The 2003 Disney Legends Awards Ceremony
by Scarlett Stahl

At the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, the 2003 Disney Legends Ceremony was held on October 16, 2003 in the Legends Plaza. Since its beginning in 1987 when only one individual, film star Fred Mac Murray, was designated a Disney Legend, the Disney Legends Ceremony has been held annually except for 1988. Its purpose is to honor those individuals whose body of work has made a significant impact on the Disney Legacy.

The honorees and their families, along with other distinguished guests gathered in a special tent beside the Legends Plaza where there were tables and chairs so they could sit and visit before the ceremony began. Though the morning had overcast skies, by the time the ceremony began the sun shone brightly on all the honorees and their families, along with former Legends and other invited guests. At one point during the ceremony a white pigeon perched at the foot of the Dopey sculpture holding up the roof in the Team Disney Building which is directly across from the Legends Plaza. The white pigeon appeared as if on cue to watch the proceedings below.

Roy E. Disney emceed the ceremony and after explaining the purpose of the awards he introduced previous years Legends who were in attendance to the audience including, but is not limited to, Kathryn Beaumont, Virginia Davis, Joe Grant, Becky Fallberg, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston. There was a screen at the right front side of the Plaza to show pictures of this years honorees and their achievements. Roy Disney introduced each honoree and gave a brief history of their career at Disney. A Disney character escorted the honorees, accompanied by music, to the podium where they received their awards and made brief acceptance speeches.

The 2003 Disney Legends Award Honorees were as follows:

Tutti Camarata- Music
Roy Disney: "In 1956 Walt decided to create an in house recording label and chose Tutti Camarata to establish Disneyland Records which is now known as Walt Disney Records. There they would combine story, music and dialog of such classics as Bambi, Dumbo and Cinderella to create an entire audio experience of the films."

Richard Fleischer- Film
In 1952 Richard Fleischer was asked by Walt Disney to direct 20,000 Leagues under the Sea. His father was Max Fleischer, who was the creator of Betty Boop and Popeye and a rival of Walt Disney. Of course he asked his father’s permission before giving an answer. His father told him that he had to take the job and take a message to Walt that he’s got great taste in directors.

Orlando Ferrante- Imagineering
Roy Disney: “There was a saying around WDI that if you want to get something done, give Ferrante his football helmet, his football shoes and his supply of vodka and get the hell out of his way.�?

Harrison “Buzz�? Price- Imagineering
Buzz helped Walt hand pick the locations for Disneyland as well as Walt Disney World. A month before Walt’s death, Walt asked Buzz to become a trustee for California Institute of the Arts, a position he retains even today.

Ilene Woods- Voice
Ilene recalled a story: "Mr. Disney asked her if she could harmonize with herself singing Oh Sweet Nightingale in Cinderella. While she was scrubbing the floor, each time a bubble would appear with another vision of Cinderella, another voice would be heard creating a magical scene." Ilene also commented that Walt was the only true visionary that she had ever worked for.