In this second volume of the best-selling Vault of Walt series, Disney historian Jim Korkis reveals even more forgotten tales of Walt Disney and the Disney Company to entertain and enlighten Disney fans.
Brer Rabbit. Uncle Remus. Song of the South. Racist? Disney thinks so. And that's why it has forbidden the theatrical re-release of its classic film Song of the South since 1986. But is the film racist? Are its themes, its characters, even its music so abominable that Disney has done us a favor by burying the movie in its infamous Vault, where the Company claims it will remain for all time? Disney historian Jim Korkis does not think so. In his newest book, Who's Afraid of the Song of the South?, Korkis examines the film from concept to controversy, and reveals the politics that nearly scuttled the project. Through interviews with many of the artists and animators who created Song of the South, and through his own extensive research, Korkis delivers both the definitive behind-the-scenes history of the film and a balanced analysis of its cultural impact. What else would Disney prefer you did not know? Plenty. Korkis also pulls back the curtain on such dubious chapters in Disney history as: Disney's cinematic attack on venereal disease Ward Kimball's obsession with UFOs Tim Burton's depressed stint at the Disney Studios Walt Disney's nightmares about his stomping an owl to death Wally Wood's Disneyland Memorial Orgy poster J. Edgar Hoover's hefty FBI file on Walt Disney Little Black Sunflower's animated extinction Plus 10 more forbidden tales that Disney wishes would go away. Whether you're a film buff, an armchair academic, or a Disney fan eager to peek behind Disney's magical (and tightly controlled) curtain, you'll discover lots you never knew about Disney. With a foreword by Disney Legend Floyd Norman, Who's Afraid of the Song of the South? is both authoritative and entertaining. Jim Korkis is the best-selling author of Vault of Walt, and has been researching and writing about Disney for over three decades. The Disney Company itself uses his expertise for special projects. Korkis resides in Orlando, Florida.
Foreword by Michael D. Eisner. All organisations drive towards the same goal - how best to serve their customers. Walt Disney World has always enjoyed a reputation as a company that set the benchmark for outstanding business practices. Now, for the first time, one critical element of the method behind the magic is revealed: that of quality service. Here, their proven principles and processes are fully outlined, to help your organisation focus its vision and assemble its infrastructure to deliver exceptional customer service.
Finally ... The Real Walt Disney. In the half century since his death, Walt Disney has picked up a lot of biographical baggage. Fans see him as a saint, critics as a fraud. Was he kindly Uncle Walt, or a racist, rapacious tycoon? Disney historian Jim Korkis puts the rumors to rest.
The Vault Closes Vault of Walt Volume 10: Final Edition brings to a close the best-selling decade-long series of books that showcased the rarely told and out-of-the-ordinary stories of Disney history that never appear in any other books. The books are each divided into four distinct sections devoted to Walt Disney, Disney films, Disney theme parks and oddball niche material. All of these tales are based on decades of research, dozens of exclusive interviews with people who worked at Disney and obscure, long out-of-print magazines and articles. These stories have helped to fill in many gaps in Disney history as well as being praised by Walt Disney's oldest daughter, Diane Disney Miller. Disney historian Jim Korkis has tried to squeeze in even more stories that usual for this final volume. This particular edition highlights how a young Walt Disney survived a virus pandemic that took the lives of millions of Americans, the complete story of every project comedian Robin Williams did at the Walt Disney Company, how Walt Disney World handles the threat of hurricanes, and a detailed look behind the creation of Jessica Rabbit. That's only the beginning! Stories about Walt's personal adventures in Hawaii, the true story behind Disneyland's Indian Village, a lengthy overview of Disney postage stamps and the behind-the-scenes information on films like Enchanted, Dick Tracy and Condorman as well as much, much more fill these pages to overflowing. With the recent flood of Disney related books and the ever-increasing difficulty in finding and verifying obscure information, it is now an appropriate time to conclude this popular series of ten books that will all remain in print to inform and entertain Disney fans as well as provide valuable and accurate research material for future scholars.
A forty-year storied career—beginning in the dish room at the Plaza Inn in Disneyland, Kevin Rafferty has conceived, designed, written, and overseen the creation of some of the Disney parks most memorable attractions including Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, Cars Land, Toy Story Mania, Test Track, Tower of Terror, MuppetVision, and many others.including the first-ever Mickey and Minnie Mouse attraction set to debut at Walt Disney World in 2019. For a young man who began studying for the priesthood at a seminary, the journey to halls of Imagineering has truly been a magical one. A master storyteller, Kevin chronicles his unimaginable career with great humor, honesty, and heart.
Dave "Ask Dave" Smith, retired Chief Archivist of The Walt Disney Company, has been fielding Disney trivia questions for over 30 years. And now, the most intriguing of those questions and answers have been compiled in this secret-filled book!
Gorgeous never-before-published photographs and fascinating personal memories celebrate the half-a-century career of Disney Legend Ub Iwerks, a self-taught animator who became the first to animate Mickey and Minnie Mouse and an exceptional draftsman, prolific innovator, and all-around technical genius who directly collaborated with Walt Disney to create some of the most loved moments throughout film and theme parks. Even before the creation of Mickey, Walt established a reputation as a technical leader in Hollywood and frequently relied on the counsel, expertise, ingenuity, and creativity of a kindred spirit, lifelong friend, and fellow virtuoso: Ub Iwerks. Up till now, Ub and his many technical inventions and techniques have been largely unknown by the general public. His illustrious career consisted of dozens of innovative contributions, large and small, to both animated and live-action motion pictures, as well as the fields of optics, film processes, and special effects. He was also the major force behind the design of special cameras, projectors, electronics, and audio for theme park projects, and much more. The high standard set by Walt and Ub continues to inspire artists and technicians within The Walt Disney Company as they explore new avenues of quality entertainment. Here is a one-of-a-kind appreciation to an extraordinary man and an outstanding career, a record of his many inventions and accomplishments, and a tribute from a grateful son to his remarkable father.
The Walt Disney Company honors its 100th anniversary in 2023. As part of the festivities, this must-have biography tells the story of Walt Disney's life— told as no other book can! Walt Disney is an American hero. From Mickey Mouse to Disneyland, he changed the face of American culture. His is a success story like no other: a man who developed animated film into an art form and made a massive contribution to the folklore of the world. After years of research, respected Hollywood biographer Bob Thomas produced a definitive biography of the man behind the legend of Disney: the unschooled cartoonist from Kansas City who when bankrupt on his first movie venture and developed into the genius who produced unmatched works of animation, and ultimately was the creative spirit of an international entertainment empire that has enchanted generations. Complete with a collection of rare photographs, Walt Disney: An American Original is a fascinating and inspirational work that captures the spirit of Walt Disney. This Commemorative Edition includes new: introductions from Jeff Kurtti and Marcy Carriker Smothers a 32-page photo insert with rare behind-the-scenes photos endnotes to add further context and connect Walt's story to today Searching for more ways to connect with the Disney Parks and films? Explore these books from Disney Editions: Delicious Disney: Walt Disney World: Recipes & Stories from The Most Magical Place on Earth A Portrait of Walt Disney World: 50 Years of The Most Magical Place on Earth Birnbaum's 2023 Walt Disney World: The Official Vacation Guide Birnbaum's 2023 Walt Disney World for Kids: The Official Guide Art of Coloring: Walt Disney World Maps of the Disney Parks: Charting 60 Years from California to Shanghai Poster Art of the Disney Parks Holiday Magic at the Disney Parks: Celebrations Around the World from Fall to Winter The Haunted Mansion: Imagineering a Disney Classic The Disney Monorail: Imagineering a Highway in the Sky