Walt Disney (United States, 1954- )


Figure 1.--

Of course Disney has now has an entire cable network for its programing, but it began in 1954 with "Disneyland". It was an instant hit and helped to nguarantee the success of the stugglind ABC network--which it eventually purchased in the 1990s. "Disneyland" and the many other manifestations of Disney is the longest running primetime series on American television. Walt himself would introduce many of the programs until he died in 1966. It was a relevation at the time, a prime-time TV show for kids. It also respresented the first plunge into television by a major Hollywood movie studio. Disneyland was an anthology. Ther were segments built around the themes of the original Disneyland Park: Adventurelamd, Frontierland, Futureland, and Fantasyland. [I'm not sure about the precise names here.] The best known was undoubtedly "The Adventures of Davy Crockett"--starting a coonskin sensation in the 1950s. A series in which there was suprisingly a good bit of historical accuracy. Not mentioned, however, was the fact that Davy's father sold hom into servitude when he was 12 years old. There were quite a number of programs with Western themes in the initial Disney programs. Gradually the emphasis shifted to nature, often stieies about animals. There were several programs about animals which often had a human side kick. A good example was, "Sammy the Way Out Seal". Another series was "Gallagher" which appeared on the "Wonderfull World of Disney". There were many presentations of classics, like "Treasure Island" and "Babes in Toyland". The various maifestations of Walt Disney include: "Disneyland" (1954-58), "Walt Disney Presents" (1958-61), "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" (1961-69), "The Wonderful World of Disney" (1969-79), and "Disney's Wonderful World" (1979- ). The Disney channel used to run many of its classic TV programs. For some reason in 2003 Disney had decided to stop running these older shows.

TV-ology

Of course Disney has now has an entire cable network for its programing, but it began in 1954 with "Disneyland". It was an instant hit and helped to guarantee the success of the stugglind ABC network--which it eventually purchased in the 1990s. "Disneyland" and the many other manifestations of Disney is the longest running primetime series on American television. It was a relevation at the time, a prime-time TV show for kids. It also respresented the first plunge into television by a major Hollywood movie studio. Disneyland was an anthology. For young viewers, SUnday presented a conflict: NBC showed Disney at the same time as Lassie", ("...and, of course, Lassie!) was shown on CBS. What a great conflict for any young viewer at a time before we had VCRs!

Format

Walt himself would introduce many of the programs until he died in 1966. There were segments built around the themes of the original Disneyland Park: Adventurelamd, Frontierland, Futureland, and Fantasyland. [I'm not sure about the precise names here.] This hour-long format allowed Disney to offer lengthier and perhaps more ambitious productions than were possible with the Disney daily afternoon program--"The Mickey Mouse Club". A standard feature of "Wonderful World" was an introduction from Mr. Disney himself. Walt would briefly describe the documentary's topic or setting from his studio office, occasionally with the help of one of his animated characters. I remember for the serial, "Gallegher", Walt dressed up in turn of the century costume and gave his introduction from a vintage barber shop, as he prepared for a shave.

Notable Features

The best known feature presentation was undoubtedly "The Adventures of Davy Crockett"--starting a coonskin sensation in the 1950s. A series in which there was suprisingly a good bit of historical accuracy. Not mentioned, however, was the fact that Davy's father sold hom into servitude when he was 12 years old. "Wonderful World of Color" ran some fine Disney features, such as "Emil and the Detectives", as well as two or three part serials that might be described as "made-for-TV", but all with the old Disney quality and production values.

Themes

There were quite a number of programs with Western themes in the initial Disney programs. Gradually the emphasis shifted to nature, often stieies about animals. There were several programs about animals which often had a human side kick. A good example was, "Sammy the Way Out Seal". Another series was "Gallagher" which appeared on the "Wonderfull World of Disney". There were many presentations of classics, like "Treasure Island" and "Babes in Toyland".

Manifestations

"Walt Disney Presents" and "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" were among the titles used for a long running Sunday evening ABC/NBC program.The various maifestations of Walt Disney include: "Disneyland" (1954-58), "Walt Disney Presents" (1958-61), "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" (1961-69), "The Wonderful World of Disney" (1969-79), and "Disney's Wonderful World" (1979- ).

Disney Cable

The Disney channel used to run many of its classic TV programs, many of which came from "Disneyland" and the "Mickey Mouse Club", for some reason in 2003 Disney had decided to stop running these older shows.

Sponsors

I remember the sponsor was RCA, "the most trusted name in electronics", and their commercials usually pitched their color TVs. This was back when TV sets were console models, pieces of furniture which happened to be TV's, and quite expensive.






HBC





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Created: March 21, 2003
Last updated: March 21, 2003