Disneyland's 'The Witch in the cage'

Q: I've seen over the years at Disneyland a cage that held the Hag from Snow White. When the cage was rattled, she would come to life and try to bribe folks to let her out by promising to show how to "turn water to gasoline." Who made this and what was the reason?
Reid, Ben Lomond, California 

A [Dave Smith]: The Witch in the cage was originally made by the former WED Display and Design Department at Walt Disney World, under Jim McNalis, for use in 1975 Emporium windows in the Magic Kingdom park promoting Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. When the Disneyana Shop opened on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland in 1976, the Witch, animated and with added audio, moved west to become a major display piece in that shop. Later on it was used in the Villain's Lair shop in Fantasyland and Le Bat en Rouge in New Orleans Square. 

[Marcio Disney]

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit - The Only 3 Merchandise Items during Walt Disney's Period

Q: I am searching for information concerning a spring wind-up doll named Oswald after the cartoon character of the 1920s. I understand he was before Mickey. Any information and possible value would be appreciated. Do you have one in the Archives?
Phillip, Des Moines, Iowa 

A [Dave Smith]: There were only three Oswald the Lucky Rabbit merchandise items made during the period that Walt Disney was making the Oswald cartoons — a stencil set, a pinback button and a candy bar. Other items would have been made later, during the period that Walter Lantz produced the cartoons. We do not have any information on them. 

[Marcio Disney]

S t e n c i l     S e t

Clarabelle Cow & Clarice Chipmunk at Disneyland's Celebrate Parade

Q: In the current Celebrate parade at Disneyland, there is a female chipmunk character and a female cow character that performs as part of the parade. Who are these characters? I've asked many people and nobody seems to know where they originated. Also, why were they chosen to be used in this parade?
Jeff, Burbank, California 

A [Dave Smith]: The cow is Clarabelle Cow, who appeared in early Mickey Mouse cartoons. The female chipmunk is Clarice, who played a nightclub singer in the 1952 cartoon Two Chips and a Miss. We always like to bring back some of the lesser-known Disney characters for nostalgia's sake. 

[Marcio Disney]

Mickey Mouse Club Wrist Ray

Q: I have acquired through an estate auction a "Mickey Mouse Club Wrist Ray." Is there any written info on this and any value?
Jerry, Beaufort, South Carolina 

A [Dave Smith]: The Mickey Mouse Club Wrist-Ray was a small plastic flashlight that you wore on your wrist like a wristwatch. It was made by Bantam-Lite of Hempstead, New York, between 1955 and 1959 and sold for 89 cents. A color dial let you select a red, green or white beam, and you could blink out codes or have a steady beam. We do not know current values.

Princess Diaries movies - Places & Costumes

Q: My girls and I absolutely adore the Princess Diaries movies, especially the first one. Where were the Genovia scenes filmed? Where are the beautiful gowns worn at the ball by Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway?
Janice, Cumberland, Rhode Island 

A [Dave Smith]: The scenes of Genovia were actually filmed in Southern California, using a combination of actual locations, including Disney's Golden Oak Ranch, and matte paintings. The back of the palace with its gardens was filmed at a palatial estate in Pasadena. The palace interiors were filmed in five sound stages at Universal Studios. Surprisingly, some interior shots were filmed at the same sound stage at the Disney Studio where Julie Andrews had filmed Mary Poppins. We have the elegant ball gowns in the Archives. 

[Marcio Disney]

Disney's Golden Oak Ranch

About the Costumes

 The elegant, intimidating world of Queen Clarisse Renaldi is quite a contrast to Mia's cozy home, and is reflected not only in the furnishings of the environment, but in the clothing worn by Julie Andrews as Clarisse.

Costume designer Gary Jones, whose designs for the film range from choosing the look for Mia's plaid school uniform to a series of elegant ball gowns, has worked with Garry Marshall before, and was thrilled to join "The Princess Diaries" creative team.

"I initially accepted the film because of Garry Marshall, and then I realized that it was a costume designer's dream come true," recalls Jones. "There's a princess and a royal ball - it's a costume piece. And as for Julie Andrews, she's a dream, and she makes anything I've done on this film 300 times better."

Jones worked closely with Andrews on the designs for Clarisse's everyday wear as well as for the state dinner and elegant formal ball featured in the story.

"We made many clothes for her which paid homage to some of the classic designers - there's a Chanel-like suit, several Bill Blass inspired items, and queen Clarisse's ball gown is like Dior," says Jones. "The dress Clarisse wears to the state dinner is a bit of an homage to the gown she wore to the ball as Eliza Doolittle in "My Fair Lady" on Broadway. It's made of silk gauze and beads, which was handmade in China and arrived in the nick of time to complete the dress."

Jones also collaborated with Anne Hathaway on Mia's changing look throughout the film.

"We decided that Mia was shy about her body, and because of that, she would wear layers, long sleeves, and be more covered than the other students," notes Jones. "The first chance she gets to really shine is at the state dinner at the Genovian Consulate - and although she blows it with a variety of social blunders — she looks breathtaking."

The dress was inspired by one Jones had seen on the young princess of Sweden, and was made from a four-ply periwinkle blue silk crepe, with a standing collar, "a bow to the Renaissance and Romeo and Juliet," says Jones.

No royal tale would be complete without lavish jewels, and Jones worked with Harry Winston for the loan of several unique pieces - which were accompanied at all times by a security person situated just off-stage to keep an eye on the precious gems.

"We had a lot of wattage going on for the ball," recalls Jones. "We accessorized Julie Andrews' peach taffeta ballgown with an extraordinary diamond and platinum necklace which was almost 100 carats of diamonds, set in four rows, along with classic cluster earrings, which were about three carats each."

For the state dinner, Andrews wore an 18-carat pear-shaped platinum and diamond ring, which was so striking, it became part of the scene.

"We all got such a kick out of that ring that it joined the cast," laughs Jones. "The ring got its own shot, with its own light!"

"My point of view of this story is that Mia is a princess, and has always been a princess, she just doesn't realize it yet," notes production designer Mayne Berke. "She just has a self-esteem problem, but she has all the qualities of a princess."

Fantasyland Board Game by Parker Brothers

Q: A friend of ours gave me a bunch of old Disney stuff from her attic and among them was a Fantasyland board game. The instructions have gone missing, but it looks like you make your way through Fantasyland, passing through the rides (which only seem to include those that were around Opening Day). I would love to know more about this game. What can you tell me about it?

Lauren, Merced, California

A [Dave Smith]: The Fantasyland board game was made by Parker Brothers in 1956, so it does indeed include only the earliest attractions in that land. Parker Brothers was a Disney licensee for many years, beginning in 1933. The game was reprinted for sale at the Disney parks a few years ago, along with three others in the set: Monorail, Riverboat, and Adventureland.

[Marcio Disney]

--- Description

Players move on board and try to collect stars and tickets with high numbers as they move along path in Fantasyland.

In 1956, just one year after the opening of Walt Disney's Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, California, Parker Brothers produced a series of board games based on four of the themed sections within the park. The Fantasyland board game is one example. A very simple race and point game for small children, the game box features the iconic symbol of Disneyland, Sleeping Beauty's castle, as well as most of the popular early Disney movie characters.

Description courtesy of thestrong.org (Creative Commons, BY-NC-ND)

How were the Countries selected to the World Showcase

Q: First of all, thank you for your historical contributions to all of us as Disney fans. My question focuses on EPCOT. How were the countries selected to create The World Showcase?

Larry, Marion, Indiana

A [Dave Smith]: Disney originally sought sponsorship from governments of different countries (they had in mind a group of key countries which they felt had to be in World Showcase, such as Canada, Mexico, England, China, France, Germany, Italy and Japan) but found such a pursuit to be difficult. Disney then sought sponsorship from companies that operated within the countries, and here they had more success. Canada and Mexico were placed closest to Future World as they are the countries that border the U.S. (originally The American Adventure was to be placed between them). As sponsors were found, the countries of Norway and Morocco were added, though some, including Costa Rica, Spain and Equatorial Africa, never came to fruition.

The Reluctant Dragon

 Q: I am an avid Disney movie watcher, and I own all the Disney animated classics. What I have not been able to figure out is if the film The Reluctant Dragon is considered one of these classics. Although it is a stated to be in a variety of sources, it seems too short to qualify as a feature length film. Was it originally released as a combo film, or is this just a special circumstance where a short is considered a movie? 
Dylan, Los Alamitos, California 

A [Dave Smith]: The Reluctant Dragon was actually a 73-minute feature film released in 1941. It featured, in live action, a tour of the Disney Studio with humorist Robert Benchley, along with cartoon segments such as "How to Ride a Horse," "Casey, Jr." and "The Reluctant Dragon" (this segment was also released separately years later and, since it was the same title as the feature, this is probably the reason why you are confused). 

Jolly Holiday Dinner Show Spectacular

Q: Years ago my wife and I attended a Christmas dinner and show at Walt Disney World. I believe it was called the Holly Jolly Christmas Show. We were picked up by a bus in front of the Contemporary Resort and were taken to a large building that looked like a warehouse. We went several years in a row and then it was gone. What was the real name of the show, and during what years was it presented?

Dave, Fleming Island, Florida

A [Dave Smith]: You may be recalling the Jolly Holiday Dinner Show Spectacular, which was held at the Contemporary Resort Convention Center's Fantasia Ballroom starting during the holiday season in 1992. It featured an all-you-can-eat Christmas dinner and a show featuring 100 performers; it continued until 1998.

[Marcio Disney]

Q: A commonly asked question is, "If you could meet anyone, anywhere in time, who would it be?" Until recently I didn't really know. After a visit to Disneyland and several visits to Walt Disney World (WDW) and reading some WDW history, I know for me that person is the legendary Walt Disney. What is the best non-fiction book that most comprehensively covers each of the three following topics: Walt Disney the man, Disneyland and Walt Disney World? Of course, I defer to your expertise if you have other recommendations (I know you have authored several).

Blaine, Wilmington, Delaware

A [Dave Smith]: I don't want to make specific recommendations because I have been involved in the production of almost all of the books and do not want to slight any of the authors, but if you search, you will find a selected bibliography of books on Walt Disney and on other Disney subjects.

[Marcio Disney]

The Walt Disney Company Selected Bibliography

WALT and ROY DISNEY
The Story of Walt Disney by Diane Disney Miller & Pete Martin (Holt, 1957)
The Disney Version by Richard Schickel (Simon & Schuster, 1968, 1985, 1997)
Walt Disney: An American Original by Bob Thomas (Simon & Schuster, 1976; Hyperion, 1994)
The Man Behind the Magic; the Story of Walt Disney by Katherine & Richard Greene (Viking, 1991, 1998)
Walt Disney: His Life in Pictures edited by Russell Schroeder (Disney Press, 1996)
Walt Disney's Railroad Story by Michael Broggie (Pentrex, 1997)
The Magic Kingdom; Walt Disney and the American Way of Life by Steven Watts (H. Mifflin, 1997; 2001)
Building a Company; Roy O. Disney and the Creation of an Entertainment Empire by Bob Thomas (Hyperion, 1998)
Remembering Walt: Favorite Memories of Walt Disney by Howard Green & Amy Boothe Green (Hyperion, 1999)
The Quotable Walt Disney compiled by Dave Smith (Disney Editions, 2001)
Discovering Walt by Jean-Pierre Isbouts (Disney Editions, 2001)
Inside the Dream: The Personal Story of Walt Disney by Katherine & Richard Greene (Disney Editions, 2001)
Walt Disney's Missouri by Brian Burnes, et al (Kansas City Star Books, 2002)
Walt Disney: Triumph of the American Imagination by Neal Gabler (Knopf, 2006)
Walt Disney: Conversations, ed.by Kathy Merlock Jackson (Univ. Press of Mississippi, 2006)
The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney by Michael Barrier (Univ. of California Press, 2007)
Walt Disney: The American Dreamer by Tom Tombusch (Tomart Publications, 2008)


WALT DISNEY STUDIOS/WALT DISNEY COMPANY
Donald Duck Joins Up; the Walt Disney Studio During World War II by Richard Shale (UMI Research Press, 1982)
Storming the Magic Kingdom by John Taylor (Knopf, 1987)
The Disney Studio Story by Richard Holliss & Brian Sibley (Crown, 1988)
The Disney Touch by Ron Grover (Business One Irwin, 1991, 1997)
Prince of the Magic Kingdom: Michael Eisner and the Re-Making of Disney by Joe Flower (Wiley, 1991)
Disney Dons Dogtags: The Best of Disney Military Insignia from World War II by Walton Rawls (Abbeville, 1992)
Walt in Wonderland: The Silent Films of Walt Disney by Russell Merritt & J.B. Kaufman (Johns Hopkins University Press, 1993)
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin (Crown, 1973, 1984; Hyperion, 1995)
Work in Progress by Michael Eisner & Tony Schwartz (Random House, 1998)
Disney: The First 100 Years by Dave Smith & Steven Clark (Hyperion, 1999; Disney Editions, updated 2002)
The Little Big Book of Disney by Monique Peterson (Disney Editions, 2001)


INDIVIDUAL ANIMATED CHARACTERS
Mickey Mouse: Fifty Happy Years edited by David Bain & Bruce Harris (Harmony Books, 1977)
Donald Duck, 50 Years of Happy Frustration (HP Books, 1984)
Goofy, the Good Sport (HP Books, 1985)
Mickey Mouse, His Life and Times (Harper & Row, 1986)
Mickey Mouse in Color (Pantheon Books, 1988)
Mickey Mouse; My Life in Pictures by Russell Schroeder (Disney Press, 1997)
Encyclopedia of Walt Disney's Animated Characters by John Grant (Hyperion, 1998)
Disney's Winnie the Pooh: A Celebration of the Silly Old Bear by Christopher Finch (Disney Editions, 2000)
Mickey Mouse: The Evolution, the Legend, the Phenomenon by Robert Heide & John Gilman (Disney Editions, 2001)
The Mickey Mouse Treasures by Robert Tieman (Disney Editions, 2007)


DISNEY ANIMATION HISTORY/BEHIND-THE-SCENES
The Art of Walt Disney by Robert D. Feild (Macmillan, 1942)
The Art of Animation by Bob Thomas (Simon & Schuster, 1958)
The Art of Walt Disney by Christopher Finch (Harry N. Abrams, 1973, 1995, updated 2004)
Fantasia by John Culhane (Harry N. Abrams, 1983)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs & the Making of the Classic Film by Richard Holliss & Brian Sibley (Simon & Schuster, 1987; Hyperion, 1994)
Walt Disney's Bambi: The Story and the Film by Ollie Johnston & Frank Thomas (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 1990 )
Art of Animation: From Mickey Mouse to Beauty and the Beast by Bob Thomas (Hyperion, 1991; updated to Hercules, 1997)
Aladdin, The Making of an Animated Film by John Culhane (Hyperion, 1992)
The Art of The Lion King by Christopher Finch (Hyperion, 1994)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: An Art in Its Making by Martin Krause & Linda Witkowski (Hyperion, 1994)
The Art of Pocahontas by Stephen Rebello (Hyperion, 1995)
The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation by Frank Thomas & Ollie Johnston (Hyperion, 1995)
The Disney that Never Was by Charles Solomon (Hyperion, 1995)
Toy Story; the Art and Making of the Animated Film by John Lasseter & Steve Daly (Hyperion, 1995)
The Art of the Hunchback of Notre Dame by Stephen Rebello (Hyperion, 1996)
Before the Animation Begins: The Art and Lives of Disney Inspirational Sketch Artists by John Canemaker (Hyperion, 1996)
Animation Magic: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at How an Animated Film Is Made by Don Hahn (Hyperion, 1996)
The Art of Hercules by Stephen Rebello and Jane Healey (Hyperion, 1997)
The Art of Mulan by Jeff Kurtti (Hyperion, 1998)
A Bug's Life: The Art and Making of an Epic of Miniature Proportions by Jeff Kurtti (Hyperion, 1998)
The Tarzan Chronicles by Howard Green (Hyperion, 1999)
Fantasia/2000: Visions of Hope by John Culhane (Disney Editions, 1999)
Paper Dreams: The Art & Artists of Disney Storyboards by John Canemaker (Hyperion, 1999)
Dinosaur: The Evolution of an Animated Feature by Jeff Kurtti (Disney Editions, 2000)
Walt Disney's Nine Old Men & The Art of Animation by John Canemaker (Hyperion, 2001)
The Art of Monsters, Inc. (Chronicle Books, 2001)
Lilo & Stitch: Collected Stories from the Film's Creators (Disney Editions, 2002)
Treasure Planet: A Voyage of Discovery (Disney Editions, 2002)
The Art of Finding Nemo by Mark Cotta Vez (Chronicle Books, 2003)
The Art and Flair of Mary Blair by John Canemaker (Disney Editions, 2003)
Brother Bear: A Transformation Tale by H. Clark Wakabayashi (Disney Editions, 2003)
The Art of the Incredibles by Mark Cotta Vaz (Chronicle Books, 2004)
Chicken Little: From Henhouse to Hollywood by Monique Peterson (Disney Editions, 2005)
Walt Disney's Silly Symphonies by Russell Merritt & J.B. Kaufman (La Cineteca del Friuli, 2006)
The Art of Ratatouille by Karen Paik (Chronicle Books, 2007)
Working with Walt: Interviews with Disney Artists by Don Peri (Univ. Press of Mississippi, 2008)
The Idea of Nature in Disney Animation by David Whitley (Ashgate, 2008)
The Pixar Touch: The Making of a Company by David A. Price (Knopf, 2008)
The Alchemy of Imagination: Making an Animated Film in the Modern Age by Don Hahn (Disney Editions, 2008)
The Art of WALL·E by Tim Hauser (Chronicle Books, 2008)
The Art of Bolt by Mark Cotta Vaz (Chronicle Books, 2008)
Disney Lost and Found: Exploring the Hidden Artwork from Never-Produced Animation by Charles Solomon (Disney Editions, 2008)
Walt Disney Animation Studio The Archive Series: Story (Disney Editions, 2008)
The Art of the Disney Princess (Disney Editions, 2009)
Walt Disney Animation Studio The Archive Series: Animation (Disney Editions, 2009)

MUSIC
The Musical World of Walt Disney by David Tietyen (Hal Leonard, 1990)
The Golden Age of Walt Disney Records, 1933-1988 by R. Michael Murray (Antique Trader Books, 1997)
The Illustrated Treasury of Disney Songs (Hyperion, 1998)
Walt's Time by Robert B. Sherman & Richard M. Sherman (Camphor Tree, 1998)
Mouse Tracks: The Story of Walt Disney Records by Tim Hollis & Greg Ehrbar (Univ. Press of Mississippi, 2006)
Disney's Lost Chords by Russell Schroeder (Voigt Publications, 2007)


THEME PARKS
Walt Disney's Epcot Center by Richard R. Beard (Harry N. Abrams, 1982)
Disneyland: Inside Story by Randy Bright (Abrams, 1987)
Gardens of the Walt Disney World Resort by Dee Hansford (Walt Disney World, 1988)
Disneyland: The Nickel Tour by Bruce Gordon and David Mumford (Camphor Tree, 1995; updated 2000)
Building a Dream; The Art of Disney Architecture by Beth Dunlop (Abrams, 1996)
Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look at Making the Magic (Hyperion, 1996)
Since the World Began: Walt Disney World's First 25 Years by Jeff Kurtti (Hyperion, 1996)
Designing Disney's Theme Parks, ed. by Karal Ann Marling (Flammarion, 1997)
The Making of Disney's Animal Kingdom by Melody Malmberg (Hyperion, 1998)
Riding the Black Ship Japan and Tokyo Disneyland by Aviad E. Raz (Harvard University, 1999)
Walt Disney World Resort�A Souvenir for the Millennium (Disney Editions, 1999)
Once Upon an American Dream: The Story of Euro Disneyland by Andrew Lainsbury (U. of Kansas Press, 2000)
Disneyland Resort: Magical Memories for a Lifetime (Disney Editions, 2002)
Disneyland Paris: From Sketch to Reality by Alain Littaye & Didier Ghez (Nouveau Mill�naire, 02)
Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide to Walt Disney World's Best Kept Secrets by Steven Barrett (Intrepid Traveller, 2003)
Designing Disney: Imagineering and the Art of the Show by John Hench (Disney Editions, 2003)
The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies by Jason Surrell (Disney Editions, 2003)
Around the World with Disney by Kevin Markey (Disney Editions, 2005)
Disneyland: Then, Now and Forever by Bruce Gordon & Tim O'Day (Disney Editions, 2005)
Disneyland Hotel: The Early Years (1954-1988) by Donald W. Ballard (Ape Pen Pub., 2005)
The Imagineering Field Guide to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World by Alex Wright (Disney Editions, 2005)
The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot by Alex Wright (Disney Editions, 2006)
Behind the Magic: 50 Years of Disneyland by Karal Ann Marling (The Henry Ford, 2005)
Pirates of the Caribbean: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies by Jason Surrell (Disney Editions, 2005)
Birnbaum's Walt Disney World and Birnbaum's Disneyland (Disney Editions, 2006)
Spinning Disney's World: Memories of a Magic Kingdom Press Agent by Charles Ridgway (Intrepid Traveller, 2007)
The Disney Mountains: Imagineering at Its Peak by Jason Surrell (Disney Editions, 2007)
Disneyland's Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide to Disneyland Resort's Best Kept Secrets by Steven M. Barrett (Intrepid Traveler, 2007)
The Disneyland Encyclopedia by Chris Stodder (Santra Monica Press, 2008)
Imagineering Legends and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park by Jeff Kurtti (Disney Editions, 2008)
Disney's California Adventure Detective by Kendra Trahanl (PermaGrin Publishing, 2008)
Walt Disney World: Then, Now and Forever by Burce Gordan and Jeff Kurtti (Disney Editions, 2008)
The Imagineering Field Guide to Disneyland by Alex Wright (Disney Editions, 2008)


TELEVISION
Mickey Mouse Club Scrapbook by Keith Keller (Grosset & Dunlap, 1975)
The Official Mickey Mouse Club Book by Lorraine Santoli (Hyperion, 1995)
The Wonderful World of Disney Television by Bill Cotter (Hyperion, 1997)


COLLECTIBLES
Disneyana: Walt Disney Collectibles by Cecil Munsey (Hawthorn, 1974)
Disneyana Catalog and Price Guide (5 vols.) by Tom Tumbusch (Tomart, 1985-89)
Mickey Mouse Memorabilia (Abrams, 1986)
Disneyana: Classic Collectibles 1928-1958 by Robert Heide & John Gilman (Disney Editions, 2002)
The Mickey Mouse Watch Book by Robert Heide & John Gilman (Hyperion, 1997)
The Disney Poster Book (Disney Editions, 2002)
The Disney Treasures by Robert Tieman (Disney Editions, 2003)
The Disney Keepsakes by Robert Tieman (Disney Editions, 2005)
Official Price Guide to Disney Collectibles by Ted Hake (Gemstone Pub., 2005)


REFERENCE/TRIVIA
The Ultimate Disney Trivia Book by Kevin Neary & Dave Smith (Hyperion, 1992); Book 2 (Hyperion, 1994); Book 3 (Hyperion, 1997) Book 4 (Disney Editions, 2000)
Disney A to Z; the Official Encyclopedia by Dave Smith (Hyperion, 1996; updated eds. 1998, 2006)
Disney: The Ultimate Visual Guide by Russell Schroeder (DK Publishing, 2002)


MISCELLANEOUS
Beauty and the Beast; a Celebration of the Broadway Musical by Donald Frantz (Hyperion, 1995)
The Lion King: Pride Rock on Broadway by Julie Taymor (Hyperion, 1997)
Disney on Broadway ed. by Michael Lassell (Disney Editions, 2002)
A Day at the New Amsterdam Theatre by Dana Amendola (Disney Editions, 2004)
Celebration: The Story of a Town by Michael Lassell (Disney Editions, 2004)
Mary Poppins: Anything Can Happen If You Let It by Brian Sibley and Michael Lassell (Disney Editions, 2007)
How Does the Show Go On? An Introduction to the Theater by Thomas Schumacher and Jeff Kurtti (Disney Editions, 2007)