Disneyland Windows
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Milt Albright
Location: The Opera House, Town Square - Main Street USA, Disneyland
In 1947, Milt Albright was hired as a junior accountant at Walt Disney Studios. In 1953, in an attempt to impress Walt Disney, Albright designed his own version of a mini-car for Disney's amusement park project. The car didn't impress Disney, but Walt recognized Albright's ambition and talent - leading to a transfer to the park project. Hired in 1954 as the Manager of Accounting for Disneyland, Albright is distinguished as Disneyland's First Employee. In 1961, Milt helped create the Magic Kingdom Club and Disneyland's Grad Nite. When he retired in 1992, Milt Albright was Disneyland's Manager of Guest of Communications.
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Charles Alexander
Location: Market House, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
A list of names are a part of the window dedicated to the Carpenters & Joiners who built Disneyland. One of the inscribed names - Chas. Alexander, refers to Charles Alexander, who was the Disneyland Construction Department's Field Supervisor. Alexander worked closely with Ray Conway, who managed all Disneyland construction and George Mills, who was the foreman for the on-site mill.
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W. F. Allen, M.D.
Location: Fortuosity Shop, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
When Disneyland opened in 1955, the Upjohn Company sponsored a pharmacy on Main Street (where the Fortuosity Shop is currently located). W. F. Allen wasn't actually a Medical Doctor, instead, he was an executive for the Upjohn Company. W. Fred Allen joined Upjohn as a salesman in 1924. He worked his way up through the company and in 1946, Allen was elected an Upjohn Board Member, named a Vice President and was promoted to Director of Sales. In 1956, Allen added the title of Upjohn's Vice President of Domestic Pharmaceutical Marketing. Allen retired after 44 years with the Upjohn Company.
W. Fred Allen died on December 17, 1975 at the Harold & Grace Upjohn Community Nursing Home in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
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Hideo Amemiya
Location: Disney Showcase, Town Square - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Hideo Amemiya joined the Walt Disney Company in 1971, starting his Disney career at Disney World's Polynesian Hotel. With a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Amemiya successfully integrated the Disney service philosophies with practical hotel management. Amemiya rose to WDW's Director of Resort Operations when he was assigned to the Tokyo Disneyland project. Amemiya held several executive positions at Tokyo Disneyland, then returned to Anaheim were he was Vice President and General Manager of the Disneyland Hotels. In 2000, Amemiya was promoted to Senior Vice President of Disneyland Resort Hotels - overseeing operations at the Disneyland Hotel, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel. during his tenure in Anaheim, he managed the Grand Californian's opening and led the transition of the Disneyland Pacific Hotel into the Paradise Pier hotel.
Hideo Amemiya died February 19, 2001. He was named a Disney Legend in 2005 for his contributions to the Walt Disney Company.
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American Broadcasting Company, ABC - Windows
Location: Candy Palace, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
In the early 1950's, Walt Disney sought corporate sponsorship for his Mickey Mouse themed amusement park. Desperate to trump its more established competitors, the American Broadcasting Company or ABC, stepped in as one of Disneyland's primary sponsors. Following a $500,000 investment to subsidize Disneyland's construction, the ABC network received a 35% share of park profits and exclusive programming from Walt Disney Studios.
The sponsorship immediately paid dividends. In 1954 the ABC network began televising Disneyland, a series of hour long specials, which featured old Disney Films, studio documentaries and new Disney Studio features. The extremely popular Davy Crockett debuted on the Disneyland series, when Davy Crockett, the Indian Fighter aired in December 1954. The popularity of Disney programming boosted ABC's ratings, and when Disneyland park opened in July of 1955, ABC aired the special event live.
Walt Disney continued to host Disneyland series, which was renamed Walt Disney Presents in 1958. ABC aired the successful programs until 1961. A dispute over Disneyland profits and the ability to broadcast in color, pushed Walt Disney to move to the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). Walt Disney hosted Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color, appearing on NBC until his death in 1966.
In 1996 business ties were rekindled, when the Walt Disney Company acquired ABC, Inc.
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Ken Anderson
Location: The Market House, Main Street USA, Disneyland
In 1934, while driving by The Walt Disney Studios, Ken Anderson applied for a job on a whim. He was hired and immediately put to work on Disney's Silly Symphonies. Anderson was valued for his skills as an artist, architect, animator, designer & storyteller, a collection of talents that labeled him as Walt Disney's Jack of All Trades. These skills made him integral member of Disneyland's design team, creating layouts, back stories, color schemes and architectual perspective.
Anderson was an Art Director on Disney features such as Snow White & the Seven Dwarves, Pinocchio, Fantasia and the Sword in the Stone. He also served as a writer, creating the classic stories for Cinderella, Jungle Book, Aristocats, Robin Hood, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and The Rescuers. Anderson's contributions also include character design, layout & staging (Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp), color and styling (Alice in Wonderland) and production design (Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmatians).
Disney Legend Ken Anderson, suffered a stroke and died January 13, 1993 in La Canada-Flintridge, California.
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Xavier Atencio
Location: The Mad Hatter, Town Square - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Xavier Atencio, then a student at Los Angeles' Chouinard Art Institute, submitted his portfolio to Walt Disney Studios. He was hired in 1938 and was promoted to Assistant Animator within three years. In 1941 Atencio enlisted and was assigned to the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. As part of the 2nd Photo Tech Squadron, he earned the rank of Captain. In 1945, X returned to Walt Disney Studios and won an Academy Award for his work on the animated short, Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom.
Atencio worked as an animator until 1965, when he moved to Walt Disney Imagineering. As an Imagineer he developed stories, dialogue and music for Disney attractions.Working with composer George Bruns, Atencio co-wrote the lyrics to the Pirates of Caribbean theme song - Yo Ho Yo Ho, A Pirate's Life for Me, and with composer Buddy Baker, wrote the lyrics to the ghoulish Grim Grinning Ghosts for the Haunted Mansion.
X Atencio retired from the Walt Disney Company in 1984. In 1996, he was inducted as a Disney Legend (Animation & Imagineering).
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Renie Bardeau
Location: Main Street Photo Supply Co., Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Renie Bardeau's career as Disneyland's Chief Photographer and Photo Archivist started out as a summer job in 1959. After five years in the U.S. Navy as an aviation photographer, Bardeau took the summer job at Disneyland, because there weren't any internships at the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner. Bardeau's first assignment was to take photos of Walt Disney and then-Vice President Richard Nixon during Tomorrowland's opening.
Bardeau became a full-time employee in 1964 and was named Disneyland's Chief Photographer in 1975. In addition Chief Photographer, Bardeau was Disneyland's Photo Archivist prior to his retirement in 1998.
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H. Draegert Barnard
Location: Disney Clothiers, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
H. Draegert Barnard wasn't actually a Walt Disney Company Real Estate agent. The window honors Dr. Harold D. Barnard, an Eye, Ear & Throat specialist who began practicing in Los Angeles, California in 1922. Dr. Barnard catered to Hollywood's movie stars and Los Angeles' rich and famous, including Walt Disney.
In 1940, the renown Dr. Barnard was contacted to treat Wendell Willkie, the Republican Party's Presidential nominee. Willkie's campaign was slowed by voice strain and exhaustion, but despite Dr. Barnard's efforts, Willkie lost the 1940 election to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. For his time spent on the campaign trail, Barnard charged the Republican Party $13,000 for his services, though he later settled for $5,000 after his initial bill went unpaid.
Pontiac, Michigan native Dr. Harold D. Barnard, died on January 17, 1974 in Riverside, California.
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Wally Boag
Location: Blue Ribbon Bakery, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Wallace Vincent Boag was a traveling performer when he signed a two-week long contract to perform at the new Disneyland Park. For 27 years Wally Boag took the stage at The Golden Horseshoe Theater, performing at least three times a day - five days a week. Beginning in 1955, it is estimated that Wally Boag performed in the Golden Horseshoe Revue almost 40,000 times. When he retired in in 1982, Boag and the revue were listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the greatest number of performances in one theatrical presentation.
Performing in London, Boag brought a 12 year-old girl onstage to help with his balloon act. The girl wowed the crowd with her voice and young Julie Andrews was added to the act. Years later, a California teen watched Boag's act religiously - studying the song & dance routines and Wally's comedic timing. Learning from Boag, former Disneyland Cast Member Steve Martin would become a great performer in his own right.
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Chuck Boyajian
Location: Market House, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Chuck Boyajian began his Disney career in 1955, when Walt Disney appointed him Manager of Custodial Operations. Believing that cleanliness breeds cleanliness, Boyajian created a very efficient custodial system meeting Walt Disney's extremely high standards. Boyajian's management and training practices set the custodial guidelines used at all Disney Theme Parks.
Chuck Boyajian died on August 1, 2004. He was named a Disney Legend in 2005.
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Charles Boyer
Location: Emporium Annex - Clothiers of Distinction, Town Square - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Charles Boyer started out as a Disneyland portrait sketch artist in 1960. The job was meant to be something temporary, but six months later, Boyer was promoted to Disneyland's Marketing Department. As Disneyland's first full-time artist, Boyer did everything in the Marketing division's art department - design, production, illustration. During his 39 years with Disneyland, Boyer was named the park's Master Illustrator, designed special lithographs, created artwork for magazine and brochures and was also commissioned to paint portraits for retiring employees.
Disney Legend Charles Boyer is also known for designing the special Disneyland 50th Anniversary - $50 Disney Dollar bill. He also painted the Walt Disney & Mickey Mouse triple-self portrait, a Disney take on Norman Rockwell's famed self-portrait.
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C. Randy Bright
Location: Castle Brothers, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
In 1959, Randy Bright applied for a summer job at Disneyland. As a cast member, Bright would work at nearly every Disneyland attraction, his first assignment was aboard the sailing ship Columbia. After graduating from Cal State Fullerton, Bright took a full-time position with Disneyland University in 1965. In 1968, Marty Sklar recruited Bright to become a staff writer for Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI). For three years, Bright was manager of Employee Communications at Disney University in Florida until 1976, when he returned to WDI in Glendale, California to head the Communication Department. Managing WDI's Concepts and Communications, Bright produced concepts and marketing for EPCOT. As Director of Scripts & Show Development, he worked on Disney theme park projects around the world, including EPCOT & Tokyo Disneyland. Bright was named Vice President of of Concept Development (1983) and was promoted again to Executive Producer for Disneyland & WDW Theme Parks (1987).
In 1990, C. Randy Bright was killed near his home in Yorba Linda, California - the 51 year old was hit by a car while riding a bicycle.
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Roger E. Broggie
Location: The Magic Shop, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Many consider him Walt Disney's first Imagineer. In 1939, Roger Broggie joined Walt Disney Studios in Burbank as a precision machinist, assigned to install the technically complex multiplane cameras. Working with Disney Legend, Ub Iwerks, Broggie developed new special effects at Disney Studios. In 1949, Broggie supervised the construction for Walt Disney's backyard railroad, the Carolwood Pacific, as well as the 1/8th scale Lilly Belle engine. Broggie was promoted to the head of the Disney Studios Machine Shop in 1950. Broggie's mechanical genius helped make Disney Magic possible. He developed many of the Oscar winning visual effects for 20,000 Legues Under the Sea. His technical expertise was used to create classic Disney attractions, like the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad, the Monorail system, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Circle Vision, and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. After more than 50 years with the Disney Company, Broggie retired in 1975.
Disney Legend Roger Broggie died in Los Angeles, on November 4, 1991. He was honored with windows at the Disney Parks, and Engine No. 3 of the Walt Disney World Railroad was renamed the Roger Broggie.
His son, Michael Broggie, also worked for the Walt Disney Studios and is considered an authority on Walt Disney. He authored the award winning Walt Disney's Railroad Story and is Chairman of the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society, which operates Walt Disney's Carolwood Barn Museum at Griffith Park.
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Harriet Burns
Location: Emporium Annex - Clothiers of Distinction, Town Square - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
In 1955, Harriet Burns was hired to paint sets and create props for television's Mickey Mouse Club, in addition she also worked in the Disney Studios modeling shop. After Disneyland's opening, the talented artist was permanently transferred to Walt Disney Imagineering, becoming the Disney Company's first female designer. Burns helped create Sleeping Beauty Castle and created many of the Storybook Land miniatures. As a figure finisher, Burns was called upon to give creations a final, personal touch. She gave personality to pirates (Pirates of the Caribbean) and made ghouls more garish (Haunted Mansion). She also designed and decorated each of the singing birds in the Enchanted Tiki Room and modeled the Matterhorn's look.
Her sense of style wasn't limited to her art, dubbed the best-dressed Imagineer - Burns always wore color coordinated dresses, high heels and gloves. However, Burns' ensemble never kept her from working on sanders or saws, or any of the modeling shop's machinery. Harriet was also featured on segments of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color, making appearances to introduce new Disneyland attractions.
Burns retired from the Walt Disney Company in 1986 and continued to work as an artist in Santa Barbara, California. Disney Legend, Harriet Burns died on July 25, 2008 as a result of complications from a heart condition.
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Bruce Bushman
Location: Market House, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
The Bushman & Dagradi window honors Bruce Bushman, a Walt Disney Studios - Artist, Animator, Art Director & Production Designer. Bushman was the art director for Fantasia's Nutcracker Suite segment, as well as the original Mickey Mouse Club television show. Recruited to work on concepts for Disneyland, Bushman's sketches and artwork helped create Fantasyland's overall look. His quirky designs inspired the many of Fantasyland's attractions, including Dumbo's Flying Elephants and the Mad Tea Party. Bushman also designed the Casey Junior Circus Train and was responsible for acquired the hand carved horses for the King Arthur Carrousel. He also drew concept designs for Captain Nemo's Natillus, in Disney's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
The son of silent film star, Francis X. Bushman, Frank Bruce Bushman died February 15, 1972 in Hollywood, California.
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John Louis Catone
Location: The Mad Hatter, Town Square - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
John Louis Catone left Girard, Ohio for California, after hearing about Walt Disney's theme park. Catone applied for a job, and was hired prior to the park's opening. On opening day, Catone operated the Richfield Autopia. He was also one of the first Kaiser Aluminum spacemen, assigned to walk around Tomorrowland in a futuristic spacesuit and helmet. Catone also created the first Club 55 logo, by simply replacing the numbers on the famed Club 33 logo.
Honored as Disneyland's Locksmith, John Catone eventually became Disneyland's Manager of Communication Services, literally holding all of the keys to Disneyland. On April 7, 2005, longtime Disney Cast Member, John L. Catone, died in his home in Prescott, Arizona.
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Royal Clark
Location: Blue Ribbon Bakery, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Royal "Mickey" Clark was Walt Disney's personal family accountant. He joined WED Enterprises in 1952 and worked his way up from Secretary-Treasurer to Executive Vice President. He worked for the Walt Disney Company for 43 years, retiring in 1984.
Clark was also involved as the Treasurer and and later, Vice President for Walt Disney's privately owned company, Retlaw Enterprises.
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Claude Coats
Location: Emporium Annex, Town Square - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
In 1935, Claude Coats joined the Walt Disney Studios as a background painter. He painted stunning watercolors for many of Disney's most memorable films, including Pinocchio, Snow White & the Seven Dwarves, Fantasia, Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Peter Pan and Lady and the Tramp. Working in animation, Coats met his wife, Evelyn Henry, an inker at Walt Disney Studios.
In 1955, Coats designed and developed show themes and artwork for the Grand Canyon, Primeval World, the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Snow White's Scary Adventures. A talented artist, Coats used lighting and color to tell stories and set moods.
Coats retired from the Walt Disney Company in 1989 after 54 years. In 1991, he was named a Disney Legend in both Animation and Imagineering. Claude Coats died January 9, 1992 in Burbank, California.
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Claude Coats - Big & Tall
Location: Emporium Annex, Town Square - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Standing at a height of more than 6 feet, 6 inches, Coats was always described as one of Disney's enormous talents. His two-part Disneyland window is a lasting tribute to both Claude Coats' physical height and his stature as a Disney Legend.
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Renié Conley
Location: Blue Ribbon Bakery, Center Street - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Renié Conley was one of Hollywood's premiere costume & gown designers, when she was asked to design many of Disneyland's original costumes. She also designed the elaborate costumes and gowns used in the Golden Horseshoe Revue.
Born Irene Brouillet, the famed gown and costume designer was also known as Renié. Renié was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning the Oscar for Best Costume in 1964 - for her work in Cleopatra. After almost 50 years of designing some of Hollywood's most elegant gowns and costumes, Renié died in 1992, in Los Angeles, California.
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Ray Conway
Location: Market House, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
A list of names are a part of the window dedicated to the Carpenters & Joiners who built Disneyland. One of the inscribed names - Ray Conway, was a key member of the Disneyland Construction Department. Conway was in charge of all the Disneyland construction. During Disneyland's construction, he worked closely with Charles Alexander, the construction field supervisor and George Mills, who was the foreman for the on-site mills & shops.
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Jim Cora
Location: Disney Clothiers, Ltd., Main Street USA, Disneyland
In 1957 James Cora started out as a part-time attractions host at Disneyland. Over the next 43 years in the Walt Disney Company, Cora's management skills helped him climb through the corporation. In 1971, Cora was part of the management team that opened the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Cora redesigned Disneyland Park management in 1974, creating three areas headed by production directors - with Cora directing Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. Cora was promoted to Director of Operations for the Tokyo Disneyland Project in 1979. When the park opened, Jim Cora was promoted to Vice President, Walt Disney Productions Japan. He returned to California in 1983, when he became Vice President of Disneyland International. As part of the Disneyland Paris project in 1985, Cora's responsibilities included negotiations, master planning and site research. Two years later, he was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the Euro Disneyland Corporation. In 1995, Cora was promoted yet again, to President of Disneyland International and in 1999 became Disney International Chariman, the position he held until his retirement in 2001.
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W. Dennis Cottrell
Location: Market House, Center Street - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
William H. D. Cottrell was one of the driving forces behind Disneyland's creation. Better known as Bill or Uncle Bill, Cottrell was Walt Disney Imagineering's first President, heading the group from 1952-1964. Cottrell started as a camera operator for Walt Disney Studios. He directed the Evil Queen & Wicked Witch sequences in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and wrote for Pinocchio, Three Caballeros, Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan.
One of Walt Disney's most trusted advisers, Bill was also Lilian Disney's brother-in-law. Cottrell was so close to the Disneys, that he served as President of Retlaw Enterprises from 1964 to 1982. Walter spelled backwards, Retlaw was a company controlling the Disney family's private holdings.
A fan of the Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle, Cottrell inspired the Disney animated feature, The Great Mouse Detective. Disney Legend, Bill Cottrell died December 22, 1995 in Los Angeles, California.
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Roland F. Crump
Location: Above the covered porch (formerly the Intimate Apparel Shop) - next to the Silhouette Shop, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Disney legend, Rolly Crump, started out as a Disney animation inbetweener in 1952. Originally Eric Larson's key assistant, Walt recruited the talented artist to become part of WED Enterprises. Crump was a key It's A Small World designer and fabricator. He worked closely with Mary Blair, who created the overall look for the attraction. He also designed Tower of the Four Winds marquee, a towering metal mobile sculpture that graced the It's A Small World attraction at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. When the attraction was moved to Anaheim, Crump conceived the gold & white color scheme and designed the animated clock in front of Disneyland's It's A Small World (1966).
One of the first Imagineers (WED Enterprises), Crump was a key designer on many of Disneyland's projects. He developed many of the original illusions for the Haunted Mansion and sculpted the Tiki Gods & many of the birds for the Enchanted Tiki Room. Crump also contributed to the original plans for Walt Disney World in Florida. He continues to work as an artist & designer in Fallbrook, California.
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Don DaGradi
Location: Market House, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Don DaGradi started as a background painter at Walt Disney Studios in the mid-1930's. He quickly worked his way up, becoming Art Director for Disney's Dumbo and Production Designer for Sleeping Beauty. DaGradi also developed the color and styling for Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan. The multi-talented artist was soon moved to the studio's Story Department. DaGradi co-wrote the script for the Academy Award winning Mary Poppins. He also wrote the story for the Disney animated feature, Lady and the Tramp, as well as the screenplays for Disney's Bedknobs and Broomsticks and The Love Bug.
Don DaGradi died August 4, 1991, in Friday Harbor, Washington. A few months later he was inducted as a Disney Legend in Animation & Film.
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Alice Davis
On May 11, 2012, famed costume designer Alice Estes Davis was honored with a window on Main Street. Fittingly, her window is next to her husband's, legendary animator Marc Davis, one of Walt's Nine Old Men. Then Alice Estes, the lingerie and dress designer was hired by Disney's Davis to design live-action reference costumes for Sleeping Beauty (1959). The two began a relationship that led to 44 years of marriage, following their wedding in June 1956.
A Disney Legend in her own right, Alice Davis worked with Mary Blair to create more than 150 costumes for "it's a small world" - which debuted at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. She also collaborated with her husband, using Marc's sketches to dress the animatronic buccaneers in Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean. A former Imagineer, Alice Davis also set up the departmental procedures for the manufacture and refurbishment of Walt Disney Imagineering's three-dimensional costuming.
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Marc Davis
Location: Disneyana, Main Street USA, Disneyland
Marc Fraser Davis, was one of Disney's famous Nine Old Men. Davis joined Disney as an Assistant Animator in 1935. During his career, he famously created many of Disney's most memorable women; including Alice (Alice in Wonderland), Cinderella, Cruella de Vil, Maleficent, Tinker Bell, Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) and Wendy (Peter Pan). After working on 101 Dalmations, Walt changed Davis' focus from animation to Disneyland. Davis was asked to create stories, themes & character concepts for The Enchanted Tiki Room, It's A Small World, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean.
His wife, Alice Davis, was the original costume designer for Disneyland's "it's a small world" and the Pirates of the Caribbean. Disney Legend, Marc Davis died January 12, 2000, in Glendale, California.
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Marvin A. Davis
Location: Disney Gallery, Town Square - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
In 1937, Marvin A. Davis was hired by 20th Century Fox, working as an Art Director. In 1953, a former co-worker at Fox - Richard Irvine, recruited Davis to work with WED Enterprises and Walt Disney's idea for a new theme park. A gifted architect, Davis became the Master Planner behind Walt Disney's theme park. During construction, Davis refined and developed artistic plans, designing and laying-out Disneyland's overall floor plan. Experience as an Art Director helped Davis understand and incorporate Disney storytelling and forced artistic perspective into Disneyland's construction.
After Disneyland's opening in 1955, Davis became an Art Director with Walt Disney Studios, working on the film Babes in Toyland, and television's Zorro and The Mickey Mouse Club. Davis also won an Emmy for his work on Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color.
In 1955, Davis married Marjorie Sewell, Bill Cotrell's daughter and Lillian Disney's niece. One of Walt's favorite nieces, Marjorie appeared in some early films for Disney, including Alice Gets in Dutch and Alice is Stage Struck. In 1926, Marjorie starred in her own Laugh-O-Gram film, as Clara in Clara Cleans Her Teeth.
Marvin Aubrey Davis retired from the Walt Disney Company in 1975. He was honored as a Disney Legend in 1994. Davis who master planned both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, died on March 8, 1998 in Santa Monica, California. His wife, Marjorie (Sewell) Davis also died in Santa Monica the next year, on Dec 23, 1999.
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Elias Disney
Location: Emporium, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
A tribute to Walt's father, Elias Disney. In addition to being a General Contractor, Elias was known to have worked a variety of odd jobs (including carpenter, farmer, machinist, mailman, musician & railroad crewman). Elias married Flora Call on January 1, 1888, in Acron, Florida (about 50 miles from where Walt Disney World is currently located). Together the Disney's had five children, Herbert Arthur Disney, Raymond Arnold Disney, Roy Oliver Disney, Walter Elias Disney & Ruth Flora Disney.
Irish-Candian Elias Disney was born in Bluevale, Ontario, February 6, 1859. He never saw Disneyland, but lived to witness Walt's success as an animator, having died September 13, 1941 in Hollywood, California.
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Walter Elias Disney
Location: Between City Hall & the Five & Dime, Toontown, Disneyland.
In May 1922, Walt Disney founded Laugh-O-Gram Studios in Kansas City, Missouri. Originally six animated shorts were created - Little Red Riding Hood (1922), The Four Musics of Bremen (1922), Jack and the Beanstalk(1922), Goldie Locks and the Three Bears (1922), Puss in Boots (1922), Cinderella (1922). However, the studios investors claimed bankruptcy and Disney was never paid as promised. Thomas McCrum, a local dentist paid Disney $500 to make Tommy Tucker's Tooth (1922), film about practicing good dental hygiene. Walt then put that money toward Alice's Wonderland (1923), but he declared bankruptcy before its completion. Disney sold his movie camera and bought a one-way ticket to Hollywood.
Animation pioneers Isadore 'Friz' Freleng, Hugh Harman, Rudolph Ising, Ubbe 'Ub' Iwerks and Carmen Maxwell were employees at Disney's Laugh-O-Gram Films.
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Walter Elias Disney & Disneyland's Cast Members
Location: Main Street Cinema, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Inspired by his backyard railroad and the Griffith Park Carousel, Walt Disney dreamed about creating a Mickey Mouse themed amusement park. Disneyland's construction started in July of 1954. The park was opened just one year later, celebrating its dedication day on July 17, 1955. Walt Disney also acknowledged the importance of the park's Cast Members, who's spirit brings Disneyland to life.
"To make the dreams of Disneyland come true took the combined skills and talents of hundreds of artisans, carpenters, engineers, scientists and craftsmen. The dreams that they built, now become your heritage. It is you who will make Disneyland truly a magic kingdom and a happy place for the millions of guests who will visit us now and in the future." -Walt Disney
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Ron Dominguez
Location: The Market House, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Starting out as a Disneyland ticket taker opening day, Ron Dominguez would rise to the job Executive Vice President of Walt Disney Attractions. After 39 years, Dominguez retired in August of 1994.
Dominguez's family were the original owners of 10 acres of orange groves - land that was purchased to become part of Disneyland. His family home once stood where the Pirates of the Caribbean and Cafe Orleans stand today. The original house was moved behind Main Street, to be used as administrative offices.
A Canary Island Date Palm sits nestled between the Jungle Cruise & Indiana Jones. Planted in 1895, the palm was originally presented as a wedding gift to members of his family.
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Don Edgren
Location: Silhouette Studio, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Don Edgren was a member of the Structural Engineering firm Wheeler & Gray, when assigned to work with Walt Disney Studios in 1954. He worked on structural design and technical aspects for Walt Disney's theme park project. He was also an on-site Chief Project Engineer during Disneyland's construction. Impressed with his work during Disneyland's early years, Edgren was offered a position with WED Enterprises (Imagineering) in 1961.
As an Imagineer, Edgren was a problem solver. When other engineers said it couldn't be done, Yesman Edgren was able to build the Matterhorn as a hollow structure with tracks, tobaggans, waterfalls and the Skyway passing through. He led the engineering teams that created Disneyland's New Orleans Square & transformed the Pirates of the Caribbean from walkthrough to ride. Involved Walt Disney World's master panning, Edgren was promoted to Vice President of Engineering in Orlando (1969). In 1972, Edgren returned to Glendale, California as Engineering Vice President for WED Enterprises. Under his supervision, engineers created the first Space Mountain (WDW, 1974). In 1979, Edgren coordinated the engineering for Tokyo Disneyland.
Don Edgren, California native and World War II Army Air Force combat pilot, died on December 28, 2006 after suffering a stroke. The 83 year-old Disney Legend was visiting relatives in Eugene, Oregon.
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Peter Ellenshaw
Location: Main Street Photo Supply Co., Main Street USA, Disneyland
Peter Ellenshaw - Ellenshaw was a matte designer & special effects artist. Walt Disney personally recruited him in 1948, to create the painted backgrounds of historic England for the live-action Disney film, Treasure Island. Ellenshaw's work on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea helped Walt Disney Studios win an Oscar for Best Special Effects in 1955 and he would win his own Academy Award for his special effects work on the Disney Classic, Mary Poppins. Ellenshaw worked on 34 Disney features, including Pollyanna, Swiss Family Robinson, The Love Bug and Bedknobs & Broomsticks. He also contributed to the popular Disney television shows Davey Crockett and Zorro.
Peter's children, Harrison Ellenshaw & Lynda Ellenshaw Thompson, are also renowned for their visual effects work in the film industry. Harrison is also a matte painter and visual effects supervisor - working on films for both Walt Disney Studios and Industrial Light & Magic. Harrison's credits include Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, TRON, and Dick Tracy. As a visual effects producer, Lynda has been credited with her work on Ghostbusters, Flubber, 102 Dalmatians, The Haunted Mansion & Herbie: Fully Loaded.
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Greg A. Emmer
Location: Main Street Cinema, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
As a college student, Greg Emmer started out as a Disneyland ride operator in 1968. After graduating in 1971, Emmer was promoted to management and sent to Orlando, helping open Walt Disney World. For 40 years, Emmer worked his way up through Walt Disney Company management (in Theme Park Operations), becoming Senior Vice President of Disneyland Resort Operations in 2003. Emmer's experiences as a Cast Member influenced his success as a Disney Executive. As one of Disneyland's top execs, Emmer revitalized Disneyland, spearheading the park's facelift for its 50th Anniversary celebration (2005-2006). The Senior Vice President also stressed the roles Cast Members played in guest service, leadership & efficiency, bringing much of the magic back to Disneyland. Emmer was still searching for ways to enhance the Disney experience, prior to his retirement on February 8, 2008.
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Morgan "Bill" Evans
Location: Opera House, Town Square - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
In 1952, Walt Disney hired Morgan "Bill" Evans to landscape the gardens around the Disney home and Walt's backyard Carolwood Pacific Railroad. Walt had met Bill years earlier, at the family owned Evans-Reeves Landscaping & Nursery - known for its rare and exotic plants. Impressed with Evans' knowledge and skills, Disney asked Bill and Jack, Bill's brother, to landscape Disneyland.
During Disneyland's construction, Evans transformed the acres of oranges groves into jungles, flower gardens and forests - using whatever plants suited an area's theme. When money ran short, Evans assigned Latin names to smaller common plants and weeds, making the plants seem more exotic. After Disneyland opened in 1955, Evans remained as a landscape and maintenance consultant and quickly became Disney's Director of Landscape Architecture - planning for Disneyland, Walt Disney World and EPCOT Center. Evans retired in 1975, but the Disney Company called on his expertise to consult on landscaping for Tokyo Disneyland, The Polynesian Resort, Discovery Island, Typhoon Lagoon, Disney-MGM Studios, and expansions to the Disney Parks in Florida. His knowledge of rare plants was sought when selecting the flora for Disneyland Paris & Disney's Animal Kingdom.
Morgan "Bill" Evans, the green thumbed Imagineer, was consulting on Disney's Hong Kong project up until a few weeks before his death in Malibu, California, on August 16, 2002.
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Orlando Ferrante
Location: Market House, Central Street - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
When he retired after 40 years with the Walt Disney Company, Disney Legend - Orlando Ferrante was Walt Disney Imagineering's Vice President of Engineering, Design and Production.
After playing professional football for two years, with Barron Hilton's Los Angeles Chargers (1960) & San Diego Chargers (1961), Ferrante took a job with Walt Disney Imagineering in 1962. A former USC offensive lineman, Ferrante joined former USC team mates Dick Nunis and Ron Miller, as a Walt Disney Company employee.
In 1966 Ferrante established the Project Installation Coordinating Office (PICO), a Disney Imagineering department tasked with the creation and installation of new attractions. Before his retirement in 2002, Ferrante was involved with Imagineering projects at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo DisneySea and the Disney Cruise Line.
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Van Arsdale France
Location: The 20th Century Music Shop (formerly the Tobacco Shop), Main Street USA, Disneyland
Van Arsdale France joined Disney in March of 1955. He held a number of jobs during his 23 years with Disney & Disneyland - including the Tomorrowland Area Manager, Disneyland Recreation Club Chairman and coordinator of the first Backstage Disneyland - Disneyland's Cast Member Magazine.
Van France is probably best known for fostering the importance of Disney Guest Service. He founded the University of Disneyland - the Cast Member training center that is now known as Disney University. Through Disney University, France promoted Walt Disney's guest service philosophies, teaching Cast Members to be Ambassadors of Happiness - creating happiness for others.
A chain smoker, France was honored with a window above the former Disneyland Tobacco Shop. Disney Legend & San Diego State Alum, Van Arsdale France died Ocotber 13, 1999, in Newport Beach, California.
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Blaine Gibson
Location: Opera House, Town Square - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Blaine Gibson joined the Walt Disney Studios in 1939, as an animator. Classic Disney films such as Fantasia, Bambi, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty and 101 Dalmatians are listed among Gibson's animation credits.
After drawing all day, Gibson would go home and work on his hobby, sculpting. In 1954, Walt Disney saw one of Gibson's art exhibits. Disney noticed several of the sculptures and recruited Gibson away from the Disney Studios, to work on Disneyland. As an Imagineer, Gibson sculpted figures and created models for Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion and the Enchanted Tiki Room.
The Partners statue in Disneyland's Central Hub, which features a life size bronze of Walt Disney standing with Mickey Mouse, was sculpted by Disney Legend Blaine Gibson.
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D. S. Gilmore, M.D.
Location: Fortuosity Shop, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
When Disneyland opened in 1955, the Upjohn Company sponsored a turn of the century style pharmacy on Main Street (where the Fortuosity Shop is currently located). The second story windows still honor the Upjohn Company executives who opened that original Disneyland shop.
Former Upjohn President Donald S. Gilmore was a close personal friend and part-time neighbor of Walt Disney's. Disney convinced Gilmore to invest in Disneyland, leading to the Upjohn Company's Disneyland sponsorship. Though honored as one, D. S. Gilmore was never a Medical Doctor, instead he was an executive responsible for Upjohn's success.
Gilmore became the Upjohn Company President in 1944, when his wife's cousin, Dr. Lawrence N. Upjohn retired. Gilmore was both the stepson and son-in-law of company founder, Dr. William E. Upjohn. In 1913, W. E. Upjohn married Gilmore's widowed mother, Carrie Sherwood Gilmore. Further cementing family ties, on December 16, 1916, Donald Gilmore married Genevieve Upjohn, William's youngest daughter from an earlier marriage.
Gilmore maintained the Upjohn Company's success by leading research and development. Donald Sherwood Gilmore died on December 21, 1979 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. His wife, Genevieve Upjohn Gilmore died on March 12, 1990 in Kalamzaoo.
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Harper Goff
Location: The Bazaar, Adventureland, Disneyland.
Harper Goff met Walt Disney by chance in 1951, in a London shop. When Disney asked him what he did for a living, Goff told him he was an artist. Disney replied, "When you get back to America, come and talk to me.
Harper Goff worked around Hollywood as an artist, set desinger, art director and producer. He lent his talents to numerous films, including Casablanca and Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Goff was initially hired by Disney to sketch concepts for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (a film that would go on to win two Oscars, including Art Direction). As an Imagineer, he helped Walt conceptualize & design much of Disneyland Park.
Goff was also an avid banjo player, playing with the Firehouse Five Plus Two, a Dixieland jazz band that included some other notable Disney artists (Ward Kimball & Frank Thomas). Disney Legend, Harper Goff died on March 3, 1993 in Los Angeles, California.
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Bob Gurr
Location: Disney Clothiers, Ltd., Center Street - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Robert Henry Gurr was hired as an Industrial Design consultant, evaluating the cars for Autopia. Gurr's knowledge and skill impressed Walt Disney so much, that he invited Bob to join Imagineering. As an Imagineer, Gurr submitted designs for more than a hundred rides and vehicles. Gurr was responsible for designing most of the vehicles and rides at Disney Parks. Among his designs are Disneyland's Autopia cars, Matterhorn Bobsleds, the Haunted Mansion Doombuggies, Tomorrowland's Flying Saucers, the Disney Monorails, the Main Street Cars & Carriages and the Submarine Voyage. Gurr's also contributed to the internal mechanics involved with Disney's Audio-Animatronic Abraham Lincoln.
In 1981, Bob Gurr retired from Walt Disney Imagineering to launch his own firm, GurrDesign, Inc., specializing in entertainment engineering. He has also created the Universal Studio Tours' King Kong and the Tyrannosaurus Rex in Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park. Bob Gurr was named a Disney Legend in 2004 and continues to consult, design and build.
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J.S. Hamel
Location: Disney Gallery, Town Square - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Initially, Walt Disney asked the General Electric Company to consult on the Disneyland project. Instead, GE recommended well known Civil and Electrical Engineer, J.S. Hamel.
Jacob Samuel Hamel was hired as a Disneyland consultant by Walt Disney. Hamel's expertise was needed to make working buildings and attractions out of the concept drawings and set designs made by Disney's artists. Hamel was famed for his work with lighting, and he was tasked with illuminating Disneyland. A talented engineer, Hamel was also responsible for designing the system of waterways that flow all around Disneyland. In addition to Disneyland's waterways, Hamel & Admiral Joe Fowler, designed and created the Submarine Voyage.
J.S. Hamel was also the lighting consultant for Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida and Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
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John Hench
Location: Main Street Photo Supply Co., Main Street USA, Disneyland
John Hench - Hench started as a Disney Studio artist in 1939, working on sketches for Fantasia. He would work for the the Walt Disney Company for almost 65 years, working as an Imagineer until a few weeks before his death on February 5, 2004.
Extremely talented, Hench won an Oscar for his special effects work on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and served as Mickey Mouse's official portrait artist - completing paintings for Mickey's 25th, 50th, 60th, 70th & 75th birthday
Hench was another of the original Imagineers (WED Enterprises) and helped in the planning & development of Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure, Animal Kingdom & Tokyo Disney Sea.
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Glenn Hicks
Location: Bonanza Outfitters, Frontierland, Disneyland.
A second floor window found on the Bonanza Outfitters front facade is dedicated to Glenn Hicks. The inscription reads - Texas Glenn's Honey Bee Farm "Our bees are Real Hummers" - Glenn Hicks, Proprietor.
Glenn "Slippery" Hicks is a member of the Order of the Red Handkerchief, a club for Cast Members who worked as ride operators for the Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland.
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Alexander R. Irvine, M.D.
Location: Baby Care Center, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Alexander R. Irvine was a prominent Opthamologist in Southern California. Dr. Irvine was Walt Disney's personal eye doctor and founder of the Doheny Eye Institute at the University of Southern California.
Dr. Irvine's sons A. Ray Irvine, Jr. & Rodman Irvine were also noted Opthamologists and both helped with the Doheny clinic's creation. Grandson Dr. John A. Irvine, is a third generation Opthamoligist, and is also affiliated with USC, USC's University Hospital and the Doheny Institute.
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Richard "Dick" Irvine
Location: Disney Gallery, Town Square - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
In 1952, Walt Disney recruited Richard F. Irvine, an Art Director at 20th Century Fox who had worked on A Miracle on 34th Street and High Noon. Irvine had worked with Disney Studios in the past, but this time Disney hired Irvine for a new project, the Disneyland theme park. Throughout construction, Irvine was one of Disney's key supervisors, heading the design and planning for all of Disneyland's attractions.
After Disneyland's opening in 1955, Irvine remained in charge of the development of Disneyland attractions. In 1964-65 Irvine supervised the Disney attractions (including "it's a small world") created for the New York World's Fair. In 1967, Irvine was named Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for WED Enterprises, later known as Walt Disney Imagineering. He shaped the master plan for Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. He continued to oversee development of all Disney attractions until his retirement from the Walt Disney Company in 1973.
Nine out of his ten children went on to work for the Walt Disney Company. His daughter Maggie Irvine Elliot, was Senior Vice President of Creative Administration for WDI. His daughter-in-law is noted Imagineer, Kim Thomas Irvine. After a lengthy illness, Disney Legend Dick Irvine died in Los Angeles, California on March 30, 1976.
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Robert F. Jani
Location: The Opera House, Town Square - Main Street USA, Disneyland
Disney Legend Bob Jani was described as a Master Showman, known for producing and creating some of Disney's most memorable events. Jani started out in 1955, with Disneyland's Guest Relations Department. As Vice President of Entertainment, he developed most of the live entertainment that the Disney Parks have been known for, including the Main Street Electrical Parade.
Robert Jani was part of the master entertainment planning for Euro-Disneyland (Disneyland Paris), when he passed away at his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California. Jani died on August 6, 1989, after fighting ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) for more than three years.
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Fred Joerger
Location: Carnation Cafe, Center Street - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
In 1953, Joerger was handpicked by Walt Disney, to create models for Disneyland's development and construction. Joerger, along with Wathel Rogers and Harriet Burns, were personally selected by Disney to head the model shop that would shape Disneyland. The master model maker helped create Disneyland's overall look, by creating three-dimensional renderings of Disney attractions and through his mastery of forced perspective.
Imagineering's resident rock expert, Joerger had an uncanny ability to create convincing faux rocks out of plaster or cement. His realistic rockwork enhances attractions like the Jungle Cruise, Tom Sawyer Island, Pirates of the Caribbean, Submarine Voyage and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Disney Legend, Fred Joerger died on August 26, 2005 in Woodland Hills, California.
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Bill Justice
Location: Near the Main Street Cone Shop, Center Street - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
William "Bill" Justice joined the Walt Disney Studios as an animator in 1937. Justice is known for creating some of Disney's most memorable characters, including Chip & Dale and Bambi's buddy, Thumper. He also designed characters for Alice in Wonderland (1951) and Peter Pan (1953).
In 1965, Justice joined Walt Disney Imagineering. He programmed and designed Audio-Animatronic figures for many Disneyland attractions, including Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion and the Country Bear Jamboree. In 1959, Justice designed floats and costumes for the Disneyland Christmas Parade and sketched concepts for what would become the Main Street Electrical Parade.
Bill Justice retired from the Walt Disney Company in 1979, after 42 years. In 1996, he became a Disney Legend in Animation & Imagineering.
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Emile Kuri
Location: Market House, Main Street USA, Disneyland
Walt Disney hired Emile Kuri in 1952, as chief decorator for Walt Disney Studios. In 1954 Kuri won an Academy Award for Set Decoration, for the Disney's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. He also received Academy Award nominations for the Disney features The Absent-Minded Professor (1961), Mary Poppins (1964) and Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971). Kuri also won an Emmy in 1963, for his work on television's Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color.
Emile Kuri's sense of style and attention to detail were instrumental in completing Disneyland's overall look and design. Kuri helped with design aspects and decorated many of the interiors for Disneyland, including the Disney Firehouse apartment, the Royal Suite (the Disney apartment in New Orleans Square) and Club 33.
At the age of 93, Emile Kuri died in Woodland Hills, California on October 10, 2000.
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Fred Leopold
Location: Disneyana, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
The window dedicated to Youngman & Leopold, refers to lawyers Gordon Youngman and Fred Leopold. Leopold was a senior partner in Youngman, Huntgate & Leopold, the law firm that represented Walt Disney & Disneyland.
Twice, Fred Leopold was elected Mayor of Beverly Hills, in 1967 & 1971. In 1984, Youngman, Hungate & Leopold became the law firm Leopold, Petrich & Smith, which continued practicing in the entertainment industry. A. Fredric Leopold was well-recognized for his work with intellectual property, copyrights, trademarks and entertainment law, he died in 2008.
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Gunther R. Lessing
Location: Disneyana, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
After losing the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, the Disney Brothers hired Gunther Lessing in 1929 to protect the rights to their new cartoons. Lessing then stayed on to head the legal department at Walt Disney Studios. Lessing would later be promoted to Walt Disney Productions Vice President and General Counsel, he also presided over Walt Disney Studio board meetings.
After 35 years with the Walt Disney Company, the Yale educated lawyer retired as a Disney Executive in 1964. Gunther R. Lessing, who Walt often referred to as - the only Mister at Disney Studios, died September 28, 1965.
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Jack Lindquist
Location: City Hall, Town Square - Main Street USA, Disneyland
Walt Disney hired Jack Lindquist as Disneyland's first advertising manager in 1955. Lindquist would advance, becoming Director of Marketing (1965) and Vice President of Marketing for Disneyland & Walt Disney World (1972), Vice President of Marketing for Walt Disney Attractions (1976), Executive Vice President of Marketing & Entertainment for Disney Company's outdoor recreation activities (1982), he was then promoted to Executive Vice President of Creative Marketing Concepts for all Walt Disney Attractions. In 1990, Jack Lindquist was named President of Disneyland (held until his retirement in 1993, on Mickey Mouse's 65th birthday).
Lindquist was one of the executives responsible for many of Disney's most memorable promotions; including Disney Dollars, Grad Night, the car giveaways during Disneyland's 30th Anniversary, and the Mickey Mouse shaped cornfield viewed by air traffic heading west out of Chicago.
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Mary Anne Mang
Location: New Century Jewelry, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Disney Legend Mary Anne Mang got her start in 1960, by personally writing a letter to Walt Disney - asking for a job. She was hired and assigned to the Disneyland Hotel's new sales promotion department. Within a year, she was transferred to Disneyland's Convention & Tour Sales. In 1972 she became the first female manager at Disneyland, heading the park's Public Relations department. Mang hosted special guests & celebrities, but also maintained the Disney commitment to support and give back to the surrounding community. She founded the Disneyland Creativity Challenge Program, which recognizes high school students with talent in the creative or fine arts. Mang also organized all Disney Company volunteerism and public service under the VoluntEARS program.
Mary Anne Mang retired from the Walt Disney Company in 1994 as Community Relations Manager. She was inducted as a Disney Legend in 2005.
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Ivan Martin
Location: Market House, Center Street - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
A list of names are inscribed on the window dedicated to the Buena Vista Construction Company. In addition to his work with Disneyland, Ivan Martin was a prop builder for Walt Disney Studios & Buena Vista Studios. During Disneyland's construction, Martin was called upon for his expertise in constructing movie props.
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Wilson Martin
Location: Disney Gallery, Town Square - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
During Disneyland's construction, Wilson Bill Martin was the Art Director for Fantasyland. Martin helped create the overall look for Sleeping Beauty Castle. Working with Bruce Bushman, the two were responsible for Fantasyland's themes and overall appearance. Bill Martin would also become Art Director for all of Disneyland, working on attractions such as the Monorail and the Pirates of the Caribbean.
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Sam McKim
Location: Main Street Photo Supply Co.,Main Street USA, Disneyland
Sam McKim joined Disney in 1954. He is known for creating concept sketches for many of Disneyland's attractions, including Slue Foot Sue's Golden Horseshoe, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, Carousel of Progress, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. McKim also helped conceive the Hall of Presidents (Walt Disney World), Universe of Energy (EPCOT), and his sketches inspired the design for the Disney-MGM Studios.
Honored as official Mapmaker of the Kingdom, McKim designed the Disneyland souvenir maps (1958-1964). Despite retiring from Disney in 1987, he was asked to design the map for Disneyland Paris, to commemorate the 1992 opening. McKim was inducted as a Disney Legend in Imagineering in 1996.
Sam McKim passed away at the age of 79, on July 9, 2004 from heart failure. His sons, Matt & Brian, are also renowned Disney artists.
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Edward T. Meck
Location: China Closet, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Edward T. Meck had thirty years of experience as a publicist in the movie industry, when Walt Disney hired him to publicize his new theme park. Eddie Meck's legendary enthusiasm made even the most mundane events seem exciting, and his efforts ensured Disneyland's success. Meck felt Disneyland didn't need any extra selling, because it was already the greatest product. Meck did such a job good of publicizing the theme park, that enormous crowds turned out for Disneyland's dedication day (July 17, 1955) and official opening day (July 18, 1955). Executives referred to dedication day as Black Sunday, because thousands of uninvited guests crashed the invite-only event with counterfeit tickets and well placed ladders.
In 1971, Meck was instrumental in devising the marketing strategy for Walt Disney World's opening. Eddie Meck died in 1973, after working for the Walt Disney Company for almost 20 years.
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Christopher D. Miller
Location: Carnation Cafe, Center Street - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Born on December 10, 1954, Christopher Disney Miller is Walt & Lilian Disney's first grandchild. Miller has worked as an assistant director and second unit director on several films, including The Black Hole and Herbie Goes Bananas.
Christopher D. Miller's mother is Diane Disney Miller, Walt & Lilian Disney's only biological daughter. She was key to the construction of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco's Presidio. His father is Ronald Miller. While playing football at USC, Miller met Diane Disney on a blind date. Ron Miller is also a former President & CEO of Walt Disney Company.
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George Mills
Location: Market House, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
A list of names are a part of the window dedicated to the Carpenters & Joiners who built Disneyland. One of the inscribed names - George Mills, was foreman for the Disneyland Construction Department's skilled shops and woodworking mill.
Disneyland Construction Supervisor, Admiral Joe Fowler, had the woodworking mill built on-site to save time during construction. Located where the Opera House currently stands in Town Square, the woodworking mill was built in the Fall of 1954, to help ensure that Disneyland would be completed by July 17, 1955.
Mill Foreman George Mills worked closely with Ray Conway, who helped manage all Disneyland construction and Charles Alexander, the construction field supervisor.
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Seb Morey
Location: Market House, Center Street - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
According to the Daveland & the Disney History Institute, Seb Morey is a nickname for Sebastian Moreno, a decorator and supervisor who worked at Disneyland for 38 years, starting in 1955. DHI also discovered that the window origianlly honored Bob Mattey.
Robert A. Mattey, was a Special Effects Director who may have doubled as Disneyland's original taxidermist. Mattey created creature effects for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) and Jaws (1975). Bob Mattey's taxidermy title may refer to the creatures and lifelike figures he might have created for the Jungle Cruise and the Disneyland Railroad's Grand Canyon Diorama.
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Dick Nunis
Location: Disney Showcase, Town Square - Main Street USA, Disneyland
Advised by USC classmate Ron Miller, Walt Disney's son-in-law, Dick Nunis applied for a summer job at Disneyland. Hired in 1955 by Van France, Nunis' first job was working with France, training Disneyland Park employees. Nunis was soon promoted to Attractions Supervisor and was responsible for developing the standard operating procedures for Disneyland's attractions. In 1961, Nunis became Director of Park Operations for the secret Walt Disney World project in Orlando, Florida. Nunis also served as Chairman of the Park Operations Committee from 1967-74. In 1968, Nunis was named Vice President of Operations and was promoted again in 1971, becoming Executive Vice President of Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Serving on the Walt Disney Productions Board of Directors, Nunis was also named President of Disney's Outdoor Recreation Division - which included Walt Disney World & EPCOT Center.
After 44 years in the Walt Disney Company, Chairman of Walt Disney Attractions, Dick Nunis retired on May 26, 1999.
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Fess Parker
Location: Pioneer Mercantile, Frontierland, Disneyland
Hired in 1954 by the Walt Disney Company, actor Fess Parker starred as the legendary Davy Crockett. Due to the popularity of the show, both The Ballad of Davy Crockett & the signature coonskin cap, became a pop culture phenomena. Parker sang The Ballad of Davy Crockett (his version was one of four recorded) and his was one of three would reach the Billboard Top Ten simultaneously (1955).
By the end of 1955, it was estimated that Fess Parker helped the Walt Disney Company sell approximately $300 million dollars worth of Davy Crockett merchandise. Under company contract, Parker would go on to star in other films for the Walt Disney Company, including The Great Locomotive Chase and the Disney classic, Old Yeller.
Fess Elisha Parker II died on March 18, 2010 in Santa Ynez Valley, California. The 85 year-old was also a successful developer and entrepreneur, operating the Fess Parker Family Winery & Vineyards in Los Olivos, California.
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George Patrick
Location: Disney Gallery, Town Square - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
George L. Patrick was an Art Director in Hollywood. Patrick had worked on numerous films, including The Love Nest (1951) and Monkey Business (1952), both of which happened to feature Marilyn Monroe.
Patrick was recruited during Disneyland's construction. He was assigned the Art Director for Frontierland, and was responsible for creating the area's overall theme.
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C.V. Patterson, M.D.
Location: Fortuosity Shop, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
When Disneyland opened in 1955, the Upjohn Company sponsored a turn of the century style pharmacy on Main Street (where the Fortuosity Shop is currently located). Honored in this Disneyland Window, C.V. Patterson wasn't actually a Medical Doctor. In reality, Patterson was an Executive Director and Board Member for the Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
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Bob Penfield
Location: Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
When he retired on August 1, 1997, Bob Penfield was the last cast member who had been employed since Disneyland's opening day. Penfield's window refers to the annual Club 55 golf tournament that he helped organize in 1990. He also changed the Club 55 logo, from one that was similar to the Club 33 logo (with a 55), to a more original design that featured a silhouette of the castle.
Note: Club 55 is an exclusive club made up of Disneyland Resort Cast Members who had worked there before or since Disneyland's opening year, 1955.
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Cicely Rigdon
Location: China Closet, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
In 1957, Cicely Rigdon started at Disneyland as a ticket seller. She had tried applying to Disneyland four times and was finally hired on her fifth. Her persistence paid off, because in two short years, Rigdon joined the Tour Guide Department. After developing the roles for Disneyland Tour Guides and initiating that department's growth, Rigdon was soon promoted to Guest Relations Supervisor. She was responsible for Guest Relations, the ticket sellers, ticket receptionists and Walt Disney's Firehouse Apartment. Rigdon also trained all of the ticket takers and receptionists for the opening of Walt Disney World.
In 1982, Rigdon developed and managed the Disneyland Ambassador Program, which sent specially selected ambassadors around the world - as representatives of Disneyland Resort. She managed the Ambassador Program until her retirement in 1994.
Cicely Rigdon was inducted as a Disney Legend in 2005.
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Wathel Rogers
Location: New Century Jewelry, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
In 1937, Wathel Rogers' unique sculpting skills brought him to Los Angeles' Chouinard Art Institute. By 1939, Rogers began working at Walt Disney Studios as an animator. Walt soon discovered Wathel's talent as a sculptor, so Rogers also began sculpting props and miniatures for Disney Studios. In 1951, Wathel Rogers & Roger Broggie were assigned to Project Little Man. Rogers & Broggie led the team that created a 9 inch miniature mechanical vaudevillian performer - the first primitive Audio-Animatronic figure. The Little Man's movements were patterned after actor Buddy Ebsen, who performed song and dance routines in front of movie cameras - so his movements could be mimicked by the project team.
In 1954, Disney recruited Rogers to create models for the Disneyland project. Rogers, along with Fred Joerger and Harriet Burns, were known as the WED Model Shop - modeling and sculpting the designs for Imagineering and various Disney productions.
Disney Imagineers continued to develop Audio-Animatronics into 1960s. A robotic Abraham Lincoln was created for the 1964-65 New York World's Fair (and later Disneyland). To program Lincoln's life-like movements, Rogers donned a mechanical suit that read his own movement - converting the actions into programmable signals. The suit and programming style became the precursor to Motion Capture technology.
In 1987, Wathel Rogers retired from the Walt Disney Company. After 48 years with Disney, Rogers was named a Disney Legend in 1995. Imagineer Wathel Rogers died in his Arizona home on August 25, 2000 at the age of 80.
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Jack Rorex
Location: Market House, Center Street - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
A list of names are inscribed on the window dedicated to the Buena Vista Construction Company. Jack Rorex was head of construction for Walt Disney Studios & Buena Vista Studios. In addition to his work with Disneyland, Rorex supervised the construction of sets and stages for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
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L. H. Roth
Location: Market House, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
L. H. Roth was an assistant to Admiral Joe Fowler. Fowler was Disneyland's Construction Supervisor, coordinating all of the construction companies and commercial contractors hired to build Disney's Theme Park. Roth was Admiral Fowler's assistant, helping coordinate labor, overseeing the construction of several Disneyland buildings and attractions and keeping the strict timetable to finish by July 17, 1955. L. H. Roth's window is inscribed - Surveying & Engineering, talents vital to Disneyland's construction and Fowler's Rivers of America project.
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Wade B. Rubottom
Location: Disney Gallery, Town Square - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Wade B. Rubottom was an Art Director in Hollywood, who had worked on numerous films, including the Wizard of Oz (1939), The Philadelphia Story (1940) and The Shop Around the Corner (1940), which inspired You've Got Mail (1998).
In 1954 he was recruited by WED Enterprises during Disneyland's construction. Rubottom served as the Art Director for Main Street USA, enhancing the area's small town theme and overall look.
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Herb Ryman
Location: Main Street Photo Supply Co., Main Street USA, Disneyland
Herbert D. Ryman - In 1953, Walt Disney asked Herb Ryman, a Disney Studios art director, to sketch an idea for an amusement park. Ryman's sketches served as some of the blueprints for Disneyland. His talents helped create numerous Disney favorites. As a studio art director he had a hand in creating full-length Disney features, including Fantasia & Dumbo. As an Imagineer, he helped conceive designs for Main Street USA, Sleeping Beauty's Castle & New Orleans Square.
Recognized as one of the first Imagineers (WED Enterprises), Ryman served as a teacher & mentor to younger Disney artists. While sketching concepts for Disneyland Paris, Disney Legend - Herb Ryman passed away on February 10, 1989.
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Gabriel Scognamillo
Location: Disney Gallery, Town Square - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Gabriel Scognamillo was a Hollywood Art Director when he was recruited during Disneyland's construction. He had been nominated for an Oscar for his work on The Story of Three Loves (1953). He also served as Art Director on the children's Science Fiction film, Tobor the Great (1954). Having worked with robots and futuristic themes, Scognamillo was assigned the Art Director for Tomorrowland.
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Richard & Robert Sherman
Location: 20th Century Music Company, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
The Sherman Brothers have created some memorable tunes for the Walt Disney Company. The Academy & Grammy Award winning writers have written the songs It's a Small World After All, Let's Get Together (Parent Trap), and created the musical scores for Mary Poppins, The Aristocats, Bedknobs & Broomsticks and The Jungle Book.
The Robert & Richard Sherman won two Academy Awards in 1965 for Chim Chim Cher-ee (Mary Poppins) and Best Musical Score (Mary Poppins). They also won the 1965 Grammy Award for Best Original Score for a Motion Picture (Mary Poppins).
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Richard & Robert Sherman
Location: 20th Century Music Company, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Disney Legends Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman are responsible for some of the Disney Company's most iconic tunes.
In 1963, Walt Disney asked the Sherman Brothers to write a song for a Disney attraction called Children of the World, to be installed at the 1964 New York World's Fair. The Sherman Brothers wrote what is possibly their most famous song, It's a Small World (After All). Richard & Robert would continue working with Disney, winning two Academy Awards for their work on Mary Poppins (1965).
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Cash Shockey
Location: Market House, Center Street - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
A list of names are inscribed on the window dedicated to the Buena Vista Construction Company. Cash Shockey was a set painter who's expertise was called upon during Disneyland's construction. Shockey was also the head of the Paint Department for Walt Disney Studios & Buena Vista Studios.
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Martin A. Sklar
Location: City Hall, Town Square - Main Street USA, Disneyland.
Marty Sklar was the Editor of UCLA's Daily Bruin, when in July 1955, he was recruited to work on the Disneyland News. The 1890's themed newspaper, was sold on Main Street during Disneyland's first year. After graduating, Sklar returned to Disneyland's Publicity and Marketing department.
In 1961, Sklar joined Walt Disney Imagineering and was assigned to work on the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. Sklar was a relations representative, working with industry sponsors like General Electric, Ford Motors, Pepsi-Cola & UNICEF.
Marty was promoted to Vice President of Concepts & Planning for Imagineering in 1974. In 1979, he was promoted again, to Vice President of Creative Development. Sklar was named Executive Vice President in 1982, then served as President and Vice Chairman for Imagineering beginning in 1987. In 1996, Sklar was named Vice Chairman and Principal Creative Executive for Walt Disney Imagineering.
In 2001, Sklar was honored as a Disney Legend. After heading Imagineering for ten years, Sklar became International Ambassador for Walt Disney Imagineering in 2006. Disney Legend and Imagineering Ambassador, Martin A. Sklar, retired from the Walt Disney Company after 53 years, on June 17, 2009.
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E.G. Upjohn
Location: Fortuosity Shop, Main Street USA, Disneyland.
When Disneyland opened in 1955, the Upjohn Company sponsored a turn of the century style pharmacy on Main Street (where the Fortuosity Shop is currently located). The second story windows still honor the Upjohn Company executives who opened that original Disneyland shop.
Ernest Gifford Upjohn was a grandson of one of the Upjohn Company's three founders and grandnephew of W.E. Upjohn who made the company a pharmaceutical giant. E.G. Upjohn joined the Upjohn Company in 1930. He became a Vice President in 1943, Medical Director in 1951, He was named President in 1953 and in 1962, was named the Upjohn Company's Chairman.