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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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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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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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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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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By Zach Johnson Becoming a Disney Legend the same year as his collaborator and friend Jon Favreau makes the recognition even more meaningful for Robert Downey Jr., who launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with his inimitable turn as Tony Stark in Iron Man. “We thought we’d arrived when the Paramount folks brought us to …
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By Beth Deitchman Multi-award-winning director, choreographer, and producer Kenny Ortega literally can’t remember a time when Disney wasn’t part of his life—whether he was falling asleep in a room where Disney characters covered the walls, courtesy of his father, a gifted artist himself; thrilling to the latest adventures of Spin and Marty on the Mickey …
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By Jeffrey Epstein From 1986 until 1993, Bette Midler worked on a staggering 10 projects for Disney. From her hilarious turns in Down and Out in Beverly Hills, Ruthless People, and Outrageous Fortune to her heartbreaking role in Beaches, her animated debut in Oliver & Company, and her iconic performance in Hocus Pocus, the Divine …
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By Zach Johnson “I am deeply honored and so very proud to be named a Disney Legend,” says Barnette Ricci, one of 12 remarkable people who were inducted August 23 at D23 Expo 2019. “And this is going to be especially exciting for me because I used to direct the Disney Legends ceremonies!” Ricci actually …
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Kenny Ortega grew up in a household filled with music and dance, so it was natural for him to turn to musical theatre and film for a career. “When I was a little boy, I remember watching my mother and father dance in the living room. They would jitterbug and mambo. Before we had TV, …
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