by Neal Gabler
“If we’re going to get stuck…” Global Problems Story Meeting, Sept. 11, 1942, Afternoon Session, Seversky Meetings, ibid.
“bastard picture.” Ibid.
“[W]e can show torpedoes…” United Press International, Aug. 5, 1942, Victory Through Air Power Folder, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, S-Z, A1632, WDA.
“You bomb the heart of the octopus…” Meeting Notes—Narration & Dialogue from 50-Ton Load Seq. to End of Picture, Sept. 22, 1942, Victory Through Air Power—Misc. Treatments, Drafts, Reluctant Dragon, Dumbo, Saludos Amigos, Victory Through Air Power, Three Cabelleros, A2829, WDA.
“The basic idea is big.” Memo: Walt to Pearse [sic], Dave [Hand], Sherriff, Aug. 27, 1943 [?]; Victory Through Air Power—I, ARI, Sept. 2, 1942, Victory Through Air Power Folder, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, S-Z, A1632, WDA.
“I’ve scarcely been in my office…” Walt to Walter Wanger, Oct. 23, 1942, Motion Picture Society for the Americas, Walt Disney Corr., 1944, F-N, A1531, WDA.
Walt’s complaints. Overall Meeting, Victory Through Air Power, Nov. 10, 1942, Seversky Meetings, Reluctant Dragon, Dumbo, Saludos Amigos, Victory Through Air Power, Three Cabelleros, A2829, WDA.
“There is a little too much optimism…” Overall Running, Victory Through Air Power, Nov. 27, 1942, ibid.
“We had better whip it…” Comments on Running of #2015, Saludos Amigos, May 6, 1942, Saludos—Meetings—Notes, ibid.
“Everybody in our office is…” Fran Alstock to Walt, Jul. 30, 1942, Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, World War II, A-K, A1633, WDA.
“quite exceeds…” Nelson Rockefeller to Walt, Jul. 30, 1942, ibid.
Deterring other studios from gremlin films. Shale, Donald Duck.
Roy’s complaint. Roy to Walt, Jul. 28, 1942, Disney, Roy O., Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, D, A1627, WDA.
“very very heavy villains.” Story Meeting on Gremlins, Aug. 20, 1943, Gremlins Story (Data and Material), Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, F-K, A1628, WDA.
No one seemed to know what a gremlin should look like. Ward Kimball, interview by Rick Shale, Jan. 19, 1976, WDA.
Meeting with RAF fliers. T. Hee quoted in Hubler, Disney.
“Definitely, the GREMLINS…” Walt to Stalky [Dahl], Dec. 18, 1943, Gremlins Story (Data and Material), Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, F-K, A1628, WDA.
$150,000 from Bank of America. Memo, George Morris to Roy, Re: Resume of Events, Oct. 16, 1941, Reports sent to Walt in New York, Oct. 23, 1941, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, D, A1627, WDA.
Economies on Bambi. Memo, George Goepper to Walt, Re: Bambi Footage, Apr. 29, 1941, Goepper, George, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, F-K, A1628, WDA. See also Meeting in Walt’s Office, Mar. 3, 1941, BAMBI NOTES (Complete by Seq.) of REVISIONS Resulting from March showings, 1941, Bambi Production Materials—Story Meeting Notes, Sweatbox Notes, Corr., Research A3267, WDA.
“Frank, I know it hurts…” Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, Walt Disney’s “Bambi” (New York: Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 1990).
“losing something.” Sharpsteen interview by Peri.
Slashing the film. Thomas and Johnson, Disney’s “Bambi.”
“There was not much excitement…” Ibid.
“Here I am, Bambi!” Ibid.
Dropping roadshow plans. Memo, Dave Hand to Walt, Re: Dave Hand’s Unit, Oct. 17, 1941, Reports sent to Walt in New York, Oct. 23, 1941, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, D, A1627, WDA.
Gallup survey. David Ogilvy (associate director, Audience Research Institute) to Roy, Aug. 22, 1942, Bambi—Exploitation and Publicity, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, A, A1625, WDA.
“BAMBI deals are coming in…” Memo, Roy to Walt, Re: Bambi, Sept. 3, 1942, Memos to and from Walt, 1940-1943 Folder, Roy O. Disney, InterOffice Corr., Disney, Roy O.—Trips to Disneyland (1954-61) A3002, WDA.
“musical circle of Hollywood.” Comments During First Theater Running, Mar. 7, 1941, BAMBI NOTES (Complete by Seq.) of REVISIONS Resulting from March showings, 1941, Bambi Production Materials—Story Meeting Notes, Sweatbox Notes, Corr., Research, A3267, WDA.
Frank Churchill. Carolyn Churchill to Walt, May 24, 1942, C Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1942-1943, A-C, A1526, WDA.
“In his search for perfection…” NYT, Aug. 13, 1942.
“entirely unpleasant.” Manny Farber, “Saccharine Symphony—Bambi,” in Peary and Peary The American Animated Cartoon.
Young Diane Diane Disney Miller, interview by author; Don Eddy, “The Amazing Secret of Walt Disney.”
Exchange with Raymond J. Brown. Brown to Walt, Jun. 17, 1942; Walt to Brown, Jun. 17, 1942, O Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1942-1943, I-P, A1528, WDA.
Brown controversy. Howard Kemp to Walt, Sept. 6, 1942; Walt to Harry Leeding, Sept. 11, 1942; VC [Vern Caldwell] to Walt, [Sept. 1942], Bambi (Controversial Letters), Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, A, A1625, WDA.
“our friends in the Music Hall…” Roy to George Morris, Aug. 19, 1942, Disney, Roy O., Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, D, A1627, WDA.
Lost roughly $200,000. To: Board of Directors From: George Morris, Oct. 21, 1943, Walt Disney Productions, ibid.
“Living with BAMBI…” Walt to Jimmy Starr, Jul. 9, 1942, St Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1942-1943, Q-S, A1529, WDA.
Identification badges. Walt to Uncle Robert, Aug. 10, 1942, D Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1942-1943, D-H, A1527, WDA.
Visiting draft boards. Walt Disney interview by Martin, Disc 9, WDA.
Almost 28 percent of the staff. Hedda Hopper, “Disney Outlines Postwar Plans,” LAT, Feb. 20, 1944.
Commandeering bedroom off Walt’s office. Erwin Verity, interview by Dave Smith and Rick Shale, Jan. 19, 1976, WDA.
Firing rockets off the roof. John Hench, interview by Leonard Maltin, On the Front Lines: The War Years, DVD (Buena Vista Home Entertainment, 2004).
Wartime economizing. Marc Davis quoted in Solomon, Enchanted Drawings; Memo, George Morris to Walt, Re: Lockheed Leases, July 19, 1942, Morris, George E., Folder, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, A1629; Jim Fletcher, artist, quoted in Green and Green, Remembering Walt; Walt Disney interview by Martin, Reel 8.
“You were just going to be locked in…” Mike Barrier, “Screenwriter for a Duck: Carl Barks at the Disney Studio,” Funnyworld, no. 21 (Fall 1979).
“mental equipment.” Carl Nater, “Walt Disney Studio—A War Plant,” Journal of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers, vol. 42, no. 3 (Mar. 1944).
“We must throw out entirely…” Memo, Adelquist to Walt, Jan. 13, 1942, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, A folder, A-B, A1625, WDA.
“I really believe that Walt…” “Walt Disney: Great Teacher,” Fortune, Aug. 1942.
Charged average of $12 per foot. Thomas F. Brady, “Donald Doesn’t Duck the Issue,” NYT, Jun. 21, 1942, Sec. 8; Nater, “Disney Studio.”
Pay cut. Walt to Walt Disney Productions, May 28, 1943, Walt Disney Productions, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, D, A1627, WDA.
Meeting with Rosenberg. Memo, Roy to Walt, Jan. 28, 1942, Memos to and from Walt, 1940-1943 Folder, Roy O. Disney, InterOffice Corr., Disney, Roy O.—Trips to Disneyland (1954-61), A3002; Memo, George Morris to Walt, Jan. 28, 1942, Morris, George E., Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, A1629, WDA.
“This past year…” Walt to Uncle Robert, Aunt Charlotte, Dec. 28, 1942, D Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1942-1943, D-H, A1527, WDA.
300,000 feet of film. Theodore Straus, “Donald Duck’s Disney,” NYT, Feb. 7, 1943, sec. 2.
Over 75 percent of studio’s output. LAT, May 17, 1942.
“one of the great teachers…” “Walt Disney: Great Teacher.”
“At times it seemed we slipped…” Tytle, One of “Walt’s Boys.”
Dr. Earnest Hooten. David M. Little (Harvard University) to Walt, Feb. 15, 1943, H Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1942-1943, D-H, A1527, WDA.
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br /> “I hope it has all the success…” Gilbert Seldes to Walt, Jan. 15, 1943, Se Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1942-1943, Q-S, A1529, WDA.
“one of the happiest missions…” NYT, Feb. 13, 1943.
“depresses me.” James Agee, Agee on Film (New York: Universal Library, Grosset & Dunlap, 1969), [Feb. 20, 1943].
“mingled pride and sadness…” Cited in Watts, Magic Kingdom.
“outstanding achievement…” Nelson Rockefeller to Walt, May 20, 1943, Seminar (for South American Countries), Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, R-S, A1631, WDA.
Threat to tear down theater. Kyle Crichton, “Riot from Rio,” Collier’s, Dec. 19, 1942.
“completely adored…” Gladys Arnold to Walt, Oct. 9, 1943, A Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1942-1943, A-C, A1526, WDA.
Complaints. Shale, Donald Duck.
“It’s important.” Straus, “Duck’s Disney.”
Walt and Skouras. Victory Through Air Power Meeting, Feb. 24, 1943, Victory Through Air Power Folder, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, S-Z, A1632, WDA.
“[d]iwide the attention.” Leonard Maltin, The Disney Films, 3rd ed. (New York: Hyperion, 1995).
“I am sure we are going to raise…” Memo: Roy to Walt, May 11, 1943, Victory Through Air Power Folder, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, S-Z, A1632, WDA.
Pearce and Seversky. Walt to Roy, May 15, 1943, ibid.
“most powerful and vital document…” Tel. Mary and Albert Lasker to Walt, July 2, 1943, ibid.
“truly great production.” Tel. Hearst to Walt, Jul. 2, 1943, ibid.
Nelson Rockefeller. Rockefeller to Walt, Jul. 10, 1943, ibid.
Reaction at preview. David E. Weshner (Disney publicity) to Walt, July 13, 1943, ibid.
Reviews. Christian Science Monitor, Jul. 19, 1943; Wall Street Journal, Jul. 20, 1943; NYT, July 26, 1943; NYT, Jul. 25, 1943; Agee, On Film; Daily Worker, Jul. 21, 1943.
“Response enthusiastic.” Tel. Vern Caldwell to Walt, July 9, 1943, Victory Through Air Power Folder, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, S-Z, A1632, WDA.
Arnold’s screenings. Vern Caldwell to Walt [Jul. 1943], ibid. According to Paul F. Anderson, “The Artist and the Aviator,” unpub. ms., 2005, the navy recruited a former admiral, Harry Ervin Yarnall, to mount a counteroffensive against the film, basically by promoting the navy’s own theories of military success.
Showing Victory to FDR. John Gunther, Taken at the Flood (New York: Harper Bros., 1960).
“I was assured…” De Seversky to Elsa Maxwell, Dec. 9, 1947, Se Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1947-1948, N-S, A1539, WDA.
“Whether it makes money…” Walt to Upton Close, Jul. 9, 1943, C Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1942-1943, A-C, A1526, WDA.
“There wasn’t any doubt…” Woolie Reitherman, interview by Christopher Finch and Linda Rosenkrantz, May 9, 1972, WDA.
Costs of Victory. Paul L. Pease to de Seversky, Feb. 27, 1958, S Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1958, Q-Z, A1572; To: Board of Directors, From: George Morris, Oct. 22, 1943, Walt Disney Productions, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, D, A1627, WDA.
$500,000 in film projects. Memo, Cottrell/Cutting to Walt, Re: Educational Program, Feb. 5, 1943, Mexico and Central America Folder, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, A1629, WDA. The memo added that $100,000 of the appropriation “might be more or less wasted on experimentation.”
Mazatln. LAT, Oct. 10, 1943; NYT, Oct. 10, 1943.
Edict requiring personal approval. Tytle, One of “Walt’s Boys.”
Hiring John Sheehan. Minutes of Board of Directors, Sept. 7, 1943, Morris, George E., Folder, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, A1629, WDA.
Commercials. Memo, Jack Sheehan to Those Concerned, Re: Project Priority List, Jul. 1, 1944, J. V. Sheehan Folder, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, R-S, A1631; Kamen to Walt and Roy, Re: National Dairy Products Corp., Jul. 13, 1943; Kamen to William Reydel, Feb. 25, 1942, Kay Kamen (Government & Commercial Films) Folder, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, World War II, A-K, A1633, WDA.
Foote, Cone & Belding. Memo, Roy to Walt, Re: Our Foote, Cone & Belding Association, Oct. 23, 1944, Walt Disney 1941-1945 Folder, Roy O. Disney InterOffice Corr., Disney, Roy O.—Trips to Disneyland (1954-61), A3002, WDA.
Vacillating on commercials. Tytle, One of “Walt’s Boys;” Walt to Carol Irwin, Young & Rubicam, Oct. 8, 1943, Ho Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1942-1943, D-H, A1527, WDA.
Ninety-four percent. Hedda Hopper, “Disney Outlines Postwar Plans,” LAT, Feb. 20, 1944.
Output June 1943. Tytle, One of “Walt’s Boys.”
“If every American…” Walter Wanger, “Mickey Icarus, 1943,” Saturday Review of Literature, Sept. 4, 1943, in Smoodin, Disney Discourse.
“We all have to adjust…” Walt to Nina Cauger, Jun. 25, 1942, Ted Cauger Collection.
“And I didn’t want to walk away…” Greene and Greene, Inside the Dream.
Walt attempting to interest Roy in combinations. Memo, Roy to Walt, Re: Mickey Mouse/Wind in the Willows Combined, Oct. 28, 1943; Memo, Roy to Walt, Re: Studio Product, Nov. 10, 1943, Memos to and from Walt, 1940-1943 Folder, Roy O. Disney InterOffice Corr., Disney, Roy O.—Trips to Disneyland (1954-61), A3002, WDA. Also Memo, Paul Pease to Walt and Roy, Oct. 4, 1943, Paul Pease Folder, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, N-Q, A1630.
Sundays with the girls. Diane Disney Miller quoted in Thomas, Walt Disney; Green and Green, Remembering Walt; Diane Disney Miller, interview by author.
Taffy. Walt to Janet Bishop, Jan. 30, 1942, F Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1942-1943, D-H, A1527, WDA.
“brings me off my high horse.” Walt to Norman Rockwell, Dec. 31, 1941, Ro Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1940-1941, N-R, A1524, WDA. Rockwell had done portraits of the girls.
“Last Sunday was the first time…” Walt to Deems Taylor, Apr. 25, 1944, T Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1944, S-Z, A1533, WDA.
“openness.” Hubler, Disney.
Dave Hand’s resignation. Hand, Memoirs.
Roy showing Caballeros material to Rockefeller. Memo, Roy to Walt, Mar. 27, 1944, T Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1944, S-Z, A1533, WDA.
Walt wired Vern Caldwell. Tel. Walt to Caldwell, Jul. 13, 1943, Caldwell, Vernon, Folder, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, C, A1626, WDA.
“IT MOVES WITH THE TEMPO…” Tel. Walt to Rockefeller, Nov. 10, 1944, The Three Caballeros Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1945-1946, R-Z, A1536, WDA.
“one bit of animation I’m proud of.” Ward Kimball, interview by Rick Shale, Jan. 29, 1976, WDA.
“whole wave of preposterous actions…” Thomas and Johnston, Illusion of Life.
Agee, On Film, [Feb. 10, 1945].
Deming on Caballeros. Barbara Deming, “The Artlessness of Walt Disney,” Partisan Review 12, no. 2 (Spring 1945).
Kamen overhearing RKO grumbling. Memo, Kamen to Roy, Feb. 2, 1945, Kay Kamen (Government & Commercial Films), Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, World War II, A-K, A1633, WDA.
$900,000 in 11 weeks. Memo, William D. Levy to Roy, Re: Billings, May 15, 1945, Roy Disney Folder, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1945-1952, A-L, A1635, WDA.
“one of the greatest creators…” Cited in Memo, Jack Cutting to Walt, Jan. 10, 1944 [sic], Jack Cutting Folder, ibid.
“best thing Disney has made…” Memo, Cutting to Walt, Apr. 2, 1945, ibid.
Reducing debt. Memo, George Morris to Walt, Re: Financial Report, May 10, 1943, Morris, George E., Folder, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, A1629, WDA.
Bank of America suggestions. Memo, Jonathan Bell Lovelace to Walt, Roy, Re: Walt Disney Productions, Preferred Stock, Oct. 21, 1944, L Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1944, F-N, A1531, WDA.
“Do we want to maintain…” Memo, Roy to Walt, Mar. 31, 1945, Roy Disney Folder, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1945-1952, A-L, A1635, WDA.
“lost faith in me.” Walt Disney interview by Martin, Reels 9 & 10, Reel 10.
Train ride with Nate Blumberg. Memo, Walt to Roy, Mar. 16, 1942, Memos to and
from Walt, 1940-1943, Roy O. Disney, InterOffice Corr, Disney, Roy O.—Trips to Disneyland (1954-61), A3002, WDA.
Walt prodding Roy on rereleasing Snow White. Tel. Walt to Roy, Jul. 1, 1943, Disney, Roy O., Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, D, A1627, WDA.
“exceptional gross.” Vern Caldwell to Walt, Dec. 14, 1943, RKO (NY) Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1951-1952, R-S, A1540, WDA.
“your production problems.” Memo, Roy to Walt, Feb. 11, 1944, Disney, Roy O., Folder, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1938-1944, D, A1627, WDA.
“SNOW WHITE really seems hot.” Memo, Roy to Walt, Mar. 27, 1944, T Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1944, S-Z, A1533, WDA.
$50 million of savings bonds. LAT, May 6, 1946.
Between 150 and 300 hours of films. Hollister, Man or Mouse, chap. 15.
“For Christ’s sake…” Quoted in Charles Solomon, The Disney That Never Was: The Stories and Art from Five Decades of Unproduced Animation (New York: Hyperion, 1995).
“created a greater sensation…” Memo, Jack Cutting to Walt, Jan. 23, 1945, Jack Cutting Folder, Walt Disney Corr., InterOffice, 1945-1952, A-L, A1635, WDA.
“most effective work…” Nelson Rockefeller to Walt, May 17, 1946, Ro Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1945-1946, R-Z, A1536, WDA. Paul F. Anderson in “The Artist and the Aviator” credits Victory Through Air Power with changing military tactics and putting greater emphasis on air power. Among other things he cites the decision by Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox, shortly after the film’s premiere, to consolidate the arms of the navy air corps.
NINE || Adrift
“I am now hoping…” Walt to Ruth, Dec. 5, 1945, D Folder, Walt Disney Corr., 1945-1946, A-K, A1534, WDA.
Projects. LAT, Feb. 18, 1945; Charles Solomon, The Disney That Never Was: The Stories and Art from Five Decades of Unproduced Animation (New York: Hyperion, 1995); NYT, Mar. 10, 1946, sec. 2; Hedda Hopper, “Disney Outlines Postwar Plans,” LAT, Feb. 20, 1944. Walt had announced the coproduction of Hans Christian Andersen in 1941. See LAT, Mar. 28, 1941.
Radio program. Memo, Jack Reeder to Walt, Re: Research Work on a Possible Disney Radio Show, Oct. 22, 1945, John Reeder Folder, Walt Disney Corr., Inter-Office, 1945-1952, M-Z, A1636, WDA.