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Kenny Ortega first began designing dances on the small screen, choreographing music videos for Olivia Newton-John and Madonna and quickly moved on to bigger productions. In 1980, he choreographed the dance sequences for the musical film Xanadu, working with legendary dancer and director Gene Kelly. He continued choreographing such hits as St. Elmo’s Fire(1985), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off(1986), and Dirty Dancing(1987). In 1988, Kenny entered into what would become a long association with The Walt Disney Company, choreographing two television specials, Disney’s Totally Minnieand Mickey’s 60th Birthday.
Next, Kenny added directing to his resumé, starting with music videos, then moved on to television. He directed three episodes of Disney’s Touchstone Television-produced show Hull Highin 1990 and in 1992, made his motion picture directing debut with Newsies. The musical comedy/drama quickly became a fan favorite and would go on to inspire the smash Broadway stage production. Disney’s desire to reinvent and bring back musicals for a new generation made Kenny the perfect choice to helm the project.
In 1993, Kenny directed the perennial Halloween-time favorite Hocus Pocus, starring fellow Disney Legend Bette Midler; he followed it with the TV movie “making-of” documentary, Hocus Pocus: Begin the Magic(1994). Throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, he was a much sought-after television director, directing episodes of popular series, as well as the televised broadcast of the XIX Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonyin 2002.
In 2006, Kenny directed the Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical (HSM), a simple high school story that he helped turn into a smash hit pop musical. The success of the first movie would bring Kenny back to direct two HSMsequels, High School Musical 2 (2007) and the feature filmHigh School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008). Besides directing, Kenny also choreographed all three movies. About the High School Musicalprojects, Kenny says, “I really liked the idea of young people coming to know their own voice, regardless of outside pressure from peers, teachers, parents, and society. There’s too much bullying that goes on and as a result, kids back off from new ideas they have about themselves.”
After Disney Legend Dave Smith established the Walt Disney Archives in 1970, he continued with the project of inventorying and cataloging Walt Disney’s office materials located in Suite 3H of the original Animation Building at The Walt Disney Studios. In the spring of 1972, the items belonging to Walt in this location were moved into storage and the Walt Disney Archives moved to the Casting Building. This was the very first building constructed on the Disney Studios lot in 1939, and was originally utilized as the site’s construction headquarters. It would go on to be used as a warehouse, and later served the Studios’ casting and personnel functions. Today it is part of the Hyperion Health Club.
Original Archives sign from the Casting Building.
Built in 1976, the Roy O. Disney Building served as the Walt Disney Archives’ third official location from June 1976 to September 1997. Dave Smith, who also happened to be the building’s first occupant, recalled that he felt honored to work in a space named for the man who hired him. He said that, “Roy was greatly interested in the work of the Archives, even asking me to compile the Disney family history for him. I was thrilled to work alongside Roy for two years before his untimely passing in 1971.”
Dave Smith working in the Roy O. Disney Building.
Our Photo Library became a part of the department in October 1986, when the historical collections of the Studios’ Publicity and Still Camera Departments were turned over to the Archives… and we’ve been adding to the collection ever since! We currently house over 4 million negatives and transparencies in the Walt Disney Archives Photo Library. With the recent addition of the Fox Archives photography collection in 2019, we added more than 20 million negatives, prints, and born-digital files!
Dave was made Archives Director in May 1991 and had four staff members working with him. In 1994, the Roy O. Disney Building sustained damage from the Northridge earthquake and forced the Walt Disney Archives to temporarily move their offices and materials offsite, placing historical artifacts into storage. It was during this time our current Director, Becky Cline, was on the staff as the secretary.
The current location of the Walt Disney Archives is still on the studio lot, albeit in the Frank G. Wells Building. In September 1997, the department moved files and artifacts from storage into the ready-built space. This was an exciting move as it was the first time the department would occupy a space designed specifically for the unique needs of the Archives—a space to preserve the collection, work with researchers, and showcase historical objects for guests to enjoy.
For his contributions in preserving The Walt Disney Company’s history and heritage, Dave was honored as a Disney Legend in 2007. After his 40th anniversary, Dave retired in 2010, and continued working as a consultant for the Company with the title of Chief Archivist Emeritus.
“He was the unsung hero of Disney’s history who, as our first archivist, spent 40 years rescuing countless documents and artifacts from obscurity, investing endless hours restoring and preserving these priceless pieces of our legacy, and putting them in context to tell our story. Dave was a true Disney Legend, and we are indebted to him for building such an enduring, tangible connection to our past that continues to inspire our future.” – Bob Iger
To this day, one of Dave’s biggest contributions that has had a lasting impact was his first project for the Company—the preservation of Walt Disney’s offices (Suite 3H). After Dave packed up the items from Walt’s offices in 1969–70, various occupants, including Disney executives and producers, used the space as production offices from 1972 through 2015. When the final production team left Suite 3H, the project to restore the space and recreate Walt’s offices was greenlit with the support of Executive Chairman Bob Iger. Led by the Walt Disney Archives, and with the help of the Studio Mill, restoration lasted from July to December 2015. Walt Disney’s offices were officially dedicated and re-opened as a new permanent exhibit curated by the Archives on December 7, 2015, with Bob Iger and members of Walt’s family present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Over the years, the Walt Disney Archives has expanded to a department now with 30 staff members who specialize in research, collections, exhibits, photography, digitization, and operations. With the acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019, we added the Fox Archives to our collection and their accomplished staff joined our unique team. Together we engage with Disney fans around the world through traveling exhibits, special events, presentations, screenings, tours, and social media. We also work with multiple internal departments and provide research and historical content for numerous types of projects, from books, films, and television shows, to new streaming series you can find on Disney+! We look forward to continuing our work collecting and preserving the history of The Walt Disney Company for future generations to come.
“We have great hopes for the future of the Walt Disney Archives, for we feel it is a genuinely worthwhile endeavor.”—Dave Smith, 1972
For the first time ever, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City will feature the work of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ hand-drawn animation in a new exhibition opening December 10, 2021, and continuing through March 6, 2022. Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts will draw new parallels between the magical creations of the Disney Studios and their artistic models, examining Walt Disney’s personal fascination with European art and the use of French motifs in Disney films and theme parks.
Visitors to the exhibition will find 150 production artworks and works on paper from the Walt Disney Animation Research Library, Walt Disney Archives, Walt Disney Imagineering Collection, and Walt Disney Family Museum on display alongside 40 works of 18th-century European decorative arts and design—from tapestries and furniture to Boulle clocks and Sèvres porcelain. Additionally, select film footage will highlight the extraordinary technological and artistic developments of the studios during Walt Disney’s lifetime and beyond. Inspiring Walt Disney will also shine a light on references to European visual culture that can be found in so many Disney classes, from the Gothic Revival architecture seen in Cinderella (1950) and medieval influences on Sleeping Beauty (1959), to the Rococo-inspired objects that are brought to life in Beauty and the Beast (1991).
Organized thematically and broadly chronologically, the exhibition will explore Walt Disney’s strong connection to France, highlighting his encounters with European art and architecture during his repeated visits to Western Europe. These visits influenced Walt and his studios throughout his life, and also inspired his passion for collecting and building miniature furniture and dollhouse contents. Several of these mini objects will be displayed alongside personal film footage of Walt and his family visiting Paris and Versailles.
Through a presentation of French and German Rococo porcelain figurines alongside story sketches for two of Disney’s “Silly Symphonies”—The Clock Store (1931) and The China Shop (1934)—the exhibition will explore the concept of “Animating the Inanimate.” The whimsical porcelain figures featured in the exhibition were originally inspired by the pastoral scenes of French Rococo painter Antoine Watteau and his contemporaries, and they, in turn, inspired the first generation of Disney animators.
A section focused on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, inspired by the Brothers Grimm fairytale, includes a gouache on celluloid depicting two avid-eyed vultures from the film, which Walt Disney presented to The Met in 1938. The Cinderella section will spotlight the barrier-breaking female artists who entered the creative realm of the Disney Studios, including Bianca Majolie and Mary Blair. The latter’s bold and highly colorful style was the driving force behind the look of the studios’ feature films of the 1940s and early 1950s. And visitors will also learn about the medieval sources that Eyvind Earle and his fellow artists looked to as they created Sleeping Beauty. These include The Hunt of the Unicorn tapestries (1495–1505; also known as the Unicorn Tapestries) from The Met Cloisters’ collection, which are often credited for providing a starting point for the film’s visual development.
The exhibition marks the 30th anniversary of Beauty and the Beast’s animated theatrical release and the largest section of Inspiring Walt Disney is devoted to the beloved film. The expansive section will explore topics of anthropomorphism and zoomorphism in 18th-century French literature and decorative arts, Disney’s satirical take on Rococo fashion, the interiors of the movie’s enchanted castle, and the design and animation of the Beast and other characters. Movie sketches will be seen alongside the 18th century clocks, candlesticks, and teapots that may have inspired Cogsworth, Lumiere, and Mrs. Potts and illustrate how both Disney animators and Rococo craftspeople found ways to bring these inanimate objects to life. Beast’s transformation scene, which was animated by Glen Keane and inspired by sculptor Auguste Rodin’s The Burghers of Calais, will be spotlighted, along with Beauty and the Beast’s beloved ballroom scene, whose backdrop calls to mind the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. And a “Be Our Guest” display will look at the ways glittering silver and porcelain buffets were part of the festivities at Versailles and other European courts.
A final section looks at Disney architecture with a focus on the iconic castles that are so much a part of Disney movies and theme parks. Though these stunning structures transcend specific styles and time periods, the exhibition will explore how Disney artists were heavily influenced by French and German architecture when creating their settings, particularly for amusement parks. Included in the exhibition are a presentation of Walt Disney Imagineering concept art; the first bird’s-eye view of Disneyland, drawn by Herbert Ryman under Walt Disney’s guidance in 1953; and the only two pairs of so-called Tower vases, made by Sèvres around 1762–63 and likely to be reunited for the first time in history. These enchanting vases were designed to spark the imagination in much the same way that Disney’s castles do.
“Both Disney animated films and Rococo decorative works of art are infused with elements of playful storytelling, delight, and wonder,” said Max Hollein, Marina Kellen French Director of The Met. “Eighteenth-century craftspeople and 20th-century animators alike sought to ignite feelings of excitement, awe, and marvel in their respective audiences. Through exquisite objects and Disney artifacts, this exhibition will provide an unprecedented look at the impact of French art on Disney Studios productions from the 1930s to almost the present day.”
“In mounting The Met’s first-ever exhibition devoted to Walt Disney and his studios’ oeuvre, it was important for us to explore his sources of inspiration as well as to recognize that his studio’s animated interpretations of European fairytales have become a lens through which many view Western art and culture today,” said Wolf Burchard, the exhibition’s curator. “Our fresh look on this material, which prompts an effervescent dialogue between the drawings and illustrations of some of the most talented artists in the Walt Disney Animation Studios and a rich array of the finest 18th-century furniture and porcelain, brings to life the humor, wit, and ingenuity of French Rococo decorative arts.”
Sarah Lawrence, Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Curator in Charge of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, shared, “Burchard brings a wholly original response to his subject, one that enriches our appreciation of Disney’s art of animation and enlivens our delight in the decorative arts of 18th-century France. The genius of Walt Disney and his studio was to have intuited the animation implicit in these ornate furnishings and then to discover a technology that brings those objects to life.”
Inspiring Walt Disney is organized in collaboration with The Wallace Collection in London, where the exhibition will open in spring 2022. To learn more about the upcoming exhibition and to keep up with the latest details, visit The Met website.
The cast and executive producer behind Monsters at Work zoomed in together and spilled secrets about the highly anticipated new series that follows the daily adventures of Mike Wazowski, James P. “Sulley” Sullivan, newcomer Tylor Tuskmon, and a whole new gang of lovable, laugh-inducing monsters. Premiering July 7 on Disney+, Monsters at Work takes fans back to the not-so-scary streets of Monstropolis, home of Disney and Pixar’s 2001 film Monsters, Inc. and its 2013 prequel Monsters University. The timeframe of the series is the day after Mike and Sulley discover that harvesting children’s laughs produces far more energy than harvesting their screams.
Joining the zoom-for-all were Ben Feldman, the voice of Tylor Tuskmon; Mindy Kaling, the voice of Val Little; Billy Crystal, the voice of Mike Wazowski; John Goodman, the voice of Sulley; Henry Winkler, the voice of Fritz; and executive producer Bobs Gannaway. And even though this was the very first time all of them had been “together” at the same time, it seemed almost like a family reunion—and boy, did they have stories to tell!
Ben Feldman wasn’t exactly at ease when he first showed up to work on the series. “It was horrifying to join this cast,” he says, not at all joking. “I look up to everybody here and feel like I somehow crowbarred my way into a room that I don’t belong in… Monsters was such an incredible iconic film—both films were so great—and I’d seen them a million times and I never expected that I would be in anything like this. I’m not someone that anybody wants to listen to or look at or hang out with. But because I stammer, I’m awkward, I’m a little neurotic—apparently that’s what Bobs was looking for. And so I feel like I slipped in the cracks and I couldn’t be more thrilled and more honored to be a part of this.”
Why Mindy Kaling loves her character, Val Little. Kaling voices a brand-new character to the Monsters world, Val Little, a member of the Monsters, Inc. Facilities Team (aka “MIFT”). “I just love Val,” says Kaling. “She’s so enthusiastic and earnest and pure, and I normally play sociopaths, so that’s really nice. And I love visually how cute she is. I think her color palette is great. I love the pinks and the oranges and it matches her personality, which is really upbeat.”
Billy Crystal explains why Monsters, Inc. was the first of his films he could share with his grandchildren.
A comedy legend, Crystal has starred in projects as wide-ranging as City Slickers, The Princess Bride, Throw Momma From the Train, and Analyze This. But it’s his Pixar job that got him the most respect with his grandkids. “When Monsters, Inc. came out, my grandchildren didn’t really know what I did and frankly I was a little confused myself,” he says. “And then one day we were walking in a mall and paparazzi people came out and started taking pictures of me and my grandkids were freaked out and I had to explain to them what I did. And the first movie that they could see was Monsters, Inc., because, you know, When Harry Met Sally, I could not really explain to them why she was screaming in the deli.”
Why did Henry Winkler take this part? When asked, “Why did you take this role,” Henry Winkler was quick to answer: “I was asked,” he deadpanned, but then explained, “Two great movies, Disney, Billy, John, and then I got to meet everybody else. So not necessarily in that order except for I was asked. It was great.”
Bobs Gannaway knew the show had to be a mix of nostalgia and new characters. “From the beginning, my goal was to make sure the audience gets to go back to a place they love,” says Gannaway, referring to the first two Monsters films from Disney and Pixar. “So I worked very, very hard. And that’s why having Billy and John back was so essential—it wouldn’t be the same place without them. So I really wanted to make sure you get to go back to a place you love and spend time with friends. But then go places you haven’t seen. So we’re going back to the Rotunda, back to see Celia Mae, back to the Laugh Floor, but we also get to go down underneath the Monsters, Inc. facility and see the MIFT team—the monsters behind the monsters.” But when asked about the beloved Boo from the original film, Gannaway is unwavering: “Just to be very clear, Boo does not make an appearance in the series… The relationship between Boo and Sulley is so precious and so wonderful that we want to leave it to the world to have their own interpretation of how that relationship continued and not define it.”
John Goodman reveals what he wants fans to take away from the new series. What does Goodman want fans to get from watching this new series? “Just to get reintroduced, go back into the world of it, escape into it,” he says with a smile. “It’s a great place to escape to… People have always come up to me and asked, what’s next, what’s going to happen, do you know?”
The road to romance has never been as bumpy as it is in an all-new episode of The Bachelorette, airing Monday on ABC. On Wednesday, the mischief continues when the fourth episode of Loki debuts on Disney+. That same night, bid farewell to the women of Scarlet magazine when Freeform airs the series finale of The Bold Type. As we move into July, Hulu is debuting a second season of The Mighty Ones and adding dozens of film and television titles to its library, including the beloved 1993 sports comedy Rookie of the Year.
The Bachelorette—Monday, June 28, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC A group date of Truth or Dare seems to be all fun and games… until the night takes a serious turn and the men debate telling Katie Thurston a slimy secret they’ve recently uncovered. Later, Tayshia Adams surprises Katie with a revelation about someone from her past, while the men band together to tell the truth, leaving one suitor to fend for himself. Tired of questioning who is there for the right reasons, the Bachelorette makes bold stand.
Loki—Wednesday, June 30, on Disney+ It’s 2077 and Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) are stranded on Lamentis-1. With a moon about to crash into the planet, and the Time Variance Authority (TVA) still in hot pursuit, they’ll have to do what a Loki does best and find a way to survive.
The Bold Type—Wednesday, June 30, at 10 p.m. ET on Freeform After a season of big changes and hard decisions, the future looks bright for Jane Sloan (Katie Stevens), Kat Edison (Aisha Dee), and Sutton Brady (Meghann Fahy)… but it’s always full of surprises. Jane has just been offered the editor-in-chief position at Scarlet, where Kat has just turned her “Don’t Turn Away” campaign into a vertical with a $6 million budget. Meanwhile, Sutton continues to work on herself in therapy after getting closure from her ex, Richard Hunter (Sam Page). Now, the trio faces huge choices as they forge their own paths.
The Mighty Ones—Thursday, July 1, on Hulu The misadventures continue in season two of the animated comedy, with Twig (voice of Josh Brener), Very Berry (voice of Alex Cazares), Rocksy (voice of Jessica McKenna), and Leaf (voice of Jimmy Tatro) exploring their backyard wonderland and learning more about the strange creatures they share it with. A flood forces the Mighty Ones to live as pirates searching for dry land; Rocksy dabbles in a home makeover; and Very Berry makes a new feathery “friend” who might see her as (gulp!) food. Guest stars in the 10-episode season include Fortune Feimster as Vibez, Manila Luzon as Firefly, and Stephen Root as Bernard.
Rookie of the Year—Thursday, July 1, on Hulu After healing from a freak accident, clumsy Little Leaguer Henry Rowengartner (Thomas Ian Nicholas) is shocked to discover his arm has become a 100-mile-an-hour thunderbolt. His pitching is so accurate and powerful that the Chicago Cubs sign the 12-year-old junior high student to a contract. Unprepared for the big leagues, Henry falters until the team’s aging star, Chet Steadman (Gary Busey), takes him under his wing to show him the ropes.
Disney and Pixar’s Luca has been available to stream on Disney+ for a week, and we’ve already lost count of home many times we’ve streamed the fin-tastic film! The animated adventure follows a set of sea monster pals, voiced by Jacob Tremblay and Jack Dylan Grazer, who venture above the water’s surface to experience the best summer ever. When the sea monsters are dry, they transform into humans—which is how they meet a local, Giulia (voice of Emma Berman), and team up to compete in Portorosso’s annual triathlon.
Luca follows in the grand tradition of Pixar films that are filled with Easter eggs. Giulia’s bedroom, for example, contains both a Donald Duck plush toy and the book Le Avventure di Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, which inspired Disney’s 1940 animated feature Pinocchio. With help from our friends at Pixar, here are eight more Easter eggs hidden to find in Luca:
On the Ball Spot the iconic yellow, red and blue Pixar ball on a rooftop as the Portorosso Cup bike race gets underway.
Piece of Pie The Pizza Planet truck appears in the form of a Piaggio Ape (a three-wheeled scooter wagon) parked on a street in Portorosso. (Click here to find Pizza Planet trucks in other Pixar films.)
A Whale of a Tale A poster for Walt Disney’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, which opened in December 1954, is displayed at the cinema in Portorosso.
Take a Look When Luca (voice of Tremblay) and Giulia sneak a peek through the telescope, she mentions it belongs to a “Old Man Bernardi.” This is a nod to set supervisor Chris Bernardi, a lifelong lover of astronomy and astrophotography who personally owns six telescopes!
That’s Amore Luca director Enrico Casarosa was inspired in part by Italian films of the 1950s, including La Strada and Roman Holiday, among others. Pixar-created posters for both appear in the film.
Ticket to Ride Pixar’s signature A113, the number on a CalArts classroom where many filmmakers studied, appears on a train ticket. (A113 appears in several Pixar films, including Toy Story 2 and Up.)
All Zipped Up The number on the train is 94608, which is the zip code for Pixar’ Emeryville headquarters.
Park It The number on the train car behind Luca, 1200PA, is a nod to the street address of Pixar Animation Studios: 1200 Park Avenue.
There are dozens more Easter eggs to be found in Luca, now streaming on Disney+.
WALT DISNEY ARCHIVES PRESENTSHEROES & VILLAINS – THE ART OF THE DISNEY COSTUME at MoPOP:
The costuming of Disney characters has dazzled us for years, and now you have a chance to see some of the most stunning pieces up close. The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop) announces the opening of Heroes and Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume in partnership with the Walt Disney Archives. Through more than 70 original items, including ball gowns, sorcerers’ capes, military uniforms, tiaras, and, of course, glass slippers, the exhibition immerses visitors into the world of Disney and shows how our understanding of its iconic characters is shaped through the artistry and creativity of its costumes.
INSIDE THE WALT DISNEY ARCHIVES at GRACELAND EXHIBITION CENTER:
The magic is on the move! The exhibition Inside the Walt Disney Archives, which first debuted at D23 Expo Japan in 2018 before heading to the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, is making its next stop at the Graceland Exhibition Center starting July 23, 2021. The 10,000-square-foot traveling exhibit celebrates the legacy of the Walt Disney Archives, with behind-the-scenes access never before granted to the public. Guests of all ages are invited to step into the Walt Disney Archives as they walk through a dazzling display of more than 450 objects, including original artwork, costumes, and props that tell the story of the Archives, The Walt Disney Company, and Walt Disney himself. From nostalgic classics like rarely displayed sketches for Fantasia and ghosts from the Haunted Mansion attraction to modern-day favorites like a maquette from Frozen and a Wolverine costume, this enchanting exhibition is an immersive treasure trove the entire family will love.
D23 Gold Member Event July 22, 2021 – Activities will include speakers including a presentation by the Director of the Walt Disney Archives Becky Cline, music, photo opportunities, and a special ribbon cutting.
THE WALT DISNEY ARCHIVES: 50 YEARS of BRINGING HOME the MAGIC at DESTINATION D23:
An all-new exhibit curated by the Walt Disney Archives takes you through a half-century journey of merchandise memories of the Walt Disney World Resort. From figurines and fanny packs to pins and plush, relive each exciting decade through the souvenirs that brought the Vacation Kingdom of the World home!
ALL THAT GLITTERS: THE CROWN JEWELS of the WALT DISNEY ARCHIVES at THE BOWERS MUSEUM:
The all-new exhibition, All That Glitters: The Crown Jewels of the Walt Disney Archives at The Bowers Museum, showcases the sparkling side of The Walt Disney Archives’ collection, including jewelry and accessories from Titanic, The Princess Diaries, and some of your favorite Disney and 20th Century Studio films. When costume design is done well, small pieces of jewelry blend inseparably into the style of the characters that wear them, but these objects are what make Disney characters timeless. All That Glitters looks at crowns, tiaras, watches, rings, bracelets, and more that were designed by some of the biggest names in fashion to create our favorite moments in entertainment throughout The Walt Disney Company.
Stream the Disney+ Original documentary Wolfgang, which arrives on the service this Friday, June 25, and you’ll likely come away both hungry and inspired. The documentary looks at the life of culinary legend Wolfgang Puck, who quite literally changed the way we look at dining out, as well as the way we eat. Wolfgang looks back on Puck’s Austrian childhood and tumultuous relationship with his stepfather; his culinary education in Paris and move to the U.S., where he found success cooking in iconic restaurants such as Ma Maison; and his rise to fame as the mastermind behind the famed Hollywood restaurant Spago and a new kind of cuisine based on fresh ingredients, and as the driving force behind a movement that put chefs in the spotlight for the very first time.
Puck’s real-life story could stand alongside some of our favorite Disney movies. Director David Gelb (Jiro Dreams of Sushi) approached Wolfgang as an origin story and draws parallels to Ratatouille, whose protagonist also was discouraged by his father from pursuing his culinary dreams. Gelb notes that “even though Wolfgang thought he was running away from something, he was actually running towards what he loved,” and he hopes young viewers are inspired by Puck’s story to similarly follow their own dreams.
When Spago opened, it wasn’t noteworthy just for its celebrity clientele, which included the biggest stars and the most powerful behind-the-scenes entertainment industry insiders. For the first time ever, the restaurant put the chef in the spotlight through an open kitchen that invited guests to peek behind the curtain and see the effort and artistry that goes into every plate. Before that, Puck tells D23, the focus was on “the front guys,” as the chef refers to the restaurant owners who were previously the draw for the most popular fine-dining establishments. “By seeing the open kitchen, by having the customer come up to the kitchen, the chef has become important,” Puck shares, and he’s proud to have played a role in raising the profile and level of respect for his fellow chefs and those who have followed. He says, “It is really a good feeling to see that our profession has come of age in America and now we have a really respected profession, where young people—instead of going to become doctors or engineers—they go in the cooking profession, and they find the passion and can do what they want to.”
Many chefs have followed in Puck’s footsteps, inspired by his unique take on American cuisine that put a new spin on pizza—beginning with the smoked salmon pizza that became a must-order at Spago—and introduced the Chinois chicken salad, which has been reinterpreted and become a staple at restaurants (and even supermarkets) the world over. Puck has opened establishments across the globe—from London, Singapore, and Shanghai, to even Walt Disney World Resort, where the Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill can be found in Disney Springs. Puck reveals that while he calls California home, when he’s in the mood for Disney Parks food and fun, he travels more often to Florida for the fare he enjoys at the Disney Springs location. Wolfgang illustrates the profound impact Puck has made on the restaurant industry, calling to mind another incredible innovator who transformed the entertainment industry back in his day. With tremendous admiration, Puck shares, “I think we could have done a restaurant together. ‘Walt and Wolf’ would sound good to me!”
Gelb tells D23 that as he really got to know Puck, through his research and interviews he conducted for the film—with Puck, as well as the chef’s family members, colleagues, and culinary experts—he was surprised to discover just how difficult Puck’s upbringing was. Gelb shares, “I think I was surprised just by how intense that origin really was, so it makes the lessons of how he managed to overcome that by following his passion and pursuing his dreams all that much more powerful.”
By sharing his story and the adversity he faced as a young boy struggling with real poverty and abuse, Puck hopes viewers will be struck by his perseverance, which he credits for his success above and beyond his genius in the kitchen. “I want people to know that I wasn’t born when I opened Spago, or a year before. I had to work very hard to get where I am. Maybe I have a little talent, but talent alone doesn’t get you anywhere,” he said, underscoring the importance of hard work and determination. “I said, ‘You know what? I had hardship—I am going to overcome it. And that, I think, is really my mantra and that’s what I think all the time. ‘How can I overcome it? How can I make it better?’”
WHAT IS LOVE? That’s the question asked by a brand-new exhibition that opened yesterday at Marui Shibuya in Tokyo, and the answer, as guests will discover, can be easily spotted within the stories of 12 Disney Princesses. Their classic tales are filled with love for family, friends, and oneself and they also demonstrate how love provides the courage to follow one’s dreams, inspires kindness to others, and leads to a bright future for all.
The Disney Princess Exhibition Production Committee and a local telecom company, NTT DOCOMO INC., have also introduced WHAT IS LOVE? Disney Princess Exhibition VR at the same venue, Marui Shibuya in Tokyo. This uses VR technology to create a vast VR space with multiple floors and depth, and through VR goggles, guests will discover life-sized avatars (which can communicate with each other) and enjoy different experiences from one another. A separate ticket is required for the VR experience, which will enhance the guest experience with extra magic that can be found only in VR.
Guests are invited to feel the Disney Princess love with all their senses, thanks to the exhibition’s use of video, digital technology, music, and fragrance. WHAT IS LOVE? explores the stories of Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan, Tiana, Rapunzel, Merida, and Moana. Divided into six areas, here’s what Disney fans will experience when they explore the exhibition:
Introduction: 12 shining Princesses An introduction to the stories and personalities of the princesses featured in the exhibition.
Opening Theater: In search of the shining secret Guests will view an introductory video that will take them through the story of the princesses.
7 Key Words Guests will be able to experience the meaning of “love” based on seven key words from the story of the princesses through a display of scenes and an AR experience on their smartphones with Disney DX App.
Music and Fragrance: Wear a sparkle that cannot be seen Enjoy scents and sounds inspired by the Princesses in this area featuring original fragrances that were created based on images of seven princesses.
Glowing lines: Words that make the world shine In the closing theater, the Princesses’ inspiring words and their scenes are projected throughout the space.
Prologue: The Beginning of Your Own Story From fragrances to artwork that allows you to keep the seven keywords with you as you embark on your own personal adventure, the souvenir shop is as much fun as the exhibition.
WHAT IS LOVE? continues at Marui Shibuya through July 29 before traveling to Aichi, Fukuoka, and nationwide around Japan. The exhibition launched as part of the Ultimate Princess Celebration, a yearlong event that spotlights the courage and kindness these Disney heroines inspire in fans all around the world.
The “Summer of Disney+” is well underway, and the next “movie of the week” to join the Disney+ library is the 1987 comedy Adventures in Babysitting. Also premiering on the streaming service Friday is Wolfgang, an original documentary celebrating the life of celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. Hulu on Friday will premiere the original thriller False Positive from director John Lee. On Sunday, celebrate the 24th anniversary of when a star was born by streaming Hercules on Disney+. Later that night, the Disney+ Facebook and YouTube accounts will live-stream This Is Me: Pride Celebration Spectacular, a variety special featuring performances of Disney songs reimagined from an LGBTQ+ perspective.
Adventures in Babysitting—Friday, June 25, on Disney+ In Chris Columbus’ directorial debut, everything that can go wrong does. The trouble starts when 17-year-old babysitter Chris (Elisabeth Shue) gets a call from her frightened friend, Brenda (Penelope Ann Miller), who’s just run away to a bus station in downtown Chicago. Packing the Anderson kids (Maia Brewton and Keith Coogan) into the family station wagon, Chris heads for the big city to save Brenda. But it isn’t long before they find themselves in a comic nightmare in a city that’s much different than the suburbia they know.
Wolfgang—Friday, June 25, on Disney+ The Disney+ original documentary chronicles the inspiring true story of Wolfgang Puck, one of the most prolific chefs of our time. Raised in Austria, Puck harnessed his love of cooking to escape his stepfather’s harsh rule. A local apprenticeship led to him training at a revered French restaurant before landing in the U.S. at age 24. In 1970s Hollywood, Puck began working at Ma Maison, crafting an original menu around fresh ingredients, making the once-tacky eatery the toast of the town. Unappreciated by Ma Maison’s owner, Puck took the biggest risk of his career by opening his first restaurant, Spago—an instant hit. Almost by accident, Puck created the concept of a “celebrity chef” with his decades-spanning television appearances, building a staggering global empire of cafés, restaurants, and products for home cooks. All the while, professional demands disrupted his family life.
False Positive—Friday, June 25, on Hulu After months of trying and failing to get pregnant, Lucy (Ilana Glazer) and Adrian (Justin Theroux) finally find their dream fertility doctor in Dr. Hindle (Pierce Brosnan). But after becoming pregnant with a healthy baby girl, Lucy notices something sinister about Dr. Hindle—so she tries to uncover the disturbing truth about him and her own “birth story.”
Hercules—Sunday, June 27, on Disney+ The animated adventure from directors John Musker and Ron Clements tells the story of Hercules (voice of Tate Donovan), the mighty son of Zeus (voice of Rip Torn) and Hera (voice of Samantha Eggar), who as a baby was taken from his home on Mount Olympus and raised on Earth. The fiery figure behind Hercules’ disappearance is Hades (voice of James Woods), the hot-headed god of the Underworld who sees Zeus’ son as an obstacle to his plans to take over Olympus. Hades sends his two dim-witted sidekicks, Pain (voice of Bobcat Goldthwait) and Panic (voice of Paul Shaffer), to kidnap Hercules—but they bungle their mission, leaving baby Hercules with god-like strength but human mortality. As he grows up, Hercules discovers the truth about his origins and sets out to become a hero, with the help of a veteran trainer named Phil (voice of Danny DeVito), so he can return to Olympus. Hades, meanwhile, sets up a series of obstacles. Along the way, Hercules learns that a true hero is measured not by the size of his strength, but by the strength of his heart.
This Is Me: Pride Celebration Spectacular—Sunday, June 27, at 8 p.m. ET on Disney+ Facebook and YouTube Disney+ is celebrating its community of LGBTQ+ creators, employees, and fans with its first-ever virtual variety show. Directed by Ann Marie Pace and produced in partnership with Disney Music Group and the Disney PRIDE Employee Resource Group, the concert features one-of-a-kind musical performances of songs from the iconic movies and series available to stream on Disney+, reinterpreted through an LGBTQ+ lens. Hosted by Nina West, who is also performing, the lineup includes Jackie Cox; DCappella; Todrick Hall; Jesse James Keitel; Kermit the Frog; Hayley Kiyoko; Alex Newell; High School Musical: The Musical: The Series co-stars Frankie Rodriguez and Joe Serafini; and Michael James Scott.
