October 31: Texas John Slaughter

On this Halloween in 1958, Disney's weekly television series (at the time called Walt Disney Presents) debuted Texas John Slaughter, the first episode of a new 17-part series starring Tom Tryon in the title role.

Based on a real-life historical figure and symbol of the American west, John Horton Slaughter (who was born in Louisiana in 1841) was a cattleman, lawman, soldier, politician, and gambler. After serving during the American Civil War (in the Confederate Army), Slaughter became a member of the famed Texas Rangers (a law enforcement agency who functioned as a paramilitary force at the service of both the Republic and later the state of Texas).

This day's debut episode introduced Slaughter as a man attempting to live a simple life during the 1880s as a cattle rancher, despite problems with thieves and rustlers, who decides to join the Texas Rangers in order to pursue the criminals who stole his herd.

The popular mini-series ran for 3 seasons through 1961.

Click HERE for more October 31 Disney history.

October 27: And now, here's Walt Disney ...

"Welcome to a little bit of Florida right here in California. This is where the early planning is taking place for our so-called Disney World project. Now the purpose of this film is to bring you up to date about some of the plans for Disney World. But before I go into any of the details, I want to just say a word about the site of our Florida project."

Those opening words were spoken by Walt Disney on this day in 1966 as he filmed a 25-minute presentation at his studio in California. With help from animation, models, and props, he outlined for the media and interest groups his plans for a Florida theme park and a real 

community called EPCOT.

Unfortunately Walt Disney would pass away a little more than a month later and "Walt's last film" would eventually be shown in February 1967 to Florida business and government officials.

"As you can see on this map, we have a perfect location in Florida, almost in the very center of the state. In fact, we've selected this site because it's so easy for tourists and Florida residents to get here by automobile."

"Here in Florida we have something special we never enjoyed at Disneyland: the blessing of size. There's enough land here to hold all the ideas and plans we could possibly imagine."

Click HERE for more October 27 Disney history.

October 26: Tower of Terror

On this day in 1997 The Wonderful World of Disney aired a supernatural thriller film titled Tower of Terror. Based on the theme park attraction at Disney World (opened since 1994) the film actually has no connection to Rod Serling's television series The Twilight Zone.

Tower of Terror revolves around the fate of 5 people who are killed in 1939 when the elevator they are riding in is struck by a bolt of lightning at the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Sixty years later newspaper reporter Buzzy Crocker (played by Steve Guttenberg) and his niece Anna (Kirsten Dunst) investigate the mystery of the hotel. They meet up with an elderly woman named Abigail Gregory (Amzie Strickland) who informs them that if they find a belonging of each person on the elevator ... they will unlock the mystery of the hotel and allow the ghosts of the elevator mishap to ascend to a better place.

Much of the film was shot at the Florida attraction (then located in the theme park called Disney-MGM Studios) with additional footage shot at a stage in Hollywood. It was Disney's very first attempt at turning a theme park ride into a film.

Click HERE for more October 26 Disney history.

October 25: WDW Formal Dedication

"Walt Disney World is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney ... and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney's dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring joy and inspiration and new knowledge to all who come to this happy place ... a magic kingdom where the young heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn ... together." -Roy O. Disney's 

WDW dedication, Magic Kingdom Town Square, October 25, 1971

Click HERE to learn more about WDW's formal dedication

and other Disney events for October 25.

October 21: The Most Amazing Colorist of All Time

"I knew Mary very well. She was an extraordinary artist, and Walt thought very highly of her. She was the most amazing colorist of all time." -Marc Davis (Disney Legend and one of Walt's Nine Old Men)

The "Mary" Marc Davis spoke of was Mary Blair and she was born Mary Browne Robinson in Oklahoma on this day in 1911.

Although born in McAlester, Oklahoma, her family first moved to Texas while she was still very young and by the age of 7 moved again to California. After studying at the San Jose State College she was awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles.
Soon marrying artist Lee Everett Blair, the couple began to work in the animation industry - actually first joining the Ub Iwerks Studio. Later Lee began to work for Walt Disney first with wife Mary joining him by 1940.

Working briefly on Dumbo (and an early version of Lady and the Tramp) Mary actually left Disney for a brief time in 1941. But she soon returned, just in time to take part in a trip to South America with Walt, his wife Lillian, and a group of Disney animators and writers. She worked on concept art for Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros.

By the 1950s, Mary Blair was an important member of Walt's staff - introducing modern art and vibrant colors to the studio while working on Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan. After completing Peter Pan, Mary once again left Disney and began working as a freelance graphic artist and illustrator.
Highly regarded by Walt, he convinced her to work on the It's a Small World attraction for the 1964 New York World's Fair. In 1967 she created mural art for Disneyland's Tomorrowland Promenade and prior to 1971 a 90-foot high mural for Disney World's Contemporary Resort.

Honored a Disney Legend in 1991 (13 years after her death) Mary Blair was one of the first women to be given the honor.

Click HERE for more October 21 Disney history.

October 18: Disney Celebrity of the Day

Today we celebrate the birth of actor Peter Boyle - who was born on this day in 1935 in Norristown, Pennsylvania (located some 6 miles from Philadelphia).

Known for his role of cranky Frank Barone on the hit sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond (for which he was nominated multiple times for an Emmy), Boyle's first professional acting job was playing Murray the cop in a touring version of The Odd Couple. But it was his starring role in the 1970 sleeper hit Joe that gained Boyle his first critical acclaim. Four years later he played a role that he would always be remembered for - the comical Monster in Mel Brooks' parody Young Frankenstein. Boyle went on to appear in such classics films as Taxi Driver, The Brink's Job, Outland, and While You Were Sleeping.

Boyle's Disney-connection involves The Santa Clause trilogy (starring Tim Allen as Scott Calvin/Santa). In the 1994 The Santa Clause, Boyle played Mr Whittle, Scott Calvin's boss. Eight years later he portrayed Father Time in The Santa Clause 2. In 2006 he returned to the role of Father Time in The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (one of his last feature film appearances before his death). The ending credits of The Santa Clause 3 includes a dedication to his memory.

Sadly Peter Boyle passed away in 2006 at age 71 in New York City. In 2007 on what would have been his 72nd birthday, his friend Bruce Springsteen - during a concert at Madison Square Garden - dedicated the songs "Meeting Across the River" and "Jungleland" to him. Boyle was also good friends with singer-songwriter John Lennon .... the ex-Beatle had actually been the best man at Boyle's October 1977 wedding!

For more October 18 Disney history - click HERE.

October 16: Big Day For Disney Legends

The Disney Legends awards are given annually by The Walt Disney Company to honor those who have made a notable contribution to the company. Ceremonies are typically (but not always) held sometime between September - November at the Disney Legends Plaza on the studio lot in Burbank.

On three separate occasions new Disney Legends were named on October 16.

In 1996 Bob Allen, Rex Allen, X Atencio, Betty Lou Gerson, Bill Justice, Sam McKim, Bob Matheison, Bob Moore, Bill Peet, and Joe Potter were recognized as Disney Legends.

The large Class of 1998 included 20 great names in Disney history like James Algar, Buddy Baker, Kathryn Beaumont, Virginia Davis, Roy E. Disney, Hayley Mills, Kurt Russell, and Dick Van Dyke.

Five years later in 2003 Neil Beckett, Tutti Camarata, Edna Francis Disney, Lillian Disney, Orlando Ferrante, Richard Fleischer, Floyd Gottfredson, Buddy Hackett, Harrison "Buzz" Price, Alfred Taliaferro, and Ilene Woods became Disney Legends.

To view a complete list of all Disney Legends click HERE.

For more October 16 Disney history ... please click HERE.