April 1, 1978 – The First Disney Films are Shown on Pay-TV
On April 1, 1978, the first Disney films were shown through pay-TV services, and served as a precursor to what would become the Disney Channel. Disney had been interested in creating their own cable channel since 1977, but instead made a deal with HBO to air several pieces from the Disney catalog. The idea for the Disney Channel was revived in 1981, and would finally launch in April 18, 1983.
March 7, 2010 – Up Wins Two Academy Awards
“Boy, never did I dream that making a flip book out of my third grade math book would lead to this.”
On March 7, 2010, the 82nd Academy Awards were held at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Nominated for five awards, Pixar’s animated feature film Up walked away with two: Best Animated Feature, and Best Original Score. It was the second animated feature film to ever be nominated for Best Picture, but lost out to The Hurt Locker. For animated feature films, it won against Coraline, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Princess and the Frog, and The Secret of Kells.
March 6, 2007 – Peter Pan is Released as a Platinum Edition DVD
“The second start to the right shines with a light that’s rare, and if it’s Never Land you need it’s light will lead you there.”
On March 6, 2007, the animated feature film Peter Pan was released as part of the Platinum Edition DVD series, a special designation of the most popular Disney animated features. Along with a digitally restored version of the film, there were a multitude of features included on the set, such as a reading of a Walt Disney interview where he explains why he made Peter Pan. Sketches and abandoned concepts were also included on the DVD release. The film was returned to the vault on January 30, 2009.
February 28, 2006 – Lady and the Tramp is Released on 2-Disc Special Edition DVD
“Walt Disney’s Lady and the Tramp, filled with memorable music and purebred fun, now shines like never before with an all-new digital restoration!”
On February 28, 2006, the animated feature film Lady and the Tramp was released on a 50th anniversary edition two-disc DVD; this marked the film’s first time being released on DVD. This was the sixth release in the Disney Platinum Edition line. The film was digitally restored, and several bonuses were included on the release, including a making-of documentary, the original 1943 storyboard version of the film, deleted sequences, and DVD games made for the release.
February 27, 1942 – The Daily Variety Runs Article “Walt Disney Weeps as He Gets Oscar”
“I want to thank everybody here. This is a vote of confidence from the whole industry.”
On February 27, 1942, the Daily Variety ran an article entitled “Walt Disney Weeps as He Gets Oscar,” recounting how Disney received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award the night before at the Academy Awards. The award itself is not an annual award, but awarded periodically to those individuals that brought high quality work to the motion picture industry. Disney was the fourth person to win the award, and he was emotional upon winning, as this seemed to be validation from the film industry for his then-relatively small body of work in animation (which included short films and only four animated feature films: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Dumbo). This award was particularly special for Disney, as the film Fantasia had not done as well as hoped at the box office, and while Disney called it “a [mistake] but it was an honest one,” he was still lauded by the presenter as presenting a new and novel way to educate the public about classical music. Thalberg’s widow Norma Shearer was at the ceremony and gave Disney a kiss after he returned to his seat.
February 21, 2004 – Snow White – An Enchanting New Musical Has Premiere at Fantasyland Theater
“Live on stage at Disneyland!”
On February 21, 2004, the elaborate stage show Snow White – An Enchanting New Musical had a premiere at Disneyland’s Fantasyland Theater, two days before its official opening. It was the most elaborate stage production to be held at that theater at the time, and was produced exclusively for the park. The musical ran until 2006 when it was replaced by the Disney Princess Fantasy Faire. The show was free with park admission. It was directed by Eric Schaeffer, with the show adapted by Norman Allen and Darrah Cloud. It originally starred Anne Warren as Snow White, Stuart Ambrose as the Prince, Elizabeth Wardland as the Queen, Lisa Wolpe as the Hag, and featured the voice of Patrick Stewart as the Magic Mirror.
February 10, 2015 – Walt Disney Records Releases The Legacy Collection: Pinocchio
“I had strings but now I’m free, there are no strings on me!”
On February 10, 2015, the sixth entry into Walt Disney Records’ Legacy Collection, featuring the music of Pinocchio, was released. This two-disc edition, released to coincide with the animated feature film’s 75th anniversary, featured the film’s full soundtrack, as well as three recordings of songs cut from the film, and five songs sung by Cliff Edwards (playing Jiminy Cricket) featured in The Mickey Mouse Club television series.
January 29, 1996 – The Lion King Soundtrack Wins American Music Award
“’Til we find our place on the path unwinding, in the circle, the circle of life.”
On January 29, 1996, the 23rd American Music Awards (AMAs) were held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. At this ceremony, the soundtrack for the animated feature film The Lion King won for Favorite Soundtrack, beating out the soundtracks for Dangerous Minds and Forrest Gump. This was the second win for the album, as it won the previous year for Favorite Pop/Rock Album; as the AMAs are voted on by the public, this second award showcased the soundtrack’s immense popularity and impact. This year was the first year that the category for Top Soundtrack (then known as Favorite Soundtrack) was awarded.
January 28, 2018 – “How Far I’ll Go” From Moana Wins Grammy Award
“If the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind me one day I’ll know, if I go there’s just no telling how far I’ll go.”
On January 28, 2018, the 60th Annual Grammy Awards were held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The music from the animated feature film Moana was nominated for two awards (Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, Best Song Written for Visual Media), and walked away with one: Best Song Written for Visual Media for “How Far I’ll Go,” written by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
January 17, 2003 – The Stage Show Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular Officially Debuts in Disney California Adventure
“Must I yearn forever to be free?”
On January 17, 2003, the Broadway-style stage show Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular made its officially debut on January 17, 2003, at Disney California Adventure’s Hyperion Theater. Based on the hit 1992 animated feature film Aladdin, this stage show would become a precursor to the hit Broadway musical. The show generally follows the plot of the film; however, composer Alan Menken added one new song for the show: “To Be Free,” a song for Jasmine. “To Be Free” is a reworked song that was originally created as a ballad for Genie, but was inevitably cut from the film. The show ended its run on January 10, 2016, and was replaced by Frozen – Live at the Hyperion.
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