Character Connection: 1972

Tomorrow, Mrs. Doc and I head down to Walt Disney World for a few days. After attending the Candlelight Processional last year during MouseFest, I thought, my wife has got to see this sometime. When the schedule for the guest narrators was released, I knew this may be the year.

One of Mrs. Doc's favorite actors is Brian Dennehy. He will be narrating December 21-23 and we will be there; for the 21st. Dinner at Tokyo Dining, the 6:45 Processional, then a reserved viewing for IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Should be a memorable day.

As for me, I will be scouting character photo opportunities. I already have a few in mind for the Magic Kingdom on the 20th. Something I'll write about later. But before we head off down I-75 I thought I would share the first Character Connection I experienced. It was in front of the Walt Disney World Railroad Station, just before entering the park for a day of wonder and amazement. The date? Sometime during the early Spring of 1972.

Mickey and I both were a bit younger then.

Please check my Facebook page and Twitter for updates from the parks.

More to follow...

The Legends: John Hannah

I must confess, I have never been much of a Donald Duck fan. No, I am a “Mickey Man”. If you cut me I will bleed red mixed with some yellow and black. But, if you follow The Duck, then you know of Jack Hannah.

Jack Hannah was born in Nogales, Arizona on January 15, 1913. Following his 18th birthday he found himself in Los Angeles enrolled at the Art Guild Academy and designing movie posters to make a living. In 1933 he was hired by Disney as an in-between and clean-up artist. He worked on Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and the Silly Symphonies cartoons.

Yet, it is with Donald that he would be best remembered. In all he worked on 65 Donald Duck shorts and in the process collected eight Academy Award nominations. He served as key animator on the Oscar winning short, “The Old Mill” which introduced the multi-plane camera.

In 1939 Jack moved from animation to the story department. He continued to work on Donald and eventually teamed with Carl Barks to create 27 on the Donald Duck shorts. He was also instrumental in bringing his feathered friend to television with titles that include, “A Day in the Life of Donald Duck” and “At Home with Donald Duck”.

He continued as an artist working with oils following his retirement in 1959.

Jack Hannah died at the age of 81 on June 11, 1994. He was made a Disney Legend in 1992.

Photo Credit: Disney Legends Website

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow bloggers! I hope you and your families have a great day and a wonderful beginning to this holiday season.

Doc