April 4, 2008 – 10:55 am
Probably nobody has had a more lasting influence on the world of children in this century than Walt Elias Disney, who was born in Chicago in 1901. He may not have discovered the ideal world, but he certainly filled it with immortal figures. The “buddies” are immediately recognisable from their stubbly beards or hook-like hands, while the “goodies” are not only attractive to look at but always win in the end. There are no bloody wars, the worst afflictions being tummy-aches and sniff ly colds -the greatest sins greed, envy and not keeping your room tidy. The world appears to be so wonderfully simple, as children always know it is, unlike adults.
Blessed with a bubbly passion for fantasy, Disney spent his childhood in a small town in Missouri, the Main Street of which provided the model for Main Street USA in his theme parks. From an early age he showed a remarkable talent for drawing, and in 1919-21, while working in a small advertising studio, he took classes in drawing at Kansa City Art Institute. However, he himself never actually put any of his illustrious characters down on paper as a drawing pure and simple; he inspired and motivated his colleagues to do that for him. Mickey Mouse, for example, came from the pen of Ub Iwerks in 1928, and Donald Duck was the inspiration of Art Babbitt and Dick Huemer in 1934. In 1922, with his head full of ideas and 40 dollars in his pocket, Disney went to Hollywood, and in the following year, along with his brother Roy, founded the Disney Brothers Studio. He produced his first film, a five-minute short entitled “Little Red Riding Hood”, in his uncle’s garage in California with 300 dollars of starting capital.
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Tags: Beauty and the Beast, cartoon, disney, disney animation, Disney Brothers Studio, disney cartoon, disney film, disneyland, Disneyland theme park, Donald Duck and his family, King of the Lions, Mickey Mouse, walt disney, world of children
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