WaltDisney.org Search

When you ask people about Walt Disney’s works, Mickey Mouse and Walt’s great animated films typically come first, then Disneyland, and for the older of us, the ritual of Walt’s weekly TV visit. Seldom, though, is Walt mentioned as a maker of live-action films, nor as the maker of a particular type of funny film—the “family comedy.”

The impact of silent film comedy on Walt Disney is inarguable. Throughout his career, the inspiration of Chaplin, Lloyd, Keaton, and their films can be seen over and over again. In turn, there were influences on Walt’s filmmaking that not only elevated the art, and added appeal top his characters, but brought new vernaculars to motion picture storytelling.

Each month, we ask a museum staff member to answer five questions about their position at The Walt Disney Family Museum, their fondest Disney memories, and personal tidbits. Without this month's "What Do YOU Do?" spotlight, it'd be really hard to publish this post as we would have no computer or Internet access. So, Larry Arndt, tell us... what do YOU do?

Throughout August, Walt Disney's 1962 live-action comedy The Absent-Minded Professor, starring Fred MacMurray, will be screened in the Museum’s state-of-the-art digital theatre at 1:00pm and 4:00pm daily, except Tuesdays, and Saturday August 13. Guest blogger and friend of The Walt Disney Family Museum Jim Korkis contributes this profile of the Golden Globe-nominated star of the film.

As Walt Disney was growing up, he saw and absorbed the movies of the great comedians. Learn from Disney authors and historians J.B. Kaufman and Russell Merritt about how great comedians of the silent screen such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd, among others, influenced Walt Disney's works...

In September, The Walt Disney Family Museum will celebrate the family. Our Film of the Month will be a favorite of Walt's, the 1948 family classic So Dear to My Heart, and our programming and Storyboard entries will focus around families, and all those around us who are so dear to our hearts.

On Saturday afternoon, Disney historians J.B. Kaufman and Russell Merritt presented a program in our state-of-the-art digital theater on the subject of Comedic Influences and Walt Disney.

Today marks the 225th birthday of David "Davy" Crockett (August 17, 1786 – March 6, 1836), a celebrated 19th century American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier and politician. He represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives, served in the Texas Revolution, and died at the Battle of the Alamo. In 1955, Walt Disney’s television serial based upon Crockett’s legendary exploits created the first national television “craze.”

In observance of National Aviation Day, here is the soaring tale of how a filmmaker and a flyer formed an unlikely partnership as storytellers: Walt Disney and Roald Dahl.

Roll up your sleeves and prepare to get dirty because in honor of August's film of the month--The Absent-Minded Professor--we're going to teach you how to make your very own homemade Flubber!

Museum co-founder and Walt Disney's grandson Walter E.D. Miller has announced the new Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Family Museum: Gabriella C. Calicchio!

Each month, we’ll introduce you to one of our Members, so you can see the varied and frequently fascinating people, who have come together to learn and experience more about the life, work, philosophies, and ideals of Walt Disney. This month, we’d like you to meet Wes Hansen.

When Disney historian J. B. Kaufman visited The Walt Disney Family Museum recently, the Interpreter team had the pleasure of engaging him in conversation about the Disney Studio during the early 1930s. “There was a tremendous explosion of creative energy going on...

The Walt Disney Family Museum presents a weekly Portrait Drawing Class with the talented and inspiring figurative artist Felicia Forte. Felicia has studied at The California Art Institute and The Art Students League of New York. She is a full time artist living in San Francisco, and maintains a studio in Belmont, CA, where she also offers instruction in drawing and painting...

Although to many, working at Disney is a dream, it has also long been a real job—with all of the needs, rules, and efficiencies required by any employer. As such, more than five decades ago artist Tom Oreb supervised the creation of an elaborate handbook for Studio employees, which we take a look at today.

This past July, The Walt Disney Family Museum held its second annual Walt Disney Discovery Summer Camps, led by the members of our Museum Education staff. Working in teams, we developed three new camps for 2011: Artimation, Beyond the Funny Pages: Creating Comic Books, and Direct Your Own True-Life Adventure.

So Dear to My Heart will be screening throughout September. As you may know, the film inspired Walt's hobby of miniature making and collecting. He built an elaborate miniature based upon the "Granny's Cabin" set of the film, beginning a pastime that ultimately led to the creation of Disneyland.

Each month, we ask a museum staff member to answer five questions about their position at The Walt Disney Family Museum, their fondest Disney memories, and personal tidbits. This month, we're asking our very own Harvey Newman... what do YOU do??

In celebration of family month here at The Walt Disney Family Museum, we asked YOU to share your story of Walt was part of your family...

Robert Disney was a younger brother of Walt’s father, Elias. He is one of many Disney family members whose actions forever influenced Walt’s life and career...