On this day in 1961, audiences first got a glimpse into Toyland, that “dear little girl and boy land,” with the release of Babes in Toyland, Disney’s first live-action musical fantasy. The film starred Annette Funicello as Mary Contrary and Tommy Sands as her sweetheart, Tom Piper. As the two are about to be married, …
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With the success of Disneyland Date Nites, which allowed the park to stay open until the wee hours, came Dixieland at Disneyland. Like Date Nite, guests could purchase tickets at a reduced price for nighttime access to the evening’s jazzy festivities. On this evening in 1961, the Second Annual Dixieland at Disneyland was held, with …
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The world is a carousel of color, yet for many years audiences had to watch Walt Disney’s television shows in black and white, which might have made Walt blue, as he long wished for color TV. That changed on this day in 1961, a red letter day for sure, when Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of …
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Houston, we have a problem! While the Flying Saucers attraction was Disneyland’s futuristic answer to bumper cars, floating Guests across a cushion of air, the attraction constantly had problems and was often breaking down. Technicians continuously tried to keep it optimally working, but even in the land of Tomorrow, it proved to be too much …
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One of several feature-length collaborations between Disney Studios and Canada’s Cangary productions was released on this day in 1961, Nikki, Wild Dog of the North. The film, which took three years to produce, was shot with an all-Canadian cast and crew near Banff, Alberta, which included four weeks of freezing temperatures. The film follows the …
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On this day in 1961, William Mason starred in Andrews’ Raiders, part one- Secret Mission, on Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color. William Mason, in this movie, is a railroad locomotive, playing the role of The General, an actual Civil War steam engine. Sharing the screen with the William Mason was Disney Legend Fess Parker …
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It was on this day in 1961—less than six years after Walt had opened his magic kingdom in Anaheim—that Disneyland entertained its 25 millionth visitor: Dr. Glenn C. Franklin of San Diego, California. Mickey Mouse and Snow White served as the welcoming committee for Franklin, his wife, Helen, his mother, and the three Franklin children. …
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Disney Legend Hayley Mills captured our hearts the moment she first appeared on the screen in Walt Disney’s Pollyanna. Although this wasn’t her first film, it was her role as Pollyanna—the girl who sees the world through rose-colored glasses—that led her down the path to superstardom. While 15-year-old Mills may not have been old enough …
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Pictured above: John Harris Big Boss of Variety Clubs International presenting a gold Variety Clubs International membership card to Walt Disney. Throughout the years, the Snow White Grotto in Disneyland, with its picturesque wishing well, has proven a popular area for photographs, for guests to toss a coin and make a wish, or for gentlemen …
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The Absent-Minded Professor bounced into theaters on this day in 1961 and introduced the world to “flubber.” Although Disney Legend Fred MacMurray played the lead role of Professor Ned Brainard, to fly high into the sky on the heels of flubber, another Disney Legend filled his shoes . . . and the rest of his …
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