In the history of The Walt Disney Studios, animator Fred Moore (1911–1952) is considered among the leading artists who helped originate and define the Disney style, matching appealing design with believable performance. In particular, Moore was instrumental in the evolution of Mickey Mouse as an animated character, and his legacy with the Disney icon’s appearance remains evident today.
The story surrounding the origin of Mickey Mouse is well-known. Walt, feeling defeated after losing the rights to produce films with the Oswald character that he created, was on a train ride home when he began thinking about a new star.
Although Snow White (1937), Pinocchio (1940), and Bambi (1940) set the stage for Walt Disney’s landmark success in the 1930s, no one could have predicted that World War II, labor disputes, and an empty bank account would bring the prolific studio to the brink of closure. But, no one doubted Walt’s determination and his ability to find three more imaginative stories that would bring the studio back to life: Cinderella (1950), Alice in Wonderland (1951), and Peter Pan (1953).
On Thursday, October 10, The Walt Disney Family Museum hosted an intimate evening celebrating the outstanding achievements and life’s work of Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, at the museum’s historic location in the Presidio of San Francisco.
For your next visit to our latest special exhibition, Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World, we have selected a few of our favorite highlights to keep a pie-eye out for!
Disney historian, musician, and composer Ross Care provides us with an in-depth look into the marvelous music of Walt Disney’s groundbreaking series of cartoon short subjects—the Silly Symphonies.
Disney historian, musician, and composer Ross Care provides us with an in-depth look into the marvelous music of Walt Disney’s groundbreaking series of cartoon short subjects—the Silly Symphonies.
When the Disneyland television show premiered in October 1954, it promised stories and programs from four distinct lands in the still-under-construction theme park: Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland, and Tomorrowland. With no existing library of material to populate the Tomorrowland segments, Walt assigned a team, directed by veteran animator Ward Kimball, to develop “science-factual” programs about human space exploration, among other topics.
Alice’s Wonderland—the last film Walt Disney made in Kansas City, Missouri—depicts the animated adventures of a true-to-life young girl in a make-believe world. In the original 1923 short film, Alice arrives by train in “Cartoonland.” A large welcoming committee of animated animal characters greets her with excitement and adoration. Walt’s subsequent arrival in Hollywood, also by train, was a bit humbler.
Former Disney artist Willie Ito recalls his first visit to the Studios 65 years ago, including a chance encounter with Walt Disney on an elevator, and his time working on Lady and the Tramp (1955).