Disney Legends
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Television icon Regis Philbin, Muppets creator Jim Henson, the extraordinary actresses who vocally brought to life many modern-day Disney Princesses including Jodi Benson (Ariel from The Little Mermaid), Paige O’Hara (Belle from Beauty and the Beast), Lea Salonga (singing voices of Jasmine from Aladdin and Mulan from Mulan), Linda Larkin (speaking voice of Jasmine from Aladdin), and Anika Noni Rose (Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog) plus other equally impressive contributors to the Disney legacy will be named and honored as official Disney Legends during the D23 EXPO at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 19, in the Anaheim Convention Center Arena.
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Posted: Thu 6/16/2011 6:06a • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Legends
Storyboard: Marty Sklar, X. Atencio and Bob Gurr talk "Pirates"!
The Walt Disney Family Museum's official blog "Storyboard" shares memories of creating "Pirates of the Caribbean" from Disney Legends Marty Sklar, X Atencio and Bob Gurr.
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Posted: Fri 10/29/2010 2:46p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Disneyland Resort Headlines Marty Sklar Legends Disneyland
Storyboard: Walt Disney Family Museum Disneyland's Birthday Celebration Recap
Over Disneyland's birthday weekend the Walt Disney Family Museum hosted a series of events that offered a look back at the development of Disneyland, its rich 55 year history and a sneak peek into the future ahead. Their blog "storyboard" offers highlights from those presentations.by a variety of individuals including Diane Disney Miller, "Buzz" Price, Jack Lindquist, Matt Ouimet, Tony Baxter, and others.
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Posted: Tue 7/20/2010 7:26p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Walt Museum Disneyland Resort Headlines Marty Sklar Tony Baxter Diane Disney Miller Jack Lindquist Matt Ouimet Legends Other Destinations
OCReg: The voice of Goofy speaks
Brief interview with the voice of Goofy, Bill Farmer at his recent appearance at the Disneyana Fan Club’s convention in Garden Grove, CA.
Posted: Fri 7/16/2010 3:04p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: NFFC Headlines Bill Farmer Legends
Art Linkletter passes away at 97
One of the most famous people in the history of television, Art Linkletter, has passed away. Among his many other credits is hosting Disneyland's live opening day broadcast with Bob Cummings and Ronald Reagan. Linkletter was also featured in Disneyland's 50th anniversary celebration in 2005.
Update: Added links to Linkletter articles and videos on LaughingPlace.com
Los Angeles Times Obituary
Linkletter at the 50th Celebration
Linkletter talks about Disneyland's Opening Day
Linkletter is made a Disney Legend
Posted: Wed 5/26/2010 12:59p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Obits Legends
The Staten Island Advance offers the first part of a Marty Sklar interview about his career at Disney with a special focus on Disney's participation in the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair.
Part One
Posted: Wed 4/7/2010 7:18p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Disneyland Resort Headlines Marty Sklar DLR History WDI Legends
Pam Burns-Clair at Walt's Barn for Harriet Burns book February 21
Pam Burns-Clair, co-author of the new book Walt Disney’s First Lady of Imagineering: Harriet Burns, will be at Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn on Sunday, February 21 to sign copies of the book and talk to guests from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Pam is the daughter of the late Disney Legend and Imagineer Harriet Burns. The book was co-authored with Disney historian Don Peri.
Harriet Burns Official Website
Carolwood Pacific Historical Society
Posted: Wed 2/17/2010 6:36p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Books Merchandise Events Legends Merchandise
JHM: Harriet Burns as Remembered by her Daughter
Todd James Pierce talks with Pam Burns-Clair, co-author of “Walt Disney’s First Lady of Imagineering, Harriet Burns,” a brand-new book which will make its debut this Sunday at the NFFC-Disneyana Fan Club’s Show and Sale.
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Posted: Thu 1/14/2010 9:09a • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Headlines Legends
JHM: Blaine Gibson remembers Harriet Burns, the First Lady of Imagineering
Todd James Pierce talks with Disney Legend Blaine Gibson about Harriet Burns, his longtime WED co-worker and her numerous contributions to theme park attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, The Enchanted Tiki Room as well as the Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough.
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Posted: Tue 1/12/2010 4:13p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Disneyland Resort DLR History Legends
Announcing a new book: Walt Disney’s First Lady of Imagineering, Harriet Burns
After Harriet Burns—the first female Walt Disney Imagineer—passed away in July 2008, Harriet's daughter, Pam, received such an outpouring of love complete with colorful stories of her mother from family and friends, both personal and professional, that she decided to create a tribute book. Together with co-author Don Peri, they solicited and received many more stories about Harriet and they all are gathered in this book, together with many photos of Harriet not seen before by the public. Through this limited edition hard cover, coffee-table style book, you will discover the range and depth of Harriet's impact on those lives she touched whether as a mother, grandmother, relative, mentor, co-worker, or friend. The stories will bring a smile or a tear, or both, and will contribute to an understanding and appreciation of this tiny woman with a heart as big as her native Texas.
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Posted: Wed 12/16/2009 8:08a • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Books Legends
2009 Disney Legend award winners
Disney has announced the 2009 Disney Legend award winners will be...
- TONY ANSELMO, the voice of Donald Duck;
- HARRY ARCHINAL, former president of Buena Vista International; beloved actresses
- ESTELLE GETTY, BEATRICE ARTHUR, BETTY WHITE, and RUE McCLANAHAN, stars of The Golden Girls
- BILL FARMER, the voice of Goofy
- DON IWERKS, who created revolutionary film systems used in movies like Mary Poppins and in Disney theme park attractions;
- LEOTA TOOMBS THOMAS, Imagineer, world-famous as the Haunted Mansions disembodied Madame Leota; and
- ROBIN WILLIAMS, voice of the Genie in Aladdin and star this fall in Old Dogs from Walt Disney Pictures.
The awards will be presented during a ceremony at the D23 Expo next month. Click here for more info on the Expo.
Posted: Thu 8/27/2009 8:39p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: D23 D23 Expo Mary Poppins Old Dogs Legends Movies
Virginia Davis McGhee Obituary
Virginia Davis McGhee, Walt Disney’s first star and the lead child actress in his landmark silent “Alice Comedies,” passed away at her home in Corona, California from natural age-related causes on Saturday (8/15). She was 90-years-old. McGhee made a total of 13 “Alice” films for Disney (with such intriguing titles as “Alice Hunting in Africa,” “Alice’s Spooky Adventure,” “Alice’s Wild West Show,” “Alice Cans the Cannibals,” and “Alice Gets Stung”), and went on to appear in other roles as a child and supporting actress (including “Three on a Match,” and “The Harvey Girls”). She frequently participated in a variety of Disney fan celebrations, including a recent Disney historical gathering in Kansas City, Missouri, in May, 2009, and an event in Anaheim in July, 2009, hosted by the National Fantasy Fan Club. In 1998, The Walt Disney Company honored McGhee for her contributions to the Studio by naming her a “Disney Legend.”
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Posted: Tue 8/18/2009 6:51p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Obits Legends
According to CartoonBrew.com, Virginia Davis of the Alice Comedies - a very early Walt Disney series - has passed away at the age of 90. Davis was named a Disney Legend in 1998.. Click here to read more at CartoonBrew.com.
Posted: Sat 8/15/2009 4:20p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Legends
Wayne Allwine, a veteran Disney voiceover talent and Emmy Award-winning sound effects editor, who provided the voice of Mickey Mouse for the past 32 years, passed away on Monday (May 18th) at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, from complications due to diabetes. He was 62-years-old. Allwine’s wife of 20 years, Russi Taylor, who provides the voice of Minnie Mouse, was by his side at the time of his passing.
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Posted: Wed 5/20/2009 11:43a • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Legends
Flowers for Wayne in Legend's Plaza
A reader sent us the pictures below taken today at Legend's Plaza at the Walt Disney Studios. The flowers are for Wayne Allwine, the voice of Mickey Mouse who passed away on May 18th. Allwine was made a Disney Legend in 2008.
Click here for a much larger version of this picture
Click here for a much larger version of this picture
Posted: Wed 5/20/2009 11:34a • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Legends
Wayne Allwine, voice of Mickey Mouse, passes away at 62
Wayne Allwine, best known as the voice of Mickey Mouse, passed away at the age of 62 on May 18th from complications with Diabetes. Allwine had done the voice of Mickey continually since 1983. While working on the Totally Minnie CD Allwine met the voice of Minnie Mouse, Russi Taylor and in 1997 they married. Allwine was also an accomplished sound effects editor on films including Star Trek V: The Final Frontier and Innerspace, and he won a Sound Editing Emmy for his work on the TV series Amazing Stories.
On a personal note, Rebekah and I had the opportunity to meet Wayne and Russi many times and they were two of the most beautiful people you'd ever want to meet. Many LaughingPlace.com readers will remember their attendance at one of our annual meets where they, on their own, spoke to the attendees about how much the readers' love of Disney meant to them bringing many of those in attendance to tears.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Russi and their families. Wayne will be missed by Disney fans around the world.
Below is a short video clip of Wayne and Russi during one of their NFFC appearances:
Copy and paste the code below to embed this video on your own page
Related Links
- Wayne Alline on Disney's official Disney Legends website
- Disney Legend Ceremony indicuting Wayne and Russi
Includes video of their speeches - Bob Welbaum Interview with Wayne and Russi
- Wayne and Russi at the 2003 NFFC Convention
Posted: Tue 5/19/2009 9:02p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: NFFC Legends
According to a post on our Discussion Boards, Disney Legend Marty Sklar will be retiring from Imagineering in July of this year. Click here to read more on our Discussion Boards. Note: This is the only word we've heard of it, this has not been confirmed by us with Disney as of yet..
Posted: Mon 4/27/2009 12:05p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Legends
Rolly Crump & Don Edgren to receive Window on Main Street
For the first time in Disneyland Parks history, two people will receive a window on Main Street, U.S.A. on the same day. These will honor Disney Legends and former Walt Disney Imagineers Rolly Crump and the late Don Edgren. The ceremony will take place on April 29th prior to park hours.
Posted: Thu 4/23/2009 3:43p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Disneyland Resort Legends Disneyland
Sherman Brothers receive National Medal of the Arts
(l-r) Robert Sherman and Richard Sherman
Click here for a much larger version of this picture
In a ceremony held today Richard and Robert Sherman, the songwriting duo behing Mary Poppins, "it's a small world", Bedknobs and Broomsticks and many other Disney favorites, received National Medals of the Arts from President and Mrs. Bush. The following was said of the Sherman Brothers:
Robert Sherman and Richard Sherman. (Applause.) The 2008 National Medal of Arts to the Sherman Brothers, for unforgettable songs and optimistic lyrics that have brought magic to the screen and stage. The Sherman Brothers' music has helped bring joy to millions.
Click here for a compete transcript of the event.
Posted: Mon 11/17/2008 7:56p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Mary Poppins Sherman Brothers Legends Music Movies
Legends Plaza tribute to Harriet Burns
A reader was kind enough to send us the pictures below of flowers at Harriet Burns plaque at Legends Plaza at Disney headquarters. For more information on the life and career of Harriet Burns who passed away last week Disney's obituary, Marty Sklar's tribute and Rebekah's tribute.
Posted: Fri 8/1/2008 11:32a • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Obits Legends
Harriet Burns obituary updated
We've updated the obituary for Harriet Burns we posted yesterday including the addition of specific memorial service information. Click here to read.
Posted: Tue 7/29/2008 10:44a • permalink
Tags: Obits Legends
Marty Sklar Tribute to Harriet Burns
Disney Imagineering Legend Marty Sklar sent this to Disney Cast Members following last week's death of Harriet Burns...
A TRIBUTE TO HARRIET BURNS
By Marty Sklar
In the hospital they were calling her "Sleeping Beauty," but I likened her more to "Snow White," waiting for the kiss that would awaken her. Alas, the princes and kings who could do it were already gone, awaiting her arrival in a safer place.
As the first non-clerical woman Imagineer, Harriet Burns had to earn the respect of a male-dominated world. Beginning when WED Enterprises was still located at the Studio, she had to be as good as the men were with a table saw, lathes, drill presses and, as she put it, "other stuff." And she was, even holding her own when the off-color jokes came her way. With her soft Texas twang, she could sling it right back at them.
But what really earned respect for Harriet Burns was her creative skill. She became a design star on The Mickey Mouse Club, helping to establish its modern, graphic style. With Fred Joerger and Wathel Rogers, she became the WED Model Shop, heartbeat of Walt's design engine for Disneyland and beyond.
For 31 years until her retirement in 1986, Harriet was at the center of every Imagineering venture: "figure finishing" presidents and pirates, creating enchanted color schemes and frillery for singing birds, putting the glitter, flitter and jewels on the children and toys of it's a small world. For her achievements, she was named a Disney Legend in 2000.
Harriet never dressed the part of the jeans and tee shirt set. Her eclectic taste and sense of design fashion carried over to her working attire. She was always the best dressed member of the Model Shop, perhaps all of Imagineering.
Maybe that's one reason she caught Walt Disney's eye and appeared so often in those un-scripted strolls through the Model Shop that Walt loved to use in the TV show lead-ins, showcasing the newest concepts for Disneyland or the New York World's Fair. But we all knew better. It was really because, from the Studio days when Disneyland was just getting started, Walt loved to get his hands dirty in the Model Shop. And to "kick back" from the pressures of running his growing empire by sharing stories and one-liners with the Imagineer with that sweet Texas drawl.
That's why, when her favorite princes – fellow Disney & Imagineering Legends John Hench, Bill Cottrell and Fred Joerger – lined up last week to greet Harriet Burns, I'm sure it was the King who was first in line. Because Harriet Burns was Walt Disney's favorite Imagineer.
Posted: Tue 7/29/2008 10:38a • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Tron Legends Movies
Harriet Burns Obituary from Disney
Harriet Burns, designated as a Disney Legend by The Walt Disney Company in 2000, and former Disney Imagineer, died on July 25 at the age of 79. As the first woman ever hired by Walt Disney Imagineering in a creative rather than an office capacity, Harriet Burns helped design and build prototypes for theme park attractions, as well as final products featured at Disneyland and the New York World's Fair of 1964.
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Posted: Mon 7/28/2008 6:06p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Obits Legends
Disney Legend Harriet Burns passes away
We've just confirmed the sad news that Disney Legend Harriet Burns passed away this morning. Burns was named a Disney Legend in 2000. The quote below is taken from the official Disney Legends website:
As the first woman ever hired by Walt Disney Imagineering in a creative rather than an office capacity, Harriet Burns helped design and build prototypes for theme park attractions, as well as final products featured at Disneyland and the New York World's Fair of 1964. And while she worked padded-shoulder to shoulder with men in the model shop, wielding saws, lathes and sanders, she was still the best-dressed employee in the department.
For much more on Harriet Burns and her Disney career, read her bio on the Disney Legends official site.
Posted: Fri 7/25/2008 3:35p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Obits Legends
Movie Night with Bob Gurr 1313 Club Event on June 14th
On June 14th in Anaheim CA, The 1313 Club will be having its first Movie Night with Disney Legend Bob Gurr. This club's movie night will show a small portion of "Meet Bob Gurr Extraordinaire" DVD that will be released on July 20th at the NFFC Convention. There will also be Question and Answer times plus popcorn, sodas and more. So come join us for our first Annual movie night:
June 14th - 4:30 pm
Holiday Inn Anaheim -
1240 South Walnut, Anaheim, CA 92802 (off of Ball road)
Cost: $1 for members $5 for non Members
More info: 951-685-3217
Please email us to save your spot! at: themagicmakers@charter.net. For more information on 1313 Club, visit the Official Site.
Posted: Thu 5/15/2008 8:37a • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: NFFC DLR Events Disneyland Resort Tron Legends Disneyland Movies
Ollie Johnston passes away at 95 - official obituary
Ollie Johnston, one of the greatest animators/directing animators in animation history and the last surviving member of Walt Disney’s elite group of animation pioneers known affectionately as the “Nine Old Men,” passed away from natural causes at a long term care facility in Sequim, Washington on Monday April 14th. He was 95 years old. During his stellar 43-year career at The Walt Disney Studios, he contributed inspired animation and direction to such classic films as “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Pinocchio,” “Fantasia,” “Song of the South,” “Cinderella,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Peter Pan,” “Lady and the Tramp,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Sword in the Stone,” “Mary Poppins,” “The Jungle Book,” “Robin Hood,” “The Rescuers,” and “The Fox and the Hound.”
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Posted: Tue 4/15/2008 12:59p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Obits Books Mary Poppins Song of the South Legends Movies
On Wednesday, April 30, audiences at the 2008 Newport Beach Film Festival will get a “Behind-The-Ears” peek at the art of Disney animation as noted filmmakers and Academy Award® nominees Roy E. Disney and Don Hahn present an evening of rarely seen Disney animated shorts and experimental films. Screening at 7:30pm at the art deco Lido Theater in Newport Beach, Disney and Hahn will share with the audience a collection of short animated films that had limited theatrical presentations, many of which are not available for viewing on DVD. For ticket information please visit: http://www.newportbeachfilmfest.com.
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Posted: Wed 4/9/2008 5:58p • permalink
Tags: Legend Events Legends
On Friday, April 25 at 7:00pm, within the intimate setting of the Palm Garden at The Island Hotel Newport Beach, Academy Award® winning songwriter Richard M. Sherman will perform selections from his motion picture songbook for attendees of the 2008 Newport Beach Film Festival (open to the public). Noted author, film historian and Disney authority Jeff Kurtti will host the concert. Tickets for the gala reception and concert are $25 and are available by visiting www.newportbeachfilmfest.com.
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Posted: Wed 4/9/2008 5:56p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Books Legend Events Legends
More Golden Horseshoe Celebration event photos
Ape Pen Publishing, the company that put on the recent Golden Horseshoe Celebration featuring Wally Boag and other Golden Horseshoe perfomers, has posted dozens of pictures from the event on Flickr. Click here to see them.
Posted: Fri 4/4/2008 5:06a • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: DLR Events Disneyland Resort DLR History Legends Disneyland
Disney Legend Bob Gurr to receive window on Disneyland's Main Street
Disney Legend Bob Gurr will be receiving a window on Disneyland's Main Street on Friday morning, March 7th, in a ceremony prior to park opening. Gurr is known for designing anything with wheels at Disneyland including the Autopia, the Monorail, Omnimovers, the Main Street Vehicles and others. For much more on Bob's career with Disney and afterwards, see his Designer Times series here on LaughingPlace.com.
Posted: Thu 3/6/2008 5:07p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: DLR Events Disneyland Resort Tron Legends Disneyland Movies
Joyce Carlson, a legendary Disney “Imagineer,” artist and model-maker for 56 years, passed away January 2, 2008 at her home in Florida following a long battle with cancer. She was 84 years old. Joyce helped create the original model for it’s a small world for the New York World’s Fair in 1964, and later refitted it for its permanent home in Disneyland.
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Posted: Thu 1/3/2008 2:59p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Obits Legends
Julie Andrews book release and signing at Disneyland
DisneyGallery.com has announced Julie Andrews will have a special appearnce and signing of her book on April 8th (details not yet annoucned).
Click here for more info at DisneyGallery.com.Be at "Home" with Academy Award-Winning Actress, Julie Andrews. On Tuesday, April 8, join us as we welcome Academy Award-Winning Actress and bestselling author, Julie Andrews, who will be on hand for a special appearance and signing of her autobiography, titled Home: A Memoir of My Early Years. For the first time ever, this Hollywood icon relives her early days in an honest, touching and revealing memoir. Beginning in 1935, when Julie was born to an aspiring vaudevillian mother, the book takes readers through 1962, when Walt Disney himself saw her on Broadway in Camelot, and cast her as the world's most famous nanny. Filled with numerous personal photos and anecdotes of her time on Broadway, this is exactly the kind of memoir Julie Andrew's audiences have been waiting for.
Posted: Mon 12/17/2007 2:02p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: DLR Events Disneyland Resort Books Tron Legends Disneyland Movies
Art Stevens, a veteran Disney animator and filmmaker who co-produced and co-directed “The Fox and the Hound,” and co-directed “The Rescuers” during his illustrious 44-year career at the Studio, passed away on May 22nd at his home in Studio City, California after suffering a heart attack in his rose garden. He was 92-years old.
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Posted: Thu 6/28/2007 5:16p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Legends
Legendary Golden Horseshoe Performer Fulton Burley Passes Away
Fulton Burley, the wisecracking Irish tenor who entertained millions of Disneyland guests for 25 years as the popular star and master of ceremonies at the long-running Golden Horseshoe Revue, passed away on Monday May 7th at Sunrise Assisted Living at La Costa in Carlsbad, California. The cause of death was heart failure. He was 84 years old. Burley also provided the voice of the Irish parrot, Michael, for the Enchanted Tiki Room attraction at Disneyland, and toured the country on numerous occasions hosting live shows to promote theatrical reissues of such popular Disney films as “The Jungle Book,” and “Cinderella.” He was honored as a “Disney Legend” in a special ceremony at the Studio in 1995.
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Posted: Fri 5/11/2007 4:07p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: DLR Entertainment Disneyland Resort Books Legends Disneyland
Charles Ridgeway "Spinning Disney's World" appearance schedule
Press release with Ridgeway's complete schedule in Central Florida
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Posted: Fri 3/16/2007 2:01p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Legend Events Legends
Oscar-Winning Disney Matte Artist and Visual Effects Pioneer Peter Ellenshaw Dies at Age 93
The Walt Disney Studios has issued a press release regarding the passing of Disney Legend Peter Ellenshaw
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Posted: Wed 2/14/2007 2:31p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Legends Movies
Cartoonbrew.com is reporting that Peter Ellenshaw passed away. Peter did matte paintings for many Disney films including Mary Poppins and Third Man on the Mountain.
Posted: Tue 2/13/2007 7:52p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Mary Poppins Legends Movies
Grownup Geeks' Guide Got Bob Gurr on the Podcast
o-meon's Grownup Geeks' Guide has a podcast featuring Disney Legend Bob Gurr. Click here for more info or to listen.
Posted: Mon 7/10/2006 4:32p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: DCA Disneyland Resort Legends
Richard Fleischer, Disney Legend and director of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, has passed away in Los Angeles at the age of 89. Click here for more info. Also see LP Lotion for pictures from the 2003 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea panel discussion with Fleischer.
Posted: Sun 3/26/2006 12:43p • permalink • Discuss It
Tags: Legends
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