On this day in 1934, Emmy-nominated actor, comedian, and impressionist Frank Gorshin was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Disney fans may recognize him from the 1965 live-action feature That Darn Cat! in which he played Iggy the bank-robber.
His early days as a comedian/impressionist included TV guest spots on The Ed Sullivan Show (his first being the same night The Beatles debuted) and The Steve Allen Show. He also appeared in such feature films as The Bells Are Ringing and Where The Boys Are.
In 1965 Disney released That Darn Cat! starring Hayley Mills, Dean Jones, Dorothy Provine, Roddy McDowall, Elsa Lanchester, and Gorshin. The comedy was nominated for an Edgar, a Golden Laurel, and a WGA Award.
But Gorshin will always be remembered for his role as the Riddler on the 1966-67 television series Batman. All in all he made nine appearances on the series as Batman's enemy and even received an Emmy nomination!
He later received another Emmy nomination for his role of an alien in a 1969 episode of Star Trek tiled "That Will Be Your Last Battlefield." Gorshin's television exposure led to headline status in many Las Vegas showrooms.
In 1970, Gorshin made his Broadway debut in the show Jimmy, in which he played New York Mayer James J. Walker.
In 1972, he starred in ABC-TV's The Kop Kats - in which the cast did impressions of actors and TV stars. Throughout the 1980s and 90s he appeared in countless TV films and guest starred on many series.
His final performance was in a 2005 episode of CBS-TV's CSI: Crime Scene Investigations, which sadly aired two days after Gorshin's death.
Click HERE for more April 05 Disney history.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
Apr 04: What A Voice!
On this day in 1932, actress Estelle Harris was born in New York City. Best known to fans of Seinfeld as Mrs. Costanza (George's cranky mom), her unique comical voice can be heard in many Disney TV programs and feature films.
Harris has voiced Lula - the talking sword in Dave the Barbarian, Mama Lipsky in Kim Possible, Mrs. Potato Head in Toy Story 2, Old Lady Bear in Brother Bear, Audrey the Chicken in Home on the Range, Mama Gunda in Tarzan II, Mrs, Turtle in House of Mouse, and Mrs. Boogins in Teacher's Pet. She also plays the role of Muriel on Disney Channel's The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, and has even appeared on an episode of Phil of the Future.
Click HERE for more April 04 Disney history.
Harris has voiced Lula - the talking sword in Dave the Barbarian, Mama Lipsky in Kim Possible, Mrs. Potato Head in Toy Story 2, Old Lady Bear in Brother Bear, Audrey the Chicken in Home on the Range, Mama Gunda in Tarzan II, Mrs, Turtle in House of Mouse, and Mrs. Boogins in Teacher's Pet. She also plays the role of Muriel on Disney Channel's The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, and has even appeared on an episode of Phil of the Future.
Click HERE for more April 04 Disney history.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Apr 03: A Literary Superstar
On this day in 1783, writer Washington Irving was born in New York City - the same week Manhattan residents learned of the British ceasefire that ended the American Revolution. One of Irving's most famous tales "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" was retold in Disney's The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.
Irving's tale was part of an 1820 collection of short stories and essays titled The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., written while living in England. "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is set circa 1790 in the Dutch settlement of Tarry Town, New York. It tells the story of schoolmaster Ichabod Crane who is pursued one autumn night by a headless horseman.
Disney's 1949 The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad was directed by the team of James Algar, Clyde Geronimi, and Jack Kinney. The animated version of Irving's story was paired up with Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Narrated by Bing Crosby, it featured the animated work of Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, John Lounsbery, Wolfgang Reitherman, Milt Kahl, and Ward Kimball.
Irving's The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. also included another well-known tale ... "Rip Van Winkle."
Irving popularized the nickname "Gotham" for New York City (later used in Batman comics and movies). The southernmost section of Lexington Avenue in New York City is called Irving Place, named so after Irving in 1833.
He is credited as the first American to earn his living solely by his pen.
Click HERE for more April 03 Disney history.
Irving's tale was part of an 1820 collection of short stories and essays titled The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., written while living in England. "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is set circa 1790 in the Dutch settlement of Tarry Town, New York. It tells the story of schoolmaster Ichabod Crane who is pursued one autumn night by a headless horseman.
Disney's 1949 The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad was directed by the team of James Algar, Clyde Geronimi, and Jack Kinney. The animated version of Irving's story was paired up with Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Narrated by Bing Crosby, it featured the animated work of Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, John Lounsbery, Wolfgang Reitherman, Milt Kahl, and Ward Kimball.
Irving's The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. also included another well-known tale ... "Rip Van Winkle."
Irving popularized the nickname "Gotham" for New York City (later used in Batman comics and movies). The southernmost section of Lexington Avenue in New York City is called Irving Place, named so after Irving in 1833.
He is credited as the first American to earn his living solely by his pen.
Click HERE for more April 03 Disney history.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Apr 02: The Moral Storyeller
On this day in 1805, author & poet Hans Christian Andersen was born in Denmark. Best known for his fairy tales (of which there are over 150) Disney fans know his work through the animated adaptations The Little Mermaid and The Little Matchgirl.
Andersen's first collection of fairy tales (published in 1835) broke new ground for Danish literature with his style and use of idiom, irony, and humor. The book was a success, and he followed it with many other volumes.
"The Little Matchgirl," about a girl who dies selling matches on a cold New Year's Eve, was first published in 1845. Disney's Matchgirl got its start back in 2002 due to Roy Disney's intent on including it in a Fantasia sequel - which at the time was called The Music Project. The Little Matchgirl eventually came together as a short (with no dialogue - just music) and debuted at Annecy in France in June 2006. It went on to win Best Film For Children at the 17th Festival of Animated Films.
Andersen's "The Little Mermaid," about a young mermaid willing to give up her life in the sea for the love of a human, was first published in 1837. Disney's 1989 hit The Little Mermaid is based on Andersen's original tale which he first wrote in 1836. So popular is the story that a statue of Little Mermaid has been sitting on a rock in the Copenhagen harbor since 1913!
Andersen's other well-known tales include "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Emperor's New Clothes." His stories have been translated into well over 150 languages.
April 2 is International Children's Book Day.
Click HERE for more April 2 Disney history.
Andersen's first collection of fairy tales (published in 1835) broke new ground for Danish literature with his style and use of idiom, irony, and humor. The book was a success, and he followed it with many other volumes.
"The Little Matchgirl," about a girl who dies selling matches on a cold New Year's Eve, was first published in 1845. Disney's Matchgirl got its start back in 2002 due to Roy Disney's intent on including it in a Fantasia sequel - which at the time was called The Music Project. The Little Matchgirl eventually came together as a short (with no dialogue - just music) and debuted at Annecy in France in June 2006. It went on to win Best Film For Children at the 17th Festival of Animated Films.
Andersen's "The Little Mermaid," about a young mermaid willing to give up her life in the sea for the love of a human, was first published in 1837. Disney's 1989 hit The Little Mermaid is based on Andersen's original tale which he first wrote in 1836. So popular is the story that a statue of Little Mermaid has been sitting on a rock in the Copenhagen harbor since 1913!
Andersen's other well-known tales include "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Emperor's New Clothes." His stories have been translated into well over 150 languages.
April 2 is International Children's Book Day.
Click HERE for more April 2 Disney history.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Apr 01: Toe-Tappin Favorites
On this day in 2003, Walt Disney Records released the CD "O Mickey, Where Art Thou?" The album featured movie soundtracks performed in a bluegrass style by such artists as Ronnie Milsap, Collin Raye, Sonya Isaacs, and Elizabeth Cook. (Bluegrass dates back to the 1920s when its creator Bill Monroe named his band The Blue Grass Boys.)
"O Mickey, Where Art Thou?" includes:
Country music singer-songwriter Collin Raye singing "Circle of Life"
"Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" performed by country singer-songwriter Elizabeth Cook
Country rock/pop singer-songwriter Kevin Montgomery singing "You'll Be in My Heart"
Newcomer Caroline Brown singing "Baby Mine"
An instrumental version of "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"
"The Bare Necessities" by Country veteran Stonewall Jackson
Sonya Isaacs (of The Isaacs) performing "When She Loved Me"
A duet of "You've Got a Friend in Me" by Amanda Martin & Lyle Goodman
An instrumental version of "Mickey Mouse Club March / The Ballad of Davy Crockett"
Singer-guitarist Robbie Fulks singing "When I See an Elephant Fly"
Veteran Charlie Louvin performing "I Will Go Sailing No More"
and "When You Wish Upon A Star" by country legend Ronnie Milsap
Click HERE for more April 01 Disney history ... no foolin'!
"O Mickey, Where Art Thou?" includes:
Country music singer-songwriter Collin Raye singing "Circle of Life"
"Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" performed by country singer-songwriter Elizabeth Cook
Country rock/pop singer-songwriter Kevin Montgomery singing "You'll Be in My Heart"
Newcomer Caroline Brown singing "Baby Mine"
An instrumental version of "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"
"The Bare Necessities" by Country veteran Stonewall Jackson
Sonya Isaacs (of The Isaacs) performing "When She Loved Me"
A duet of "You've Got a Friend in Me" by Amanda Martin & Lyle Goodman
An instrumental version of "Mickey Mouse Club March / The Ballad of Davy Crockett"
Singer-guitarist Robbie Fulks singing "When I See an Elephant Fly"
Veteran Charlie Louvin performing "I Will Go Sailing No More"
and "When You Wish Upon A Star" by country legend Ronnie Milsap
Click HERE for more April 01 Disney history ... no foolin'!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Mar 31: AKL
On this day in 2001, the not-yet-opened Animal Kingdom Lodge at Disney World held a 3-day open house for Annual Passholders.
The deluxe resort is African themed and located at 2901 Osceola Parkway (very close to Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park). This unique resort allows guests the opportunity to watch wildlife graze outside their rooms and public areas - thus creating the feel of an African savanna. Designed by architect Peter Dominick (known for his Wilderness Lodge creation) the Animal Kingdom Lodge is 6 stories tall.
The official opening of the resort took place on April 16, 2001.
Click HERE for more March 31 Disney history.
The deluxe resort is African themed and located at 2901 Osceola Parkway (very close to Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park). This unique resort allows guests the opportunity to watch wildlife graze outside their rooms and public areas - thus creating the feel of an African savanna. Designed by architect Peter Dominick (known for his Wilderness Lodge creation) the Animal Kingdom Lodge is 6 stories tall.
The official opening of the resort took place on April 16, 2001.
Click HERE for more March 31 Disney history.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Mar 29: Wholesome Determination
On this day in 2002, Disney's live-action The Rookie was released. Based on the true story of pitcher Jim Morris who had a brief but famous Major League career, the film starred Dennis Quaid as Morris.
Teacher & coach Morris had "blown his arm" out during his days in the Minor Leagues. Now a coach of a struggling school team, he bets his players that if they win the district champions ... he will tryout for the majors. His team does well and Morris (still able to throw a 98 mph fastball) keeps his end of the bargain. He eventually signs with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as a relief pitcher and the leagues "oldest rookie." He goes on to have a short but memorable career pitching 15 innings in 21 games with an earned run average of 4.80!
The scene where Morris tests his fastball speed by throwing it past a speed limit road monitor ... actually never happened in real life.
Filmed entirely in North and Central Texas, The Rookie proves its never too late to believe in your dreams.
"I consider myself very lucky. God has a funny way of bringing some things around and knocking you in the head with the ultimate destination." -Jim Morris
Click HERE for more March 29 Disney history.
Teacher & coach Morris had "blown his arm" out during his days in the Minor Leagues. Now a coach of a struggling school team, he bets his players that if they win the district champions ... he will tryout for the majors. His team does well and Morris (still able to throw a 98 mph fastball) keeps his end of the bargain. He eventually signs with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as a relief pitcher and the leagues "oldest rookie." He goes on to have a short but memorable career pitching 15 innings in 21 games with an earned run average of 4.80!
The scene where Morris tests his fastball speed by throwing it past a speed limit road monitor ... actually never happened in real life.
Filmed entirely in North and Central Texas, The Rookie proves its never too late to believe in your dreams.
"I consider myself very lucky. God has a funny way of bringing some things around and knocking you in the head with the ultimate destination." -Jim Morris
Click HERE for more March 29 Disney history.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)