Sleezy Reeder writes in to say:
"I really enjoy the book reviews that you post on JHM. But because I'm a poor starving art student, I can rarely afford the pricier hardcovers that you talk up at your site. So how's about doing a book review for those of us who are living on a budget? Are there any affordable Disney-related books out there are worth reading?"
You're in luck, Sleezy. Just yesterday, a paperback version of John Hench's "Designing Disney: Imagineering and the Art of the Show" (Disney Editions, September 2003) hit store shelves. And with a suggested retail price of only $19.95 (FYI: Amazon is currently selling "Designing Disney" for just $13.57), now the wit & wisdom of this Disney Legend is within reach of even the most budget-conscious Disneyana fan.
Copyright 2009 Disney. All Rights Reserved
For those of you who don't know, John spent an astounding 65 years working for The Walt Disney Company. He originally came on board at the Mouse House back in 1939, when John was hired to be a sketch artist for the studio's story department. During the 1940s & 1950s, Hench did backgrounds, layout and color worked on such Disney classics as "Fantasia," "Dumbo " and "Peter Pan."
John's design sense was so strong, his use of color was so confident that -- when Walt was getting a team together to help create "The Happiest Place on Earth" -- Disney knew that he had to have Hench on board if Disneyland was going to open on time. Because John had a talent for making seemingly impossible things seem possible. Like getting the original version of Tomorrowland up out of the ground with only six months of construction time.
And whatever oddball assignments Walt threw John's way -- be it a stylized series of athletic statues for the 1960 Winter Olympics ...
... or just finding a way to make the walkaround characters for the theme parks look more on-model ...
... -- Hench attacked every & each project with energy and enthusiasm. Always trying to stand in the Guests' shoes as he strove for clarity, removing contradictions in the Disney theme parks.
And believe you me, John got saddled with some pretty strange assignments over the years. Like that "Adventures into the Micro World" attraction that Walt asked John to design in the late 1950s / early 1960s. Where Disneyland visitors would have ridden aboard a giant germ as they explored the inner workings of a giant microscope.
Or -- better yet -- how about that Mickey Mouse-shaped hotel that Michael Eisner wanted to build back in the 1980s? As lame-brained as this resort concept might seem to be now, Hench still found a way to make the idea work. Make this proposed monorail seem as appealing as possible.
Half the fun of "Designing Disney: Imagineering and the Art of the Show" is checking out drawings like that. Intriguing items like this very early concept painting for the "Magic Skyway" attraction at the 1964 New York World's Fair.
But there's more to this Disney Editions volumes than intriguing concept paintings. Working with his longtime friend & WDI co-worker, Peggy Van Pelt, Hench crafted a book that's loaded with practical information about the themed entertainment business. It uses these terrific behind-the-scenes stories to provide solid examples about how the proper use of color & strong design have made your favorite Disney theme park rides, shows and attractions that much enjoyable. Seem that much more magical.
Sadly, John & Peggy aren't with us anymore (We lost Hench in 2004, Van Pelt in 2007). But their decades of knowledge & experience still live on, thanks to "Designing Disney: Imagineering and the Art of the Show." So if you're really looking for affordable Disney-related books, Sleezy ... The new 152-page softcover is one book that you really can't afford to pass up.
Your thoughts?
You sold me on the book Jim! I am going to get me a copy. Thanks.
Tis a winer. Of course, the real news to discuss is the fact that DIsney has greenlit a film prequel to 20,000 LEAGUES and it fouses on the history of Captain Nemo and the building of the NAUTILUS...