Today in Disney History 2/23
Feb. 23, 1927 – A young artist (fresh out of high school) named Leslie James Clark reported to work at the Disney Studios at 2719 Hyperion Ave. in Hollywood, Ca. Walt warned him “it might be just a temporary job.” (Les Clark would go on to become one of Walt’s “Nine Old Men” and stayed with the Disney Studio for nearly half a century until his retirement in 1975.)
Feb. 23, 1935 - Disney’s 1st color Mickey Mouse short, “The Band Concert” directed by Wilfred Jackson was released.
Feb. 23, 1939 - Walt Disney received an Academy Award for “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and an Oscar for “Ferdinand the Bull”.
Feb. 23, 1940 - Disney’s “Pinocchio” was released.
Feb. 23, 1955 - Disney’s final “Davy Crockett” episode “Davy Crockett at the Alamo” aired on ABC.
Feb. 23, 1986 – The “Guatemalan Weavers” shop in Disneyland’s Adventureland closed. (Replaced by Safari Outpost)
Feb. 23, 2000 - Singer/song writer Phil Collins won a Grammy for his work on Disney’s Tarzan soundtrack.Feb. 23, 2002 - The Disney Gallery in New Orleans Square at Disneyland opened its doors to reveal a special art exhibit featuring 100 images of Mickey Mouse created by Eric Robinson in honor of Walt Disney’s 100th Birthday Celebration.
Feb. 23, 2002 - WDW’s “Legend of the Lion King” had its final curtain call after 75,000 performances and would be replaced by Mickey’s Philarmagic.
Feb. 23, 2004 – Fortune magazine reported the Walt Disney Co. is America’s most admired entertainment company based on a survey of top entertainment industry executives, directors and securities analysts.
