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You’re going to read a lot of stories this morning about how Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” had a bad opening weekend. How – because this new Robert Zemeckis movie didn’t make $35 - $40 million during its first three days in domestic release – this rather expensive ImageMovers Digital production is now...

It wasn’t exactly the news that animation fans were expecting. That Walt Disney Animation Studios would be following up “ The Princess and the Frog ” (i.e. The Company’s much anticipated return to hand-drawn animation) with a feature-length Winnie the Pooh project . Ah, but there was method to the Mouse...

No one mourns the Wicked. No one cries “They won’t return!” No one lays a lily on their grave Ah, but as “Wicked” (i.e. Gregory Maguire ’s best-selling book as well as the long-running stage musical ) proves, it is actually possible to feel sadness & sympathy for a character that’s been labeled Wicked...

We're still six weeks out from the release of the diamond edition of " Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs ." But some of the merchandise that's supposed to piggyback on the hi-def Blu-ray version of this Disney Classic is already starting to show up in stores. With Cynthia Rylant & Gustaf Tenggren ...

September is shaping up to be quite a month for Disney history buffs. First the D23 EXPO will give film fans the chance to check out two recent documentaries that relate to the Studio’s past: “ the boys: the sherman brothers’ story ” will be screened on Thursday, September 10 th at that event. Richard...

He’s ba-a-ack. After taking a six month sabbatical from the Mouse House, master animator Glen Keane is back. Keane – who stepped down from his directorial position on “ Rapunzel ” last October due to health-related reasons – is now back supervising animation on that project. Master animator Glen Keane...

Is it just me? Or does it seem like – every other week – someone new is inventing yet another reason to go after “ The Princess and the Frog ”? Almost from the moment that this Walt Disney Animation Studios’ production was officially announced back in March of 2007, there have been individuals &...

Okay. Quick show of hands. How many of you remember the story that JHM posted back on June 24 th , where this site revealed that The Walt Disney Company had purchased the following domain names: BEVERLYHILLSCHIHUAHUATWO.COM CHIHUAHUA2.COM The reason I bring this up now is – earlier this week – the California...

In response to last week's review of Jeff Kurtti 's newest book , " Walt Disney's Imagineering Legends and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park ," I got the following e-mail: Not everyone who reads JimHillMedia is interested in the Disney theme parks. Some of us come to your site because we want to learn...

Twilight is traditionally a time of shadows. But from what I hear, no one at Walt Disney Pictures dreamed that " Bolt " would be so totally overshadowed by “ Twilight ” at the box office this past weekend . As recently as 10 days ago, Mouse House marketing types were quietly putting out the word that...

Anne L. writes in to ask: "This past week, I couldn't help but notice that -- out of all the major Disneyana sites on the Web -- JHM is the only one that hasn't mentioned DCA 's Blue Sky Cellar yet. Why is that?" To be honest, Anne, you kind of answered your own question. Given that everyone else out...

By now, I'm sure that you're heard that Glen Keane is no longer the co-director of "Rapunzel." That he and Dean Wellins will be turning the reins over to Byron Howard & Nathan Greno , who were the co-director and head of story on " Bolt " respectively. To be honest, this change couldn't have come...

As I watched last night's debate, I was reminded of that old joke : "People who like sausage and appreciate politics shouldn't watch either one being made." Mind you, those of us who have been following " Bolt " 's production have sometimes wondered if -- just like with politics & sausage -- it might...

Well, it's September now and the kids are headed back to class. Which means that it's time to start stocking up on those essential school supplies: Pencils. Erasers. Lined paper. Copyright 2008 Silman-James Press. All Rights Reserved And if you've got a son or daughter who's heading off to Cal Arts ...

A week from today, the madness begins. Okay. I know. Comic-Con 2008 does have a preview night on Wednesday, which allows pre-registered 4-day members as well as industry professionals to enter the San Diego Convention Center early. Which then gives these folks first crack at acquiring cool crud like...

Who is Hans Bacher ? Trust me, folks. If you're a Disneyana fan, you know this man's work. If you were creeped out by the look of the Beast's lair in " Beauty & the Beast " ... Copyright 2007 Disney Enterprises. All Rights Reserved ... or ever marveled at the clean, crisp design of the logo for the...

You have to admit that it's a pretty amazing time to be an animation fan. By that I mean: The best reviewed film of 2007 was " Ratatouille ." With " Enchanted " and "How to Hook Up Your Home Theater," we're getting our very first glimpses of the revival of hand-drawn animation at Walt Disney Animation...

How many of you know the story of the blind men and the elephant ? I bring up this ancient Indian fable because ... Well ... I have to admit that I was highly amused by what happened last Wednesday. When the on-line animation community went completely bananas over those "Bolt" pre-release images . Copyright...

It's going to seem like "Old Home Week" at Hollywood's Egyptian Theater tonight. What with acclaimed filmmaker Leslie Iwerks sharing the stage with industry legend Roy E. Disney during the Q & A portion of tonight's screening of " The Pixar Story " at the American Cinematheque . You see, if it hadn...

Have you ever heard the old saying that "Life imitates art" ? Well, this past Wednesday night, master animator Glen Keane actually got to live that axiom. When -- after attending a performance of Disney Theatrical 's new musical, " The Little Mermaid " -- Glen got to go backstage at the Lunt-Fontanne...