Disney Biography, Books, Music and on Stage
Burbank, California—Neal Gabler's new biography of Walt Disney, Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination sells itself. Fully indexed and with pages of comprehensive notes and photographs, this mammoth Knopf hardcover, which will undoubtedly be studied by Hollywood scholars for decades, achieves its ambitious literary purpose—the life story of the Hollywood titan whose uniquely American motion pictures and theme parks continue to evoke wonder and optimism.
Gabler thoroughly researched his subject at the Walt Disney Archives for seven years, sorting through the facts of Walt Disney's life, recording details using thousands of notecards and reading every piece of archived correspondence. The result is a gold mine. Gabler tours the fascinating stories behind Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Disneyland, by way of their obsessive creator, who was moved by a childlike vision of man as a happy, productive player in a neat, orderly, and benevolent universe. This thick volume makes the ideal Christmas present for anyone who loves the movies. Whether one accepts Gabler's conclusions, Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination—because it is serious—is an exhaustive and important accomplishment.
Another Disney-themed book worth placing under the tree is the full-size paperback of quotations and photographs, Remembering Walt: Favorite Memories of Walt Disney, neatly compiled by Amy Boothe Green and Howard E. Green and published in 2002. The 224-page book contains dozens of candid and often humorous insights from family, friends, and colleagues. Remembering Walt makes a handy reference and companion to the biography.
Music Notes
Disney fans who have everything and classic movie fans alike are going to appreciate Steve Sterling's handsomely packaged Disney: The Music Behind the Magic: Fifty Songs Celebrating Fifty Years of Walt Disney Records, two bright yellow compact discs with a colorful booklet featuring dozens of images from the original vinyl records and notes by movie critic and historian Leonard Maltin. Compiled by Ted Kryczko and researched by Randy Thornton, this is one to stuff into the stocking of the avid collector, pop music lover or just to perk up an unsuspecting mom or dad.
With 50 songs from the theme parks, stage musicals, television shows and motion pictures, it's the unique arrangement and commemorative design that command attention. Tracks include eight Alan Menken tunes, from Beauty and the Beast to Pocahontas, "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" and Annette Funicello singing "Monkey's Uncle." Also part of the deal: "Breaking Free" from High School Musical, "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Pinocchio and "Hakuna Matata" (it means 'no worries') from The Lion King.
Stage Notes
Disney's popular stage adaptation of the 1994 animated hit recently returned to Hollywood's Pantages Theatre during an opening performance that packed the house. The mask and puppet musical—which takes certain liberties with the material, such as a female Rafiki (voiced in the movie by Robert Guillaume)—won the audience. The overpowering show is not for everyone, including this fan of the movie, and it did frighten a few tykes. Masked animal puppets prowl the aisles. Characters alternate between masked puppet movements and human body motions and facial expressions. On opening night, The Lion King's wisecracking Pumbaa (Phil Fiorini) and Timon (spot-on Damian Baldet) stole every scene, nailing the comic timing. The show runs for eight weeks through Jan. 7th.
Speaking of Disney, look for my annual Disneyland report, expanded and updated with the latest information, in the coming months.
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RELATED LINKS
• Index of Columns by Scott Holleran
• Book: Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination
• Book: Remembering Walt: Favorite Memories of Walt Disney
• CD: Disney: The Music Behind the Magic: Fifty Songs Celebrating Fifty Years of Walt Disney Records
• Lion King L.A. Web Site
Gabler thoroughly researched his subject at the Walt Disney Archives for seven years, sorting through the facts of Walt Disney's life, recording details using thousands of notecards and reading every piece of archived correspondence. The result is a gold mine. Gabler tours the fascinating stories behind Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Disneyland, by way of their obsessive creator, who was moved by a childlike vision of man as a happy, productive player in a neat, orderly, and benevolent universe. This thick volume makes the ideal Christmas present for anyone who loves the movies. Whether one accepts Gabler's conclusions, Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination—because it is serious—is an exhaustive and important accomplishment.
Another Disney-themed book worth placing under the tree is the full-size paperback of quotations and photographs, Remembering Walt: Favorite Memories of Walt Disney, neatly compiled by Amy Boothe Green and Howard E. Green and published in 2002. The 224-page book contains dozens of candid and often humorous insights from family, friends, and colleagues. Remembering Walt makes a handy reference and companion to the biography.
Music Notes
Disney fans who have everything and classic movie fans alike are going to appreciate Steve Sterling's handsomely packaged Disney: The Music Behind the Magic: Fifty Songs Celebrating Fifty Years of Walt Disney Records, two bright yellow compact discs with a colorful booklet featuring dozens of images from the original vinyl records and notes by movie critic and historian Leonard Maltin. Compiled by Ted Kryczko and researched by Randy Thornton, this is one to stuff into the stocking of the avid collector, pop music lover or just to perk up an unsuspecting mom or dad.
With 50 songs from the theme parks, stage musicals, television shows and motion pictures, it's the unique arrangement and commemorative design that command attention. Tracks include eight Alan Menken tunes, from Beauty and the Beast to Pocahontas, "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" and Annette Funicello singing "Monkey's Uncle." Also part of the deal: "Breaking Free" from High School Musical, "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Pinocchio and "Hakuna Matata" (it means 'no worries') from The Lion King.
Stage Notes
Disney's popular stage adaptation of the 1994 animated hit recently returned to Hollywood's Pantages Theatre during an opening performance that packed the house. The mask and puppet musical—which takes certain liberties with the material, such as a female Rafiki (voiced in the movie by Robert Guillaume)—won the audience. The overpowering show is not for everyone, including this fan of the movie, and it did frighten a few tykes. Masked animal puppets prowl the aisles. Characters alternate between masked puppet movements and human body motions and facial expressions. On opening night, The Lion King's wisecracking Pumbaa (Phil Fiorini) and Timon (spot-on Damian Baldet) stole every scene, nailing the comic timing. The show runs for eight weeks through Jan. 7th.
Speaking of Disney, look for my annual Disneyland report, expanded and updated with the latest information, in the coming months.
$
RELATED LINKS
• Index of Columns by Scott Holleran
• Book: Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination
• Book: Remembering Walt: Favorite Memories of Walt Disney
• CD: Disney: The Music Behind the Magic: Fifty Songs Celebrating Fifty Years of Walt Disney Records
• Lion King L.A. Web Site
