A 40-year-old tradition, the first Lucasfilm holiday card was sent the same year the world first met Luke, Leia, and Han. Over time, the cards have featured fan favorites from throughout the saga, including R2-D2, C-3PO, and even Jabba the Hutt! In the spirit of the season, our friends from a galaxy not so far, far away shared some of their favorites with us below… You can find even more intergalactic cheer over at StarWars.com.
By Megan Deppe
Eighty years ago today, Walt Disney presented his first animated feature to the world: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The film endures as a testament to the innovation and creativity that Disney represents, and what better way to celebrate such a milestone anniversary than with some special items inspired by the fairest of them all? As we continue to ring in this holiday season with a celebration of our first princess, we’ve selected 8 items that we think are perfect for the occasion.
This is also the perfect time to take advantage of the D23 Gold Member discount—up to 15 percent off of purchases of $65 or more!
1. Snow White Emily Tote by Dooney & Bourke
You can whistle on your way to work as you carry this special Snow White tote, especially when each purse features its own unique details!
2. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Tank
If a trip to a Disney park is in your near future, this is the perfect tank to wear during your visit. Created especially for Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts, the tank will ensure that everyone knows exactly how you feel about being there! The stylish tank, part of the Disney Boutique collection, features a soft jersey knit and a vintage poster art design.
3. Snow White Apple Necklace—Cherry Quartz
Celebrate Snow White’s milestone anniversary in a subtle and beautiful way with this apple pendant with cherry quartz. Snow White’s signature red color and apple are delicately crafted to highlight your own royal qualities and elegance.
4. Art of Snow White Lithograph Set—Limited Edition
Celebrate one of the fairest stories in the land with a look at an assortment of artistic visions of Snow White, the Evil Queen, and other story characters. Part of a limited-edition set, 22 different pieces of artwork illustrate the many different sides of our first princess, allowing her magic to inspire you in new ways.
5. Snow White Apple Dress
Want to take some adorable, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs-themed photos on your next Disney trip? Wear this cute apple-patterned dress with blue accents and pockets—pockets!—both to send a fashion statement and to show your love for Disney’s first princess. The dress also features a special surprise—some apples include the profiles of the Seven Dwarfs!
6. Snow White “Once There Was a Princess” Giclée on Canvas by Alex Ross
Add some magical art to your home with a limited-edition canvas created by Alex Ross. The sinister and hopeful sides of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs are both featured in the beautiful print that includes Snow White, all seven dwarfs, the Evil Queen and the Queen in her Witch disguise.
7. Snow White “Heart” Top for Tweens
You know that your tween is the fairest of them all, and this shirt tells the world that she has the “Heart of a Princess”! The stylish tee sparkles with rhinestone accents and features cold shoulder cut-outs and a handkerchief hem.
8. Art of Snow White Snowglobe
If you’re wishing for a gift any Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs fan will love, look no further than this intricate snow globe. This shimmering addition to any Snow White collection includes models of Snow White, the seven dwarfs, and their woodland friends atop the Evil Queen’s Heart Box, showcasing all our favorite parts of this beautiful fairy tale.
By Nicole Nalty
Dreaming of a White Christmas? While it’s unlikely that snow will ever fall on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland or Magic Kingdom (besides the magic Disney snow, of course), some of the Disney Parks around the world are in chillier climates where snowfalls have made the merry season even more magical! Take a peek at these stunning images from Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris, and even a special shot from the construction of Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream in Bremerhaven, Germany.
Disneyland Paris, December 2010
Tokyo Disney Resort, 2014
Disney Dream, 2010
By Megan Deppe
It’s that time of year again: The snow is piling up outside, and all you want to do is snuggle under a blanket with some hot chocolate and watch some movies to get into the Christmas spirit. While holiday-themed movies such as The Santa Clause or A Christmas Carol may come to mind first, sometimes there are less traditional film options that feature just as much festive fun! This year, consider popping in one of these more unconventional holiday films!
1. Toy Story (1995)
While most of the film takes place during the summertime, there’s enough Christmas magic at the end of Toy Story to make it a perfect movie to watch during the holiday season. Before Andy’s birthday comes around again, the toys have to wait through another anxious time of unwrapping gifts, and Christmas marks the first time Buzz has ever faced the suspense. But, as Woody puts it, “What could Andy possibly get that is worse than you?” (Answer: a puppy.) The story revolves around themes of acceptance and friendship, and those are great to keep in mind throughout the holidays.
2. Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Lady and the Tramp is bookended by Christmas! Jim Dear presented Lady as a Christmas gift to Darling, wrapping the pup in a cute little bow and making us all wish there was a Lady under our Christmas tree. Then, at the end of the film, Lady and Tramp proudly present their adorable little puppies at another Christmas celebration, filling us with with an abundance of holiday happiness.
3. The Mighty Ducks (1992)
Now, just because a movie has ice sports in it does not mean that it takes place at Christmas. One exception to this rule is The Mighty Ducks, so no one will question you for watching it alongside your other Christmas movies! A highlight from the film is a sweet moment when coach Gordon takes Charlie’s mom on a date to the winter festival, which could serve as the perfect inspiration for you to bundle up and go look at Christmas lights yourself!
4. Iron Man 3 (2013)
Maybe a gigantic bunny isn’t the best Christmas present—but watching Iron Man 3 could be the best Christmas pastime. The film takes place at Christmastime, prompting said giant rabbit, snowfalls, and a very special fireworks show for Pepper. Though there’s really no need for an excuse to watch a Super Hero film at any time of year, it is nice to know that there’s an excellent reason to put it on your Christmas must-watch list.
5. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005)
Narnia seems like a world made for a Christmas story: snow everywhere, magical creatures, and even a visit from Father Christmas. That’s right, Santa even visits Narnia for Christmas! Sure, all of the snow eventually melts away, but the magical side of Narnia is more than enough to make it an enjoyable Christmas film, even after everything turns green.
6. One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
Christmas really seems to be a wonderful time to get in the mood for puppies and happily-ever-afters. For an ample supply of both, we suggest that you re-watch One Hundred and One Dalmatians this holiday season! When Pongo and Perdita finally return home with the 99 puppies (all covered in soot), they come upon Roger, Anita, and Nanny decorating for Christmas. What a great present it must be to find 84 extra puppies in your living room!
7. Frozen (2013)
Considering the powers that the queen of Arendelle possesses, it’s easy to forget that this movie actually takes place during the summer. But if you want to watch a movie this holiday season that gets you ready to build a snowman and find someone worth melting for, Frozen is a great choice. Then, if you want to feel really festive, you can check out Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, where the story actually DOES take place during “that time of year.”
By D23 Team
It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year, as Disney fans experience that special blend of pixie dust that can be found only during the holiday season. There’s added magic on all of our favorite series and holiday specials, in Disney parks and resorts, and all around the world. Here are just some of the ways that The Walt Disney Company is making the season brighter for fans.
Arendelle Comes to Life at the “Frozen Carnival” in Taipei, Taiwan
On November 29, The Walt Disney Company in Taiwan brought Arendelle to life at the world’s first “Frozen Carnival,” in the city of Taipei. The event kicked off with the lighting of the Taipei 101 building in Frozen-themed blue and white colors.
A unique and immersive experience, the “Frozen Carnival,” runs from now through January 14, 2018, and features a 12-meter-tall Crystal Christmas Tree and a Frozen character meet and greet.
A Christmas Wonderland in Tokyo, Japan
Disney Japan has teamed up with Tokyu Group for the Christmas promotion “Tokyu Christmas Wonderland 2017—Disney Dream Moments.” Based in Shibuya, Tokyo, Tokyu Group is a business conglomerate which engages in a diverse range of businesses including transportation, real estate, retail, etc. The promotion, which launched on November 1 and continues through December 25, takes places at various Tokyu Group locations around Tokyo.
Christmas trees and decorations at each location feature Disney beloved characters—including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Ana, Elsa and Olaf from Frozen. Throughout the day, fans are surprised and delighted by a festive show of light and the sounds of the season.
Tsum-thing Special in Buenos Aires, Argentina
All aboard Disney’s Tsum Tsum Christmas Express in Alto Avellaneda, a major shopping center in Buenos Aires’ South Zone. The special offering re-creates a train station with different elements that represent the festive spirit of the Tsum Tsum. The train features Disney characters (as Tsum Tsums), along with a special coach where letters to Santa may be left. Mickey, Minnie and other favorite characters “stack up” to form a Christmas tree that is tsum-thing to behold.
A Holiday Visit from Mickey and Minnie in Lima, Peru
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse couldn’t help but join in on the holiday shopping fun at La Rambla, a shopping area located in Lima, Peru, in November. Mickey and his best girl posed for photos with shoppers of all ages in front of a stunning Christmas tree adorned with scores of not-so-hidden Mickeys—including a tree topper that shines as bright as any star.
Celebrating 80 years of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in Melbourne, Australia
Emporium Melbourne, in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) Australia, has launched an enchanting new exhibition never before seen in Australia, Mirror-Mirror, in celebration of the 80th anniversary of Walt Disney’s first animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
The one-of-a-kind, Snow White-inspired exhibition was unveiled by stylist/blogger Nadia Bartel, plus special guests Kate Rooney, Emporium Centre Manager; Andrea McMillan, Head of Brand, Franchise and Partnerships of TWDC Australia; and Paul Vasileff, Director of Paolo Sebastian.
The exhibition also showcases the mesmerizing work of designer Paul Vasileff of Paolo Sebastian, including five of his original couture creations inspired by Snow White.
Emporium Melbourne Centre Manager Kate Rooney said: ‘‘It is a great pleasure and honor for Emporium Melbourne to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. We are delighted to offer our customers and visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the iconic fairy tale through the Mirror-Mirror experience.”
Disney Magical Moments in Buenos Aires
Disney Momentos Mágicos took place in the days just before Christmas, and people were invited to attend the show after purchasing their gifts in the most important shopping malls in Buenos Aires.
The most iconic Disney characters performed live on stage in a show that took the families on a magical musical journey to the Wonderful World of Disney.
The show boasted colorful costumes, original choreographies, and captivating special effects. With fantastic scenery, magnificent musical pictures, and moving stories, Disney Momentos Mágicos made for an unforgettable experience that undoubtedly touched the hearts of all who attended.
By Nicole Nalty
Walt Disney Imagineering celebrates its 65th anniversary this year, and with it, 65 years of unbelievable experiences, unparalleled storytelling, and unforgettable memories for Disney fans across the globe. To celebrate the occasion, we asked a few of the men and women behind the magic to share which Disney experiences inspired them to pursue a career with Walt Disney Imagineering… It should come as no surprise these magic makers are Disney fans, just like you!
See what they had to say below––some of their favorites might just be yours, too!
Joe Rohde—Portfolio Creative Executive
“I grew up in Hawaii, so I had only the faintest idea what Disneyland even was, and never really got to experience it until I was 11. But Pirates of the Caribbean was always my gold-standard attraction, from the first time I ever rode it. The quality of the illusions; the integration of music, sets, and action; the sense that the environment goes on and on—all of these were profoundly affective upon me when I was young, and all of them have remained design issues that I strive to express.”
Kathy Mangum—Regional Executive, WDI Atlantic
“I grew up in Orange, California, just about 5 or 6 miles from Disneyland. When we were little kids, we’d get up on our roof and watch the fireworks every night during the summer. Living so close to Disneyland was a point of pride for us and it’s where I knew I wanted to work as the perfect part-time job when I was in school. I didn’t know what an Imagineer was back then, but I had the opportunity to do some work at WED (now called Imagineering) when Epcot was being built, and I was introduced to the smartest, most creative group of people I’d ever met. That’s when I decided I wanted to be part of the Imagineering team, and I’ve never looked back!”
Dave Minichiello—Executive Creative Director, Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
“My first experience of a Disney theme park was going to Walt Disney World in 1971 while I was growing up in Daytona Beach, Florida. Visiting the Magic Kingdom for the first time, I remember being incredibly inspired and amazed by the scale and level of storytelling that I was experiencing. I had never seen anything like it before! I was immediately captivated by the amazing lands, attractions, and environments that the Disney Imagineers had created. For me, it was at that moment at 12 years old I began to explore everything I could to understand how Walt and the Imagineers created these incredible environments that my family and I were experiencing. So many of the classic attractions such as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, it’s a small world, Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean influenced me to want to become an Imagineer. I could not wait to return to the Magic Kingdom as often as possible to ride all of the attractions again and again and to enjoy and study them. Each attraction told a story in a different way, and I have been challenged and intrigued by how to do this ever since. Now, having had the great honor to be an Imagineer for over 38 years and having contributed to attractions all over the world, I still enjoy this challenge of telling our stories in new ways to excite and inspire our guests when they visit our parks and resorts.”
Derek Howard—Lead Creative Ride Designer
“Having grown up in Southern California, Disneyland was definitely my park and one of the most memorable places we visited during my childhood. The one attraction that had the largest impact was Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I had an enormous interest in trains from early on and was (and still am) a bit of a thrill-seeker, and here was this amazingly themed ride that offered both! This was undoubtedly the catalyst for things to come and the immediate realization that THIS is what I wanted to design when I grow up, though not knowing at the time that there was an actual place that designed and built these things. This is why, out of all the amazing attractions I have a hand in designing, roller coasters are still my favorite to work on.”
Brian Loo—Assistant Producer, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
“Ever since I was small I had a love for trains and transportation and it was the Disneyland Monorail that inspired me to dream big on becoming an Imagineer. At a young age, I looked at the Monorail truly as the future of transportation from its sleek design to the joy of ‘flying’ in the sky above the roadways.
“As I grew up, it continued to be my inspiration on how to combine technology with innovation and storytelling to create something awe-inspiring. My curiosity led me to learn about Walt Disney Imagineering, which opened doors for me to develop creative story-driven experiences that could be inspiring, fun, and, most importantly, put smiles on people’s faces—while at the same time hiding all the technology to not take away from the story. Even after seven years with Walt Disney Imagineering, I can’t believe my childhood dream became a reality.”
Estefania Harbuck—Producer, Marvel Portfolio
“As a child growing up in Georgia, I visited Walt Disney World twice and was always charmed by the beauty, quaintness, and magic that was Fantasyland. Moving through spaces that felt like they only existed within imagination was like walking through a dream. I could’ve wandered those spaces and flown with Peter Pan endlessly. Back home, as the daughter of a travel agent, I would take my mother’s Walt Disney World park and resort catalogue and spend time flipping through glossy photographs of real, fantastical, varied places I’d never been to but could imagine visiting in my mind.
“Returning to Walt Disney World as a junior in high school for a cross country competition, I experienced the parks as an almost-adult and was amazed by how much I fell in love with Epcot—this park I hadn’t thought of much as a kid, but was now enamored with as a teenager. Again, the beauty, the harmony of space and architecture, the sprinkling of story and history and technological amazement, and the tranquility of moving through magical faraway places that I was hungry to visit helped me to fall in love with that place and remember it fondly into adulthood.
“While the singular attractions at the park were definitely climactic moments that cinched the day, it was the whole of what these lands could become when so carefully, deftly executed into real environments that I could enter and engage with and be surprised by and move through was what truly inspired me to become an Imagineer.”
By D23 Team
The Walt Disney Company is sharing the joy this holiday season with kids and families who need it most. You can learn more about Disney’s efforts at Citizenship.Disney.com.
To inspire fans of all ages to use their power to make a difference, Disney XD is sharing a series of stop-motion interstitials this holiday season. Starring everyone’s favorite family of ducks, Baymax, Star Butterfly and Marco Diaz, these adorable spots will fill you with joy… and inspire you to pass it along.
Try this delicious holiday recipe from Chef Michael Symon.
Servings: 4–6
15 to 30 min
Ingredients
Pork Medallions:
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds pork tenderloin (trimmed of excess fat, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick medallions)
1 large sweet potato (cut into 1/4-inch-thick half moons)
4 sprigs thyme
2 sprigs sage leaves
1 clove garlic (peeled, smashed)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup chicken stock
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Endive, Cranberry and Biscuit Salad:
1/2 biscuit recipe – http://abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/biscuits-michael-symon (or 6 store-bought biscuits)
1 cup fresh cranberries
2 cups rosé wine
2 oranges (1 juiced, 1 segmented)
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar (divided)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup olive oil
2 heads endive (cored, thinly sliced)
2 tablespoons tarragon leaves
Kosher salt and freshly groun
Beurre Rouge:
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup chicken stock
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Step-by-step Directions
Tips
Click here to see our entire recipe collection.
By Jim Fanning
Action, adventure, fantasy, Sherman Brothers songs, spectacular special effects—all this and Hayley Mills, too! It’s Walt Disney’s In Search of the Castaways, released on December 19, 1962 as Disney’s big Christmas release. Directed by Disney Legend Robert Stevenson with his usual flair for characterization, humor, and convincing fantasy, this action-adventure epic spins the yarn of Mary Grant, played by Disney Legend Hayley Mills. This fearless teenage adventurer and her younger brother team up with an eccentric professor of geology, a stuffy shipping magnate, and his charismatic son to travel across the globe in search of the Grant children’s missing sea-captain father. To celebrate the 55th anniversary of In Search of the Castaways, here are eight amazing facts encompassing all the high adventure, charming romance, and non-stop adventure of what Disney publicity described as “Walt Disney’s greatest adventure classic!”
1. Castaways Marked Disney’s Return to Jules Verne
Billed in the film’s opening titles as “Jules Verne’s Fantasy-Adventure,” In Search of the Castaways is exactly that. Based on the 1867 novel Captain Grant’s Children, the film marked Walt’s return to the works of Jules Verne after he so famously brought the author’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea to the screen in 1954. According to Walt, Verne “imagined some pretty weird and wonderful things.” The great showman knew that Verne’s fantastical Victorian adventure would make an ideal subject for a Disney live-action film—especially since Walt and his team were the acclaimed masters of special effects ever since their Oscar® win for the 20,000 Leagues special effects. To start on this new Verne project, Walt gave a copy of Captain Grant’s Children to his special photographic effects expert, Disney Legend Peter Ellenshaw, requesting that he produce conceptual art envisioning the film-to-be. “There were quite a number of passages [that gave me a] chance to paint some interesting pictures,” recalled Ellenshaw. “Finally I had a storyboard filled with sketches. Walt brought in a writer [Lowell S. Hawley and] described the way he wanted the story to follow the scenes depicted in my sketches.”
2. Hayley Mills Does Action-Adventure
The talents of Disney mega-star Hayley Mills had already been showcased in the period dramedy Pollyanna (1960) and the contemporary comedy The Parent Trap (1961). Walt had always been impressed with the expressive young actress’s versatility so he decided on something completely different for Hayley’s next starring vehicle: In Search of the Castaways. As with all of Mills’ Disney films, the project was shaped to fit her distinctive persona while still giving her new acting challenges. “Going around the world on all those marvelous adventures, even in make-believe, has been one of the most thrilling times of my whole life,” the Disney superstar said of Castaways.
3. The Kids Are All Right
“One of the nicest things about making movies for Walt Disney is that I get to play a girl my own age who enjoys life as much as I do,” noted Hayley Mills. In Search of the Castaways featured her first onscreen romance, with Michael Anderson, Jr. aboard as her leading man. The youthful thespians’ chemistry had already been proven when Anderson, the young actor who had made such an impression in The Sundowners (1960), appeared with Mills in her screen debut, Tiger Bay (1959), the movie in which Walt had first seen her while casting Pollyanna. For the role of Mills’ younger brother, Keith Hamshere was cast fresh from originating the role of Oliver Twist in the premiere production of the musical Oliver! on the London stage. Disney publicity photos portray Hamshere photographing his Castaways co-stars with his own camera, prefiguring his adult career as a still photographer on the sets of such movies as the Star Wars and James Bond films.
4. Enjoying Maurice Chevalier
Hayley Mills shared her Castaways adventures with another Disney Legend: Maurice Chevalier. Already an established star when he hit it big in 1930s Hollywood, the Paris-born entertainer had made a late-career splash with his supporting role in Gigi (1958), the classic musical that brought him an honorary Academy Award® for “his contributions to the world of entertainment for more than half a century.” Walt cast, as he said, “the always effervescent Maurice Chevalier” as Professor Jacques Paganel, described as “his most excitingly different role” in the movie’s original theatrical trailer. “It was a great opportunity for a man of my years to work with Walt Disney,” said Chevalier. “I think I brought a lot of humor to the part.” Chevalier’s lighthearted approach is especially evident in his performance of the song “Enjoy It.” “That simple ditty, written by two young and talented songwriters, Bob and Dick Sherman, is a wonderful philosophy of life,” said Chevalier. “It has also been my philosophy.” In 1970, Chevalier sang the Sherman brothers’ title song for The Aristocats (1970) specifically in tribute to Walt. “I have always admired this great man. He captured the hearts of all the world’s peoples with his wholesome, refreshing entertainment.” Chevalier also had a wonderful chemistry with Mills. “She has warmth and humor without being sticky sweet. She never overacts.” The duo teamed up again for a delightful concept album, Maurice Chevalier and Hayley Mills Take You to…Teen Street, released on Disney’s prestige Vista label in 1962, the same year as In Search of the Castaways.
5. Shere Khan Shows Up
An Academy Award winner for his supporting role as the malevolent theater critic Addison DeWitt in the film classic All About Eve (1950), George Sanders plays gunrunner Thomas Ayerton, the villain behind Captain Grant’s disappearance. A few years later, Walt undoubtedly recalled Sanders’ distinctively sophisticated but sinister voice in Castaways and cast the suavely cynical actor as the voice of the contemptuous tiger Shere Khan in The Jungle Book (1967). Among many other things, In Search of the Castaways presents Disney fans the opportunity to see the voice actor behind Shere Khan in action (in live-action) on screen.
6. Peter Ellenshaw Creates an Earthquake, a Flood, an Avalanche—and More
“Watch for sights and sounds such as you’ve never seen before in a motion picture!” proclaimed the Castaways trailer, heralding the eye-popping visual effects created by Disney’s movie magician Peter Ellenshaw. “Castaways was a movie full of miniatures and mattes,” Peter later recalled of his efforts to get his incredible visions onto the screen. “We would spend all day setting up [just one] complex special effects scene… We seemed to have all kinds of effects on Castaways, from earthquakes and volcanoes to floods and tornados… and through it all, the support of a great crew.” Castaways principal photography extended from August 8 to November 10, 1961, and the entire production took eight months.
7. Exotic Locales, Enormous Sets
This epic adventure was shot entirely on four sound stages at Pinewood Studios, 20 miles west of London. Later home to famous film series from James Bond to Harry Potter, Pinewood was Walt’s British movie studio of choice for his European-set films. Portions of the story’s exotic locales, such as Glasgow, Scotland, and Melbourne, Australia; a New Zealand Maori settlement and stockade; and a simulated volcano complete with lava, were constructed on the sound stages. The Disney artisans worked two months building parts of an Andes mountain range, then destroyed it in one minute for the film’s shattering earthquake scene. One of the most elaborate sets was built in a tank to simulate a flood. It featured a re-creation of a 150-foot-tall South American Ombu tree, incorporating 600 Ombu branches flown in from the Argentina Pampas at Walt’s request. The many constructed environments were some of the largest and most elaborate interior sets ever created for one of Walt’s live-action movies.
8. Sherman Songs and Native Dances
One of the first assignments Disney Legends Richard Sherman and Robert Sherman received from Walt Disney was to write songs for The Parent Trap (1961), and “Let’s Get Together” was a hit for Hayley Mills. For In Search of the Castaways, the Shermans composed the ballad “Castaways” (aka “The Castaways Theme”) for the personable star to sing. “We had such an enjoyable experience on The Parent Trap, we were happy to be working again with the adorable, super-talented Hayley Mills again,” the brothers later wrote. But they were even more elated when Walt had the inspiration to pair young Hayley with old pro Maurice Chevalier. Richard and Robert’s father, songwriter Al Sherman, had composed one of his signature songs, “Livin’ in the Sunlight, Lovin’ in the Moonlight,” especially for the entertainer, so they were thrilled to write new songs for Chevalier to croon in Castaways.
A unique addition to the musical side of this adventure film figures into the film’s explosive climax as New Zealand warriors perform the fierce “Maori Haka” dance. Led and trained by a traveling group of native singers from New Zealand called the Maori Hi-Five, real Maoris performed the fierce “Maori Haka,” a dance used for centuries as a pre-battle dance. According to Disney publicity, “Eye-witnesses interviewed during the research that went into In Search of the Castaways described the awe-inspiring sight of Maoris, by the hundreds, performing the ancient ‘Haka’ ritual.”
Get ready to try the best holiday cake you’ve ever had! Thanks to our friends at ABC’s The Chew for this tasty recipe.
For more recipes and crafts, visit TheChew.com and tune in weekdays, 1 p.m. ET/12 p.m. CT on ABC.
Servings: 10–12
1 to 2 hours
Ingredients
Holiday Cake:
1 tablespoon unsalted butter (room temperature, for greasing)
1 cup red wine
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dried apricots (finely chopped)
1/2 cup dried figs (finely chopped)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
3 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups canola oil
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
2 cups carrots (peeled, finely grated)
1/2 cup walnuts (roughly chopped, plus 2 tablespoons for garnish)
1/2 cup pistachios (roughly chopped, plus 2 tablespoons for garnish)
Glaze:
8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
3 tablespoons heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 orange (zested)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Step-by-step Directions
Tips
Click here to see our entire recipe collection.
