Q : I already know that Walt Disney hated sequels, but did he like making remakes of his films?
Paul, Evanston, Illinois
A: I have not heard that he disliked remakes. The Ugly Duckling remake in color won an Academy Award®, and Orphan’s Benefit was also redone for the color era. You might want to read Jim Fanning’s article on Son of Flubber, Walt’s first sequel to a feature film, on the D23 website. (http://d23.disney.go.com/news/2013/ 02/d23s-from-the-archives-fred-macmurray -flies-again-in-walt-disneys-son-of-flubber/)
Q : I see this rumor pop up so often that I figured I should ask Dave himself. A lot of people insist that Ariel’s character design (at least the facial structure and characteristics) was inspired by Alice’s design. I’m not convinced, but does this rumor hold any water?
Joseph, Nevada City, California
A: Ariel’s lead animator Glen Keane recently said, “I was supposed to animate Ursula, but when I heard Jodi Benson sing ‘Part of Your World,’ I said, ‘I have to draw that character!’ I talked to [directors] Ron [Clements] and John [Musker] and said. ‘I’ve gotta draw Ariel.’ They asked, ‘Can you draw a pretty girl?’ I said, ‘Oh, I’ve been drawing my whole married life, and I think I can!’ I did a lot of design study drawings on my wife and used her for my inspiration for Ariel. And she’s kind of got this girl-next-door kind of a look; she actually looks very much like Ariel.”
Q : The Art of Walt Disney by Christopher Finch says that Mickey Mouse’s last black-and-white cartoon was Mickey’s Service Station. But other sources say that Mickey’s Man Friday was one of the last. Which one is the last Mickey Mouse cartoon?
Christopher, Lolo, Montana
A: The last one in black and white was actually Mickey’s Kangaroo. Even though The Band Concert, the first one in color, was released in early 1935, two black-and-white ones followed it—Mickey’s Service Station and Mickey’s Kangaroo. From then on, all the rest of the Mickey cartoons were in color.
Q : I have a book titled Lilo and Stitch: Collected Stories from the Film’s Creators. The book’s title page is signed by 18 people, who I believe worked on the film. Some of the names are Sean Sullivan, Chris Greco, Karrie Michaels, David Yorke, etc. I believe these are original signatures. I am wondering, where is the best place to go to find the book’s value?
Kathi, Clemson, South Carolina
A: Yes, those are artists who worked on the film. Sorry, we have no information on values. Most people check eBay for similar items.