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December 31

Posted on December 31, 2012 by disneydetail

December 31, 1918 – Actress and Disney Legend Virginia Davis is Born

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“One of my favorite pictures was Alice’s Wild West Show. I was always the kid with the curls, but I was really a tomboy, and that picture allowed me to act tough. I took great joy in that.”

On December 31, 1918, actress Virginia Davis was born in Kansas City, Missouri. Starting at the tender age of two, Davis began taking acting and dance lessons, and began starring in advertisements at age three. A young Walt Disney discovered Davis in an advertisement for Warneke’s Bread, and talked Davis’ mother into letting Davis star in a series of short films featuring a live-action girl in a cartoon world. She shot the pilot film, called Alice’s Wonderland. After the Laugh-O-Gram studio failed and Disney moved to Los Angeles, he called the Davis family and convinced them to move to California, and Davis continued to star in the Alice comedies for 13 more films. She did audition for voices in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Pinocchio, but was not hired.

After her work at Disney, Davis continued to act in films, including Three on a Match and The Harvey Girls. She earned a degree from the New York School of Interior Design, and later had a successful career as a real estate agent. She has continued to make appearances at special Disney events, including Disneyana events at the parks. Davis was honored as a Disney Legend in 1988, being considered Walt’s first star. She passed away at the age of 90 in 2009.

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December 29

Posted on December 29, 2012 by disneydetail

December 29, 1995 – The Hollywood Pictures Film Mr. Holland’s Opus Has A Limited Release

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“Mrs. Jacobs, you tell them that I am teaching music, and that I will use anything from Beethoven to Billie Holiday to rock and roll if I think it’ll help me teach a student to love music.”

On December 29, 1995, the Hollywood Pictures film Mr. Holland’s Opus was released in Los Angeles, to be considered for Academy Award consideration. The film tells the story of Glen Holland over his thirty years of teaching music. The film was shot on location in Portland, Oregon, specifically at Grant High School; the drama teacher at the school brought in many current and former students to be extras in the film. Richard Dreyfuss, playing the lead role of Glen Holland, was nominated for a Best Actor Academy Award. The film was written by Patrick Sheane Duncan and directed by Stephen Herek, with music by Michael Kamen. The film stars Richard Dreyfuss as Glen Holland, Glenne Headly as Iris, Jay Thomas as Bill Meister, Olympia Dukakis as Principal Helen Jacobs, and William H. Macy as Gene Wolters.

In 1965, young Glen Holland is seen at the piano composing, hearing the grand sounds of an orchestra in his head and filling the room; he then pretends he is conducing the piece. The next morning, his wife Iris wakes him up for his new job as the music teacher at the newly named John F. Kennedy High School. He has a rather tense meeting with the assistant principle Gene Wolters, then runs into the principal Helen Jacobs as he wanders around the school, lost. After hearing her instructions, he feels a bit overwhelmed, even more so when his first class doesn’t go well, and the orchestra members don’t know how to play. Fortunately, he makes friends with Bill Meister, the P.E. teacher. Holland admits to Meister that he took the teaching job so he could have free time to compose, with Meister telling him that “he can’t remember the last time that was free.”

Although stunned when Iris announces her pregnancy, Holland is able to reassure her that he is excited to become a father

Although stunned when Iris announces her pregnancy, Holland is able to reassure her that he is excited to become a father

Holland continues teaching the orchestra, noticing one clarinet player, Gertrude Lang, having problems playing correctly. He asks her to stay behind, and tells her that they’ll find some extra time to help her improve. Holland still spends his nights composing, but his teaching still puts his kids to sleep. After one particularly disastrous test and a run-in with the principal, he realizes he needs a new approach ­to teaching. After a private session with Gertrude, he hears her crying, and she admits to him that she’s terrible, and just wants to be good at something. She leaves her clarinet behind and flees the room. As he starts venting his frustrations to Iris, she admits to him that she’s pregnant, and is upset that all he can say is, “Wow.” He assures her that he is excited to have a baby, and is inspired to reach to the students through rock ‘n’ roll music. As things begin to look up for Holland, Gertrude returns, telling him that she’s giving up the clarinet. He convinces her to try again, only to have fun with it this time. He finally reaches her, and she plays the clarinet solo at graduation.

To help supplement his income, Holland teaches driver’s education during the summer. One day, Holland speeds to the hospital with his students in the car, getting there just in time to meet his newborn son, whom he and Iris name Coltrain, or Cole for short. Unfortunately, Holland is soon in trouble for teaching rock ‘n’ roll in his class. Vice Principal Wolters is angry that Holland isn’t forced to stop the rock ‘n’ roll curriculum but is pleased that Holland has then been assigned to teach the marching band. Holland’s friend Meister helps Holland with running the marching band, if Holland helps student athlete Louis Russ get a passing grade in orchestra. Russ is assigned to the drums, but needs some extra help in learning how to keep a beat. The marching band marches in a local parade, playing “Louie Louie.” This parade also brings some bad news to Holland: as he doesn’t react to a fire truck siren, they learn that their son Cole is deaf.

Meister helps save the show by using the football team as background dancers, with comical results

Meister helps save the show by using the football team as background dancers, with comical results

The decades roll by, with Holland keeping a distance between himself and his family, deeply hurt that he is unable to teach the joy of music to his own son. Iris is frustrated and angry that she can’t communicate with her own son, and even more upset that Holland doesn’t seem to want to be close with Cole. Graduation arrives at the high school, with Principal Jacobs letting Holland know that she’s retiring, and confides that she’s always considered him her favorite teacher at the school. The decades continue to roll by, until it’s 1980. Wolters, now the principal of the school, is on a mission to cut anything that is artistically inclined. It’s only thanks to Meister that the school musical is saved, with the football team being brought in to dance in the show. He drifts even further away from his family, being tempted to run away to New York City with student Rowena Morgan, not necessarily because he is attracted to her, but more to the idea of writing great music in New York. Ultimately, he decides not to go, but helps Rowena find a place to stay in the city.

Holland is affected by John Lennon’s death, and has another fight with Cole, as he believes Cole wouldn’t know who Lennon is, and Cole believes his father thinks he’s stupid. Realizing that his son is capable of understanding music, Holland tries to find new ways for the deaf students at Cole’s school to “hear” the music, particularly music without words. At a concert for the deaf students, Holland performs a song by John Lennon, dedicating it to his son. In 1995, Holland is still teaching at the high school, and is asked to Wolter’s office. Wolter has finally gotten his way of cutting the arts programs, with Holland being let go. Although he fights this, Holland still loses. He realizes that, at the age of 60, he doesn’t have any other options, and it is too late for him to finish his composition and get it published. As he sits in the empty music room, believing that no one will miss him once he is gone, he hears a car horn outside his window. Holland looks to see Iris and Cole, who help him pack up. They surprise him, however, by taking him to the auditorium, where many of Holland’s former students have gathered to say goodbye to their beloved teacher. The students then perform, with Holland conducting, the symphony he has spent the past 30 years writing.

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December 22

Posted on December 22, 2012 by disneydetail

December 22, 1995 – The Feature Film Tom and Huck is Released in Theaters

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“I been to your funeral once, I ain’t goin’ again.”

On December 22, 1995, the feature film Tom and Huck was released to theaters. The film was based on the novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, and received mixed reviews on its release. The film was directed by Peter Hewitt, with screenplay by Stephen Sommers and David Loughery. It stars Jonathan Taylor Thomas as Tom Sawyer, Brad Renfro as Huck Finn, Eric Schweig as Injun Joe, Mike McShane as Muff Potter, and Rachael Leigh Cook as Becky Thatcher.

It’s a dark and stormy night, with a mysterious figure walking the streets of the town. The figure, who we find is Injun Joe makes his way to the town doctor, Doc Robbins; the doctor tells Joe that he has a job for him in the graveyard. Injun Joe accepts, but demands more money. Meanwhile, Tom Sawyer hears the clock alarm going off at midnight, and crawls out of bed, running away from life with his aunt Polly. He is joined by his friends, and they escape to the Mississippi River, climbing on to a raft and sailing away. Unfortunately, they hit a sharp rock in the rapids, and Tom is thrown into the river, until he is saved by a stranger. The next morning, Tom tries to sneak back home, but is caught by Aunt Polly. He is then sent to whitewash her fence as punishment for sneaking out, but tricks his friends into doing the work for him. While they all do his job, Tom runs off, running into his friend Huck Finn, who is back in town. After meeting with Huck, Tom attends school, trying to get the attention of Becky Thatcher.

Tom and Huck sneak into the graveyard to cure warts, only to be observers to the murder of Doc Robbins

Tom and Huck sneak into the graveyard to cure warts, only to be observers to the murder of Doc Robbins

Tom meets with Huck again, who informs Tom that he’s found a cure for warts, involving a dead cat and a graveyard. The two make plans to meet at the graveyard, where they accidentally stumble across Injun Joe with Doc Robbins and Muff Potter uncovering a treasure map from a grave, and watch in horror when Injun Joe murders Doc Robbins, using Muff’s knife. As Tom and Huck flee the scene, with Tom accidentally dropping his prize marble, Injun Joe spots them. Although Tom thinks they should tell the sheriff, Huck convinces him that Injun Joe will murder them if they say a word. The two write an oath and sign it in blood that they will never tell. Tom is still wracked with guilt, having nightmares that Injun Joe will find him and murder him in the night. The next day, Tom discovers that Muff Potter has been accused of murdering the doctor, with Injun Joe claiming he saw Muff do it. The trial is then set for the next day, with many in the town believing that Muff did it. Huck prevents Tom from telling anyone the truth of the murder, and Tom protests that all they need to prove Muff’s innocence without breaking their oath is the treasure map; Huck points out that the map is in Injun Joe’s pocket, and wonders why he should stick his neck out for Muff.

Later, Tom goes by the creek again and runs into Becky. The two pretend to be engaged, although Becky is furious when she finds that Tom has been engaged before. Back in town, Injun Joe is trying to find the identity if the boys in the graveyard using the marble he found, while Huck wonders if he’s doing the right thing by not telling anyone about what he’s seen. Huck agrees to try and grab the map from Injun Joe, and the two follow him, waiting for the right moment. Unfortunately, they are unable to grab the map before he finds the treasure, and he burns the map, destroying the only evidence of Muff’s innocence. While they are still wandering outside of town, they hear the church bells ring, signaling that someone has died. Injun Joe, returning to his task of finding out who saw him in the graveyard, runs across a boy who tells him that Tom Sawyer was the last to use the marble, but it no longer matters, as he is dead. Tom’s hat was apparently found in the wreckage of the raft, and the whole town believes he’s dead. Tom and Huck sneak inside the church, and Tom is amazed to see that the town misses him, and even more so when Becky announces that if she could see him just one more time, she would tell him she loves him and kiss him in front of everyone. Huck gets angry that Tom keeps up the charade, and tells him to stop making his aunt suffer and go home. With Huck pushing him, he falls through the ceiling of the church, much to the surprise of everyone.

Injun Joe, finding out that Tom was the observer in the graveyard, surprises Tom and threatens to kill him

Injun Joe, finding out that Tom was the observer in the graveyard, surprises Tom and threatens to kill him

The next day, Tom tries to find Huck, with Huck packing and leaving town. Just after Huck leaves, Injun Joe finds Tom, and taunts Tom, threatening to kill him if he says anything about who really killed the doctor. Tom then goes to the jail to see Muff, and Muff starts to cry when Tom says he believes Muff is innocent. The trial begins, with Injun Joe testifying that Muff killed the doctor while in a drunken rage. Muff’s lawyer, in a surprise move, calls Tom Sawyer to the stand. Tom hesitates in answering the questions, but when someone publicly denounces Tom as an outright liar, Tom bravely tells the whole truth of what he’d seen. Injun Joe tries to kill Tom on the stand and escapes the courtroom. Later that evening, Huck appears at Tom’s window. Huck is angry that Tom broke the oath, but warns his friend to be careful before disappearing again.

The next day is the town picnic, with Tom still nervous that Injun Joe will find him. All of the children are taken to a nearby cavern to explore, with Tom and Becky running off to a deeper part of the cavern. Huck, hiding nearby, hears that Tom and Becky haven’t gone back yet. Injun Joe, in another part of the cavern, hears them and follows the echo of their voices. The town is alarmed that Injun Joe is back in town, looking to kill Tom. As Becky and Tom try to find a way out, they come across Injun Joe, who pursues them. After helping Becky find a way out, Tom comes across the treasure chest Injun Joe was trying to bury. Injun Joe finds him, and is just about to kill him when Huck comes to the rescue. Injun Joe falls down a cavern hole trying to save his treasure, not knowing that Tom took out all the coins to trick him. Tom and Huck escape the cavern and are proclaimed heroes by the town. The Widow Douglas offers Huck a new life with her, promising him a future. Tom goes to find Huck, and sees Huck in all new clothes. Tom is surprised by this new change in Huck, but the two of them go into town together, still ready to cause a great deal of mischief for the town.

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December 11

Posted on December 11, 2012 by disneydetail

December 11, 1992 – The Feature Film The Muppet Christmas Carol is Released to Theaters

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“A blue, furry Charles Dickens who hangs out with a rat?”

On December 11, 1992, the live-action feature film The Muppet Christmas Carol was released to theaters. It was the first Muppet film to be released after the deaths of creator Jim Henson and puppeteer Richard Hunt (it was released in their memory). The film is based on the classic tale by Charles Dickens, and is considered one of the more close adaptations of Dickens’ story; for instance, the character of The Ghost of Christmas Present is seen aging during his visit, as was written in the story. Directed by Brian Henson, the film stars Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge, and puppeteers Dave Goelz (Gonzo, Waldorf, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew), Steve Whitmire (Kermit the Frog, Rizzo the Rat, Beaker) Jerry Nelson (Robin the Frog, Statler), and Frank Oz (Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Sam the Eagle). The film was a modest success, and has developed somewhat of a cult following in the years since its release.

Set in 19th century London, the film begins with an introduction by Charles Dickens (played by Gonzo) with his friend Rizzo the Rat, selling apples. Although Rizzo doesn’t believe that he’s standing with Charles Dickens, Dickens sets out to prove that he is, beginning the tale. We then meet the miser Ebenezer Scrooge as he makes his way through the town. The residents of London remark how cold and cruel Scrooge is, and he responds with a simple “Humbug.” He arrives back at his business, where his employees, including his assistant, Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog), are hard at work. Scrooge’s nephew, Fred, arrives at the door, trying to convince his uncle to join him for Christmas dinner, but Scrooge refuses. Late that evening, Cratchit timidly asks Scrooge if the employees can ­take Christmas day off, and Scrooge reluctantly agrees, so long as they arrive all the earlier the next day.

Scrooge is startled by all the strange disturbances he experiences on Christmas Eve

Scrooge is startled by all the strange disturbances he experiences on Christmas Eve

While the whole town seems to excitedly anticipate Christmas day, Scrooge arrives at home, disturbed by a vision of Jacob Marley (Statler). As he sits in front of the fire, strange things occur, startling him, until the ghosts of his former partners, Jacob and Robert Marley (Statler and Waldorf), appear. They warn him that if he doesn’t change his ways, he will end up with their fate, wrapped in the chains of their wickedness. The two tell Scrooge that he will be haunted by three spirits, and without these visits, he cannot hope to avoid their fate. He is to expect the first ghost when the bell tolls one. Scrooge doesn’t believe them, but still crawls into bed, fearful of what could happen.

Sure enough, when the bell tolls one, Scrooge is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past, who takes him back to the Christmases of his youth. They watch as year after year passes by, with Scrooge sitting all alone at his school every Christmastime. They are then taken to his apprenticeship days at Fozziwig’s Rubber Chicken Factory, with Fozziwig’s (Fozzie Bear) annual Christmas party. It is there that Scrooge meets a young woman named Belle, and falls in love with her at first sight. Despite Scrooge’s protests, the Ghost shows him the Christmas where Belle breaks off her engagement, believing him to be more in love with money than with her. The ghost then returns a depressed Scrooge to his chambers.

The Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge around town, including to the home of his loyal employee, Bob Cratchit

The Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge around town, including to the home of his loyal employee, Bob Cratchit

When the bell rings two, Scrooge meets the Ghost of Christmas Present, who takes him out into the city on Christmas morning, intent on showing him the joy of Christmas. Scrooge asks to see his family, suddenly inspired by the kindness he saw in the street. Taken to his nephew’s Christmas party, Scrooge is saddened to find that he is the joke of the party, and called an “unwanted creature.” The spirit then takes him to Bob Cratchit’s house, where Scrooge sees Cratchit and his son, Tiny Tim (Robin the Frog), walking home from church, full of joy. At their Christmas dinner, Cratchit raises a glass to Scrooge, although his wife Emily (Miss Piggy) strongly objects to this, but in the spirit of the season, she agrees; this touches Scrooge deeply. Scrooge is impressed by the good attitude of the sickly Tiny Tim, and asks the Spirit if Tiny Tim will live. Although the Spirit can’t give a confirmation, he says he sees “a crutch without an owner.”

The Spirit then takes Scrooge to the cemetery, to await the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Although frightened, Scrooge declares that he is willing to learn with an open and grateful heart. They arrive on a rainy Christmas day in London, seeing a crowd of pigs discussing someone’s death, declaring that no one would go to that funeral. They then move on to a back alley trader named Old Joe, with people trading with him items from the deceased, including his bed curtains and the blankets from his bed. Although Scrooge suspects that he is the deceased in question, he claims that with his new blossoming outlook on life, this may change. He then asks to see some tenderness in the world, and is taken to Bob Cratchit’s once again. Unfortunately, at this Christmas, Tiny Tim has passed away. Scrooge is taken back to the cemetery and sees his own grave before his eyes. He pleads that he has changed, that the future can change. He then promises to keep the spirit of Christmas alive all year round, sobbing into the spirit’s robes.

Scrooge, having turned over a new leaf, finds the charity volunteers and offers them a large sum to help the homeless and destitute

Scrooge, having turned over a new leaf, finds the charity volunteers and offers them a large sum to help the homeless and destitute

All of a sudden, Scrooge looks around to see that the spirits have passed, and it is Christmas morning. He then sets out to make things right, buying the prize turkey from the butcher and bringing good tidings to all, including giving to a charity he had turned down the day before. Scrooge then goes to Bob Cratchit’s house to surprise him with the turkey, presents, and the offer of a salary raise. The movie ends on a high note, with Tiny Tim living after all, and the whole town of London celebrating Christmas.

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December 10

Posted on December 10, 2012 by disneydetail

December 10, 1941 – Actor and Disney Legend Tommy Kirk is Born

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“[Walt Disney] was with Hedda Hopper, the legendary columnist. He put his arm around me, and he said, ‘This is my good-luck piece here,’ to Hedda Hopper. I never forgot that. That’s the nicest compliment he ever gave me.”

On December 10, 1941, Thomas Lee “Tommy” Kirk was born in Louisville, Kentucky. While he was still very young, his family moved to Los Angeles, California. In 1954, he followed his older brother to an audition at the Pasadena Playhouse, and ended up being cast in the production of Eugene O’Neill’s Ah, Wilderness! He was soon signed to a talent agency, and began working on television, which brought him to the attention of Walt Disney. Walt cast Kirk as Joe Hardy in the Mickey Mouse Club’s Hardy Boys serial opposite Tim Considine, another well-known Disney player.

Although Kirk found popularity in the Hardy Boys, his star role was Travis Coates in the 1957 film Old Yeller. Thanks to the immense popularity of the film, Kirk was cast in roles of the all-American teenager, frequently teaming with Kevin Corcoran as his younger brother. Kirk had continued success with The Shaggy Dog, Swiss Family Robinson, The Absent-Minded Professor, Bon Voyage, and Son of Flubber. The last films Kirk did for Disney were the popular Merlin Jones films, opposite Annette Funicello. In 1963, Disney decided not to renew his contract, and his career stalled in adulthood. He left show business after battling several personal problems, and started his own carpet-cleaning business in the San Fernando Valley. He was inducted as a Disney Legend in 2006.

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December 8

Posted on December 8, 2012 by disneydetail

December 8, 1916 – Director and Disney Legend Richard O. Fleischer is Born

Image credit: wikipedia

Image credit: wikipedia

“I called my father in New York that night and told him the story. He said, ‘Of course you must take that job without any question. Just do one thing. Give a message to Walt from me, tell him that he’s got great taste in directors.’”

On December 8, 1916, Richard O. Fleischer was born in Brooklyn, New York. Son of famous animator and producer Max Fleischer (Betty Boop, Popeye), Richard grew up around the entertainment field and attended the Yale School of Drama before joining the New York RKO-Pathe News, where he wrote newsreel commentaries and directed wartime documentaries. Soon after, he moved to Hollywood, where he directed several film noirs, including Bodyguard and The Clay Pigeon. In 1952, after he directed The Happy Time, starring Bobby Driscoll, he got a call from the Walt Disney Studios, asking him to direct the new live-action film, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The film was a great success for the studio, as well as for Fleischer. After its release, he went on to direct such classics as Doctor Dolittle and Tora! Tora! Tora! He was inducted as a Disney Legend in 2003, and passed away of natural causes in 2006.

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November 26

Posted on November 26, 2012 by disneydetail

November 26, 1997 – The Walt Disney Pictures Feature Film Flubber is Released to Theaters

“The truth is Weebo, I’m not absent-minded because I’m selfish, crazy, or inconsiderate. I’m absent-minded because I’m in love with Sara.”

On November 26, 1997, the Walt Disney Pictures film Flubber was released to theaters. The film is a remake of the 1961 Disney film, The Absent-Minded Professor, starring Fred MacMurray; the 1961 film was based on the short story “A Situation of Gravity” by Samuel W. Taylor. Flubber was directed by Les Mayfield, with screenplay by Bill Walsh (the 1961 film) and John Hughes. It stars Robin Williams and Professor Phillip Brainard, Marcia Gay Harden as Sara Reynolds, Jodi Benson as the voice of Weebo, Christopher McDonald as Wilson Croft, Raymond Barry as Chester Hoenicker, and Wil Wheaton as Bennett Hoenicker.

Filming and special effects for Flubber took place at the Treasure Island Naval Base in San Francisco, California. Filmmakers had 90,000 square feet of space to create Professor Brainard’s laboratory, the locker room, and the basketball arena, all in one place. A major difference between Flubber and Professor is the substance Flubber itself: in the 1997 film, Flubber has a mischievous personality of its own.

Professor Phillip Brainard sits for breakfast, explaining his hope to save the college after his robot assistant Weebo shows him the news article about the shutdown threat

As the film opens, Professor Phillip Brainard is getting ready for his day, when his robot assistant, Weebo, tells him that Medfield College is facing a shutdown. Distracted by the news, Brainard feels that he’s forgetting something scheduled for that afternoon. What he’s forgetting is his marriage to the Medfield College president, Sara Reynolds, which he has already forgotten twice. He meets Sara for lunch, and she reminds him about the wedding and makes him promise he’ll be there; if he doesn’t show, she tells him that they’ll call it quits – permanently.

Later, while Brainard is working in his lab, his rival, Wilson Croft, stops by. Croft had been Brainard’s partner until he stole and profited from Brainard’s ideas. He announces his plans to steal Sara away from Brainard. As Brainard prepares for the wedding, he asks Weebo why the wedding wasn’t on his schedule. Weebo is secretly in love with Brainard, and pretends that she may have a virus. While he is looking at Weebo, he sees that one of his projects may have had a breakthrough, and sets to work on it, the wedding pushed out of his mind, especially as he sets off an explosion in his lab.

Brainard is so excited about his new discovery, “Flubber,” that he hasn’t realized that his missed his own wedding for a third time

Everyone waits at the church, and Sara finally realizes that he isn’t coming. Later that night, as Brainard cleans up the mess, he comes across the new substance he created: a green goo with a mind of its own. It begins to wreak havoc in the lab and the neighborhood after being startled by a camera flash. Weebo dubs it “flying rubber,” and Brainard names it “Flubber.” As he continues to experiment with Flubber, thinking that this is the breakthrough that will save the college, he finally realizes that he’s missed his wedding. Again.

The next day, Brainard arrives at Sara’s office to explain, but she is too heartbroken to hear it. She cares nothing for his Flubber invention, and declares that they are finished. Meanwhile, Bennett Hoenicker, star of the Medfield basketball team, goes to his father, furious that he’s been placed on academic probation after flunking chemistry. His father, Chester Hoenicker, one of the biggest lenders to the school, asks his flunkies to “persuade” Brainard to change his son’s grade to an A. The henchmen go to Brainard’s lab late at night and accidentally become a part of Brainard’s Flubber experiments (getting knocked out by a Flubber-coated golf ball and bowling ball). Brainard then applies Flubber to his car, which enables it to fly. He flies to Sara’s to show off the car, only to find her on a date with Croft. Although he is upset about this, he resolves not to give up, and to find a way to use Flubber to help the Medfield team win the basketball game and hold off the shutdown.

Brainard applies liquid Flubber to the basketball and his shoes, testing how it could be used to help Medfield win the basketball game

Brainard explains to Weebo that using Flubber to help them the rather inept Medfield team win is the only way to prove to Sara that Flubber will be a success. Brainard intends to sneak into the rival school’s basketball arena, and apply Flubber to the basketball and his own sneakers, testing how well it will work. As he leaves, he warns Weebo not to let Flubber out from its container. She promises, but the moment he’s gone, she decides to have fun with the creation, and the released Flubber begins to have a dance party around the house.

After a disastrous first quarter at the basketball game, the Flubber begins to take effect, and the Medfield team wins the game, 69 to 68. Brainard tries to convince Sara that Flubber helped Medfield win the game, but she doesn’t believe him, and continues her date with Croft. A dejected Brainard flies home in his car, but Hoenicker sees him in the aerial auto. As Brainard sadly explains his love for Sara to Weebo, he is unaware that Weebo records him. Later that night, Weebo goes to Sara’s house and shows her the recording, effectively winning Sara back for Brainard. Sara arrives at Brainard’s and the two make up, with Brainard taking Sara for a ride in the flying car; the two decide to sell the car to a car company to save the school.

Hoenicker waits for Brainard and Sara to return, offering them a chance to sell him the Flubber, in exchange for him forgetting the debt owed him by the school

When Brainard and Sara arrive back at Brainard’s, they are greeted by Hoenicker, his son, and his flunkies. Hoenicker offers to buy Brainard’s invention, but Brainard and Sara refuse his offer. The next morning, when Brainard and Sara take the car to Ford to sell, Hoenicker’s henchmen break in to steal Flubber, and destroy Weebo as she tries to stop them. Brainard and Sara return to see the damage and find the Flubber stolen, and Brainard holds Weebo as she dies in his arms. He believes that he could never recreate her, but finds that she secretly placed her plans on his computer so he could create another copy, with a final message from her hologram.

With a new resolve, Brainard and Sara head over to Hoenicker’s to retrieve the Flubber and avenge Weebo. They find Croft working for Hoenicker to interpret the Flubber, once again trying to steal Brainard’s creation. Brainard and Sara quickly put their plan in motion, using the Flubber in the hand cream, a water gun, and the car to recapture the Flubber. Brainard and Sara save the college, and finally have their wedding, although through a video link, with Brainard working in his lab while Sara is at the church. The two then fly off to their honeymoon in their Flubber-powered car, accompanied by Flubber and the newly constructed Weebette.

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November 4

Posted on November 4, 2012 by disneydetail

November 4, 1895 – Director, Producer, and Disney Legend Ben Sharpsteen is Born

“Concerning Ben Sharpsteen and his contributions to the development of the Disney organization, I want to say he played a very important part.” – Walt Disney

On November 4, 1895, Ben Sharpsteen was born in Tacoma, Washington, and was raised in Alameda, California. Sharpsteen attended the University of California at Davis to study agriculture, and joined the Marines in 1917 to serve during WWI. After the war, Sharpsteen worked at various studios as an animator, including Paramount, Jefferson Films, and Max Fleischer Studios. After his work was recommended to Disney, Sharpsteen flew from New York to Los Angeles; he was hired and paid one of the highest salaries in the studio, higher even than Disney’s top animator, Ub Iwerks.

For his first six years at Disney, Sharpsteen contributed animation on 97 Mickey Mouse short films and several Silly Symphonies. In 1933, Sharpsteen also established an animation training program within the studio, and began to recruit talented artists. In 1934, he moved to directing on the short films, which led to his role as a sequence director on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. He then became a supervising co-director on Pinocchio, and a production supervisor on Fantasia, Cinderella, and Alice in Wonderland. In the 1950s, Sharpsteen worked on several of the True-Life Adventure series, even presenting the series on television on the first episode of the Disney anthology series Disneyland. After working with the Disney Studios for 33 years, he retired in 1962, and passed away on December 20, 1980. He was inducted as a Disney Legend in 1998.

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October 27

Posted on October 27, 2012 by disneydetail

October 27, 1954 – The Television Series Disneyland Premieres on ABC

“…this year, we want you to see and share with us the experience of building this dream into a reality.”

On October 27, 1954, the first episode of the Disney anthology series Disneyland premiered on ABC. The show, named after the theme park Walt Disney was planning to build, gave audiences glimpses of the dream that would become the California theme park. The first episode was entitled “The Disneyland Story,” and was directed by Robert Florey.

When Walt Disney was in the midst of creating his theme park, he realized that the only way he could secure enough funding was to embrace the new medium of television. He struck a deal with the then-fledgling ABC network, which agreed to help provide financing if he created a weekly hour-long television show for them, with Walt as host. This show made Walt Disney a familiar figure in households nationwide, and created several staples in popular culture, including the Davy Crockett craze of the 1950s.

“The Disneyland Story” begins with an aerial view of the Walt Disney Studio in Burbank, California. There is then a behind the scenes view at what is going on at the studios, including a look at the upcoming film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, a live-action model stage for Sleeping Beauty, and some strange music being composed in the music department. The narrator takes us to a place called the Disneyland Plans Room, where “something unusual is going on in the studio today, something that never happened before.” Walt then takes over as host, introducing his vision of Disneyland, the four worlds of the park, and the format of the four worlds of the television show. Introducing Frontierland, he then presents a segment about the Davy Crockett serial that will soon begin filming, and introduces Fess Parker, who sings the theme song.

Going to Adventureland, Walt presents producer Ben Sharpsteen, who talks about the planned area and shows some films they’ve done of the Galapagos Islands, the Falkland Islands, Lapland, Morocco, and Portugal. Walt introduces Tomorrowland, and director and animator Ward Kimball explains the plans and ideas for the Tomorrowland segments, including designing and building the first passenger-carrying rocket. The last realm Disney introduces is Fantasyland, where “in this land, hopes and dreams are all that matter.” He then says that Uncle Remus would have called it a “laughing place,” which leads into the “laughing place” segment from Song of the South.

Walt Disney pulls down a book from his shelves that chronicles the life of his greatest star, Mickey Mouse

To remind everyone that “it all started with a mouse,” Walt then presents the story of Mickey Mouse, starting with his humble beginnings in the short film Plane Crazy. He introduces Mickey’s friends and fellow stars – Pluto, Goofy, and Donald – before presenting one of the most important roles in Mickey’s career: the role of the sorcerer’s apprentice in Fantasia. After exploring Mickey’s career, clips are shown of the next week’s episode, a presentation of the Disney film Alice in Wonderland.

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October 25

Posted on October 25, 2012 by disneydetail

October 25, 1997 – The Disney Channel Original Movie Under Wraps Premieres

Image credit: wikipedia

“Gilbert, it’s a horror movie, what do you think happens? Horrible things!”

On October 25, 1997, the Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) Under Wraps debuted on the Disney Channel. It was the second DCOM to be labeled as such. The film was written by Don Rhymer, and directed by Greg Beeman. It starred Mario Yedidia as Marshall, Adam Wylie as Gilbert, Clara Bryant as Amy, and Bill Fagerbakke as Harold.

12-year-old horror film fan Marshall, along with classmates Amy and Gilbert, discover a mummy in the basement of a house, who comes to life thanks to the moonlight. The three become friends with the mummy, naming him Harold, after Marshall’s uncle, and decide that Harold will live with one of them. They discover that Harold needs to be put back in his coffin before midnight on Halloween, or he will turn into dust. The trio discovers that Harold’s sarcophagus is on display at the museum at the Egyptian exhibit, and attempt to come up with a plan to get him back before the deadline.

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