What is it about David Beckham that has the world falling over themselves to be connected to him? Even Disney has fallen under his spell, offering him an endorsing role as a dragon slaying Prince. Does this now make him more than just paparazzi royalty? Could he possibly get more publicity? And what’s the attraction anyway? What has he done to command such media attention? Ok, I’m British, I know that he plays football (that’ll be soccer for most of my readers), and although I know nothing whatsoever about the sport other than there’s two teams kicking a ball around … Continue reading →

Plans have now been announced for a Walt Disney Family Museum, in San Francisco. This museum will give new life to a historic building, as well as honor the achievements and life of Walt Disney – the man behind the mouse. The idea has been an enriching online presence for many years, found at http://disney.go.com/disneyatoz/familymuseum/index.html, but a physical location will let people visit and see the treasures first hand. Walt’s daughter Diane has answered some questions about the museum. Diane said that the idea started about ten years ago, and she was disturbed about some things being written about Walt, … Continue reading →

Diane Disney has said that at first, Lilly (Walt’s wife) didn’t want children, after seeing her mother and sisters work too hard (she was the youngest of ten children) but Walt had wanted ten or so kids. Lilly wanted to enjoy life, especially as Walt grew more successful, and life became exciting. Then, when Lilly was ready, starting a family was not easy for her. Lilly suffered two miscarriages, and family members worried that they may never be able to have a child of their own. Those losses hit Walt very hard. Walt continued to work constantly, and was very … Continue reading →

Walt came home from France in the fall of 1919. He was determined to become an artist. He moved into the old family house in Kansas City with his brothers, Roy and Herbert, as well as Herbert’s family. He tried to get a job at the Kansas City “Star”, but did not succeed. Roy helped Walt get a position as an apprentice, at a local commercial art studio, where he would draw products for catelogs. Walt was paid $50 a month, but just before Christmas, there wasn’t enough business to keep him on the payroll, and he was laid off. … Continue reading →

When the family moved to Kansas City, Elias bought a newspaper route, with Walt and Roy as his staff. Elias instilled a drive for perfection in them. Walt awoke at 3:30 in the morning, and Elias required him to place each and every paper behind the customer’s storm door, not on the lawn like others did. In the winter, his route drove Walt to cold tears more than once. Walt’s schooling was characterized mainly by him trying to stay awake. Although Elias has often been described as a man who bounced from job to job, his newspaper route was very … Continue reading →

Walt’s parents, Elias and Flora were married on New Year’s Day in 1988. They added three sons to their family in the next five years—Herbert in 1888, Raymond in 1890, and Roy in 1893. About eight years later, Flora became pregnant again. By then, the couple was living in Chicago, and Elias was a carpenter and builder. On December 5, 1901, Walter Elias Disney was born. He was named after the family’s pastor, who in turn named his son Elias, after Walt’s father. Two years later, the family’s last child, a daughter, named Ruth, was born, on December 6. Elias … Continue reading →

Banks continued to pressure Walt, and they suggested that the Studio should limit production to proven moneymakers like short cartoons. This was unthinkable to Walt, and such a course would mean nearly 600 people would have to be laid off. Walt knew that the cartoon industry as it was, couldn’t absorb all of those people, and they would be forced to start all over again. The banks said the other option was to sell out. This would not happen, Walt had fought too long and hard for his Studio’s independence. Walt chose the hard way. Strict budgets were set and … Continue reading →