By Jocelyn Buhlman The stories of the Walt Disney Archives and Disney Legend Dave Smith will be forever tied together—Smith’s Disney career began on June 22, 1970, when he founded the Walt Disney Archives. Hired by Walt’s brother—and co-founder of The Walt Disney Company —Roy O. Disney, Smith was responsible for growing the Archives from …
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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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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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Where What When Hollywood, CA $10 Tickets April 22, 2020 Available Exclusively to Gold Members. Celebrate the year-long Walt Disney Archives 50th anniversary each month with a special “throwback” screening! See Disneynature’s Earth at the El Capitan Theatre on April 22, 2020 for one showing only at 10:00AM*. Featuring a special introduction by the Walt Disney …
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By Savannah Salazar A gorgeous film six years in the making, Cinderella opened in theaters on February 15, 1950. Since then, many iterations of the classic tale have been told, delighting audiences around the world. Along with Ilene Woods, who voiced Cinderella in the 1950 feature, Lily James, Brandy, Anna Kendrick and Jessy Schram have …
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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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