A Howling Halloween

What's more fun for Halloween than cartoons? In 1953, Disney released a comically creepy compendium of Disney cartoon fun. Entitled Halloween Hilarity, this fun-filled fright fest must have been a hoot to see in a theater in late October. As this classic poster suggests, the center of this collection focuses on Walt Disney's Trick or Treat, the Donald Duck cartoon in which the Duck tangles with a Witch named Hazel. Speaking of scary, by the way, it's definitely scary how little I've blogged lately. Hope to post again soon—stay tuned, and Happy Halloween!

A New Issue of Sketches

Here's a new issue of the Official Magazine of the Walt Disney Collectors Society, a new edition of Sketches Magazine featuring a variety of articles, including a high-flying history of Dumbo and his fast-talking, big-hearted mouse pal Timothy and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Walt Disney's Swiss Family Robinson, both written by yours truly. The spirited Tinker Bell sculpture seen here on the cover was made available this past weekend at the Tinker Bell Fall Event at participating Walt Disney Classics Collection dealers, and by all accounts is very popular. There's only one way to get all the news, behind-the-scenes stories, rare photos and art that make up Sketches, the Magazine for Every Disney Fan, and that's to be a Member of the Walt Disney Collectors Society. Go here for more information.

One Happy Year

Founded in 1923, The Walt Disney Company celebrated its Golden Anniversary in 1973 (when it was called Walt Disney Productions) in a big way, and one of the happiest elements of its 50 Happy Years campaign was the logo created especially for the occasion. Seen on everything from movie ads and record albums to comic books and View Master sets, this delightful logo is now seen on my blog, for all to enjoy. Why run it now, you ask? Well, today is the first anniversary of Tulgey Wood, and since I don't have a logo for this momentous anniversary I thought I would appropriate (as usual) Disney art, while at the same time give you a chance to enjoy it. It's been a fun (and yes, Happy) year here at Tulgey Wood and though I've covered some subjects I wanted to—"Disneyland Showtime" and The Hallmark Hall of Fame, to name two—there's much more I haven't yet gotten to. So stay tuned for the next Happy Year. There's plenty more madness to come here at Tulgey Wood.

Big Bang Is Back In Business

Faithful readers of this blog (far more faithful are they than the blogger himself) know of my fondness for the CBS comedy, The Big Bang Theory. Well, the big, bang-up news is this wittily written, sharply acted series returns tonight with new episodes. CBS has certainly stood behind the show—throughout the writer’s strike and then throughout the summer, the Tiffany Network (as CBS used to be known when it was the classiest—and most successful—of the networks) ran the show almost every single Monday, endlessly rerunning the 17 episodes produced when the writer’s strike prevented a full 22 episode season from being completed. I’m sure one reason the network has stood behind this modestly-rated series is that it appeals to the elusive younger demographic the networks find so desirable, but I also like to think it’s because the show is so darn good. I’ve posted Entertainment Weekly’s review of the show’s second season return here, but you'll want to catch the actual return of Geek chic to tonight on CBS.

My Heart Is An Island

I was recently in Atlanta and would loved to have "dropped by" Turner Classic Movies headquarters to commend them for showcasing Disney films uncut and in their original aspect ratios (not to mention the many other classic films they also present every day, all day). Today TCM is screening for the first time Walt Disney's adventure epic Swiss Family Robinson (1960), filmed in Panavision (and as TCM is presenting the film letterboxed you will see every glorious bit of its widescreen splendor). Disney spent a bundle on this spectacular film (it remained the studio's highest-budgeted film until Bedknobs and Broomsticks which was flmed in 1970 for a 1971 release) and it shows in its lush location filming. When I was researching the film for the deluxe "Vault Disney" 2-disc DVD, I came across letters from the director Ken Annakin in which he detailed his search for three young British actors to play the Robinson sons. After much casting about he reported that he had found three very talented actors who would be perfect for the roles. This was followed by a reply memo from producer Bill Anderson thanking the director for his efforts but that Walt said James MacArthur, Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran were to play the three Robinson boys. Nice try, Ken! Those tried-and-true Disney faves do a fine job in the film, however, especially James and Tommy, who always turn in terrific performances in all of their Disney films. (Kevin is as always "Moochie," but we love that little guy "filled with dynamite who keeps you in a state of fright" too!) And of course the presence of those three Disney stalwarts give the film a Disney flavor, which is undoubtedly what Walt wanted. If you have not experienced the Swiss Family Robinson DVD, it's well worth tracking down, as it's jam-paced with extras, including fun and compelling commentary and on-camera interviews (in the excellent making-of documentary, newly produced for the DVD) from Messrs MacArthur, Kirk and Corcoran. In the meantime, catch Walt Disney's Swiss Family Robinson on TCM today at 5:00 pm (Pacific time).

Last Chance For Summer Fun!

It's Labor Day weekend, the traditional end of summer vacation—the last gasp of vacation, so to speak—so here's a bit of summer fun, comic book style. This colorful 1955 cover conveys all the fun of a summer road trip, as enjoyed by Tom (who knew he had a driver's license?) and Jerry (and little Tuffy, Jerry's comic book-only sidekick) and their friends. This is (another) opportunity to all you Tulgey Wood visitors that I will be back to blogging on a more regular basis soon. In the meantime, please enjoy this choice bit of comic art—and for some real late summer fun, visit Thad K's blog, as he's posted a full Tom & Jerry comic story from March 1951, drawn by the wonderful Harvey Eisenberg here (scroll down until you see the Tom & Jerry story).

How Will I Know My Love?

Good news for all Disney fans: the new wave of the fantastic Walt Disney Treasures DVDs has been announced, and in addition to Donald Duck Volume III and the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (more about that soon), the really great news is that the entire "Annette" serial from The Mickey Mouse Club TV show is getting the Treasures treatment. Starring (who else?) Annette Funicello, the serial co-stars those Disney TV faves Tim Considine and David Stollery (pictured here with Annette in their most famous Spin-and-Marty guises on a 1957 cover of Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse Club Magazine) the serial was a showcase for the most popular of the Mouseketeers. It's a thrill to anticipate not only every installment of this fun story being available to everyone on DVD but also what bonus materials might be included. (At the very least we can anticipate another full, hour-long episode of The Mickey Mouse Club, as was presented on the "Spin and Marty" and "Hardy Boys" DVDs.) Most of all we can look forward to "our fav'rite sweet brunette...Annette! Annette! Annette!"

Holy Bert John Gervis, Jr., Batman!

With all the attention gained by Heath Ledger’s breathtaking performance as the Joker (and the actor’s untimely death) and the overwhelming popularity of The Dark Knight (some now believe that this new Batman film will overtake Titanic [1997] as the all-time box-office champ), there’s been plenty (and by plenty I mean more than usual) of Batman history and analysis on the Internet. One of the best aspects of this expanded interest in Batman is the attention being given the Batman TV show, the ABC twice-a-week series that created a nationwide Bat craze in 1966. One of the best comic book blogs (it’s actually more of an online magazine), Dial B For Blog, has already featured an extensive and authoritative history of the "secret origins" of the Batman TV show, but now the “blogazine” features 16 “Batman Fun Facts” created by Dial B For Blog’s Robby Reed, illuminating some fascinating factoids about the television series. I’m including two of these trading card-like “Fun Facts” here to spotlight Burt Ward, who portrayed the definitive Robin. Despite the woeful and disgraceful salary paid this co-star of a hit series, as seen in the first Fun Fact here, it’s incredible to realize that, in a overnight-stardom Hollywood story, young Mr. Ward (real name: Bert John Gervis, Jr.) was cast out of nowhere without any film, TV or acting experience, because he was the very embodiment of the famous superhero teenage sidekick (and because of his athletic abilities—as you can see from one of the Fun Facts included here, Burt was skilled in karate). Burt’s overplayed earnestness was part of the show’s over-the-top “camp” approach to what are after all outlandish characters, and his overly enthusiastic exclamation, “Holy [you-name-it], Batman!” (an expression that I very much doubt the comic-book character ever employed), became a catchphrase that is still evoked today (and I find it hilarious that in both of the "Facts" represented here, Robby Reed could not resist suggesting Robin is saying a "Holy" that he would never actually say on the show!). But I think it’s important to keep in mind that Burt’s Boy Wonder works on a sincere level and is even appreciated as a role model for some viewers. I remember reading in the Comments section of some website related to the Batman TV series a post saying that the grandmother of the person posting had praised the TV Robin’s manners and respectful attitude, and it took the commenter years to fully appreciate the truth of that observation. You can see all of Robby Reed’s Batman Fun Facts (and the rest of his extraordinary blog) here. (P.S. Happy Birthday, “Boy Wonder”!)

Big "Mac": Billions and Billions Served

In just a few hours, Turner Classic Movies is up to its old tricks: showcasing some worthy Disney movies (in other words, treading where Disney Channel dares not go). As part of their month-long Summer Under The Stars series (a different movie star is saluted each day of August), TCM is presenting three Fred MacMurray films in a row (starting at 4:15 am PST): The Shaggy Dog (1959), The Absent-Minded Professor (1961) and Son of Flubber (1963). If you can't catch that sterling triple-feature check out the decidedly-not-Disney The Apartment (1960) featuring one of Fred's best (and not-too-Disney) performances. And keep your eyes on TCM for both the occasional Disney gem and other terrific films, some of them starring one of Disney's favorite stars, Fred MacMurray.

Welcome To Mickey's Toontown

2008 marks the 15th anniversary of Mickey's Toontown, which opened in Disneyland Park on January 24, 1993. To commemorate the occasion, here's an article I wrote for the beautifully-produced (and much-missed) Mickey Mouse Magazine. I well remember being at Disneyland with some other journalists in 1992 on the day before Thanksgiving to get a preview of Mickey's Toontown so I could write this article. Aside from having a wonderful time seeing the new Disneyland "realm" before it was even quite finished, I remember that day because driving home about 5:00 p.m. on the 5 Freeway was probably the worst freeway traffic I've ever seen here in Southern California. It was of course rush hour but because it was Thanksgiving "Eve" the crush of everyone heading home or wherever they were going was stupendous. This article actually ran in the "Guide For Grown-Ups" section of the magazine (a magazine-within-a-magazine, really), but I also wrote a more "kid-friendly" article for the Mickey Mouse Magazine proper. I'll post that article too sometime before 2008 is over. In the meantime I hope you enjoy this article covering the creation of Mickey's Toontown.