The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney

The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney
Walt Disney (1901-1966) was one of the most significant creative forces of the twentieth century, a man who made a lasting impact on the art of the animated film, the history of American business, and the evolution of twentieth-century American culture. He was both a creative visionary and a dynamic entrepreneur, roles whose demands he often could not reconcile.
In his compelling new biography, noted animation historian Michael Barrier avoids the well-traveled paths of previous biographers, who have tended to portray a blemish-free Disney or to indulge in lurid speculation. Instead, he takes the full measure of the man in his many aspects. A consummate storyteller, Barrier describes how Disney transformed himself from Midwestern farm boy to scrambling young businessman to pioneering artist and, finally, to entrepreneur on a grand scale. Barrier describes in absorbing detail how Disney synchronized sound with animation in Steamboat Willie; created in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs sympathetic cartoon characters whose appeal rivaled that of the best live-action performers; grasped television's true potential as an unparalleled promotional device; and--not least--parlayed a backyard railroad into the Disneyland juggernaut.
Based on decades of painstaking research in the Disney studio's archives and dozens of public and private archives in the United States and Europe, The Animated Man offers freshly documented and illuminating accounts of Disney's childhood and young adulthood in rural Missouri and Kansas City. It sheds new light on such crucial episodes in Disney's life as the devastating 1941 strike at his studio, when his ambitions as artist and entrepreneur first came into serious conflict.
Beginning in 1969, two and a half years after Disney's death, Barrier recorded long interviews with more than 150 people who worked alongside Disney, some as early as 1922. Now almost all deceased, only a few were ever interviewed for other books. Barrier juxtaposes Disney's own recollections against the memories of those other players to great effect. What emerges is a portrait of Walt Disney as a flawed but fascinating artist, one whose imaginative leaps allowed him to vault ahead of the competition and produce work that even today commands the attention of audiences worldwide.
Customer Review: Excellent choice
Have not read the entire book yet, but it is very interesting and a great written book. Anyone interested in learning about the life of Disney, this is a great book.
Customer Review: A Different Walt Disney
Read the book that was banned by the Disney Legal Department -- banned even though every aspect of the book is proven factual and truthful. What is it that the Disney Corporation doesn't want you to know about Walt Disney? The Animated Man -- a different Walt Disney.


Walt Disney Treasures - Uncle Scrooge: A Little Something Special
This print companion series to Disney's famous DVDs celebrates milestones in Disney comics history. In honor of Uncle Scrooge McDuck's 60th anniversary, this volume traces his comics career from 1947 to the present!
Customer Review: Highlighting Sixty Years of My Favorite Disney Character!
The Walt Disney Treasures collections have expanded into the world of Disney comics, and how great is that?!!! "Walt Disney Treasures: Uncle Scrooge, A Little Something Special" is the second volume of these fine new paperback collections sure to thrill fans of both the Disney Treasures DVDs and Disney comics alike. Here, we have 8 collected tales of my favorite Disney character, Scrooge McDuck, the richest duck in the world, uncle to Donald Duck, and the true face of Disney's comic book legacy, the other world of Disney that many self-proclaimed Disney fanatics aren't even aware of. This 160 page collection opens with an editorial about Scrooge's origin and his portrayal in comics both in the States and abroad, with insight into the stories chosen for inclusion in this collection. Then comes the first story, 1954's "The Seven Cities of Cibola", a true classic tale from the Duck-Man himself, Carl Barks, creator of Scrooge and many of the characters in his world. In this tale, Scrooge, worried that life is becoming stale without a new enterprise to take under his wing, is thrilled to be introduced to arrowhead collecting by Donald and the boys (Huey, Dewey, and Louie). Even with 3 cubic acres of money, 50 cents per arrowhead found is too good a deal for Scrooge to pass up! While searching though, he and his nephews end up on the trail of bigger treasure, that of the legendary Seven Cities. Just their luck, however, that the Beagle Boys would happen to be listening in on their plans to go after it. The second story in the collection was written 10 years later by Carl Fallberg, and is presented in its complete version here for the first time in North America. "Getting that Healthy, Wealthy Feeling" once again depicts Scrooge in a lackluster mood, as he feels his wealth is coming too easy and misses the hard work of earning a dime. This leads him to put Donald in charge of his fortune in the hope that separation and hard work will revitalize him. But Scrooge's plan goes awry when his money-making "luck" seems to dissipate without being able to touch his lucky dime. As editor David Gerstein points out, the story presents both the best and worst aspects of the period. It seems that other writers taking on Scrooge at times would misunderstand the concept of the lucky dime, turning him into a superstitious character in their stories and the dime into a magic talisman. Story three is "Daisy Duck's Diary - Witness Persecution", an Italian story from 1966 by Romano Scarpa. A car crash, a hair growth formula, an expert legal analysis, and most significantly, the romantic pursuit of Scrooge by Brigitta MacBridge, make for a fun tale with fanciful art from overseas. These Italian Disney comics stories are a great treat for the American fans who get to meet completely new and wacky characters when we are presented with translated versions. Story number four is "The Money Ocean", a highly imaginative tale from Italy, 1974. This Marco Rota tale depicts Scrooge as having several money bins and in a fret over their security. Donald prompts Scrooge to create one massive bin, and the result is an ocean of money with plenty of new ways to play with it, thanks to inventor Gyro Gearloose's help. But their's something sinister about the waves. Our fifth story is the Danish "Pipe Dreams", published in 1980 and written by Brian Claxton and Tom Anderson. This two-part story is a charming if simple reunion between Scrooge and his old flame, Glittering Goldie. Story six is a DuckTales adventure from 1989, "Windfall on Mount G'Zoontight", written by John Lustig with art by William Van Horn. I remember when Van Horn first came on the Disney comics scene, and I must admit, I was not a big fan of his whimsical style. I've grown accustomed to it though, and this story is typical of the slightly oddball duck stories his illustrations are usually attached to (perhaps they were all Lustig's? I don't recall). In this one, Scrooge, Launchpad, and Huey, Dewey, and Louie find themselves on an expedition to find the treasure of a mysterious, mountain-dwelling being called the Williwallawa. The seventh, and one of the finest stories in this collection, is Don Rosa's 1997 "A Little Something Special". This special birthday story is not a mere tale of Scrooge's 50th anniversary in Duckburg, but also of a scheme by Scrooge's greatest nemeses banding together in something of a Legion of Doom fashion. Could've made for a great animated feature, like many stories from Rosa, and of course Barks, if only Disney had turned to their comics for the direct-to-video animation market instead of making sequels that could only look poor next to their feature film originals. Anyway, if there's one thing you should notice when reading a book like this, it's that the true masters of the duck comics are Carl Barks (naturally) and Don Rosa (who followed Barks' story style and take on Scrooge and his world more truly than anyone else). Finally, after a brief and touching editorial, comes the story to round out this look at Scrooge and his legacy, the Danish "Whatever Happened to Scrooge McDuck", from 2006, written by Lars Jensen. This well-chosen tale shows the ducks of the future looking back on how Magica De Spell finally got Scrooge's number one dime, how Scrooge disappeared soon after, and the events that followed. But don't worry, it has a happy ending and Scrooge's adventures manage to continue as usual. "Walt Disney Treasures: Uncle Scrooge, A Little Something Special" is both a treat for the longtime Scrooge fan and a great introduction for those new to Mr. McDuck and his legend. If you have any interest in exploring this character beyond the wonderful television series "DuckTales", this is a great place to start. Of course, "The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck" and its companion are also excellent to give you the full McDuck story, and there are many, many other comic books and collections out there, including a couple of collections specifically featuring the Carl Barks stories that inspired some of the best DuckTales episodes ever. And, of course, there are Scrooge's other animated moments besides the TV series DuckTales and its bigscreen movie. Scrooge can also be seen in Mickey's Once and Twice Upon a Christmas direct-to-video movies, Mickey's Christmas Carol, the still-not-on-DVD-in-North-America "Sport Goofy in Soccermania", and Scrooge's as yet unreleased-to-DVD screen debut, the fantastic short "Scrooge McDuck and Money". Though, even before that he could be seen as part of the animated opening to the original Mickey Mouse Club, and Scrooge also has appeared on Mickey's House of Mouse and in cameos on other Disney animated shows, like "Raw Toonage". So, do yourself a favor and get into the fantastically rich world of one of Disney's finest characters and a true Disney legend in the comic book medium, Scrooge McDuck, the richest duck in the world!
Customer Review: Uncle Scrooge at His Best
Do not be misled by the appearance of Don Rosa's name as a author. This wonderful compendium actually has stories by Barks, Scarpa, Rota, Van Horn and others, in addition to Rosa. Admirers of the warm hearted, money loving, webbed foot, duck will need no encouragement to purchase. The presentation is attractive, the paper good, and the humor and satire unmissable.


Disney Princess Tea Party: Jody
Personalized for Jody

Hear the Disney Princesses sing and speak to Jody over 60 times throughout this one of a kind CD. It will be an instant hit with Jody that she will listen to over and over. Watch her face light up as she hears her name sung and spoken by the original Disney Princess cast. Jody will join each of the Disney Princesses as they prepare for a Princess Tea Party. Each princess will personally coach Jody through getting dressed and using proper etiquette, and Jody will receive a personal invitation to the castle to join all the Disney Princesses at their Princess Tea Party!