Celebrating The Anniversary Of A New Disney Era...

Thirty years ago today, Disney fans everywhere were looking forward to a new tomorrow...and a new way of looking at tomorrow... (See tomorrow's post for a futuristic look back thirty years...)

Wonderful, Wonderful Color! (Color! Color! Color!)

Today a new article written by me was posted on the D23 website. Featuring many colorful photos, the exclusive online piece is an in depth look at the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color TV series that was colorcast from 1961 through 1968. The continuation of the Disney anthology hour made its debut on September 24, 1961, which was the start of the 1961-62 TV season... and as we are about to start the 2012-2013 season, meaning this is still the 2011-2012, technically we are still celebrating the 50th anniversary of  Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. Anyhow, to celebrate the show and its golden anniversary here's a marvelous two-page advertisement from the September 1961 edition of Reader's Digest, promoting the soon-to-debut show. Enjoy (in case you are wondering that's the Wonderful World of Color adaptation of "Hans Brinker" on the RCA television screen, and be sure and check out "The World is a Carousel of Color," written by Jim Fanning at D23.com.

Christmas in July 2012

That's right, only six months from now, will be Christmas Day...and to get you in a merry mood in the middle of this hot summer (cooling thoughts will cool us off, won't they?) here's the cover of The First Christmas (in New Super Three-Dimension! Every Page in Panoramic 3D!), published in 1953 by Fiction House. The awesome art was drawn by acclaimed science-fiction artist Frank Kelly Freas, who did quite a bit of comic-book art early on, as well as many Mad and paperbook book covers, and is now perhaps best known for his Hugo Award-winning sci-fi art. This is by way of a preview for the incredible "Christmas in 3D" celebration that will be swinging and ringing your way all through December here at Tulgey Wood. Be sure and stop by then. In the meantime, Merry Christmas in July!

Walt Disney's Original "Newsie"

In light of Disney's newly Tony Award-anointed musical Newsies (and Jeff Kurtti's article about Walt and Newsies), I thought it was an opportune time to mention that Walt Disney showcased his own "newsie," Gallegher, on Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. Though Gallegher wasn't a newsboy like the characters in the Broadway show, he was a copy boy on an 1890s newspaper who wanted to be a reporter—and in fact proved himself a headline-hunting scribe better than his elders in every episode. And his trademark cap was very much in the Newsies tradition. The photo above gives a glimpse at the detailed sets, props and costumes created for this elaborate TV series. For those who haven't already seen it, you can "read all about it" in the D23 article I wrote about Walt Disney's "Gallegher," starring the always-excellent Roger Mobley. 

Newsies News: A New Online Jeff Kurtti Feature

Since we can never get enough of Disney historian and author Jeff Kurtti, here's some news that's (not so) coincidentally about the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Newsies. As many of you probably already know, Disney Insider has just launched a weekly feature by Disney historian/author Jeff Kurtti. Entitled The Wonderful World of Walt, this will be a weekly must-read for all Disney fans. The first installment, centering on the Tony Award-winning Newsies, was just posted. What does Newsies have to with Walt, you ask? (Well, some of you may be asking... many of you already know there is a connection.) Read this all-new online article and find out, and be sure and check out The Wonderful World of Walt by Jeff Kurtti each and every week. 

Funny-Animal Comics Have Nine Lives, Thanks To Garfield

With Disney comic-books apparently dead in the water in the US, the term "comic book"now refers, for the most part, to super heroes (an association that most people unfortunately already make). There is of course always Archie but funny-animal comics are practically non-existent...until now. Thanks to that hefty kitty Garfield, funny-animal comic books make a triumphant return. Garfield guru Mark Evanier tells the tale here, and he should know; Mark is writing these new feline four-color adventures. To celebrate, here is an article I wrote for Garfield Magzazine, detailing the behind-the-scenes process of creating the Garfield and Friends Saturday morning TV show (also written by the ever-prolific Evanier).

A Buried Treasure For Easter

For today, Easter Sunday, here is another treasure, albeit a buried one—and so it seems appropriate to resurrect it for this day. This art of the risen Christ was actually created for the Ascension cover of Treasure Chest, dated May 11, 1961 (the day on which Ascension Thursday fell that year) but I liked its stylized yet almost primitive style for today. What was Treasure Chest? With its full title of Treasure Chest of Fun & Fact, this unusual comic book was published weekly on a September-June schedule for Catholic schools from 1946 through 1972. Though there were always stories about faith and saints and the like, there were adventure and humor stories, too, all told through the comic form. Look for more about Treasure Chest here in Tulgey Wood...and in the meantime, enjoy this no-longer buried art treasure for Easter. 

More Golden Art For Good Friday

Back here I posted some truly golden art from The Golden Bible: The New Testament, illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen, and again this year I offer more of the same for Good Friday 2012. This painting spotlights the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem at the start of Holy Week. Although that was Palm Sunday not Good Friday, this event began the long road to Calvary that week so it still seems appropriate...and the seemingly simple art illuminates the sacred happening just as an icon or stained glass windows might. Enjoy, and a good Good Friday to all.

A Happy New Year, Toyland Style

New Year's Day is a time of new beginnings and new calendars—and since we have been celebrating Babes in Toyland this Christmastime, here's the 1962 calendar from the 1961 Christmas card "from Walt Disney and staff." The fun, cartooney art is just right for the highly stylized live-action film, even though you can't use this calendar for 2012. You can read all about the playful film in the article written by me for D23. As for 2012, put on your best smile, set free your imagination, and come with us into a Happy New Year.

Under The Christmas Tree

What did Mickey and Donald and Pluto find under the Christmas tree for Christmas 1961? Toys, toy soldiers to be exact, marching their way straight out of Babes in Toyland, Walt Disney's big holiday release for that year. This art adorned the front cover of the annual Disney Christmas card for that year, and since we are celebrating all things Babes in Toyland here at Tulgey Wood, I thought I'd include it here in honor of any treat large or small we might have found under our own trees Christmas. For another Yuletide-type treat, don't forget to read my Babes in Toyland article on the free D23 website.