Walt Disney on a set similar to what we would see when he introduced one of his movies on the Sunday night television show “The Wonderful World of Disney”, in the 1960’s.
I can’t even remember what the ‘memory cue’ was the other day that reminded me of all the great Disney movies from the 50’s and 60’s. They were just the best in all respects. The bright colors, the wonderful music, good story lines, rapid pace, quality acting. He knew what was good for kids, what kids liked, and how to do it. He ran circles around the rest of Hollywood. In central Iowa The Wonderful World of Disney was shown on NBC Sunday evenings at 6 pm. Right after supper.
“Walter Elias Disney (December 5, 1901 – December 15, 1966) was an American animator, film producer and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the animation industry, he introduced several developments in the production of cartoons. As a film producer, he holds the record for most Academy Awards earned and nominations by an individual, having won 22 Oscars from 59 nominations.” – Wikipedia
I’m not even referring to what a lot of people think of when they think of Disney, his animated movies, I’m talking about his live action movies. I just noticed he was only 65 when he died, that’s crazy. He was really hitting his stride when he died. Come to think of it I believe he was a prolific smoker of tobacco. So sad. What Michael Eisner and Bob Iger and others would do to Disney in the succeeding years was just criminal.
It’s a shame younger generations will never be exposed to the glory years of ‘The Magic Kingdom‘. I don’t begin to understand how “film rights” work, but I seriously do not have the words to express how our culture is going to suffer by not being exposed to these films. I’m going to list below a few of my Disney favorites from “back in the day”. It’s really not possible to overstate the influence Walt had on youth culture for a little over 10 years.
The live action movies, the animated movies, the television shows, The Mickey Mouse Club, The Disneyland Theme Park, the merchandising. It was just pervasive. And frankly, wholesome. It just hit me what another key to their success was! Originality! They read books! Back then we had entire buildings devoted to these “books” called “libraries”. They contained the most wonderful, exciting and new stories. Doing the research for the movies below, I found out that what Disney is doing today is remaking these movies, not coming up with new ideas.
A little girl comes to a town that is embattled by feuds and intimidated by her aunt. By the time she must leave, she has transformed the community with her indominatable will to see the good side of even the worst situations and bring it out for the betterment of all.
I liked it because it had Hayley Mills, James Drury, quintessential “Disney kid” Kevin Corcoran, Karl Malden, Jane Wyman, Mary Grace Canfield, Edward Platt and a host of other recognizable faces. And it captures the feel of turn of the century New England so well. You learn so much history too.
A family in route to New Guinea is shipwrecked on a deserted tropical island. They are forced to remain on the island because of the damage to the ship and the pirates that are roaming the islands. They create a home on the island (centering around a huge tree house) and explore the island and its wildlife. Plenty of adventure ensues as the family deals with issues of survival and pirates, and the brothers must learn how to live on the island with an uncertain future.
Hayley Mills plays twins who, unknown to their divorced parents, meet at a summer camp. Products of single parent households, they switch places so as to meet the parent they never knew, and then contrive to reunite them!
Best doggone dog in the west! A teenage boy grows to love a stray yellow dog while helping his mother and younger brother run their Texas homestead while their father is away on a cattle drive. First thought to be good-for-nothing mutt, Old Yeller is soon beloved by all.
Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier. The movie is actually in color, I just really loved this B&W photograph. Fess Parker. Just perfect for the role. Legends (and myths) from the life of famed American frontiersman Davy Crockett are depicted in this feature film edited from television episodes. Crockett and his friend George Russell fight in the Creek Indian War. Then Crockett is elected to Congress and brings his rough-hewn ways to the House of Representatives. Finally, Crockett and Russell journey to Texas and partake in the last stand at the Alamo. Once again it is impossible to overstate the influence it had on America.
I’d totally forgot about these! These nature “docudramas”. They were just wonderful! Entertaining, informative. Experience the thrill of the hunt and the heartwarming fun of a mother lion caring for her playful cubs as wildlife experts Elma Milotte and Alfred Milotte spend three years on the plains of Africa studying the king of beasts. The next week it might be the American frontier, or the exciting adventures of animals in the Rocky Mountains.
Although this movie is exactly 60 years old, I just saw it 5 or 6 years ago. That’s criminal. What determines a successful movie for me is it has to have 1 or more of the following: an actor you care about or can empathize with, great cinematography, or a story line you can’t turn away from. This, one of my favorites, was the actor: Gilles Payant. French Canadian. It was filmed in the Canadian Rocky’s. Gilles made 2 movies, this one when he was almost 15 and another when he was 6. He died at just age 65. It was the prototype Disney film where honesty and hard work in the end, paid off. Despite incredible hardships along the way.
The bottom line from my point of view is that Disney seemed unique in that he tried to build America up, instead of tearing it down.
Wonderful tribute to Walt Disney! Yes, his vision was wholesome, kid friendly, and family affirming. The Disney Co. got greedy and put profits over families and kids. I’m sure Walt has been turning over in his grave. But, thank goodness, people have been fighting back and boycotting Disney – which also owns ABC. ABC has some of the worst shows on TV – superficial, phony, and not even really funny.
I figured being the same age range that you would remember him fondly also. He should not have been unique! There should be a whole sub-genre of companies wanting to compete for that segment of the market! Instead it’s “how low can you go”.
Iowa life 
Wonderful tribute to Walt Disney! Yes, his vision was wholesome, kid friendly, and family affirming. The Disney Co. got greedy and put profits over families and kids. I’m sure Walt has been turning over in his grave. But, thank goodness, people have been fighting back and boycotting Disney – which also owns ABC. ABC has some of the worst shows on TV – superficial, phony, and not even really funny.
I figured being the same age range that you would remember him fondly also. He should not have been unique! There should be a whole sub-genre of companies wanting to compete for that segment of the market! Instead it’s “how low can you go”.
You got that right!