Listen Up, Big Ears: More On The Mysterious Dumbo Book

I'm sure anyone reading this blog has already read the excellent historical essay written by animation scholar Michael Barrier delving into the mysterious "Roll-a-Book" upon which Walt Disney's Dumbo (1941) was based. For years, the exact nature of this book and many details of its credited authors Helen Aberson and Harold Pearl were unknown but through extraordinary research and reporting, Mike Barrier has given as complete a look into this elusive "book" as one could hope for. As a supplement, here's a 2002 article (with photographs) published in the Syracuse, New York newspaper The Post-Standard, for Dumbo's roots are in Syracuse (which is my neck of the woods, as I grew up in upstate New York). Remember to click on any of the images for a larger view of this fascinating glimpse back into Disney history.

Coming Soon: Collect 'Em All!

In a day or three I'll post about some rare comic art that Batmaniacs in 1966 could only find at the bottom of a box of Pop-Tarts—and today you can only find at the bottom of an empty wallet.

Jack Davis Does Disney

Over at the News From ME blog a few weeks back, Mark Evanier posted about ad art created by the great Jack Davis for the NBC TV season of 1965-1966. In piecing together the incredible TV Guide mural that covered all seven nights of "living color" programming, Sunday was inadvertently left out but was included here at the TV Series Finale blog. To add to the Davis delights, here's the matching Sunday night ad from TV Guide the night of September 26, 1965. Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color was of course included ("In color, of course"). (Click on the images for a larger view.) Note that on that particular Sunday night, two weeks into the new season, Walt Disney was presenting Part 1 of "The Further Adventures of Gallegher," the follow-up to the previous season's highly-rated and critically-acclaimed "Gallegher," that I have mentioned here before. There will be more about "Gallegher" here soon, so check back to Tulgey Wood for some headline-worthy news about Walt Disney's forgotten TV classic.

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.

Good Old No. 266

The Uncle Scrooge comic book is again back to being published, and Boom! seems to be doing an even better job of publishing this venerable title (first issued in 1952) than they are the other "classic character" comics such as Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney's Comics and Stories. Of all the many great issues of the Uncle Scrooge comic book published over the years, there's a special place in my heart for issue No. 266 (May 1992). Of all the issues of Uncle Scrooge ever published, why did I pick No 266, you ask? Because good old No. 266 features an Uncle Scrooge story written by me. That's right, I had the great privilege of being published in the same comic book that saw some of the greatest Carl Barks stories—and therefore some of the greatest comic-book stories, period—ever created. So, even though Uncle Scrooge may fondly refer to Old Number One (meaning the first dime he ever earned), I fondly think of Good Old No. 266—the first issue of Uncle Scrooge in which I was ever published. (Stay tuned to Tulgey Wood, for I will post the story itself here in the not-too-distant future.)

A Mad Men Christmas Party

Since it's New Year's Eve it only seems appropriate to have a party, and not just any party but an office party as only that stylish TV series Mad Men could pull it off. This is the 2007 Christmas card commissioned by actor Rich Sommer (he plays Harry on the show) from artist Dyna Moe. As an extra treat to feast your eyes on between sips of your very dry martini, here's a fascinating interview with Mad Men prop master Scott Buckwald, who crams the show with all sorts of swank 60s swag.

Some About Sleeping Beauty

I can't let 2009 draw to a close without posting something about Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty. One of my favorites, this beautiful film celebrates its 50th anniversary this year—that is, the year that's just ending. To celebrate, here's a charming article from the inside cover of the Sleeping Beauty and the Prince comic book issued for the original release of the film. The comic-book story itself is a cut-down version of the story run in the Giant Sleeping Beauty comic released earlier in 1959. The story was drawn by Al Hubbard, as was the front cover. The poster-like back cover is often attributed to Al, but I think it was drawn by Paul Murry. The style is definitely not that of Al's sketchy, illustrative comic art (well-matched to Tom Oreb's angular character designs seen in the film) but rather has the rounded, well-defined "cute" look of Paul's art. Look for more about Sleeping Beauty here at tulgey Wood in 2010.

A Merry Christmas Card from Walt Disney (and D23)

In these quieter December days following Christmas Day I like to focus on quieter activities such as sleigh rides and getting together with friends, all with a Christmasy feel. This vintage Christmas card from Walt Disney meets all those criteria. Orginally sent out by Walt for Christmas 1933, the card features priceless art of Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and their less-often seen friends Clarabelle Cow and Horace Horsecollar (and a lean-and-lank horse, perhaps Tanglefoot?). This reproduction was a gift to D23 Members, just one of the gifts sent out through the year with each issue of D23's Disney twenty-three Magazine. Don't forget, Charter Memberships in D23 are available for only a few more days—after December 31, 2009, there's no way to become a Charter Member in the Official Community for Disney Fans, so you'll want to hop on a one-horse sleigh and dash through the snow to D23 with (jingle) bells on.

A Kurtti Christmas

If you are looking for a perfect gift for someone still on your list, or if you have a gift certificate that's still burning a hole in your Christmas stocking, then you can't do any better than check out the great Disney books now available written by Disney historian Jeff Kurtti. The first book I'd like to reccomend is the most recent, and it's one I'm sure you all know about because it's been reccomended by just about everyone. It's of course the just-published The Art of The Princess and the Frog. Not only does it feature a Preface by John Lasseter and a Forward by directors John Musker and Ron Clements (that are quite interesting in themselves), not only is the book crammed with great artwork of every sort used to create the film (well worth the price of the book in itself), but it also features Jeff's as-always expert and eloquent writing, including a mini-history of Disney animation (hand-drawn, that is), taking us through times both glorious and inglorious right up to this new triumph. I just got this rewarding volume (a gift for me, from me) and I can't recommend it more highly. But the book I truly want to urge everyone to add to his or her library is The Art of Walt Disney World. Like Jeff's equally excellent book The Art of Disneyland, the newer Walt Disney World volume was created with the late Bruce Gordon, and overflows with truly rare conceptual drawings, paintings and other assorted artworks, plus detailed behind-the-scenes information. This is an indispensable book that—like any book by Jeff Kurtti— belongs on the shelf of every Disney lover, now and at any season of the year.

A Gift Or Two From Chip 'n' Dale

Like you, I imagine, Chip and Dale have opened their Christmas gifts, and in this charming cover from Chip 'n' Dale #12 (December 1957), drawn by Chip 'n' Dale master (and king of the cute) Harvey Eisenberg, the two chattering yet cheerful chipmunks have received exactly what they want for each other. A gentle reminder that it's the simple gifts that are best, this delightful Disney art is itself a simple Christmas gift, perfect for this second day of Christmas.