The Disney studio was close to bankruptcy in 1941. European markets had dried up, domestic releases (Bambi and The Reluctant Dragon) were under-performing, and things looked grim.
But after Pearl Harbor, the Federal government rode to the rescue with beaucoup training films. Artists who had been laid off after the strike -- my father among them -- were slowly recalled to work; others went into the service.
Suffice it to say, Walt Disney Productions was soon a beehive of wartime commerce, turning out hundreds of training films along with military insignia and civilian-toon output.
Thanks to James Walker for bringing us this "day in the life" (art by Roy Williams, words by Ralph Parker), from Dispatch from Disney's, vol. 1 number 1, published by the studio for employees in the services.
Click on the images for a larger view
Left: Walt, arriving at the studio, is greeted by a reception committee bearing messages.
Right: The army and navy join Walt at the conference table.
Left: Joe Grant, offering an idea to Walt, holds him with his electric eye while Dick Huemer prays hopefully ...
Right: Walt ponders the philosophic values in a script ...
Left: -- eats lunch, talking to three tables at the same time ...
Right: -- enjoys a quiet cigarette while his mind roves ...
Left: -- answers fan mail ...
Right: -- speaks Mickey Mouse's voice, an assignment which has always been his exclusively ...
Left: -- journeys into the hall, where he is approached by persons having problems ...
Right: -- listens to the gang "selling" a gag in Victory Through Air Power ...
Left: -- gives careful consideration to Donald Duck's comments about his work for the day ...
Right: -- hitches a ride with a car pool.
Posts
1 comments:
Thanks for sharing this. Always love getting a peek into studio history, Disney or otherwise!
Post a Comment