Films Archives - Page 14 of 28

Q : When did Mickey lose his tail, and when did they bring it back?

John, Conway, South Carolina

A: He has always had it; it is just inside his pants.

Q : I am a huge fan and truly enjoy reading anything about Disney’s history. I actually have a question regarding the filming of The Absent-Minded Professor. I have read a few things stating that the University of Nevada, Reno (or an area nearby) was used as a filming location. I was wondering if you have any specific details about this; I have not been able to find much.

Veronica, Reno, Nevada

A: The only college-related filming, other than interiors done at the Disney Studio, which I could find in the production materials, was at Pomona College in California.

Q : I am a student researcher studying depictions of Chief Sitting Bull in film, and I’m very interested in any information the Disney Archives could provide about the Disney production Tonka (1958). Are there any production notes or other information that might help me to analyze this production?

Michael, Valencia, California

A: The Walt Disney Archives is not open to researchers from outside the company, but it has no story research files for Tonka (1958). The film had a screenplay by Lewis R. Foster and Lillie Hayward (who must have kept their own research files), based on the book Comanche by David Appel.

Q : I heard in 2008 that there was a screening event at Newport Beach Film Festival that included the cartoons How to Hook Up Your Home Theater, One by One, Destino, The Little Matchgirl, and Runaway Brain. Do you know if Disney has any plans to show these in the future, and are any of these available on home video?

Ryan, Huntingtown, Maryland

A: How to Hook Up Your Home Theater was released on DVD on Have a Laugh, Vol. 1 in 2010. One by One is on the 2004 DVD of The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride (Special Edition). Destino is on the Blu-ray version of Fantasia and Fantasia/2000, released in 2010. The Little Matchgirl is on the 2006 platinum edition DVD of The Little Mermaid. Runaway Brain is on the 2004 Walt Disney Treasures DVD: Mickey Mouse in Living Color, Vol. 2.

Q : Where did the idea for Wreck-It Ralph come from, and were there early versions of the story that were rejected?

Daniel, Bergenfield, New Jersey

A: There are a couple websites that have recent interviews with the director, Rich Moore, which discuss the origin of the story. You can see them here and here. One early working title was Reboot Ralph.

Q : What is the name of Snow White’s prince and Cinderella’s prince? My son adores Prince Phillip from Sleeping Beauty, but I do not know the names of the other princes.

Jenny, Portland, Oregon

A: Snow White’s prince is simply referred to as The Prince. Despite many Internet postings, Disney does not use the name Ferdinand for the prince. In Cinderella, the prince is Prince Charming.

Q : Erdman Penner married my great aunt. I have sketches and original drawings from Lady and the Tramp. We’re trying to find out where to sell these things.

Summar, Henderson, Nevada

A: Penner was a storyman at the Disney Studio from 1935 to 1956. To sell any memorabilia of his, you might try a dealer who handles such material, such as Howard Lowery (HowardLowery.com).

Q : I have 16 mm film, A Walt Disney Production of How to Catch a Cold, print No. 372 Burbank, California. How many were made?

Craig, Dubuque, Iowa

A: That film, produced in 1951 (revised 1956), was widely distributed on 16 mm for showing in schools nationwide. We do not know an actual number of how many were made.

Q : Did Roy Fitzell ever do any choreography for Disney films? I thought he had but I haven’t been able to find any information online.

Bracken, Salt Lake City, Utah

A: I did not find Fitzell credited on a Disney film.

Q : I’m inquiring about a short black-and-white film believed to be drawn by Walt Disney. It was given to my friend in the 1930s. He was a longtime employee at Disney, as an artist. The title is Mickey Mouse and the Road Race. I can’t find any reference to this short. Any information you could give would be greatly appreciated.

Vita, Deltona, Florida

A: This is probably a new title given to a segment of a Disney cartoon, which was released for home viewing on 8 mm and 16 mm by Hollywood Film Enterprises. It would not have been drawn by Walt and has little or no collector value.