Walt Disney Art Classics Convention 2004 - Part 2
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The Disney back lot was then shown. One of the houses, noted Kurtti and Tieman, had been used in Disney’s finest film effort, The Million Dollar Duck. Jeff Kurtti spoke fondly of the full scale swimming pool behind the houses, in which he often swam during lunch hours in his early years at the Disney Studio.

Jeff Kurtti fondly recalls happier times at the Disney studio.

“What is a one trick pony?�? was the next question. After explaining that it’s something that certain performers could reliably do over and over again, a series of shots of the same two performers spilling hot coffee in their laps was shown. The pair, playing cops, performed this gag in film after film, as well as in numerous publicity shots.

Showing an image of MacMurray and his “flying flivver�? on the soundstage, Kurtti and Tieman assured the crowd that the car could actually fly—but only when the technicians holding it in place released the restraints. Far from happily waving, they said, MacMurray was actually angrily ordering the crew to let the car go!

Fred MacMurray, apparently moments before launching through the roof of a Disney Studio soundstage

“Where can you go in a flying car?�? was the next, logical question. It could take you to Washington D.C, the Grand Canyon, over the Disney Studios, or even out to Disneyland to buzz Walt himself as he strolled the tracks in Nature’s Wonderland.

Perhaps Walt should be watching out for trains…

Kurtti and Tieman then gave away a secret. Since Disney never throws away any idea, they said, “This was the inspiration for Soarin’ Over California!�?