Discovering Disney Delights In The Walt Disney Family Museum Newsletter

Wondering if you should become a Member of the Walt Disney Family Museum? Consider this: Members get a specially produced Members Newsletter. This 8-page quarterly publication showcases, among other features, articles written by Disney historians. The most recent issue (Volume 2, Number 2), for example, boasts an excellent article about Walt Disney and Charlie Chaplin. Entitled "Hollywood's Two Authentic Geniuses," this exploration of the relationship and mutual admiration of the two legendary filmmakers is written by Jeff Kurtti, and Jeff's as-always excellent writing makes this Newsletter a must-have. This same issue also includes an article by Disney historian Paula Sigman Lowery about Walt Disney's So Dear to my Heart (1949). (Both Jeff and Paula were instrumental in the creation of the Walt Disney Family Museum and its content—and I was honored to be invited by them to be a part of the writing and research of the Museum's historical content.) So even if you live far away from San Francisco, home to the Walt Disney Family Museum, consider becoming a Member—the Newsletter alone is worth it, thanks to contibutors like the illustrious Mr.Kurtti. See the Museum's website for more Membership info.

It's Fireworks with America On Parade!

The Fourth of July brings out the fireworks, so the timing is perfect for a firecracker of an article about America on Parade. This was Disney's Bicentennial salute to the history, people, achievements and amusements of America on her 200th birthday, a patriotic-plus pageant presented at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World in 1975-1976. To celebrate Independence Day I wrote "A Fourth of July Salute: Disney's America on Parade" and it's on the D23 website. There have been Disney Theme Park parades before and since of course, but there's never been anything quite as unique as this Bicentennial bash with its specially created band organ score, mammoth float-like mobile stages and—most memorable of all—those towering People of America costumed characters. So in the spirit of '76 (both 1776 and 1976) go to D23.com (it's a FREE site for everyone) for a look at the fascinating fireworks behind America on Parade, written by Jim Fanning. (Above is the FanFare email sent to D23 members. Click on the image for a larger version.)

From The Peanuts Gallery: Shermy

It's July and that means it's Christmas in July here in Tulgey Wood, for that jolly season is just a half-year away. To get things off to a truly true-spirit-of-Christmas start, let's turn to that most famous of TV holiday specials, A Charlie Brown Christmas. One of the most interesting things about this endlessly fascinating TV special from 1965 is that it's a snapshot of the strip as it was then (for example, the special shows Snoopy performing impressions but he had not yet regularly taken to wearing costumes or walking upright as a usual habit yet). So the special features Frieda, Violet, Patty, and even 5—and Shermy too. In fact this apperance in one of the most widely-seen Christmas specials ever produced (it's been shown on network TV ever since its debut on December 9, 1965, to huge ratings each year) is one of the main reasons Shermy is remembered, if at all. Poor Shermy deserves better if only because this mild-mannered crew-cut sporting boy was not only one of the strip's original cast of characters in the first installment published on October 2, 1950, along with Charlie Brown and Patty (Snoopy joined the strip two days later), he's also the first character to speak, and also the first (again) to not only mention Charlie Brown by name but also the first to utter the famous line "Good Ol' Charlie Brown," which Schulz immortalized as the unofficial title of the comic strip. Thankfully Shermy himself is immortalized in A Charlie Brown Christmas for he both dances up a storm in the famously free-form dance sequences so well-remembered by most everyone whose seen this animated film and has his very own line: "Every Christmas it's the same: I always end up playing a shepherd." This is Shermy's lament upon being handed his script and costume for his role in the pageant. Perhaps this was some unconscious or even deliberate commentary on Shermy's own position in the strip: he is perennially as a bit player. Personally I have always considered Shermy the Zeppo Marx of the Peanuts gang, and I don't mean that as an insult. Only Zeppo, as a full-fledged Marx Brother, could get away with some of the actions and dialog he was afforded in his few films, even though the lion's share of the laughs and onscreen action was given to Groucho, Chico and Harpo. And so it is with Shermy: he may not have had much face time in the strip or specials, but only a full-fledged Peanuts cast member would be allowed such wry observations. See this little-known Charlie Brown booklet for another Christmas-related example of Shermy's prescience.

The Password is "Betty"

A lot of games are played on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, but nothing has been more fun that the show's recreation of the classic TV game show Password. Included is a spot-on reconstruction of the show's set, and Jimmy and friends play the game just as it was in the 1960s. The theme music is the same and even the introductory ritual—each celebrity introduces his or her playing partner (chosen from the studio audience), with the second star then saying, "...and we're all here to play... Password!" Then the game's title is superimposed over a shot of the audience applauding. I assume Password was brought aboard the Fallon show because of the appearance of Betty White. In a previous guest shot Betty played Beer Pong with Jimmy, but how long could fan-of-classic-TV-and-show-biz-and-games Fallon resist playing Password with Password maven White right there in the studio? Not long, as tonight's show proved. Betty was as sharp as a tack, as always, but I have to say it was a thrill to see Jimmy (no slouch himself at any game) guess "Facebook" on the first clue, "like." Betty White's Password connection goes beyond her expert playing or her many appearances on the show, of course. Betty married host Allen Ludden in 1963 and they remained together until his death in 1981. In fact, in a touching moment, White told Fallon that her appearance on his version of Password marked what would have been her and Ludden's 48th wedding anniversary (The show was taped on June 14 for broadcast today at 12:37 am June 15.)

Break A Leg, Spidey (I Don't Mean That Literally)

Tonight, after many delays and, famously, injuries (as immortalized by the January 17, 2011 New Yorker cover at right by Barry Blitts) the multi-million dollar musical Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark at long last opened on Broadway. In honor of the show's opening Broadway.com today posted an excellent timeline that untangles the tangled web of creative personnel turnovers, escalating budgets, closings and previews, right through Sunday's Tony Awards and tonight's opening. Although I haven't seen this production, the obviously talented Reeve Carney isn't my idea of Peter Parker, though I feel the same way about Andrew Garfield, who is Spidey in the forthcoming new film—though I wouldn't be surprised to be proven wrong when (and if, in the case of the Broadway show) I see these actors in action in the role. (Disney fans, you do know that Disney paid $4 billion to buy...oh never mind, you all know that by now.)

Happy B-Day, DD

Now that it's actually Donald's birthday (his 77th), here's a classic Carl Barks cover from Walt Disney's Comics and Stories (#153 June 1953, which was the month of the Duck's 19th birthday) that's centered on cake if not specifically birthday cake. Speaking of covers (and Donald and birthdays), did you read my Donald Duck cover story in Disney twenty-three magazine? It was published in the Summer 2009 issue to commemorate Donald's 75th. If not, you can get a back copy of that ducky issue at DisneyStore.com.

Happy Unbirthday, Donald Duck

Today being Friday the 13th, it seemed appropriate to say Happy Unbirthday to Donald Duck. As a tribute to the wacky quack's penchant for not so much finding trouble as trouble finding him, the Disney Studios for many years stated (tongue in beak) that Donald's birthday was on Friday the 13th—March 13, in fact. Through the years, the Disney Studio reportedly celebrated their fine feathered film star's whenever that unlucky (if not unducky) Friday rolled around, whether it was in March or not. In 1941, Random House gave Donald the star treatment by publishing a "tell-all" biography, The Life of Donald Duck. Random House's co-founder Bennett Cerf always said he wasn't interested in publishing children's books (he changed his mind in the 1950s when Dr. Seuss created The Cat in the Hat) but of course this wasn't a children's book. This hardcover (complete with dust jacket) volume was created for adults (though child friendly), the main audience for Donald's onscreen antics. As Walt Disney so frequently pointed out his films (and related products) were created for everyone, not just kids. This "authorized" biography continues the conceit that the squawking star was hatched on Friday the 13th. But since we all know Donald's official birthday is June 9, 1934, let's wish our lucky Duck a happy unbirthday today, and hope he he has many more unbirthdays filled with of comedic chaos. And if you would like to read a biography of Donald Duck written by me (as well as the bios of nine other favorite Disney characters, also written by Jim Fanning), check out the D23 website.

Old News Is Good News

One year ago today, on May 13, 2011, I had the honor of giving a presentation at the Walt Disney Archives on the Disney Studio lot all about Walt Disney's "Gallegher." This was my second talk for the Archives' "The Walt Disney Archives Presents" series of presentations. Above you can see the page (click on the image for a larger view) from the official in-house website of The Walt Disney Studios that promoted the event. Film clips, rare behind-the-scene photos, print ads, newspaper and magazine clippings all helped to tell the unknown saga of the excellent but almost-forgotten TV mini-series. You can read all about it (extra, extra) in the resulting D23 article by Jim Fanning on the D23 website. And watch this blog for even more of the behind-the-scenes story about Walt Disney's "Gallegher" in (I hope) the not-too-distant future.

Free Mickey Mouse Comics Today!

Today is May 7, 2011, Free Comic Book Day, and one of the no-cost-to-you goodies is a Mickey Mouse comic book from Fantagraphics Publishing. Fantagraphics is of course the publisher of many primo comic strip collections, and upcoming is one of the most eagerly awaited: Mickey Mouse by Floyd Gottfredson, Voulme One. The comic-book is a preview of sorts, featuring as it does one of Gottfredson's great Mickey newspaper comic-strip stories, Mickey Mouse and Pluto the Racer (though this 1935 story won't be in Volume One). Check out the preview or better yet visit a comic-book shop today and get a free copy of your own. There's also much more than Mickey—from Archie and the Green Lantern to John Stanley and Darkwing Duck, there's a comic book for everyone, and it's all FREE on Free Comic Book Day. So head on over to your local comics shop (bring a friend or relative, especially a young one who may not have been exposed to the joy of comics) and grab yourself some free Gottfredson.

Disney Bought Marvel, You Know

Tomorrow, May 7, 2011, is Free Comic Book Day, and there's an intriguing selection of Free Comics to be had. From all appearances, one of the best promises to be the funnybook starring my favorite superhero, The Amazing Spider-Man. I really enjoy the stylized art of Humberto Ramos—take a look for yourself at this preview. Better yet, head out to your friendly neighborhood comic-book shop tomorrow, preferably bringing a young relative or friend with you, and get this Marvel-ous free comic book for your very own. Free? Of course it's free—tomorrow is Free Comic Book Day! (And by the way there's a spectacular article all about Marvel written by Jason Surrell in the hot-off-the-press Summer 2011 issue of Disney twenty-three, the Official Magazine of D23.)