Hear Disney historian Scott Wolf's exclusive interviews with the Disney luminaries that helped create Disneyland, Walt Disney World and movies, and are an important part of Disney history. There's more history and related elements at http://www.mouseclubhouse.com/blog.
Walt Disney considered Marc Davis, one of his core animation team of “nine old men”! Not only an animator, Marc designed many characters such as Cruella De Vil and Tinker Bell, before moving on to WED, now known as Walt Disney Imagineering, where he designed many of the scenes for classic Disneyland attractions such as … Continue reading Interview: Marc Davis (Disneyland and Walt Disney Imagineering) →
Tim Conway is not only a Hollywood Legend, but a comic genius. His work ranges from starring in the classic television series’ “McHale’s Navy,” and “The Carol Burnett Show” to playing the voice of Barnacle Boy on the animated series “Spongebob Squarepants.” He also appeared in a number of Disney films including, “The World’s Greatest … Continue reading Interview: Tim Conway (Disney movies; Carol Burnett Show) →
I’m so excited to share this interview with you, despite it’s poor quality. A 1997 conversation with the amazing Marc Davis, one of Walt Disney’s “nine old men”! Walt was so fond of Marc, whose work includes everything from designing characters such as Cruella De Vil and Tinker Bell to designing story and character concepts for … Continue reading Interview: Marc Davis (Disney animation) →
Jim Adams and Don Payne entertained thousands of guests at Disneyland and toured the country for Disney in the 1970s. Together and individually Jim and Don were involved in performing, writing and directing many of Disneyland’s events such as “The Baby Animal Show” at Carnation Plaza Gardens, the “Fun with Music” show at the Fantasyland … Continue reading Interview: Jim Adams & Don Payne (Disneyland entertainers) →
Kathleen Mitts Micalizzi was the 1993 Disneyland Ambassador to the World. (More photos and audio index below) Kathleen in the 1993 Tournament of Roses parade AUDIO INDEX 1:38 How Kathleen came to appear in the Space Mountain safety video 2:49 Kathleen got her start at Disneyland performing in parades and shows including the Main Street Electrical … Continue reading Interview: Kathleen Mitts Micalizzi (1993 Disneyland Ambassador to the World) →
From trumpet playing in the 1958 Christmas parade at Disneyland, Ron Logan climbed the ladder to become the executive vice president, executive producer of Walt Disney Entertainment, responsible for all the live entertainment in the entire company. (Audio index and more photos below) AUDIO INDEX 1:40 Started with Disney in 10th grade in a band headed by … Continue reading Interview: Ron Logan (His journey to head of Disney entertainment) →
Gary has been a photographer for Disney since 1967, photographing all of Disney’s theme parks here and abroad, including the grand opening of Walt Disney World and the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Euro Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland and the Disney Cruise Line and events such as many of Disney’s movie premieres … Continue reading Interview: Gary Krueger (Disney photographer) →
Actor Gary Dubin began his acting career at the age of six, and went on to appear in numerous movies and television series, including a recurring role as Punky Lazaar in “The Partridge Family,” and voicing the character of kitten Toulouse in the 1970 Disney animated feature “The Aristocats” (More photos below) AUDIO INDEX :56 … Continue reading Interview: Gary Dubin (His acting career & voicing Toulouse in The Aristocats) →
Jack Gladish started his Disney career as a precision camera machinist, working on classic animated films, and he later became an engineer working on attractions for Disneyland and Disney’s exhibits at the 1964 New York World’s Fair and eventually for the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. Some of the projects Jack was involved with throughout … Continue reading Interview: Jack Gladish (Creating Jungle Cruise animals) →
As a singer, Jay Meyer has appeared in countless performances on television, movies and stage. He was a regular singer with the Ray Conniff singers, in the “Top Twenty” choir on the Tennessee Ernie Ford television show, and with the Sportsmen Quartet in the Phil Silvers and Alice Faye show and the Jack Benny show, first on … Continue reading Interview: Jay Meyer (Haunted Mansion ghost/Golden Horseshoe performer) →
Enjoy these Electrical Parade facts and other Disney entertainment history! ATTENTION FACEBOOK USERS: Although my Facebook page makes no profit, Facebook wants “fan pages” to pay to be seen, so please follow my private Mouse Clubhouse Facebook page so you won’t miss a thing at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mouseclubhouse/ Don Dorsey is a musician, director, producer, and audio … Continue reading Interview: Don Dorsey (Career in Disney Audio) →
Larry Billman began his career as a performer on stage, screen and television before becoming a Writer/Director of Disney Resort live entertainment worldwide. For over 40 years he was involved in the production of hundreds of live shows at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. Among those shows, Larry wrote the Hoop de … Continue reading Interview: Larry Billman (Pioneer of Disney live entertainment) →
X Atencio began his Disney career in 1938 in animation, working as an assistant animator on “Pinocchio.” He went on to write dialogue for attractions such as the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Submarine Voyage in Disneyland and El Rio del Tiempo in Epcot, among others. X also wrote songs for many of the … Continue reading Interview: X Atencio (Working in animation and writing for Disneyland and Disney World) →
Lee Fugal was the preshow entertainment for Disneyland’s historical “Golden Horseshoe Revue. ” He would play the piano, banjo, trumpet and trombone and even play some of those simultaneously. You can see Lee in action at his website athttp://www.leefugal.com (See more photos below.) AUDIO INDEX 1:27 Lee’s start at Disneyland; Driving to California and used … Continue reading Interview: Lee Fugal (Disneyland’s “Golden Horseshoe Revue” entertainer) →
Jack Lindquist was involved in the opening of Walt Disney World, but he started as Disneyland’s first advertising manager, beginning in 1955. He continued with the company in marketing for Disneyland. Walt Disney World and international Disney resorts. His many accomplishments include the creation of the Disneyland Ambassador program, the creation of the Walt Disney … Continue reading Interview: Jack Lindquist (Opening of Disney World and more) →
Jack Lindquist came up with the idea for a Walt Disney Travel Company. He was Disneyland’s first advertising manager, beginning in 1955. He continued with the company in marketing for Disneyland. Walt Disney World and international Disney resorts. His many accomplishments include the creation of the Disneyland Ambassador program, the international waters ceremony for the … Continue reading Interview: Jack Lindquist (Creation of the Walt Disney Travel Company) →
Sonny Anderson was a legendary award-winning talent booker in the music industry, and was much loved as the director of talent booking for Disneyland and Walt Disney World. He began his career with Disneyland playing drums in the Disneyland band in 1956. AUDIO INDEX 1:07 Director of talent booking for Disneyland, Stan Freese, describes Sonny … Continue reading Interview: Sonny Anderson (His career as Disney’s longtime talent booker) →
Peter Marshall is a big band singer, television and radio host including “Hollywood Squares” and “Big Bands at Disneyland.” As an actor he’s appeared in both television and film, and in the feature film, “Annie,” he sings, “You’re Never Fully Dressed without a Smile.” He’s appeared in a number of stage musicals, such as The Music Man, La … Continue reading Interview: Peter Marshall (Career and music; Hollywood Squares; Big Bands at Disneyland) →
Orlando Ferrante started working at Disneyland in 1962, and for the next 40 years continued in the planning of Disneyland projects, as well as Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris and the Disney Cruise Line. (See photos and audio index below) AUDIO INDEX 1:33 Orlando met Ron Miller and Dick Nunis; He became a … Continue reading Interview: Orlando Ferrante (Coordinating Disney parks and classic attractions) →
Jack Lindquist appeared in the Our Gang comedies and movies such as “Best Foot Forward” before becoming Disneyland’s first advertising manager, beginning in 1955. He continued with the company in marketing for Disneyland. Walt Disney World and international Disney resorts. His many accomplishments include the creation of the Disneyland Ambassador program, the creation of the … Continue reading Interview: Jack Lindquist (His pre-Disney Hollywood days) →
Blaine Gibson began his Disney career in animation in 1939, and worked on some of Disney’s early classic features, animated shorts and even military films during World War II. Eventually Blaine began sculpting for Disney, creating the pirates in Pirates of the Caribbean, ghosts in the Haunted Mansion, Abraham Lincoln for Great Moments with Mr. … Continue reading Interview: Blaine Gibson (Disney animation starting in 1939) →
Barry Lane worked at Disneyland in the 1960s, when Walt Disney would still wander the parks, and was a tour guide there, one of the last male tour guides for many years to follow. Barry also was a skipper on the Jungle Cruise and worked in Disneyland’s historic Golden Horseshoe Revue! AUDIO INDEX :59 Barry Lane’s … Continue reading Interview: Barry Lane (1960s Disneyland tour guide and Jungle Cruise skipper) →
Here’s two interviews tangled together in one… Zachary Levi, the voice of Flynn Rider, and Mandy Moore, the voice of Rapunzel. Enjoy the photos below and as always, see the Audio Index. AUDIO INDEX 1:49 Zachary Levi explains if Flynn Rider’s look was modeled after him 2:37 Working with Mandy on music and dialogue; Working … Continue reading Interview: Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi (Voice actors in Tangled) →
Connie Swanson Lane worked at Disneyland in the 1960s as a tour guide, VIP hostess, and she was the 1966 Disneyland Ambassador to the World. As Ambassador, Connie traveled both locally and abroad, bringing brought the joy of Disneyland around the world. She was involved in many historic Disneyland events, such as the grand openings … Continue reading Interview: Connie Swanson Lane (The 1966 Disneyland Ambassador to the World) →
Don Dorsey is a musician, director, producer, and audio engineer whose work for Disney includes everything from musical performances and arrangements to sound design to complete show design and direction for several Disney parks. Don started his long-lasting relationship with Disney in 1975 and for the first 17 years served as the main audio recording … Continue reading Interview: Don Dorsey (IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot) →
Scott Weinger is a television actor and writer, probably best known for his role as Steve Hale on the TV series “Full House.” Although he wasn’t seen onscreen, another of his most famous roles was providing the voice of the title character in Disney’s animated feature, “Aladdin.” AUDIO INDEX: 2:13 Working on the Disney Studios … Continue reading Interview: Scott Weinger (Voice of Aladdin) →
Alan Menken is an Academy Award winning composer who has written the music for films including The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Tangled, amongst many others. AUDIO INDEX 1:03 Working on Tangled 3:32 Working with different lyricists; Aladdin stage version with outtake songs; the original intent of the Aladdin movie 5:40 Alan’s … Continue reading Interview: Alan Menken (Tangled; Beauty and the Beast; Aladdin) →
I hope you enjoy these excerpts from interviews I did with people who were at Disneyland on its opening day on July 17, 1955. Don’t miss any of my interviews. Send an email and let me know you want to be on my email list! AUDIO INDEX 1:26 Harriet Burns, of the Imagineering model shop, … Continue reading Interview: Disneyland’s Opening Day →
by Scott Wolf Blaine Gibson began his Disney career as an inbetweener on a Pluto cartoon short film “Bone Trouble,” and then on “Fantasia” and “Pinocchio” and as an assistant animator on“Bambi.” Blaine eventually began sculpting for Disney, creating the pirates in Pirates of the Caribbean, ghosts in the Haunted Mansion, Abraham Lincoln for Great Moments with … Continue reading Interview: Blaine Gibson (Haunted Mansion; Pirates; If You Had Wings) →
Jeff Hoffman’s began his Disney career selling merchandise at Disneyland shop and ultimately becoming vice president of Disney Worldwide Outreach. He was largely responsible for the Disney Legends Awards for more than two decades. (See below for more photos and audio index) AUDIO INDEX 1:15 The start of the Disney Legends Awards; the first Disney Legend … Continue reading Interview: Jeff Hoffman (The Disney Legends Awards) →
Jack Gladish worked as an engineer, responsible for submarines, dinosaurs, railroad locomotives and much more. Attractions include the “Carousel of Progress,” “Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room” and much more. During his career he headed the plastics and fiberglass shops at the MAPO department of Walt Disney Imagineering. AUDIO INDEX :56 How he got his start … Continue reading Interview: Jack Gladish (His career; Walt Disney; Disneyland and World’s Fair attractions) →
Wally Boag starred in Disneyland’s Golden Horseshoe Revue stage show from 1955 to 1982. During that time, some of his other contributions include appearing in some of Walt Disney’s movies, entertaining the troops in Iceland, performing in a Walt Disney stage show at Radio City Music Hall, writing Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room attraction and … Continue reading Interview: Wally Boag (Golden Horseshoe Revue; Tiki Room; Absent-Minded Professor) →
Marcia Miner Phillips was a Disneyland tour guide, VIP hostess and the 1967 Disneyland Ambassador to the World. AUDIO INDEX 2:03 Her start with Disney as a tour guide; memorizing the script; about the tours; a tour for a sight impaired Guest 6:35 Walt Disney; the grand opening of “it’s a small world” 8:43 … Continue reading Interview: Marcia Miner Phillips (1967 Disneyland Ambassador to the World) →
Kathryn Beaumont was a child actress at MGM and went on to voice Alice and Wendy in Walt Disney’s animated versions of “Alice in Wonderland” and “Peter Pan” respectively AUDIO INDEX :55 Being a child actress; becoming a school teacher 2:35 The students’ awareness of Kathryn’s voice work and a funny related story 4:22 … Continue reading Interview: Kathryn Beaumont (Being a child actress and becoming a school teacher; “Alice” in later years) →
Kathryn Beaumont was a child actress at MGM and went on to voice Alice and Wendy in Walt Disney’s animated versions of “Alice in Wonderland” and “Peter Pan” respectively AUDIO INDEX 1:00 After recording the voice for the films, Kathryn filmed live action versions of the live action footage of the films for the artists’ … Continue reading Interview: Kathryn Beaumont (A unique visit with Walt Disney; Live action reference for animators; Tea Party sequence) →
Born on January 26, 1922, jazz pianist Page Cavanaugh was the special guest in a concert I went to at the Greek Theater back in the 1980s. They mentioned that he performs at a club in Burbank, and that began a wonderful friendship. Every week I would go see Page, listen to him play and talk … Continue reading Remembering Page Cavanaugh →
Jack Lindquist came up with the idea for the opening ceremony for the classic “it’s a small world” attraction at Disneyland. He was also Disneyland’s first advertising manager, beginning in 1955. He continued with the company in marketing for Disneyland. Walt Disney World and international Disney resorts. His many accomplishments include the creation of the … Continue reading Interview: Jack Lindquist (The opening ceremony for “it’s a small world”) →
Kathryn Beaumont was a child actress at MGM and went on to voice Alice and Wendy in Walt Disney’s animated versions of “Alice in Wonderland” and “Peter Pan” respectively AUDIO INDEX :56 Working for MGM and then Disney 1:39 Already familiar with Alice in Wonderland 2:34 The audition for Alice, getting a contract with … Continue reading Interview: Kathryn Beaumont (How the Disney staff involved her in the film process; working with other voice actors) →
Stan is the talent booking director for Disneyland and tuba soloist extraordinaire. He was the longtime conductor of the Disneyland band and the first full-time conductor of the Walt Disney World band. AUDIO INDEX 1:43 Performing tuba solos on the TV series Hee Haw 4:40 His start with music and choosing the tuba 7:01 Entertaining … Continue reading Interview: Stan Freese (Career overview) →
Carole was a ticket seller and tour guide at Disneyland, beginning in 1962, and was Miss Disneyland 1964, representing Disneyland and Walt Disney himself AUDIO INDEX :52 Her start with Disneyland; Donald Novis in Guest Relations; Becoming a Disney tour guide; Becoming Miss Disneyland, 1964 4:54 Miss Disneyland and the Tivoli Gardens tour guide exchange; … Continue reading Interview: Carole Tully (Miss Disneyland 1964; Tivoli Gardens tour guide exchange; Walt Disney) →
Bill is a voice actor, whose most popular character is Goofy, for which he has provided the voice for countless movies, toys Disney theme park stage shows and more. AUDIO INDEX :44 Bill’s version of Goofy compared to the original, voiced by Pinto Colvig 1:25 Work besides just the animated films, including Disneyland and Disney … Continue reading Interview: Bill Farmer (The recording process for Goofy; other voices) →
AUDIO INDEX :49 How Ray went from playing piano at Shakey’s Pizza Parlor to becoming a Main Street pianist at Disneyland, the position ends 6:13 Returning to Disneyland for the Happy 25 Anniversary Disneyland character show at Carnation Plaza Gardens 9:00 Becoming a bass drummer for the Disneyland Band, coaxed to play a practical joke … Continue reading Interview: Ray Templin (Performing with the Disneyland Band and other Disney music groups) →
Bill is a voice actor, whose most popular character is Goofy, for which he has provided the voice for countless movies, toys Disney theme park stage shows and more. AUDIO INDEX :39 Discovering he could do various character voices, such as John Wayne and Walter Brennan, and getting into radio broadcasting in Kansas and stand … Continue reading Interview: Bill Farmer (The start of Goofy; doing voice impressions; stand up comedy) →
Harriet was a scenic designer/model maker working on projects such as the Mickey Mouse Club television show, Disneyland and Walt Disney World. AUDIO INDEX :53 Creating skin for Abraham Lincoln for Great Moment’s with Mr. Lincoln at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. Using her home fryer to create it. 1:30 Disneyland’s Chinatown … Continue reading Interview: Harriet Burns (Chinatown in Disneyland; Mister Lincoln) →
AUDIO INDEX :56 How Ray became the voices for Disneyland’s Fantasyland attractions including Stromboli and the Coachman in Pinocchio, the Circus Ringmaster in the Casey Jr. Circus Train 3:00 Working with actor Candy Candido for the Fantasyland rides 5:53 Voices for Pinocchio’s Daring Journey in Disneyland and the preparation for it, voices in Mr. Toad’s … Continue reading Interview: Ray Templin (Providing voices for Fantasyland attractions in Disneyland) →
Chuck Corson was the director of entertainment for Disneyland and Walt Disney World beginning in 1959. AUDIO INDEX :57 Chuck’s early days at Disneyland, beginning in 1959 1:23 The creation of the Dapper Dans barbershop quartet, T.J. Marker, the Osmonds, Meet Me at Disneyland TV show, casting call for mermaids and other Disneyland atmosphere entertainment … Continue reading Interview: Chuck Corson (Dapper Dans; the Osmonds; Walt Disney World entertainment) →
Rikki Lugo, early dance captain in the Golden Horseshoe Revue, and dancer/choreographer in Disney television shows and films such as “Babes in Toyland.” AUDIO INDEX 1:10 The Golden Horseshoe Revue 10,000th performance television special 2:19 Remembering working with Ed Wynn on Babes in Toyland 3:15 A fun story about Annette Funicello 4:14 Choreographer Tom Mahoney … Continue reading Interview: Rikki Lugo (Disneyland/Disney movies dancer and choreographer) →
Chuck Corson was the director of entertainment for Disneyland and Walt Disney World beginning in 1959. AUDIO INDEX :59 Production stage manager for Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians, 1:35 Disney Night at the Hollywood Bowl and “Tinker Bell,” Tommy Walker, casting shows such as “Mickey Mouse Club,” and “Elfego Baca,” Jimmie Dodd 3:40 Disneyland’s start … Continue reading Interview: Chuck Corson (Fred Waring; Big Bands; Disneyland’s nighttime entertainment) →
Cicely Rigdon began working at Disneyland as a ticket seller in 1957 and would later be responsible for Disneyland’s Guest Relations and the Disneyland Ambassador program. AUDIO INDEX :48 Helping Disneyland Ambassador candidates and the Ambassador process 4:47 The Ambassador ceremonies 6:00 What makes a good Ambassador, explaining the park to people as Ambassador or … Continue reading Interview: Cicely Rigdon (The Disneyland Ambassador Program; ticket sellers) →
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