Design in the work of Walt Disney is a major emphasis in our programming here at The Walt Disney Family Museum during the first months of 2011. And, we are using the term “design” in a broad sense: of a duck and the voice of a duck; of new characters and a new look for Disney animated films with 101 Dalmations; and of a monumental classic—Mary Poppins—with a focus on costumes and music.
As we enter the season of the Academy Awards®, what better time is there to reflect on Walt’s own accomplishments in the film industry? According to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Walt received more Academy Awards for individual achievement than anyone else in history. There are 26 awards, and they can be seen on display in our Lobby.
While Walt was at the helm as producer and creative chief at the Walt Disney Studios, he wasn’t the only one receiving Academy Awards. Mary Poppins, alone, won the Studio five Oscars® and a Special Technical Award. Julie Andrews won as Best Actress, and the team of Richard and Robert Sherman won two Oscars—one for Best Song, “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” and one for Best Original Score. Gregg Sherman, Richard’s son, has written a wonderful story for this newsletter issue in which he conveys recollections and remembrances of his own and of others associated with the film, Mary Poppins.
We are particularly excited to welcome Richard Sherman back to the Steinway in our Diane Disney Miller Exhibition Hall for an evening of song and merry storytelling in March. A special panel featuring Floyd Norman, Andreas Deja, and Don Iwerks delves into the groundbreaking achievements of101 Dalmations on Saturday, February 12. And on Sunday, March 20, Tony Walton, costume designer and production consultant for Mary Poppins, takes us inside the creative process of visualizing one of Walt’s most memorable films.
We are also pleased to welcome Warren Spector, the mastermind behind the new video game, Epic Mickey, and as always, we are delighted to welcome back Jan Wahl, film critic and a Bay Area favorite, who takes us through an evening of clips from Walt’s Academy Award-winning films.
Over the next three months, our “Look Closer” moments reveal little known facts about objects in our galleries. “Disney Discoveries” help find the artist lurking inside you. Our films-of-the-month give you an opportunity to rediscover and experience again some of the film classics from Walt’s time. Members of The Walt Disney Family Museum receive free admission to movies in our Theater, where there are screenings of selected classics almost every day at 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. I hope to see you soon in our galleries, at the movies, or at one of the very special events we have planned in the coming months.
Richard Benefield
Founding Executive Director, The Walt Disney Family Museum
Tickets and a full schedule of events for January, February and March can be found at www.waltdisney.org.