulgey Wood lately. In fact, there has been no new post here since January 12. No strange Lost-like secrets are behind this odd absence. The only reason for this lack of any discernible activity is a case of extreme busy-ness, dealing (mostly) with all things Disney. Well, not that's anything has changed, but there's life in Tulgey Wood once more. There will be more posts in the days and weeks ahead, and I'll also be posting a few items retroactivelly to cover some significant events and dates. So wander once more through Tulgey Wood and, as always, you may even see the method in the midst of all the madness. In the meantime, enjoy this Big Golden Book art by that pure-gold artist Al Dempster.

I Wonder Where...

Hard to believe but today marks the 2nd anniversary of madness and merriment here at Tulgey Wood. Just like Alice, I’m sure you’ve been wondering as you have been wandering—wondering why so few posts at this here blog lately, that is. At the two-year point, things are plenty busy with projects, some of which I will soon be telling you about. So stay tuned to Tulgey—the posts may be fewer and farther between, but there’s definitely more madness ahead. To celebrate two years of Tulgey Wood here’s a wonderful Wonderland illustration from the glorious Big Golden Book by Golden great Al Dempster.

Go Ask Alice

Since this blog has an Alice in Wonderland theme (consider its title and the general madness you will find herein) I thought I would start with a Wonderland post. Here’s one of my favorite posters, and its backstory is almost more interesting than the poster itself. When Alice in Wonderland was originally released in 1951, the animated feature was not exactly a runaway hit, and instead of being re-released, it was shown on Walt Disney’s television hour (edited to fit the time slot) several times. Then a “curiouser” thing happened. In 1971 the film became quite popular as a 16mm rental film (remember, kids, this was before home video). In fact, Alice was the most rented film in college towns throughout the country where many students enjoyed watching Alice in Wonderland’s vivid “visual euphoria” while they were, shall we say, chemically enhanced. Finally, in response to renewed interest in the film among both students and Disney aficionados who longed to see this neglected classic on the big screen, Disney decided to reissue Alice in the Spring of 1974. This psychedelic poster was designed to tie-in with the film's newfound far-out reputation, and it remains a mesmerizing Wonderland-worthy delight.