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August 15

Posted on August 15, 2013 by disneydetail

August 15, 1901 – Lyricist and Disney Legend Ned Washington is Born

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“[Washington] would win an Academy Award not just for ‘When You Wish Upon a Star,’ and for the score, but he won another Academy Award for another song he wrote in 1952…so he really is someone who, historically, is very much associated with very popular song.” – Daniel Goldmark, Music Professor at Case Western Reserve University

On August 15, 1901, Ned Washington was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He joined the Disney Studios in 1938, writing songs for the animated feature films Pinocchio, Saludos Amigos, and Dumbo. Washington was awarded two Academy Awards for Pinocchio, one for Best Original Song for “When You Wish Upon a Star,” and the other for Best Original Score. Washington was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Baby Mine” from Dumbo. Washington left the Disney Studios in 1940. Over the course of his career, Washington was nominated for eleven Academy Awards, winning once more for his song “High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin’)” from the 1952 film High Noon. Washington passed away in 1976. He was named a Disney Legend in 2001.

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August 7

Posted on August 7, 2013 by disneydetail

August 7, 2004 – The World Premiere of The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement  is held at the AMC Downtown Disney Theaters

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“Well, I think you should try to be princess for as long as you can, but inevitably you must accept responsibility and become a queen. Once that happens, true greatness can be achieved. So in my opinion I think it’s better to be queen.” – Actress Anne Hathaway

On August 7, 2004, the world premiere for the feature film The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement was held at the AMC Downtown Disney Theaters in Disneyland. Many characters from Disney films were present, including Mickey and friends, as well as several of the Disney Princesses and their princes. Several celebrities were in attendance to view the film, including Marcia Gay Harden, Emma Roberts, and Ed Begley Jr. Many members of the cast and crew were on hand for the event, including director Garry Marshall, executive producer Whitney Houston, and actors Chris Pine, Julie Andrews, and Anne Hathaway. American Idol Winner Kelly Clarkson, whose single “Breakaway” is featured in the film, also made an appearance at the premiere. The film would have its general release on August 11.

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August 6

Posted on August 6, 2013 by disneydetail

August 6, 1887 – Composer and Disney Legend Oliver Wallace is Born

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On August 6, 1887, Oliver George Wallace was born in London, England. In 1904, he moved to the United States and started work as a conductor in theaters and as an organist for silent films. In 1936, Wallace was hired by the Disney Studios and composed more than 100 short films, which included the 1942 Donald Duck short Der Fuehrer’s Face. Wallace would also work on several of Disney’s animated films, winning an Academy Award for Dumbo, along with Frank Churchill. Wallace would also compose for Fun and Fancy Free, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan. After the studio moved into live-action feature films, Wallace would work on scoring several of these, including Darby O’Gill and the Little People; Wallace would also move into scoring several of the True Life Adventures documentaries. He continued to work until his death in 1963. Wallace was named a Disney Legend in 2008.

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August 3

Posted on August 3, 2013 by disneydetail

August 3, 1990 – Ducktales: The Movie, Treasure of the Lost Lamp is Released to Theaters

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“Big wishes always spell big trouble. The bigger the wish, the bigger the trouble!”

On August 3, 1990, the animated film Ducktales: The Movie, Treasure of the Lost Lamp was released to theaters. Based on the popular animated television series and comic series by Carl Barks, the film was an international production, with tasks done in the United States, England, France, and China. The film was directed by Bob Hathcock, with screenplay by Alan Burnett. It stars Alan Young as Scrooge, Terence McGovern as Launchpad, Russi Taylor as the nephews and Webby, Rip Taylor as Gene, Richard Libertini as Dijon, and Christopher Lloyd as Merlock.

The film begins with Scrooge’s plane speeding through canyons, with Scrooge dismayed in finding that Launchpad never went to flight school. Scrooge, his nephews, and Webby are approaching an archaeological site where, supposedly, the treasure of Collie Baba and his forty thieves was hidden in a secret chamber. Unfortunately, Launchpad destroys most of the ancient ruins, and the plane, in the process of landing. The workers take Scrooge to a chest they found, and Scrooge believes it to be the treasure. When he opens the chest, however, he only finds old robes. Louie finds a map in one of the coat pockets, and Scrooge takes the map. One of the workers named Dijon runs off to his master, the warlock Merlock, who has been looking for the treasure for centuries. Merlock demands that Dijon follow Scrooge to the location on the map and steal the treasure, which he knows is a magic lamp. Scrooge soon heads out into the desert, and they arrive at the location on the map.

Scrooge is thrilled to discover that he's found the secret hiding place of Collie Baba

Scrooge is thrilled to discover that he’s found the secret hiding place of Collie Baba

After digging up the secret pyramid where the treasure is located, the group goes inside to explore, and end up falling down a trap door. As they do, they find the location of the treasure, and excitedly leap across a rope bridge to get to it. Webby finds a lamp, and asks if she can keep it as part of her tea set. Scrooge agrees, and Dijon makes off with the rest of the treasure, joined by Merlock, who destroys the rope bridge before Scrooge and the gang are able to make their way back across. Seeing several large scorpions waiting below, the nephews and Launchpad come up with a quick plan to get out alive.  Outside, Merlock is digging thought the treasure, unable to find the lamp. Believing that Scrooge has it, Merlock turns into a large bird and searches for Scrooge. After escaping the pyramid, Scrooge is depressed, as he has lost the treasure he’d been searching for forty years. Webby offers the lamp, but Scrooge allows her to keep it. Merlock is unable to find Scrooge, and demands that Dijon finds Scrooge and retrieves the lamp.

Back in Duckburg, Webby is polishing the lamp, when it starts to move. Huey then rubs the lamp, and a genie pops out. Although he’s at first confused as to where he is, he soon is grateful for the kids letting him out. The four kids are excited about their prospect of having three wishes each, with Webby making the first wish for a baby elephant as a pet. The genie is worried that by granting such a huge wish, people will know he exists and come to take him away. Their nanny, Mrs. Beakley, finds the elephant, and Huey begrudgingly wishes away the elephant before she can show Scrooge. The kids take genie to hide in their room, but he slips on a skateboard when Scrooge is lecturing the kids on teasing Mrs. Beakley; fortunately, he takes on the guise of a kid, with the kids naming him Gene. After Scrooge begrudgingly allows Gene to stay the night, the kids set to work on asking Gene for their wishes. Gene reveals to the kids his desire of wanting to be just like the kids, and his fear of his meanest master, Merlock. The kids tell Gene that Merlock has to be dead by now, but Gene reveals that Merlock’s first wish is to live forever. The biggest problem, he then explains, is that Merlock holds a magic talisman that, once placed on the lamp, allows the wearer unlimited wishes. The kids reassure Gene that Merlock has no idea that Gene is with them before going to sleep.

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The kids take turns with playing with Gene, with Webby taking him to join her tea party

The next morning, Merlock and Dijon arrive at Scrooge’s mansion, ready to steal the lamp, while the kids play with Gene as if he were a real boy. Merlock sneaks into the house as a rat, and unknowingly catches the attention of Mrs. Beakley, who beats him with a broom. Gene isn’t enjoying playing tea party with Webby, and accidentally gives her the idea to wish that all of her toys and dolls would come to life. The toys begin to terrorize the house, and when Gene asks Webby to turn them all back to toys, she regretfully tells him that she’d just used her last wish. Scrooge leaves his office to find the house run amok by toys, and demands an explanation. Louie angrily uses his last wish to turn everything back to normal, revealing to Scrooge Gene’s true identity. Scrooge takes the lamp from the kids, and his first wish is to have the treasure of Collie Baba. Scrooge then attends the Archaeological Ball, taking Gene with him. Merlock and Dijon follow him to the party to steal Gene. At the party, Scrooge start to announce that he found the treasure, but Gene takes Scrooge away in order to avoid capture by Merlock. Merlock turns into a bear to better attack Scrooge, but Gene helps Scrooge to hide by taking him inside the lamp.

After Merlock leaves, Gene tells Scrooge that he wishes to be a real boy, and Scrooge softens at this confession. When they see Merlock searching for him from the sky, Scrooge demands that Gene return to the lamp for his own protection. As Scrooge makes his way out, he trips over a food cart, knocking its contents to the floor. Thinking it’s the lamp, Scrooge grabs a gravy boat by mistake, leaving the lamp and Gene behind to be picked up by Dijon. As Dijon rushes to take the lamp to Merlock, Gene convinces Dijon to instead keep the lamp for himself. When Scrooge arrives home at his mansion, he is shocked to find that Dijon has wished for Scrooge’s fortune, and Scrooge is promptly arrested. As Scrooge sits in a jail cell, he is soon visited by his nephews, Webby, Mrs. Beakley, Duckworth, and Launchpad, who paid for his bail. The nephews get an idea to sneak back into the mansion to get Gene and Scrooge’s possessions back. Scrooge and the others plan a full scale attack to get inside, but don’t realize that Merlock, disguised as a cockroach, has also snuck in after them. Inside, while Dijon is distracted, Merlock steals the lamp, and his first act is to turn Dijon into a pig. He then turns Scrooge’s home into a fortress, and sends it flying to his home in the desert.

Merlock decides to get rid of Scrooge once and for all, using Gene to send him flying out of the fortress

Merlock decides to get rid of Scrooge once and for all, using Gene to send him flying out of the fortress

When Scrooge threatens to attack Merlock, Merlock retaliates by sending Scrooge flying from the fortress, but the nephews use their marbles to knock the lamp away from Merlock. As Scrooge and the lamp hurtle towards the Earth, Merlock chases after them in the guise of a griffin. The two struggle in the air, and Scrooge manages to knock Merlock’s talisman away, grab the lamp, and wish everything back to normal. Scrooge uses his last wish to make Gene a real boy, much to Gene’s excitement. Dijon, who was crawling around as a pig in Scrooge’s vault, turns back into a human, and the movie ends with the kids playing and Scrooge chasing Dijon down the streets of Duckburg for stealing Scrooge’s gold.

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July 16

Posted on July 16, 2013 by disneydetail

July 16, 1993 – The Live-Action Feature Film Hocus Pocus is Released to Theaters

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“Oh, come on! It’s just a bunch of hocus pocus!”

On July 16, 1993, the live action feature film Hocus Pocus was released to theaters. The film used computer graphics to create the illusion of a talking cat, and the flying scenes were done with wires on a soundstage in the Disney Studios. There is a Beauty and the Beast cameo in this film, as one child trick-or-treats as Mrs. Potts. Although the film garnered mixed to negative reviews on its release, it has since become a cult classic on video, and has been shown on ABC Family for its Halloween television events to a rather large audience of at least 2.5 million. The film was directed by Kenny Ortega; the story was written by David Kirschner and Mick Garris, with screenplay by Mick Garris, David M. Evans, and Neil Cuthbert. It stars Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson, Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson, Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson, Omri Katz as Max Dennison, Thora Birch as Dani Dennison, and Vinessa Shaw as Allison.

The film begins in Salem, Massachusetts in 1693. Thackery Binx wakes to find that his sister Emily is missing, and runs to the woods, as the witches that live there have kidnapped her. Although he tries to save her, he is too late, as Emily has taken their potion, and they steal her life. Since he spilled their potion, preventing them from stealing more lives, the lead witch, Winifred Sanderson, turns him into an immortal black cat, having to live with his guilt for all eternity. The town takes the witches outside and hangs them, but before they die, the witches cast a spell that will bring them back on a Halloween night when a virgin lights a special black flame candle.

Max, new to the area, doesn't believe in Halloween, nor does he believe in the Sanderson witches

Max, new to the area, doesn’t believe in Halloween, nor does he believe in the Sanderson Witches

In 1993 Salem, the tale of the Sanderson Witches is still being told in class, and Max Dennison, who is new to the area, doesn’t believe a word of the tale. He is told off by another student named Allison when he reveals his belief that Halloween was created by candy companies, but is rejected when he gives her his phone number. Things get worse when he runs into two bullies in the cemetery on his way home, who steal his shoes. He is then forced to take his sister Dani trick-or-treating, where they run into the bullies again. Max and Dani get into a fight, but quickly make up. They arrive at Allison’s house to trick-or-treat, and the three decide to check out the old Sanderson house, which was once a museum, but closed due to many mysterious occurrences. Still thinking the Sanderson sisters are a myth, Max attempts to light the candle before he’s attacked by a black cat. However, he lights the candle, and the flame turns black.

Max, Allison, and Dani hide inside the house as the sisters return to life. Although overjoyed to have returned, they begin to wonder who lit the candle. When they attempt to kidnap Dani and use their spell on her, Max intervenes, but Winnie quickly overpowers him. Allison and Dani quickly attack the witches, freeing Max, who confuses the three by setting off the sprinkler system. He takes the book before he leaves, and the three kids quickly leave, with the witches in quick pursuit, although the witches quickly get distracted by modern inventions, including paved roads and fire trucks. Winifred explains to her sisters that they only have until sunrise to take the lives of the children of Salem, or they will turn to dust. Max, Allison, and Dani, following a talking black cat (Thackery) to the cemetery, which Thackery explains is hollowed ground. He then tells them that the legend is true, and he is doomed to live his life protecting the candle, making sure no “airheaded virgin” lights it on Halloween night. He then vows to be ready to face the Sandersons for what they did to his family three hundred years ago.

The witches arrive at the graveyard, ready to take the book away from the kids

The witches arrive at the graveyard, ready to take the book away from the kids

Just as Thackery finishes his explanation, the witches appear in the sky on their broomsticks. Winifred tries to take back her book, but Thackery prevents it by sitting on it. As the witches can’t catch the kids, Winifred brings back to life her former lover Billy Butcherson, whom she tasks with retrieving the book. The kids escape into the sewer, and the witches begin their plan of kidnapping children, using a bus driver’s help. They are confused by the tradition of children dressing up in costumes, and soon confuse a man dressed as the Devil as their master. Max, Dani, and Allison also run into trouble, as they try to tell a man dressed as a police officer what happened, although it’s just a man in a costume. They then run to the Town Hall to find Max and Dani’s parents, asking for help, although their parents don’t believe them. The witches then arrive at the party and bewitch all the parents into dancing until they die. The kids escape, with Billy and the witches in hot pursuit, but Allison gets an idea to take the witches to the high school.

At the high school, the kids trick the witches into the kiln in the art department, where they burn them alive. Thinking they’ve won, the kids celebrate, and head back to the Dennison’s. While they sleep, the witches leave the kiln, fried but still alive. They encounter the bullies when they search for the three, and kidnap them, trapping them in cages in their house. Winifred calls out for her book, and when Max and Allison decide to look at the book, it lets out a special light that alerts Winifred to its location. The witches travel to the Dennison’s, grab the book, and kidnap Dani and Thackery. As the witches travel back to their house, Sarah begins singing her enchanting song, magically hypnotizing the children of Salem to travel to their house. Max and Allison realize they only have until the morning to save Dani and the children, and come up with a plan. Max arrives just in time to stop Winifred from feeding Dani the potion, and tricks the witches into thinking the sun is rising. After freeing Dani and spilling the potion, the kids escape and drive away.

The sisters look at the remaining potion and bottle it up to use specifically on Dani

The sisters look at the remaining potion and bottle it up to use specifically on Dani

The sisters realize they’ve been tricked and bottle up the remaining potion, as Winifred wants to kill Dani specifically, in revenge for Dani calling her “ugly.” The witches quickly catch up with the kids, and they drive to the cemetery, where they run into Billy Butcherson. After cutting his mouth open, Billy explains that he wants nothing more than to see Winifred turn to dust, and helps keep the kids safe in his grave. The witches arrive at the cemetery to retrieve Dani, but Max readies himself with a baseball bat, although it proves ineffective against Winifred. Allison uses salt against the other witches while Winifred knocks Billy’s head off. Dani leaves the grave to help Billy find his head, which gives Winifred a chance to grab Dani. She forces Dani to drink the potion, and Thackery quickly jumps to the rescue, knocking the potion into Max’s hand. Seeing this as the only way to save Dani, Max drinks the potion. Winifred grabs Max and begins to suck his life away, although he squirms and struggles.

Max struggles enough to send Winifred flying from her broom to the ground, dropping Max as well. As she begins to suck the life away from Max, she has sucked enough life to turn into stone as the sun rises. The two other sisters turn into dust, as does Winifred, and Thackery is allowed to die, free from the curse. Max and Dani reunite and hug, and Billy returns to his grave. When Dani discovers Thackery’s body, she starts to cry, but soon spies Thackery’s spirit in the graveyard, letting her know that she helped to free his soul. His sister Emily appears, calling to him, and the two walk away together into the sunrise. All of the witches’ spells are broken, and everyone is free – except for the bullies, who are still caged in the Sanderson house.

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July 15

Posted on July 15, 2013 by disneydetail

July 15, 2011- The 51st Animated Feature Film Winnie the Pooh is Released to Theaters

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“But his favorite things are his stuffed animals. Ah, there they are now: a charming and eccentric cast of characters. And his best friend among them is a bear named Winnie the Pooh, or Pooh, for short. Together, they had many unusual adventures that all happened right here in the Hundred Acre Wood.”

On July 15, 2011, the 51st animated feature film Winnie the Pooh was released to theaters. Based on the stories by A. A. Milne, this is the second film in the Disney animated canon to feature Winnie the Pooh and his friends. Although the film was critically acclaimed, it only made a small amount at the box office, due to its unfortunate timing of opening the same weekend as the last Harry Potter film. The film drew inspiration from three different stories: “In Which Eeyore Loses a Tail and Pooh Finds One,” “In Which Piglet Meets a Heffalump,” and “In Which Rabbit Has a Busy Day and We Learn What Christopher Robin Does in the Mornings.” The music for the film was written by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, and performed by actress Zooey Deschanel, with Deschanel’s band She & Him writing the end-credit song. The story was written by Stephen J. Anderson, Clio Chiang, Don Dougherty, Don Hall, Brian Kesinger, Nicole Mitchell, Jeremy Spears, and Kendelle Hoyer, and was directed by Stephen J. Anderson and Don Hall. It stars John Cleese as the narrator, Jim Cummings as Pooh and Tigger, Travis Oates as Piglet, Tom Kenny as Rabbit, Craig Ferguson as Owl, Bud Lackey as Eeyore, Jack Boutler as Christopher Robin, Kristen Anderson-Lopez as Kanga, and Wyatt Hall as Roo.

The movie opens in the room of Christopher Robin, with the narrator introducing his stuffed animals, including his bear Winnie the Pooh, and explains that Christopher Robin and his friends had many adventures together. The adventure begins with the first chapter of the book, “In Which Winnie-the-Pooh has a Very Important Thing to Do.” The narrator catches Pooh asleep in bed, reminding him that he must wake up as he has a very important thing to do. Pooh excitedly searches for honey, but soon realizes he is out of honey. He comes across Eeyore, glum as always, and discovers that Eeyore’s tail is missing. Owl then flies by, landing in the tree where he was hatched and begins to write his memoirs. Pooh asks for Owl’s help to find Eeyore’s tail, and Owl agrees, suggesting they give out an award for finding Eeyore’s tail. Pooh then sends out messages that there’s “a very important thing to do,” and everyone gathers with Christopher Robin.

Eeyore is placed on display as Exhibit A when Christopher Robin announces the search for Eeyore's tail

Eeyore is placed on display as Exhibit A when Christopher Robin announces the search for Eeyore’s tail

As everyone gathers, Christopher Robin explains the situation, declaring a contest for finding the tail. Pooh comes up with the idea of a large pot of honey for the winner, and the search is on. Pooh puts a cuckoo clock on Eeyore’s end in place of its tail, and is declared the winner, until Eeyore sits on the clock and smashes it. Piglet suggests a balloon, but this doesn’t work well either. The group tries and tries until they run out of things to try, until Kanga gives Eeyore her scarf as Eeyore’s new tail. Pooh is disappointed he didn’t win the honey, and wanders the woods, until he comes across a loose thread, finding that Eeyore’s tail has unraveled. As Pooh continues to Christopher Robin’s, he finds a note at the front door and takes it to Owl’s to read. Although the note says that Christopher Robin will be “back soon,” Owl interprets the letter as their friend being captured by a creature known as “the Backson.” Rabbit comes up with the idea to catch the Backson and save Christopher Robin.

Piglet digs the pit and Pooh assists in setting the trap for the Backson, and the rest of the group sets up the Backson bait. Tigger, however, goes deep into the woods to capture the Backson himself, but ends up catching Eeyore instead. Tigger, in an effort to cheer Eeyore out, takes the donkey under his wing to “Tigger-ize” him, which includes Tigger dressing up as the Backson and attempting to have Eeyore pounce him. In the end, howeverr, Eeyore hides from Tigger, having had enough of the lessons. As Pooh and Piglet continue setting up, Pooh gets the idea to send Piglet up a tree to retrieve a beehive, which ends with the bees chasing the pair across the woods. As everyone continues to prepare the trap, Pooh continues to think only of honey, and how hungry he is. As he is distracted by his daydream of honey, he falls into the pit for the Backson. The rest of the team searches for Pooh and, hearing Pooh’s groaning from the pit, thinks they caught the Backson. They realize Pooh is in the pit, and come up with a plan to save him, only to get caught in the pit themselves, save for Piglet. Piglet is tasked with getting everyone out of the pit, and nervously looks at the woods.

Pooh uses letters to help everyone get out of the Backson pit

Pooh uses letters to help everyone get out of the Backson pit

As Piglet travels through the woods to get Christopher Robin’s jump rope to pull everyone from the pit, he comes across Tigger, who is still dressed like the Backson. They both quickly flee the woods, and Piglet knocks into the narration of the book, sending letters flying all over the place before landing into the pit. Tigger, seeing Eeyore again, tries to convince him to be a Tigger again, when Eeyore claims that “the very best thing about Tiggers is you’re the only one,” which makes Tigger very happy. As Rabbit despairs being caught in the hole, Pooh spies the honey pot at the top, and uses the fallen letters to create a ladder to reach it, effectively helping everyone escape the pit. After they escape, Christopher Robin comes through the trees, letting the group know that he wasn’t taken by any Backson, but that his note said “back soon,” indicating that he’d been at school and would be returning soon.

Still hungry, Pooh continues to search, arriving at Owl’s house. When he rings Owl’s bell, he notices that Owl’s bell rope looks awfully familiar. Pooh is distracted by Owl’s offer of honey, but goes back to the bell rope and takes it from Owl, vowing to return it to Eeyore. Owl still offers him honey, but Pooh refuses, knowing that his friend comes first. Christopher Robin quickly attaches the tail, and awards Pooh with a giant pot of honey. Afterwards, Christopher Robin and Pooh go walking through the woods hand in hand.

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June 22

Posted on June 22, 2013 by disneydetail

June 22, 2004 – Six Disney Songs are Listed on AFI’s 100 Years…100 Songs List

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“When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true.”

On June 22, 2004, the American Film Institute released their list of the top 100 songs in American cinema in a documentary special on CBS, known as 100 Years…100 Songs. Of the 400 nominees, six Disney songs were included in the final list, ranging from Disney’s early years to the Disney Renaissance period. The highest ranking song was “When You Wish Upon a Star” from Pinocchio, ranking at number 7. “Some Day My Prince Will Come” from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs ranked at number 19, “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” from Mary Poppins ranked at number 36, “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” from Song of the South ranked at number 47, “Beauty and the Beast” ranked at number 62, and “Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King ranked at number 99.

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June 19

Posted on June 19, 2013 by disneydetail

June 19, 1957 – The Live Action Feature Film Johnny Tremain is Released to Theaters

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“To the youth of the world…in whose spirit and courage rests the hope of eventual freedom for all mankind…”

On June 19, 1957, the live action feature film Johnny Tremain was released to theaters. The film was based on the 1944 Newberry Medal winning book by Esther Forbes. Originally, the story was set to be a serial on the Disneyland anthology (much like The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh), but due to mounting production costs, Walt Disney decided to make it a feature film instead; it was aired on television the following year in two parts: The Boston Tea Party and The Shot Heard ‘Round the World. Sharon Disney, Walt’s daughter, has a small part in the film. It was directed by Robert Stevenson, who would go on to be one of Disney’s main directors in the 60s and 70s. The film stars Hal Stalmaster as Johnny Tremain, Luana Patten as Cilla Lapham, Dick Beymer as Rab Silsbee, Jeff York as James Otis, and Sebastian Cabot as Jonathan Lyte.

Set in Boston, July 1773, the film tells the story of young Johnny Tremain, who is an apprentice for the silversmith Mr. Lapham. A wealthy landowner named Jonathan Lyte enters the shop and asks Lapham to fix a broken teapot by Monday, but Lapham feels he is unable to fix the piece. Tremain convinces Lyte to let Lapham fix the piece, then works on convincing Lapham that he can fix the piece himself. Lapham tries and fails to recreate the handle of the piece, but Tremain refuses to give up. When Lapham’s granddaughter Cilla asks why Tremain is so concerned with this particular commission, he confesses a secret: he is related of the wealthy Mr. Lyte, and shows her his mother’s christening cup. He confides that he promised his mother that he will never tell Lyte of their relation, unless he is in dire need.

Tremain (R) goes to see Paul Revere for help, finding him at the printing press where his friend Silsbee works

Tremain (R) goes to see Paul Revere for help, finding him at the printing press where his friend Silsbee works

The next day, Tremain goes looking for his friend, Paul Revere, to ask for help in making the handle. Revere is at the printers, where Tremain learns about plans for preventing tea from entering the Boston harbor from his friend Rab Silsbee. Revere tells Tremain how to fix the handle, and Tremain sets to work. He ignores the Sabbath to keep working, and badly burns his hand, making him unable to apprentice anymore. He runs into Silsbee again as he and a few others are at the docks, preventing the tea from being brought onto Boston shores. Lapham, saddened that Tremain can no longer apprentice, offers a chance for Tremain to remain under his roof, but Tremain, very proud, refuses, as he feels he can’t earn his keep. He searches around town for work, but no one is willing to hire a boy with a disabled hand. As he sits, dejected, he runs across Mr. Lyte, and confesses his relation to him, showing him the christening cup. Lyte asks Tremain to bring the cup to his house that night, but when he does, Lyte has Tremain arrested for stealing the cup.

As Tremain sits in jail, he is visited by Revere and Silsbee, who bring a lawyer named John Quincy Adams to defend him at his trial, as they believe he is innocent. During the trial, Lyte tries to make an example of Tremain, disliking those young men that are against the King and his taxes. Adams does a good job of exposing Lyte’s prejudice, then calls Cilla to the stand as a witness. Cilla proves that Tremain did not steal the christening cup, though Lyte tries to make Cilla out to be some sort of villain as well. The judge finds Tremain innocent, and Tremain tells Silsbee that he will do anything to repay him for his help. Silsbee has an idea for Tremain to ride his uncle’s horse Goblin, as no one has been able to handle the easily spooked horse. Tremain is able to keep the horse calm, and is hired as the new horse boy. Silsbee also reveals to Tremain about a group called the Sons of Liberty, and that Tremain will also be tasked to deliver messages to and from the group.

Tremain and Silsbee discuss what they've heard with members of the Sons of Liberty

Tremain and Silsbee discuss what they’ve heard with members of the Sons of Liberty

Tremain takes to his work quickly, and is soon able to observe one of the meetings for the Sons of Liberty. At this meeting, the members tell Tremain and Silsbee that they are attending another meeting about a shipment of tea that has been kept in port for 20 days, and will soon be seized and sold at auction by the governor. Tremain is then tasked to give a signal should he hears the phrase, “this meeting can do nothing more to save the country.” While Tremain waits in the church for the possible phrase, Silsbee is outside with other men, dressed as Native Americans, waiting near the ship. After the governor’s response arrives, the phrase is uttered, and Tremain heads out to sound the alarm. The men dressed as Native Americans set out, and the Boston Tea Party is launched. On the ship, Tremain stares out at the water, wishing he had two good hands to help. Dr. Warre, nthe town surgeon, reminds him that, any time he wishes to come by, he can repair his hand. The tea is dumped into the ocean, and the men head to the Liberty Tree after cleaning up the ship, hanging lanterns and posting signs.

The time then turns to the spring of 1775, and Dr. Warren has been called in to meet the Governor, and reads a newspaper that contains a speech by a prominent member of the House of Commons in England, demanding that the British leave Boston. The governor is not impressed, and refuses to open the ports until the tea that was dumped into the harbor has been paid in full. Meanwhile, Tremaine is sent over to the Lyte household, with Lyte telling him that he is moving back to England. Lyte shows himself to be a Loyalist, but is unable to sway Tremain. Finding that Tremain is a firm Patriot, Lyte informs him that he was going to adopt him into the family and take him to England to live, but Tremain tells him flatly that he would have wasted his time and returns the christening cup. Many young men and women gather with Silsbee, and plan to help Dr. Warren as best they can by finding out what the governor is planning to do. Silsbee reveals that the men old enough to carry guns have been requested to go to Lexington to join the Minutemen, and Tremain is dismayed to be asked to stay behind to watch the moves of the Redcoats. Cilla is rather happy that Tremain is kept out of danger.

Tremain is able to get news of the British army's whereabouts from a disgruntled soldier

Tremain is able to get news of the British army’s whereabouts from a disgruntled soldier

Back at the Laphams, a Redcoat is angered by how long it will take to repair his flask, and Tremain uses this opportunity to ask questions about where the soldiers are going, and finds they are off to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Tremain runs to tell Dr. Warren and the other Sons of Liberty, and the Patriots are able to prepare themselves at Portsmouth before the Redcoats arrive. The governor then finds that the Patriots are able to get enough arms and gunpowder to prepare themselves for any battle. The Redcoats then group together as a force to take down the Patriots, as they think that a bunch of farmers and mechanics can’t take on the British army. Cilla gets a job at a local tavern to get intelligence on the next moves the British plan to make, and by sheer luck, happens to get a copy of the governor’s latest order, although she is dismayed to find that everyone else already had a copy. A late meeting of the Sons of Liberty is called, with every single person called, as it may be the last meeting. The young men are then sent to Lexington to fight. Again, Tremain is upset that he can’t fight with the others, but Dr. Warren reassures him that he is of better use in Boston.

The last meeting of the Sons of Liberty is called to order, with the main conversation being an inevitable war. Many believe that the colonists should only go to war if war is made against them. The conclusion, thanks to a speech by Mr. Otis, is that they should go to war for the rights of men, all men. A little while later, Tremain is seen writing in the old printing house, with his hand fully repaired, thanks to Dr. Warren, and overhears the plan to find out how the British are coming using lanterns in the chapel steeple: one if by land, and two if by sea. Tremain and Cilla find out from the stable boy at the tavern that the British plan to travel by sea to get to Concorde. Tremain, pursued by British soldiers, runs to the church to make sure two lanterns are hanging as signal for Paul Revere, who soon takes off to warn everyone that the British are coming. Tremain soon sets off for Lexington, giving the worried Cilla a kiss before he goes.

The militia gathers in Lexington Green for the first battle of the Revolutionary War

The militia gathers in Lexington Green for the first battle of the Revolutionary War

It’s April 19, 1775, and the militia is ready at Lexington Green. Tremain is reunited with Silsbee, and stands with him as they watch the Redcoats approach. The militia is ordered not to fire unless fired upon, and the British are ordered not to fire until given an order. A shot is fired, although neither side knows by whom, and the British begin shooting the militia men, killing several before the militia flees. War has begun in the colonies, and all of the able bodied Patriots gather to fight. Tremain and Silsbee catch up with the other men to head to Northbridge, where the British are trying to cut off the Patriots from reaching Concorde. Although the British fire a warning shot, it doesn’t deter the Patriots. They win the battle at the bridge, and continue to fight the British as they march on Concorde. The beaten British troops head back to Boston, informing the governor that they should not have underestimated the Patriots. The governor responds gravely that they have experienced more than defeat; they have been vanquished by an idea: a belief in human rights.

At the militia camp, Cilla finds Tremain lying on a hay bale, and, thinking he is gravely wounded, rushes to his side. He looks up in surprise and reassures her that he’s just tired after chasing redcoats all day. He tries to give her a kiss, but they are interrupted by Silsbee asking for help putting a log on the fire. Cilla then says that she’s glad it’s all over, but Mr. Otis says that it’s not over, it’s all just beginning. The camera pans out to show all of the militia camps surrounding Boston, with all of the Patriots at the ready to give their lives for liberty.

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June 18

Posted on June 18, 2013 by disneydetail

June 18, 1999 – The 37th Animated Feature Film Tarzan is Generally Released

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“Somewhere, something is calling for you. Two worlds: one family.”

On June 18, 1999, Disney’s 37th Animated Feature Film Tarzan was released generally to theaters. The film was based on Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Glen Keane, animator for adult Tarzan, designed the character after watching his son perform skateboarding stunts and by watching extreme sports, giving the character a feel of “surfing” through the jungle. For the jungle, a new 3D painting and rendering technique was created for film, called Deep Canvas. This technique allows animators to create a computer animated background that still has the feel of a traditional painted background; it was awarded a special Academy Award in 2003. The songs for the film were written and performed by singer-songwriter Phil Collins, with score by Mark Mancina. Collins’ song “You’ll Be in My Heart” won the Academy Award and Golden Globe for best Original Song. The film overall was a critical and financial success, and was the last film of the Disney Renaissance to have a box office impact. The screenplay was written by Tab Murphy, Bob Tzudiker, and Noni White, and was directed by Chris Buck and Kevin Lima. It stars Tony Goldwyn as Tarzan, Minnie Driver as Jane, Glenn Close as Kala, Lance Henriksen as Kerchak, Brian Blessed as Clayton, Nigel Hawthorne as Professor Porter, Rosie O’Donnell as Terk, and Wayne Knight as Tantor.

There’s been a shipwreck, but a couple and their young child have been able to make it out alive. They look to the jungle as a place of safety in their small boat, and sail towards it. In the jungle, a gorilla couple is also enjoying family time with their baby. The scenes switch between the two families as they work on creating homes for themselves. One night, the baby gorilla wakes up and goes after a frog to play with it, unaware that the leopardess Sabor is nearby and on the prowl. The baby is unable to escape, and is viciously attacked and killed by Sabor. As the gorillas migrate, the mother, Kala, sadly trails behind, until she hears the sound of a baby cry, and takes off in its direction. She comes across the tree house that the human family has built, and opens the door to find that Sabor has killed the parents inside. She hears the baby cry from its crib, and finds that he has not been harmed. Kala takes to the child, and adopts him as her own. However, she soon discovers that Sabor never left the house, and runs to escape, the baby still in her hands. Sabor chases the baby after Kala accidentally drops him into netting nearby, but they manage to escape, and Kala brings the baby back to her herd.

Kala tells Kerchak her intentions of adopting the baby as her own, but he refuses to accept the child

Kala tells Kerchak her intentions of adopting the baby as her own, but he refuses to accept the child

When Kala joins the herd, she declares that she will be the baby’s mother, although her mate Kerchak refuses to accept him. He begrudgingly accepts that Kala will raise him, but tells her that he will never acknowledge him as his son. Kala decides to call the baby Tarzan. The years pass, and Tarzan has grown into a willful child, who still has a hard time fitting in with the herd. Although he is friends with another gorilla named Terk, the other children want nothing to do with what they call the “hairless wonder.” The kids play a prank on him, telling him he can play with them if he retrieves a hair from an elephant and, desperate to fit in, goes to get one, but nearly ends up stomped to death by the elephants. He accidentally starts a stampede that breaks through where the gorillas are nesting, incurring the wrath of Kerchak. Saddened that Kerchak believes that Tarzan will never fit in with the herd, he runs away. Kala finds him later, and tells him that they are family, as their hearts are exactly the same. With renewed vigor, Tarzan is determined to prove his worth to the family.

After adapting to everything in the jungle, Tarzan grows into a strong man, able to hold his own against anything. One day, Tarzan senses something nearby, and narrowly escapes when Sabor breaks through. Kerchak tries to defend the family against Sabor, and Tarzan assists him by taking on the leopardess. In the end, Tarzan manages to kill Sabor, and the whole herd cheers. It looks like Kerchak is about to accept Tarzan as a member of the herd, when a strange sound pierces through the jungle. Kerchak informs everyone they need to move, but Tarzan goes off to explore the strange sound. He comes across a trio of people, and studies them carefully: a trigger-happy guide named Mr. Clayton, Professor Porter, and his daughter, Jane. Jane takes a moment to draw a baby baboon, but is soon chased by the baby’s entire herd. Tarzan soon jumps in to save her. She is rather frightened by Tarzan, but soon discovers that he is rather gentle and nothing to fear. He introduces himself, and starts mimicking her, quickly picking up English. He then helps take her back to her camp.

Tarzan and Kerchak clash over the idea of whether the humans are dangerous or not

Tarzan and Kerchak clash over the idea of whether the humans are dangerous or not

Terk, elephant friend Tantor, and other members of the herd go looking for Tarzan, and come across the camp set up by the Professor and Clayton. The group starts trashing the camp, but are soon chased away by an angry Kerchak. The Professor and Clayton return to the camp after Tarzan leaves with the frightened herd, and Jane relays the story of how Tarzan saved her to her companions. Back at the nest, Kerchak decrees that no one is to go near the strangers, and gets into an argument with Tarzan, as Tarzan does not believe Jane to be dangerous. Tarzan is furious, wondering why Kala never told him that there were creatures that looked like him. Jane tells her father about Tarzan, and Tarzan soon returns to the camp to see her. Jane then decides to teach Tarzan about the world outside of the jungle, while Clayton wishes to use Tarzan to find the gorillas. Tarzan and Jane grow closer, and Jane asks if Tarzan will take them to the gorillas, but he refuses, as he wishes to obey Kerchak. Unfortunately, the ship soon arrives to take the professor and Jane back to England, and Jane asks Tarzan to come with her. Tarzan says he can’t, and asks her to stay. Clayton then takes advantage of Tarzan’s feelings for Jane, and has Tarzan take them to see the gorillas, as Clayton says Jane will wish to stay if she sees them.

Terk and Tantor keep Kerchak occupied as Tarzan takes Jane to the camp. Unfortunately, Kerchak arrives to find the group there, and attacks Clayton. Tarzan saves them from Kerchak, but also alienates himself from the family in the process. Kala finally reveals the truth about Tarzan’s parents, and leaves him to make up his mind about if he should stay in the jungle or go with Jane. In the end, Tarzan decides to go back to England with Jane, much to the sorrow of Kala. As the humans head to the ship, Clayton reveals his true intentions of capturing all of the gorillas, with Jane and the professor trapped in cages to prevent them from stopping Clayon’s plan. Terk and Tantor, hearing Tarzan’s cry for help, set out to rescue their friend. In the jungle, Kerchak and the herd sense danger, and as he tries to protect the herd, he is soon captured. As the herd is trapped in cages and tied down by ropes, Tarzan appears in the mist, bringing with him a whole herd of jungle animals to free the herd. Kerchak asks in surprise that Tarzan came back, and Tarzan tells him that he came home. As Clayton tries to shoot Tarzan, Kerchak takes the bullet. Angered, Tarzan fights Clayton, destroying his gun. As Clayton tries to attack Tarzan with his knife, he is caught in the vines, and dies by hanging as a vine stays wrapped around his neck. Tarzan returns to the herd to fine Kerchak dying. Kerchak finally accepts Tarzan as his son, and asks that Tarzan take care of the family from then on.

Jane, deciding to stay, is welcomed into the family

Jane, deciding to stay, is welcomed into the family

Jane still has to return to England, and the two say goodbye on the beach. Jane is heartbroken with having to leave Tarzan behind, and her father tells her that she needs to stay. Realizing that with Tarzan is where she belongs, she returns to the beach and embraces Tarzan. The Professor decides he wishes to stay as well, and the two effectively join the family.

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June 14

Posted on June 14, 2013 by disneydetail

June 14, 1895 – Singer, Voice Actor, and Disney Legend Cliff Edwards is Born

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“Cliff Edwards, otherwise known as Ukelele Ike, is the voice, and really the character, of Jiminy Cricket in Pinocchio.” – Daniel Goldmark, Music Professor at Case Western Reserve University

On June 14, 1895, Clifton A. Edwards was born in Hannibal, Missouri. After leaving school at age 14, Edwards began his career as a singer in saloons, teaching himself how to play the ukulele, as many places didn’t have a working piano. This skill earned him the nickname “Ukelele Ike,” and he got his big break in 1918, where he and Bob Carleton wrote and performed a song that became a hit in vaudeville. In 1919, Edwards began making phonograph records, and soon became one of the most popular singers of the 1920s. After catching the attention of Irving Thalberg, Edwards was hired by MGM to star in the early talking films. Edwards’ best known role came in 1940, when he starred as the voice of Jiminy Cricket in the Disney animated film Pinocchio and sang one of the most recognized songs of his career, “When You Wish Upon a Star.” He would go on to  voice the lead crow in Dumbo. Edwards battled with alcoholism and drug addiction later in his life, and spent his days around the Disney studios, entertaining the animators with stories about vaudeville. He passed away in 1971 due to cardiac arrest. Disney honored Edwards as a Disney Legend in 2000.

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