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Monthly Archives: November 2015

November 10

November 10, 2004 – The First Issue of The Incredibles Comic is Released Through Dark Horse Comics

The Incredibles

“But one day things take an unexpected turn when Bob is contacted by a mysterious woman who recruits him for some top-secret hero work…”

On November 10, 2004, the first issue of the four-part comic series based on Pixar’s sixth animated feature The Incredibles is released through Dark Horse Comics. The book was written by Paul Alden, with Ricardo Curtis as the penciller, Ramon Perez as the inker. The comic was sold for $2.99.

November 9

November 9, 1955 – Actress and Disney Legend Karen Dotrice is Born

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“My first impression of [Dick van Dyke] was, ‘Wow, I get to do this for nine months? This is awesome!’”

On November 9, 1955, Karen Dotrice was born in Guernsey, off the coast of Normandy, to two Shakespearean actors. Surrounded by actors of great renown, she made her acting debut at the age of four in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle. It was in this production where she was scouted by Disney, and soon flew across the Atlantic to the Disney Studios in Burbank, California. Her father was on tour in England as King Lear, so “Uncle Walt” as she came to call him took care of her and her family as Dotrice worked. Her first film for the studio was The Three Lives of Thomasina, along with co-star Matthew Garber, and the two were then cast in the film Mary Poppins, which brought her newfound fame around the globe. Her final film for Disney was The Gnome-Mobile, after which she went back to England to star in films and the television series Upstairs, Downstairs. She returned to the United States in the 1980s, and retired from acting in 1984 to focus on raising a family. She was awarded as a Disney Legend in 2004.

November 8

November 8, 2005 – Volume 1 of Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers is Released on DVD

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“No crime is too small for the Rescue Rangers!”

On November 8, 2005, the first volume of the animated series Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers was released on a 3-disc DVD set. The first set includes the first 27 episodes of the series, split into nine episodes each disc. A second volume was released on November 16, 2009, with episodes 28 through 51, along with all episodes of the five-part pilot.

November 7

November 7, 1999 – The Television Movie Annie Premieres on The Wonderful World of Disney

Annie

“Tomorrow, tomorrow, I’ll love ya, tomorrow, you’re only a day away.”

On November 7, 1999, the television movie Annie premiered on ABC’s The Wonderful World of Disney programming block. The film was based on the popular Broadway musical of the same name, written by Thomas Meehan with music and lyrics by Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin. The movie was nominated for and won two Emmy awards for choreography and music direction. The movie also featured a cameo by the original Broadway Annie, Andrea McArdle. The film was directed by Rob Marshall, and starred Kathy Bates as Miss Hannigan, Alicia Morton as Annie, Victor Garber as Daddy Warbucks, Audra McDonald as Grace Farrell, Alan Cumming as Rooster, and Kristin Chenoweth as Lily St. Regis.

November 6

November 6, 1942 – The Donald Duck Short Film Sky Trooper is Released to Theaters

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“Oh, I wanna fly! I wanna fly!”

On November 6, 1942, the Donald Duck short film Sky Trooper was released to theaters. This is the third of seven short films where Donald has been drafted into the Army during World War II. This short also co-stars Pete as a flight sergeant, and Donald’s nemesis. It was directed by Jack King.

Donald is stationed at Mallard Field, though he is relegated to kitchen patrol (KP) duty peeling potatoes. He cries as he peels, as his dream is to fly. Pete notices Donald’s melancholic longing, but only has him peel more potatoes. He promises that he can fly after he peels the tidal wave of potatoes, which Donald completes with enthusiasm. Pete then tests Donald’s eligibility with some simple silly tests, though Donald is unable to pass. Pete torments Donald further by tricking him into going up with the paratroopers. Donald watches all the men stand in line and, thinking they’ve landed, follows suit, only to leap back into the plane once he sees the plane still in the air. Pete tries to throw Donald out, but he refuses to go. As they struggle, they accidentally knock a bomb off the plane, and the two play hot potato with it on the way down. The bomb explodes in the general’s headquarters, and the two are relegated to KP duty.

November 5

November 5, 1931 – The Mickey Mouse Short Film The Beach Party is Released to Theaters

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On November 5, 1931, the Mickey Mouse short film The Beach Party was released to theaters. It was directed by Burt Gillett.

Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow are frolicking across the beach, followed by Pluto carrying a picnic basket and Minnie and Mickey with the beach umbrella. Pluto is used to blow up an inner tube, but lets the air deflate when he bites at a flea. When Mickey heads into the water, Pluto is not too far behind, but stops before he hits the water. The rest of the gang starts to enjoy their time in the surf, though Clarabelle manages to lose her part of her bathing suit. Pluto follows a crab on the beach, which pinches him on the tail. Minnie serves lunch, with Mickey, Horace, and Pluto running for the food. Mickey throws some sausage links for Pluto to catch and when Pluto pulls them out of the ocean, he manages to pull out an angry octopus instead, which chases Pluto across the beach and ruins the picnic. The gang fights back with the remaining food, but they manage to use an anchor to send him back into the ocean.

November 4

November 4, 2006 – The Disney: The Music Behind the Magic Opens at the Experience the Music Project

Disney Music

“Experience Music Project is honored to survey this rich history and commemorate Disney’s impact in this exhibition.” – EMP Artistic Director Bob Santelli

On November 4, 2006, the new exhibit Disney: The Music Behind the Magic opened in Seattle’s Experience the Music Project. The exhibit, also honoring Walt Disney Records’ 50th anniversary, began in the 1930s with original scores and storyboards for the earliest Disney films, to the multitude of pop stars that have had hits through the label. The event also featured interactive elements for kids, including their own way of mixing vocals and creating sound effects. For adults, there were clips with explanations by musical experts, as well as pieces of important Disney milestones for all to see. The event ran until September 9, 2007.

November 3

November 3, 1922 – The Laugh-o-Gram Puss in Boots is Released

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“Don’t let me catch you around here again.”

On November 3, 1922, the Laugh-o-Gram Puss in Boots was released. It was based on the classic fairy-tale of the same name, but updated for a then-modern audience. It was directed by Walt Disney.

Once upon a time, a boy and his cat Puss were walking down the street, with the boy bringing his sweetheart, the princess, a bouquet of flowers. Puss, in turn, flirts with her cat. While both pairs are occupied, the king comes out and boots the boy away from his daughter. He chases the boy around the garden and warns him never to return before throwing him and Puss out. The boy walks away dejected, moaning to the Puss that the king doesn’t like him. Puss, wanting to impress her mate, asks the boy to buy her a pair of boots, but the boy refuses and heads to the cinema instead. They watch a “Rodolph Vaselino” film about a matador, which gives Puss an idea on how to win the king’s favor – but he has to buy her the flapper boots first. The king is excited about the upcoming bull fight, where the boy will be fighting to win the princess’ hand. The boy enters the arena, but runs around terrified of the bull. After catching the princess’ eye, he summons his courage and manages to fight the bull, but has to call Puss for assistance. With Puss’ help, they knock the bull out, and the king allows the boy to marry his daughter.

November 2

November 2, 1963 – Julie Andrews Performs at a Special Promotional Event at the Golden Horseshoe in Disneyland

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“Your silvery beams will bring love’s dreams, we’ll be cuddlin’ soon by the silvery moon.”

On November 2, 1963, Julie Andrews and the Dapper Dans joined the cast of the Golden Horseshoe for a special press-only promotional event for Mary Poppins, which would open the following year. Among the songs performed by the cast, Andrews and Wally Boag performed the standard “By The Light of the Silvery Moon.” This was not the first time that Andrews and Boag had shared the stage, as Andrews was a plant in the audience for Boag’s stage act in London.

November 1

November 1, 1921 – Animator Retta Davidson is Born

Retta Davidson

“…Retta Davidson will always be a legend in my book. She was my boss, my colleague, and one of the nicest women I ever knew.” – Animator and Disney Legend Floyd Norman

On November 1, 1921, animator Retta Davidson was born in Arcadia, California. She joined the Disney Studios at the age of seventeen as a member of the Ink and Paint department, working on animated features such as Pinocchio, Bambi, and Fantasia. During World War II, when many of the animators were drafted, Davidson was one of ten women selected from the department to be considered for animation training. After working as an animator for a year, she left the studio to enlist in the Navy, serving for four years. After the war ended, she came back to the studio to continue working as an assistant animator. Davidson’s skills as a key assistant animator were always in high demand. Like many animators, Davidson left the studios in 1966 after Walt’s death, but continued to work as a freelancer before moving to Canada to be an animation teacher. She returned to the studios in the eighties to train young animators, and was promoted to Coordinating Animator. In 1985, Davidson retired from the Disney Studios, though she left an indelible mark on those that were able to work alongside her. She passed away in 1998.