Joyce Carlson with posing with a remarkably similar “it’s a small world” doll.

From Ink and Paint to Imagineering: The Remarkable Career of Joyce Carlson

By Nicole Carroll, Walt Disney Archives Disney Legend Joyce Carlson began her impressive career with The Walt Disney Company in 1944, in the studio traffic department, where she was responsible for delivering mail and other items like pencils, brushes, or coffee to animators and artists. “Traffic was where you could get the lay of the …

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Haunted Mansion Tombstone

Haunted Mansion Tombstones

By Kimi Thompson, Walt Disney Archives When the Haunted Mansion was being developed for Disneyland, Walt Disney asked Imagineer X Atencio to help develop the storyline for the attraction. He even wrote the now-famous lyrics to the iconic theme song, “Grim Grinning Ghosts.” As a fun homage to the Imagineers who helped create the Haunted …

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Mary Poppins, Burt and Penguins

Mary Poppins’ “Jolly Holiday” Boots

By Rick Lorentz, Walt Disney Archives In its production heyday, The Walt Disney Studios had five sound stages and several backlot locations. Also located on the studio grounds were a costume department and prop warehouse. The proximity of wardrobe and set decoration made it convenient for production staff to prepare for filming. Another advantage to having such facilities …

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Walt Disney Archives "50 Years of Preserving the Magic"

The Walt Disney Archives Celebrates “50 Years of Preserving the Magic”

By The Walt Disney Archives To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Walt Disney Archives, pixie dust has transformed the department’s Reading Room into “50 Years of Preserving the Magic,” an exhibit showcasing rarely-before-seen historical objects that trace the beginnings of The Walt Disney Company to today. Upon entry, Guests are transported back to 1937 …

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Peter Cushing folder

What’s in a Name? – Peter Cushing

By Kevin Kern, Walt Disney Archives Sometimes, the most interesting historical rediscoveries we make in the Walt Disney Archives come when you least expect it, usually while you’re not looking for what you find. Being a fan of all things Star Wars, I just about fell over when, while perusing a box of Disney studio …

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Fantastic Voyage concept art

A Look Back at the Oscars®, Fantastic Voyage

By Lynne Drake, Walt Disney Archives The 39th Academy Awards were held on April 10, 1967, at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. The 20th Century Fox film, Fantastic Voyage (1966), was shot in CinemaScope Color and won the night’s top prize for Art Direction (Color). Art direction for the film was overseen by Jack Martin …

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Behind the scenes photograph from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)

20,000 Leagues Under Sersen Lake

By Cesar Gallegos, Walt Disney Archives From galaxies far, far away to 20,000 leagues under the sea, motion pictures have the ability to transport audiences to new worlds. In order to create these worlds, filmmakers apply a bit of ingenuity and movie magic. To help craft the underwater world in Disney’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, …

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Walt Disney Archives 2020 Events and Exhibitions

WALT DISNEY ARCHIVES 2020 EVENT AND EXHIBITION CALENDAR

In 2020, the Walt Disney Archives will celebrate its 50th anniversary and, to mark this special occasion, the department is spreading some extra pixie dust by introducing several exciting new events and opportunities to view treasured Disney historical objects around the country. The Archives’ very own retrospective exhibition “Inside the Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Preserving the Magic” will premiere at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California, in March, …

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