Report: Walt Disney Art Classics Mini-Convention
Page 7 of 7
Peter worked on four pictures in England before coming to the United States. Someone from the Studio said that he should come to Hollywood and work for Disney. He packed up his family and headed to California but when he arrived there was no one to meet him. Apparently, they weren’t expecting him and when he showed up at the studio, Walt wondered why he was there. Walt said they would find something for him to do. Peter painted the first color concept for Disneyland that appears in the very first episode of the Disneyland television series. He used florescent paint to show what the park would look like at night.
Peter was very impressed with Walt Disney because he was so down-to-earth and had a sincere interest in the common person. A story he related about Walt concerned a meeting that was to occur at 8:00 a.m. Walt overheard Peter telling someone that Walt wouldn’t be able to attend a meeting held that early. Walt proceeded to tell him that he most certainly would be there at 8:00. Unfortunately, the day of the meeting, Walt got held up and arrived late. Peter said he was fuming because his late arrival meant Peter was right!
Peter talked about working on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Old Yeller, Johnny Tremain, Davy Crockett, and Darby O’Gill and the Little People. Darby was particularly difficult because of the scale. Lighting the film was extremely critical. Bob Stevenson, the director of the film, was a mathematician and worked out the meticulous camera angles that had to be used. The lighting demands were so great that it caused a power outage in the studio area. Other films included The Absent-Minded Professor, Swiss Family Robinson, In Search of the Castaways, and The Black Hole.
Peter’s most famous work was for Mary Poppins and for this he received an Academy Award. Peter discussed a difficult scene where the sun is setting over the London landscape. A painting was done of the sky as the sun was going down. Next, holes were cut in the glass where lights would be appearing in the cityscape. A cel was put over that for the setting sun. The shot was filmed with the cel overlay and then there was a gradual fadeout on the cel with the sun to a fade-in without the sun. The Oscar was awarded for special effects, but Peter complained that the press just ignored the special effects winners!
Peter said the Mary Poppins set was a happy place for everyone. Peter has two cameos in the film. One was for a penguin voice - “And Jane”, and the other was for his hand when Bert is drawing Mary Poppins’ shadow on the sidewalk.
The song Step In Time came about when someone thought that the chimney sweeps needed a song. Someone asked Peter about pub songs and he demonstrated the pub song and dance Knees Up Mother Brown. Walt was called in to see it and insisted that he try it, too. Peter was amazed that a studio executive would do that but then Peter amazed everyone in the audience when he stood up, linked arms with Tim O’Day and danced and sang Knees Up Mother Brown. At nearly 87 years of age, he could outdo almost anyone in our audience!!
Tim asked Peter what he thought of Walt Disney. Peter said he had a special kind of genius. Walt, he said, had a human touch and a touch that made all things seem possible. Sometimes Walt would bring visitors into Peter’s office and Peter thought it was because he wanted them to meet this funny little man (himself), but it was Walt’s way of showing he appreciated the work that you did. Walt had a special presence and the magical things he said came alive. With that, the interview came to an end and we gave Peter a standing ovation.
Tim thanked everyone for attending the convention and we left to enjoy the rest of the day. Even though there were bumps along the way, we enjoyed the convention. We anticipate next year’s event and smoother seas ahead!
Related Links
- Feature: Report: Cinderella's 50th Anniversary Royal Celebration (from LaughingPlace.com)
- Feature: Interview with X. Atencio (from LaughingPlace.com)
- Feature: Memories of Marc Davis (from LaughingPlace.com)
- Duckman's Convention Report (from Fritz's Gifts and Collectibles)
Includes lots of merchandise pictures and information. - Etnyre Animation Gallery
See pictures of and purchase many of the items at Etnyre Animation Gallery
-- Story and photographs by Linda Yatsko
-- Posted April 14, 2000
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