Dappy About Disney

Everybody can remember their first Disney film. With me it was Beauty and the Beast. I watched the film three times a week, made my own version of Belles ball gown out of a bedspread and wished someone could love me so much hed give me his library. (Nobody has yet). Even now I divide suitors into two camps: Beasts (the ones you keep) and Gastons (the ones you definitely dont). Bearing this in mind, its astonishing to realise that not only has Disneyland Paris celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, but the company itself hits the big 9-0 in 2013 too. Indeed, when you do the arithmetic, you realise the so-called Disney Renaissance (the roster of films that revived interest in the company) ended in 1999- 17 years ago! With characters like Buzz Lightyear and the Disney Princesses alive and well in childrens imaginations, it feels like yesterday. In honour of these anniversaries- and my great love of the company- we present the top 10 Disney facts...

1) Love him or hate him, the Walt Disney Company would never have come into being without its controversial founder, Walter Elias Disney (1901-1966). As well as his work as a film producer, animator, entrepreneur and philanthropist, he was also a voice actor, providing the original voice for his most famous creation ... 2) Mickey Mouse is undoubtedly the most iconic character the Company ever created. Intended as a rodent Fred Astaire, his debut is debatable- either Plane Crazy, where he kisses Minnie Mouse, or (as the history books insist) Steam Boat Willie, the first synchronised sound cartoon. Though he isnt wearing his famous white gloves, hes immediately recognisable. He was co-created by Disney and fellow animator Ub Iwerks. 3) No discussion of Disney would be complete without mention of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, not only its first film but the first full length animated film. Premiering December 21 1937, it won Disney an honorary Oscar at the 11th Academy Awards. As a sign of its merit and cultural impact, it was ranked 34th on the 2007 American Film Institutes list of the best 100 movies. 4) Some Disney films were critically panned on release, only to be recognised as classics years later. The two most notable features to receive this treatment are Pinnochio (1940)- Disney was said to be deeply depressed by the films takings-

and Fantasia (1940)- Pauline Kaels remark that the film was grotesquely kitschy was typical ... 5) While its delightfully dotty 1973 Robin Hood, which recasts the legendary figures as anthropomorphic animals, was despised by the company as an old shame they wanted to bury. It has remained hugely popular with fans. 6) Disney voice actors are a funny bunch. If we were to pick the most recognisable voice, itd have to be Phil Harris, who voiced Baloo the Bear, Thomas OMalley and Little John. If we were looking for the most diverse voice artist, itd be Sterling Holloway, who performed both Kaa and Winnie the Pooh. Biggest coup? A tossup between Sir Peter Ustinov (Prince John in Robin Hood) or Vincent Price (Rattigan in Basil the Great Mouse Detective)! Price always claimed it was his favourite role- which, when you consider he appeared in over sixty films, is saying something. 7) Ever wondered which Disney film has won the most Oscars? That honour goes to Mary Poppins, hands down. Not only did it receive 13 nominations (a feat in itself) but it won five, including Best Actress in a Leading Role (Julie Andrews) and Best Original Song (for Chim Chim Cher-ee). Quite a sop to Dick Van Dyke, whose iffy accent in the film is legendary! 8) The Lion King is often declared to be the first Disney film based on an original story. Where that came from, nobodys sure: Lady and the Tramp, The Aristocats and Lilo and Stitch were all originals. Never mind! 9) Disney is famous for being a company of firsts: * The short Flowers and Trees (1932) was the first Technicolour film. * The 1933 short Three Little Pigs is credited with being the first film where animated characters were brought fully alive- as animator Chuck Jones put it, Here were three characters who looked alike but acted differently. It has the dubious distinction of being Hitlers favourite film. * One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) was the first feature to solely use the Xerox process to transfer animators drawings to cels. * Beauty and the Beast was the first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture in 1991 (it was beaten by The Silence of the Lambs). * Although Toy Story (1995) was the first feature length computer animated film, the Walt Disney Company didnt buy Pixar until 2006. 10) While Mickey Mouse is the undisputed star of the Disney pantheon, his cast of friends, relations and enemies are just as tenacious:

Pete (Mickeys main adversary) - created 1925 Minnie- created 1928 Pluto- created 1930 Goofy- created 1932 Donald Duck- created 1934 Huey, Dewey and Louie- created 1937 Daisy Duck- created 1940 Scrooge McDuck- created 1947

Why not check out the following great links? Disneyland Paris- Have you wished upon a star? Theres nowhere more magical than Disneyland Paris. Book your tickets now! Partycare- Do your little ones love Disney? Youre in luck! Throw a themed partyPartycare stock terrific Disney character costumes! Disney Film Project- The DFP has a singular goal: to watch every last Disney film, including the shorts!