Bloodhound Pluto

Q: My husband and I have always wanted to know what kind of dog Pluto is. My husband says he is a poodle but I say some kind of retriever. We recently visited Walt Disney World in Florida and asked the person who works with the characters at Chef Mickey in the Contemporary Resort and he didn't know. We asked several cast members around the Magic Kingdom and they didn't know either. Can you help?
Michelle, Hialeah, Florida

A [Dave Smith]: Pluto was never meant to be any particular breed, or in other words, he is a lovable mutt. (In one of his first appearances, he was a bloodhound.)

[Marcio Disney]

Pluto (formerly known as Pluto the Pup) is an animated cartoon character made famous in a series of Disney short cartoons. He has most frequently appeared as Mickey Mouse's pet dog. He also had an independent starring role in 48 Disney shorts in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Pluto is unusual for a Disney character in that he is not anthropomorphized beyond showing an unusually broad range of facial expressions or use of his front paws at key points; he is actually represented as a normal dog (unlike Goofy who is an anthropomorphic dog).

 

N a m i n g

The pup first appeared in Walt Disney's short The Chain Gang, released in the USA on August 18, 1930. However, the dog had no name. In the next appearance on October 23, 1930, in The Picnic[the dog is named not Pluto, but Rover. It was in The Moose Hunt, released on May 8, 1931, that the dog is called Pluto the Pup, the studio's original name. A September 1931 model sheet for the character with that name is illustrated in Barrier's Hollywood Cartoons.

Several months had passed between the naming of what was believed to have been the ninth planet, Pluto, on March 24, 1930, and the attachment of that name to the dog character. Venetia Burney (later Venetia Phair), who as an eleven-year-old schoolgirl had suggested the name Pluto for the planet, remarked in 2006: “The name had nothing to do with the Disney cartoon. Mickey Mouse's dog was named after the planet, not the other way around.”

Although it has been claimed that the Disney studio named the dog after the planet (rather than after the mythical god of the underworld), this has not been verified. Disney animator Ben Sharpsteen has said: "We thought the name [Rover] was too common, so we had to look for something else. [...] We changed it to Pluto the Pup, [...] but I don't honestly remember why."

Welcome to Pooh Corner

Q: When I was younger, I remember watching a Winnie the Pooh show. It started with telling the story of the Hundred Acre Wood and an old book opening up. It wasn't a cartoon, the characters were in costume. What was the name of this show, and when did it go off the air?
Ana, Oceanside, California

A [Dave Smith]: You are probably thinking of Welcome to Pooh Corner, with performers in costumes and masks of the Pooh characters performing in storybook settings. The process was called "advanced puppetronics." The show debuted on Disney Channel on April 18, 1983.

[Marcio Disney]

Walt and Roy are Disney Legends?

Q: I've always wanted to know why Walt Disney and his brother Roy have not yet been inducted to be part of the "Disney Legends" awards. Is there a good specific reason as to why this may be?
Joe, Livonia, Michigan

A [Dave Smith]: Good question, and I'm not sure what the answer would be. I guess that Walt and Roy Disney essentially were the company during their lives, and it didn't seem necessary to give them the Disney Legend award (which bore their name). They have already been sufficiently honored.

The Secret of Boyne Castle

Q: There was a Disney movie in the late '70s that was about a spy from America who was visiting a friend in England and their adventures. I would love to find out the title and see it again. Can you help?

Troy, Apple Valley, California

A [Dave Smith]: You may be remembering The Secret of Boyne Castle, a three-part television show from 1969 starring Glenn Corbett and Kurt Russell. The plot concerns an American agent trying to meet a defecting scientist in Ireland, with the Russians trying to prevent that meeting. It was repeated in 1978 under the title The Spybusters. The film is not currently available.

[Marcio Disney]

This three part Disneyland movie from 1969 runs somewhere in the neighborhood of 140 minutes! That’s something like 20 minutes longer than Citizen Kane! For a movie starring Kurt Russell as an American exchange student running around Ireland trying to avoid getting caught by Commie secret agents!


The 140 minutes includes the opening and ending credits for each individual episode as well as a “last week on Secret of Boyne Castle” recap that played before parts 2 and 3, but even if you cut out those 15 minutes or so, you’re still left with a movie that’s easily a half hour too long.

Click Here to read a great article about this movie at monsterhunter.com

This is a scene from Walt Disney's 3-part, made-for-TV feature, "The Secret of Boyne Castle". Originally shown on Disney's "Wonderful World of Color", then re-edited into a feature film for European theatrical release under the title, "Guns In The Heather". Filmed in Ireland in all of its rugged beauty with gothic castles, quaint villages and lively pubs.

Tick-Tock, the Crocodile from Peter Pan

Q: In the movie Peter Pan, what's the name of the alligator that wants to eat Captain Hook's hand? I've heard him referred to as Tick-Tock, but I am not sure if that is his name.
Julie, Anaheim, California

A [Dave Smith]: The Crocodile is unnamed in the Peter Pan film, but in later comic book stories he was called Tick-Tock.

[Marcio Disney]

Tick-Tock Croc is a comic book character that first appeared with this name in Four Color #442

#442 - Walt Disney's Peter Pan is a comic book published by Dell & released on 12//1952

Peter Pan

Tick-Tock the Crocodile first appears at the beginning of the film. Captain Hook laments Peter Pan's role in causing the crocodile to follow him. Tick Tock, then appears in the sea next to the ship, sending Hook into a panic. However, Smee shoos off the crocodile. Later, when Captain Hook kidnaps the Indian princess, Tiger Lily, in an attempt to learn Peter Pan's hiding place, Hook is forced to hang from a cliff while fighting Peter Pan. The crocodile approaches, seeing a golden opportunity to eat the Captain. Peter recognizes Tick Tock and almost decides to kick Hook off the cliff but decides against it when Wendy yells at him not to. Hook eventually slips, but is apparently able to escape the crocodile. And of course, Tick-Tock has a part in the climatic battle against Captain Hook. As the Captain falls in the water, Tick Tock begins another pursuit of Hook. He ends up chasing Captain Hook away from Never Land.

Goliath II

The crocodile appeared in the Disney animated short Goliath II. The short was created in order to test the new xerox animation process in order to spend less money on making animated films.

Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers

Tick Tock made a guest appearance as a villain in the Rescue Rangers episode "Kiwi's Big Adventure".

Mickey Mousecapade

The Crocodile made an appearance as the second boss of the Nintendo game Mickey Mousecapade, but only in the American release. In the original Japanese version, the Dodo from Alice in Wonderland is the second boss.

Return to Neverland

It is unknown why he did not show up in the 2002 sequel, Return To Never Land but he was replaced by a giant octopus that made a blip-bloop sound in the waters. But he was mentioned in it by Captain Hook and Smee as well as his silhouette is seen in the clouds, with the clock in his stomach, in the opening of the movie, with a snippet of "Never Smile at a Crocodile".

Aladdin (TV series)

Tick-Tock appeared in cameo of the episode "Vocal Hero" with the other look-like crocodiles.

House of Mouse

Tick Tock Croc appears in the series House of Mouse. He was even one of the villains that appeared in Mickey's House of Villains.

Jungle Cubs

The Crocodile appeared in cameo of Jungle Cubs. He appeared at the end of the episode The Humans Must Be Crazy he also swallowed a clock, after Young Bagheera throw the watch in the water.

Stitch!

The crocodile appeared in the Stitch! anime.

Kingdom Hearts Series

The Crocodile is a character from the Neverland world, and one of Captain Hook's enemies in Kingdom Hearts. He acquired a taste for the pirate captain when Peter Pan chopped off the captain's hand and fed it to him. He now follows Hook around everywhere, hoping to get a second taste of the captain. The crocodile isn't truly a villain, since he primarily hunts Captain Hook, but he will also attack Sora and Ventus, making him a neutral character.

The crocodile also swallowed a ticking alarm clock, that now, unfortunately for the crocodile, warns Captain Hook if he is approaching. This has become something of a trademark for the crocodile, foreshadowing its arrival in a way that terrifies the captain, much to his humiliation.

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep

The Crocodile plays a small role in Terra's story when he shows up in the Skull Cave and scares Captain Hook away. He also appears during Ventus' story shortly before his fight with Captain Hook. During Ven's fight, the Crocodile swims around in the water attacking Ven if he gets too close and scaring Captain Hook back onto the rock if he goes in the water. After defeat Captain Hook, he tossed to the water by Ven, the Crocodile chasing Hook away. Then Crocodile later appears once again in Aqua's to frighten Hook away for a third time.

Kingdom Hearts

The Crocodile plays a small role at the end of the storyline in the Neverland world though he is mentioned before then. After Sora and Peter Pan defeat Captain Hook, the Captain falls into the water only to be chased away by the Crocodile. This is almost identical to his fate in the movie.

Disney Parks

Fantasmic!

The crocodile along with many other beloved Disney characters has played a role in Disney's Fantasmic at Disneyland Resort. In Disneyland he appears during the Peter and Hook sword duel chasing after the the ship. In Walt Disney World Fantasmic at Disney's Hollywood Studios the Peter and Hook duel is replaced with a Pocahontas scene. The tick tock crocodile is bigger then a grown man and is long as a bus.

Disney Park Parades

Tick Tock Croc appeared in the Disney parks on special occasions and on regular days sometimes. In the parade the croc walks around and looks at the crowd while the clock ticks in his belly. In the parade it is true what people say Tick Tock is larger than a grown man.

Peter Pan's Flight

Tick-Tock the Crocodile appeared in Peter Pan's Flight in the Disney Parks to eat Captain Hook.

Dream Along With Mickey

In the show Tick Tock's iconic alarm clock was used to make Captain Hook to Peter Pan during a duel. In the show while the clock is being tossed by characters the song Never Smile at a Crocodile is herd.

Disney On Ice

The Crocodile appeared in Mickey and Minnie's Magical Journey in Disney on Ice with Peter Pan story.

Where's the Original Plans to Epcot

Q: Why is the Epcot of today so different from the original plans given by Walt in the Disneyland show? Also, what ever happened to those original plans that hung on the wall in the background?
Joe, Springfield, Missouri

A [Dave Smith]: Walt Disney's 1966 film giving his ideas for EPCOT were shown on local television stations in Florida, but not on his regular television show. Since Walt did not have time to refine his ideas before his untimely passing, plans had to be changed in ensuing years to make the project viable. The original plans for EPCOT are filed at Walt Disney Imagineering.

[Steven Miller, Project Manager, Disney Trading]

The Florida Project – September 9-11, 2011

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I wish I could have attended the opening of Walt Disney World in 1971 (some of you reading this probably did – lucky!). One of my all time favorite Disney films from that time period is called “The Magic of Walt Disney World.” It was released in 1972, but I recall seeing it on the Disney Channel in the 1980s. What a classic slice of Disney – the lush sounds of Buddy Baker; the images of polyester and people eating food; groovy music in Tomorrowland and just pure 1970s Disney fun. A different time and a different place. It is in that same vein that I’m pleased to announce “The Florida Project: a Disney Trading and Collecting Experience” coming to World ShowPlace at Epcot on September 9-11, 2011. The image above is a rough concept poster designed by Chris Chapman from Disney Design Group. He is the lead designer for this event and spoke about the origin of this event.

“With the 40th Anniversary of Walt Disney World in 2011, we wanted to focus on the feeling of nostalgia that people have when thinking about those early years,” said Chris. “The story for this event involves an alternate Preview Center that we uncovered. It was never used because the official Preview Center opened on Buena Vista Drive. The experience will be as if you stepped back in time as we will pay tribute to as much as possible from that era.”

When we had our initial idea session, I brought several of my vintage Disney items to share (it’s one of the things I collect – Disney merchandise from 1970 to 1984). We looked at vintage postcards, at images in souvenir books and even at my Polynesian Village glass vase (behold those 1970s colors). We all agreed that we wanted the merchandise created for this event to have a similar vibe.

“We plan to create a retro look with the character designs” explained Alex Maher, senior character artist with Disney Design Group. “The character designs in the early 1970s were unique. We want to incorporate a similar look with the merchandise we are designing.”

As mentioned, this event will be a Disney Trading and Collecting Experience. This means you will find a variety of items from pins to Vinylmation to potentially some additional categories. And there will be trading (of course). I consider this event an evolution of our Disney Merchandise Events. We still have plenty of details to finalize, and feedback to consider from our previous events. I will share additional information in the coming months on the Disney Parks Blog, so stay tuned.

I leave you with one final question: Did you visit Walt Disney World in the 1970s? What was it like (as sadly my time machine is still not functioning)? I’d love to hear your stories.

Everyday, Disney fans send dozens of questions for Disney Chief Archivist Dave Smith. Here are Dave's answers to your questions. Check back every day for a new post with a new question.

Dave Smith (born October 13, 1940) was the Walt Disney Archives founder and chief archivist which is located in the Frank G. Wells Building at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. He joined the company June 22, 1970. Forty years later, on July 2010, he retired.


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ºoº Marcio Disney Family Sites Network ºoº

The Rainbow Road To Oz

Q: I recently saw an old Disneyland television program on DVD in which the Mouseketeers surprise Walt Disney with a presentation of a musical extravaganza called The Rainbow Road To Oz. On the show it is revealed that the Studio purchased all the rights to all of the other Frank Baum Oz stories and in the DVD Walt promises the kids that he's going to make a wide-screen Technicolor production of The Rainbow Road To Oz. Whatever happened to that promised-to-the-Mouseketeers project. There must be a great story there.
Michael, Burbank, California

A [Dave Smith]: I wish there was a happy ending to that story, as I loved the Oz books as a kid, not to mention the MGM film, but unfortunately The Rainbow Road to Oz was never made as Walt Disney never was able to get a script that satisfied him. We have only the two musical sequences that appeared in that 1957 television show. Our only Oz film was Return to Oz, many years later, and it was not a musical and had nothing to do with the earlier concept.

[Marcio Disney]

Click Here to read The Rainbow Road to Oz - The Oz Film Walt Disney almost Made at suite101.com

Everyday, Disney fans send dozens of questions for Disney Chief Archivist Dave Smith. Here are Dave's answers to your questions. Check back every day for a new post with a new question.

Dave Smith (born October 13, 1940) was the Walt Disney Archives founder and chief archivist which is located in the Frank G. Wells Building at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. He joined the company June 22, 1970. Forty years later, on July 2010, he retired.


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ºoº Marcio Disney Family Sites Network ºoº