5 to Watch on Disney + To Learn Disney History
… Part of my weekly series Sunshine with A Slant: Inspiration and Introspection ….
When introducing myself to people and saying where I am from, I typically joke that I live down the street from Mickey Mouse. That is correct. I am from Anaheim, California and growing up with a pass, Disneyland was my playground. I still remember the sheer joy of my Dad randomly announcing we were going to the park for a bit after he picked me up from school. Now as an adult, I realize that it was just as much fun for him as it was for me. I still love spending time with friends and family in the parks. It feels like home.
Lately, I have been on a historical documentary and series kick on Disney +. It is so fun and inspiring to learn the history of the Walt Disney Company, the parks, and Walt himself. There is so much creative work that goes into even the smallest decision. It gives me an even deeper appreciation for Disneyland and a greater desire for them to bring back some version of the annual pass. (When you going to get on that Disney?) In case you need a Disney fix as well, here are five documentaries and series to watch on Disney +.
The Imagineering Story
This six-part documentary series tells the story of Disney Imagineers and their journeys building the parks around the world. Most people, including Walt’s brother Roy, thought the original park, Disneyland, was a bad business decision. It is hard to imagine now but Disneyland opened on July 17,1955 to horrible reviews. Women’s high heels sunk into the asphalt, many attractions were not ready to open yet, and the drinking fountains were not fully functional. The Mark Twain Riverboat kept flooding. But as we know, Disneyland grew and adapted. Currently, there are 12 Disney parks around the world. In 2018, the parks and resorts generated 20.29 billion dollars in revenue.
Frank and Ollie
Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston are legendary Disney animators behind such classics as “Bambi” and “Lady and the Tramp.” They are two of the “nine old men,” Walt’s original group of animators. Frank and Ollie are also super close friends since their college years. They even lived next to each other. This is their story about their creative Disney careers.
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story
If you have ever gotten the song “It’s a Small World (After All)” stuck in your head, you have the Sherman Brothers to thank. Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman were contracted songwriters for Disney. They reported to Walt Disney himself. Their works include such classics as “The Jungle Book” and “Mary Poppins.” Behind the scenes though, the brothers could not get along. Although they continued to work together, they did not see each other socially. Their children grew up not knowing each. This film was made by the cousins, Gregory V. Sherman and Jeff Sherman, to try and bridge that divide.
Waking Sleeping Beauty
Around the mid 1980s, Disney animation hit a bit of a slump. There was even talk of dismantling it. This documentary even introduced me to a Disney movie I had never heard of, “The Black Cauldron.” Under the at times problematic leadership of Roy E. Disney, Michael Eisner, Frank Wells, and Jeffery Katzenberg, Disney animation forged on with guidance from members of the nine old men and young animators such as Tim Burton to bring about the Disney animation renaissance. They produced such classics as “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “The Lion King” solidifying Disney as a force in the modern animation world.
Prop Culture
This series follows Dan Lanigan’s quest for props used in beloved Disney movies such as “Mary Poppins”, “The Muppet Movie”, and “Honey I Shrunk the Kids.” As an avid collector himself, he shines light on the objects creator’s process and how that aides the actors in their performances. It is a warm, heartfelt show that highlights the very important but sometimes under appreciated world of props.
Looking for a summer read to sink your teeth into? Check out 5 Best Books To Read This Summer That Aren’t Beach Reads
