Paris' Walt Disney Studios - Animation Inauguration and Legend Ceremony
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Robert Newton
(c) Disney
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Robert Newton is not instantly recognisable as a Disney Legend, but his mark was crucial to the success of the Studio's venture into live-action. Roy explained that his portrayal of Long John Silver in Treasure Island, was crucial to the movie's appeal to audiences. As Roy commented, "if Treasure Island had been a critical and commercial failure, then the Studio would not have had a rich legacy of live-action movie gems. In short, Walt would have probably retreated back to animation." Newton never worked on another Disney project, but the charisma and personality he injected into Silver ensured that he portrayed the rascal pirate in numerous other projects around the world. An Englishman by birth, Newton died in 1956.
Ken Annakin
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Ken Annakin directed four Disney features, including the $4 million Swiss Family Robinson in 1960. This lavish production was typical of Annakin's style as he had a tremendous eye for detail and an adoration of lavish spectacle. Roy recalled one story about Ken; "Walt suggested a scene [for Swiss Family Robinson] that called for a tiger to be used. Ken hesitated, however, based on a previous experience, and suggested a lion instead. "Oh-ho", Walt laughed, "At last we have found something that Ken is afraid of. If you are scared to film the tiger, I'll come out with a sixteen millimetre camera and shoot it myself!" The tiger stayed in the feature.
Hugh Attwooll
(c) Disney
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Hugh Attwooll was critical to the success of the British and European Disney features. A veteran of more than twenty as producer or associate producer, Attwooll later commented "because I've been with Disney so long, one associates me with the Company. In fact, I've never signed one piece of paper with Disney, except to say that I am a British citizen." Disney production head, Bill Anderson, first tapped Hugh to work on Kidnapped, at Pinewood Studios in London. After that feature, Walt personally called Hugh to ask him to join the crew for a feature lensing in Spain called "Von Drake in Spain." Hugh Attwooll retired in 1981 after over 50 years in the motion picture industry.
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