Art Prints Premium

Yesterday I posted about the 1971 Walt Disney World sweepstakes sponsored by Nestle's Quik to celebrate the opening of Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Today, here's the accompanying premium offer (seen on the front and back of the Quik package) of six "full color frameable art prints" based on the film's animated segment. 25 million one pound-and two pound cans of Quik carried the offer. Wonder how many sets of these "custom desgined by Walt Disney Studios" prints were given away? Interestingly, the art works shown on the cans were apparently prototypes, as the prints themselves were more "finished" and painterly than the more cartoony art shown on the packages. I acually prefer the style shown on the cans, but who's complaining? The Bedknobs and Broomsticks prints were free.

Walt Disney World Celebrates 40 Magical Years (And So Does A Certain Magical Film)

Today marks 40 years since Walt Disney World firs opened its gates in 1971.. and just a few days later, on October 6, 1971, Disney's musical-fantasy film Bedknobs and Broomsticks had its world premiere in London. So it was only natural that one opening was used to help promote the other, and vice versa. As you can see from this image from the Bedknobs pressbook, Nestle's Quik sponsored a tie-in sweepstakes with a prize of a free trip to the newly opened Vacation Kingdom—all to promote Disney's lavish new film. 10 families won the grand prize (the Quik sweepstakes was promoted in more than 25,000 supermarkets throughout the U.S.) of 3 days-2 nights at Walt Disney World, plus transportation and meals for the winners (it was required they be 18 years or less, as this promotion was aimed at children, or "Hey Kids!" as the Quik can front had it) and two parents or guardians. Did anyone reading this win one of these trips? If so let's hear from you so you can tell us about your experiences.

Bedknobs, Broomsticks And The Borrowers

Tonight, November 29, 2009, the Hallmark Hall of Fame broadcasts its 237th presentation, "A Dog Named Christmas." This venerable television instituation of course has an annual December (or in the case of tonight's installment, late November) presentation to promote its excellent line of Christmas cards (including licensed Disney and Peanuts greetings and other creations), so in the spirit of the Spirit of Christmas Past, let's take a look back at a Yuletide Hall of Fame broadcast from December 14, 1973 (at which point the Hallmark Hall of Fame had already been on TV for 22 years), The Borrowers, featuring a typically stellar and eclectic cast, including Eddie Albert, Tammy Grimes, Beatrice Straight, Barnard Hughes, and Dame Judith Anderson. Nominated for a slew of Emmy Awards, The Borrowers took home the Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Children's Programming for Art Direction and Set Decoration. The interiors were filmed on location in a one-hundred-year-old Victorian mansion—an elegant setting for the special effects-laden story of the tiny people who "borrow" items from the giant world around them to construct a world of their own underneath the floorboards of an eccentric old woman's house. Interestingly, the program was produced by two of Charles Schulz's Peanuts associates—Walt DeFaria and Warren Lockhart (Warren was president of Charles M. Schulz Creative Development, a role in which we can well imagine he dealt with Hallmark Cards)—but most notably here at Tulgey Wood, The Borrowers was based on the book by British author Mary Norton, who also wrote The Magic Bedknob and Bonfires and Broomsticks, which were combined into Bed-knob and Broomstick, upon which Disney's Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) was based. You can still read my online article about Bedknobs and Broomsticks at the D23 website. Check it out here.

Fun Facts, Fascinating Photos

Have you checked out the 13 "bewitching" facts all about Bedknobs and Broomsticks at the D23 website? If so, did you notice the link under the photo of the film's stars with the Sherman Brothers? That link brings up a window showcasing seven intriguing images all about that magical musical fantasy. The photos include several of the props (including the magic bedknob) on display at the Walt Disney Archives. the front and back covers of the original soundtrack LP, and the lobby card shown above. Be sure and read the article. "The Eternally Bewitching Bedknobs and Broomsticks", written by Jim Fanning (that's me), at the D23 website—and while there be sure and click through the fascinating photos (complete with captions also written by me).

13 Bewitching Things You May Not Know About Bedknobs And Broomsticks

Compared to Eglantine Price, Harry Potter is a wizard wannabe. Before the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was a gleam in the eye of J.K. Rowling, Miss Price learned the art of magic through the Emelius Browne Correspondence College of Witchcraft in Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971). As readers of this blog well know I have a great appreciation of, affection for and fascination with this spectacular musical fantasy, conjured up by the terrific team of Bill Walsh, Don DaGradi, Robert Stevenson and the Sherman Brothers (not to mention Walt Disney). Today, November 11, there's a new article by me on the D23 website. Focusing on thirteen "lucky" fascinating facts about this Disney classic, the piece is as of now up as the lead article on the D23 home page, where you will see my credit, "D23's Jim Fanning uncovers 13 spellbinding facts behind Disney's magical musical fantasy." (If you are looking for my byline, you will find it here as opposed to the article itself.) The photo you see there, of Angela Lansbury as Miss Price unwillingly wearing a gaudy hat placed on her head by Prof. Browne (David Tomlinson) at Portobello Road, is one of the many moments cut from the film before its premiere but reinstated for the extensive restoration of the film—and it's this nearly complete "producer's/director's cut" that's on the recently released DVD, pictured above. Be sure and check out the online article, "The Eternally Bewitching Bedknobs and Broomsticks" by Jim Fanning on the D23 website.

Angela All Day On TCM

Much merchandise was created for the original 1971 release of Bedknobs and Broomsticks, including this coloring book featuring a fine painting of the children, the rabbit, the glowing magic bedknob (bed attached) and Angela Lansbury as Miss Price. Today, Ms. Lansbury is the subject of Turner Classic Movie's monthlong Summer of Stars, spotlighting a particular star each day of August. In addition to such fascinating Lansbury films as All Fall Down and The Manchurian Candidate, TCM will be presenting Bedknobs and Broomsticks at 6:00 pm EST/3:00 pm PST—and watch this space for news of an in-depth behind-the-scenes article by me about Bedknobs and Broomsticks.

You'll beWITCHED...You'll beDAZZLED

October is the month for witches so it might not have been a coincidence that Disney’s musical-fantasy Bedknobs and Broomsticks had its world premiere on October 7, 1971. Jimmy Johnson, president of Disneyland Records, issued a October 12, 1971 letter to retailers, addressing each of them as “Dear Friend of Eglantine Price.” Jimmy wrote: “The World Premiere of Walt Disney Productions’ Bedknobs and Broomsticks with Angela Lansbury as Eglantine Price, the amateur witch, was a smashing success last Thursday night, October 7th, in London. More important, all time box office records at the Odeon Theatre, Leicester Square, were shattered over the weekend.” Pictured here is the original soundtrack LP album (released on Disney's prestigious Vista label) featuring spectacular art by long-time Disney publicity artist Bob Moore and showcasing the Oscar-nominated score (including the Oscar-nominated song, “The Age of Not Believing”) by the marvelous Sherman Brothers. The movie, the art and the music make bewitching Disney magic for Halloween or any time of the year.