Walt's Time: The Sherman Brothers

By Nick

On March 5th, 2012, the world lost a musical genius and Disney Legend, Robert B. Sherman.
If you are looking at this blog, you are very likely familiar with the works of Robert and his brother, Richard M. Sherman.

To go into detail as to the Sherman Brother’s contribution to Disney, indeed, music in general, would take many, many pages.

There is actually a book that does just that.

A couple of years ago, my wife bought me this book for my birthday. I’m not sure what she payed, but it is out of print, and fairly collectible.
“Walt’s Time: from before to beyond” is from 1998, 252 pages long, and is packed with many wonderful stories of their time with Walt and beyond.



The inside lists just a few of the many songs that have been part of my life from birth.



The book begins with the Sherman Brother’s very first meeting with Walt, their associations at the studio, and many sketches from animators and illustrators at the Walt Disney Studios.








From live action movies, animated films, and the Disney Parks, the Sherman Brother’s have contributed some of the most beloved songs ever written.

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A lovely tribute to Walt Disney, who, along with their father, the brothers considered their biggest influence.



In 1990, the brothers were named Disney Legends.



This book is a wonderful look at 2 musical giants.

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R.I.P. Robert B. Sherman, December 19, 1925 – March 5, 2012.

60 Years Later: Walt Disney’s Davy Crockett

Tomorrow marks the 60th Anniversary of the airing of Davy Crockett's Keelboat Race (I had to Google that) so I thought this would be the perfect time to post this article from Lisa's Living a Disney Life Blog! - Nick

Lisa can be also be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LivingaDisLife and on Twitter at @life_of_green

And not only is Lisa one of my favorite bloggers, but she co-hosts The Disney Exchange Podcast along with me and David Hodges!

By Lisa Green 

 

Way back in 1955 (a long time ago), THE best show on TV was Davy Crockett.  I wouldn’t know myself, of course, because I wasn’t born yet, but I have heard a lot about the show that was a mid-century marvel, the amazing Fess Parker and the role that made him famous.
“Davy, Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier” 

The 1955 season of this phenomenal hit consisted of only three episodes about the life…and death of the famous Davy Crockett.  Unfortunately, the show’s hero died at the Alamo and that’s how the first season ended.  The explosion of Davy Crockett mania took off anyway!  Coon skin caps and Davy Crockett lunch boxes were flying off the shelves, Davy Crockett comic books and bubble gum cards were all the rage, and “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” was at the top of the music charts for 16 weeks.  Hundreds of millions of dollars in Davy Crockett licensed merchandise made it’s way into the hands of children across America.

Walt Disney, having already killed off the main character of his wildly popular program, did what he could to keep the momentum going by producing two more shows for the next TV season which highlighted Davy Crockett’s legendary adventures.  The entire Davy Crockett television series was only made up of 5 hour-long episodes – but that was enough to create a memorable national sensation!

Fess Elisha Parker, Jr. (August 16, 1924 – March 18, 2010), born in Fort Worth, Texas, was forever known for his most famous role – that of Davy Crockett.  Like me, you may remember him as another famous frontiersman, Daniel Boone – the role he took on in 1964 and played for six years.  Fess Parker retired from television (and acting) in 1970 and went on to a successful career in real estate, opening a Santa Barbara resort hotel, The Fess Parker (a Doubletree by Hilton) in 1986.  Shortly thereafter, Fess Parker turned his business talents in a new direction and purchased a 714-acre ranch –  This year, the family owned and operated Fess Parker Winery will celebrate it’s 25th year in business.

“Born on a mountain top in Tennessee
Greenest state in the Land of the Free
Raised in the woods so’s he knew every tree
Kilt him a b’ar when he was only three.
Davy, Davy Crockett, King of the wild frontier!”

Special Note:  My thanks to Joseph Green (and his extensive Disneyana collection) for allowing me access to his Davy Crockett Dell comic book! Me access to his Davy Crockett Dell comic book!

Favorites at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

By Nick

Episode 31 of The Disney Exchange Podcast which I co-host with Lisa Green and David Hodges was about our favorite favorite thing to do, favorite thing to eat, favorite shop, favorite Disney detail in each of the lands of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and I thought I would share them with you here, in case you haven't already listened to the show. 

We'll start on Main Street USA and go around clockwise. It's hard to just pick one thing that I love about Main Street, but I would have to say meeting Mickey Mouse at The Town Square Theater.

And I still love the moment I round the corner to see Cinderella Castle.

And a trip through the Emporium, even if I'm not buying anything, is a must every trip. As for food, I went with a frosty snack, (ok, it's more than a snack, it's a meal) at The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor.

And since I'm at this end of the hub, I'll take a walk over to see Mickey and Walt represented in the Partners Statue.

Heading to the left to Adventureland, my favorite ride is Pirates of the Caribbean.

But before riding, I'll be stopping for a Dole Whip which has found a new home at Aloha Isle.

The best detail is The Jungle Cruise. The entire ride. I love the themeing, though I confess I don't do it every trip!

In Frontierland, my favorite ride is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad which is an absolute blast in the dark! My favorite detail is rock work on BTMR based on buttes in Monument Valley.

As for food, I enjoy a burger at the Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. I really enjoy checking out the pins and Vinylmation in the Frontier Trading Post.

Haunted Mansion is my favorite ride in Liberty Square, in fact, it's my favorite attraction in Magic Kingdom, my favorite detail being the glowing eyes in the wallpaper, with the breathing door that comes up shortly after that a close second.

I don't often eat in L.S.,  but I have enjoyed a Nutella and berry waffle at Sleepy Hollow. As for shop, hands down, maybe my favorite shop in the park is Momento Mori.

And then there is Fantasyland. So many wonderful details. To sort of narrow it down without actually narrowing it down, I'll pick Be Our Guest. The whole thing!

As for favorite ride, Seven Dwarf's Mine Train is a blast, again, like Big Thunder, at night. As for food, let's head back to Be Our Guest, where I will have the Braised Pork, though the steak is also pretty darn good. As for shops, be sure to stop into Big Top Souvenirs.

In Tomorrowland, I'm going old school, and picking Carousel of Progress.

My favorite detail is the model of the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow which can be seen while riding the Tomorrowland  Transit Authority Peoplemover. As for food, I enjoy having a meal of any type, though it's generally a burger at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe, mostly so I can enjoy the musical stylings of Sonny Eclipse.

So there you go, my favorites. What are some of yours?

This article was originally posted on The Disney Exchange.

Wordless Wednesday : Storytellers' Statue at Disney California Adventure

Disneyland Pictorial Souvenir and Guide

By Nick 

This came in a surprise package from my Aunt Sandy. From 1968, “Walt Disney’s Disneyland: A pictorial souvenir and guide”

The inside front cover folds out, and on the this fold out and the 1st page we get a short history of the creation of Walt Disney’s “new concept in family entertainment”.

We then look at each of the lands, starting with Main Street, U.S.A.

Adventureland

New Orleans Square opened on July 24th, 1966, and Pirates of the Caribbean opened March 18th, 1967

Frontierland

Fantasyland, the happiest land of all.

Tomorrowland

Great shot of  the Monorail. I can’t tell if this is the Mark II or Mark III, as the Mark III arrived in 1968

 

More Monorail, this time in front of the Disneyland Hotel, a sight you won’t see today, as it no longer makes a stop there.

A vibrant back cover.

A great look back at my favorite Disney park!

Defending Walt Disney's Classic, Bambi

By Nick

Why am I writing an article defending my love of Bambi, a true Disney classic, and one of my favorite animated movies of all time? I'm asking myself that very question to be perfectly honest. I'm only too happy to do so, as it deserves praise, but I'm just shocked I have to.

If you've listened to Episode 11 of The Disney Exchange, (If you haven't, you should, it's great, but, really, they all are.) then please go ahead and do so, and then come on back here.

Back? Good, then you heard Dave and Lisa criticize my choice for favorite Disney film pre my birth year, Bambi.

Were you as surprised as me to hear it being described as "cheesy?"

I chose Bambi for a few reasons.

It was my first movie, or at least the first movie I remember clearly. I can picture very distinctly Bambi and Thumper's banter, Bambi's father telling him "Your mother can't be with you anymore,"  the forest fire, and Bambi's standing on a cliff with his father at the end. (Excuse me a moment, I need to compose myself. -sniff-)

Bambi is a very well balanced film of beauty and darkness, with happiness, sadness, laughter, and love.

It's beautifully animated. In the early 90's, I had the opportunity to work at an Animation Art Gallery in Philadelphia, Pa. I got to see some of the inspirational art by Tyrus Wong, as well as animation sketches and production work. I am, in fact, the proud owner of an animated sketch of Bambi, from the "twitterpated" sequence, and a Sericel of Thumper.

A lot of Tyrus' work, along with many works from other animation legends can be found in the excellent book "Walt Disney's Bambi, The Story and the Film" by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, two of Walt's "Nine Old Men."

Believe me, if I could afford it, I would have many more animated pieces from this wonderful movie.
I do have many collectibles around the home representing Bambi, however, such as several Walt Disney Classics Collection pieces.

What are your thoughts on Bambi? Please leave a comment telling why you enjoy it, or just tell Lisa and David they are wrong, either is fine.

This article was originally posted on The Disney Exchange, a blog and podcast which write and co-host with Lisa Green and David Hodges.