Thursday, November 3, 2011

Disney History for November 3

1961:
The Twilight Zone episode "It's a Good Life" first airs on television. It features actor Bill Mummy as six-year-old Anthony Fremont who has godlike mental powers. Rod Serling's introduction to Walt Disney World's Tower of Terror attraction - as viewed in the library - is taken in part from this very episode. Serling begins the program with the words, "Tonight's story on The Twilight Zone is somewhat unique and calls for a different kind of introduction." Imagineers completed the introduction for the attraction with dialogue by sound-alike actor Mark Silverman. Ironically, this episode contains the longest opening narration of the entire series!

(On your next trip to Hollywood Studios, look for a small poster dedicated to "Anthony Fremont & and his Orchestra" inside the Hollywood Tower of Terror.)

1977:
(This is for you, Joey!)
Disney's Pete's Dragon has its world premiere. This musical adventure features Helen Reddy (as Nora), Mickey Rooney (as her father), Red Buttons (as Hoagy), Jim Backus (as The Mayor), Jeff Conaway (as Willie), Charlie Callas (as Elliott) and Sean Marshall (as Pete). Although it is a live-action movie, its title character - a dragon named Elliott - is animated. The song "Candle on the Water" will receive an Academy Award nomination, and Helen Reddy's recording (with a different arrangement than the one her character sings in the film) will be released as a single by Capitol Records (and reach #27 on the Adult Contemporary charts). It is the first Disney film to be recorded in the Dolby Stereo sound system and the first involving animation in which none of the Nine Old Men were involved.

1998:
Walt Disney World's newest attraction Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin officially opens at the Magic Kingdom. The popularity of the two Toy Story films has led to the creation of this Tomorrowland attraction (which is housed in the pavilion formerly home to If You Had Wings, If You Could Fly, Delta Dreamflight, and Take Flight).

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