As an aging baby boomer,
I have to admit that I sometimes miss the way that Walt Disney Studios used to
handle its animated classics. When – just like clockwork — these much beloved
movies would be re-released to theaters once every seven years.
Which is why I have to admit I was a little envious of all you West Coast Disneyana fans when I
learned that – this past Friday – “Pinocchio” began a three week stand at the
El Capitan Theatre. What I wouldn’t give to be able to see this Academy
Award-winner back up on the big screen again.
Don’t get me wrong. When
the 2-disc Platinum Edition of 2-disc Platinum Edition of “Pinocchio” becomes available for purchase on
March 10th, I’ll definitely be picking up a copy. But watching a
newly restored version of this Disney classic on my home entertainment system just
won’t be the same as seeing this animated feature in a theater. Where Monstro gets
the chance to actually be whale-sized.
Can you tell that I have
a soft spot when it comes to “Pinocchio” ? Well, some of that comes from a
conversation that I was lucky enough to have with Roy E. Disney back in 1989.
I got the chance to chat
to Walt’s nephew at the opening of Disney-MGM Studios theme park. And at that
time, as we stood together talking in the animation courtyard, Roy was kind
enough to recount that oft-told tale of how once – when he was home sick with
chicken pox — his uncle came by to visit him. And as Walt sat on the edge of
Roy’s bed, he then told his nephew the story of Pinocchio.
Now what young Roy didn’t
realize was that – as Walt was telling him this bedtime story – he was actually
using his nephew as sort of a test audience. Seeing what parts of the still-in-development
Pinocchio the sick youngster would really respond to.
As Roy recounted in
later interviews:
“(Walt) scared me to
death with the stuff about the whale and everything else. I remember it very,
very sharply and very clearly even today. He was that good a storyteller. But
when the movie came out, it was a big letdown for me. It was nowhere near as
good as Walt’s version.”
Even though the finished
film may not have measured up to Walt’s one-man-show version, you could still
tell that “Pinocchio” occupied a special place in Roy’s heart. Which is why he
seemed so intrigued when I told him about the “Pinocchio” –related items that I
had in my collection. Everything from original drawings that had been used in
the production of this film …
… to banners that had
been used to promote the original release of “Pinocchio” back in 1940.
There are so many great
stories related to this particular Disney animated feature. Like how Walt tossed
out five months worth of work (2,300
feet of animation) just because he didn’t think that the Studio’s artists had
captured “ … the feeling (Disney) had in mind” for “Pinocchio.” Or better yet,
that publicity stunt that went awry during the film’s world premiere engagement
at NYC’s Center Theatre back in February of 1940.
What happened there?
Well, the basic idea here was that the Studio would hire little people to dress
as Pinocchio. Who would then perform on the Center Theatre’s marquee and
entertain the crowds below on 6th Avenue as they waited to get in and
see “Pinocchio.”
The only problem was …
Well, it’s really cold in New York City during February. Really, really cold. So
— in order to help keep these diminutive performers warm — someone got the
bright idea of sending a couple of bottles of rum up to the marquee.
Long story short … The little
people allegedly got hammered. Still dressed as Pinocchio, they supposedly
began heckling the crowds down below on 6th Avenue. And when someone
in theater management said that they shouldn’t talk to the paying customers while dressed as Disney’s Little Wooden Boy, some of these performers
reportedly responded by taking all of their clothes off. Which was when the
Police got involved.
To be honest, I don’t
know how much of this story is true and how much is urban legend. At least one
version that I’ve heard over the years has the New York Policemen first catching
these little drunks and then stuffing them into pillow cases. So that these
inebriated little people would be that much easier to haul off of the marquee
of the Center Theatre.
I know, I know. That
sounds like a really unlikely story. But a couple of Disney Legends that I’ve spoken
with over the past 30 years have sworn to me that it’s true.
And speaking of NYC,
Disney and cartoons … If you’re a Disneyana fan who loves comics and/ or
animation, you should definitely plan on dropping by the Jacob Javits Center
February 6 – 8th. Otherwise you might miss out on the 3rd annual New
York Comic Con.
And why wouldn’t you
want to miss out on this year’s New Comic Con? Well, for starters, there’s that
panel that Walt Disney Studios will holding on Friday at 2:30 p.m. in the IGN
Theater. Where they’ll be talking up some of their 2009 releases including
Pixar’s latest, “Up.”
Copyright 2009 Disney / Pixar. All Rights Reserved
Or – better yet – that “Disney
Comics and Beyond” panel. Which be held Friday at 4:30 p.m. in Room 1A14. Where Mouse House artists will be previewing some of the comics & graphic novels that
the Company currently has in the works.
Of course, if you happen
to make it out onto the main exhibit floor at the Javits, you should definitely drop
by Booth 1721. Which is where Disney Publishing Worldwide will be set up. Or Booth
1146, where Square Enix (i.e. the folks behind “Kingdom Hearts”) will be
holding court. Or Booth 2707, which is where you’ll find me.
Mind you, if you can’t
actually make it to the Jacob Javits Center … Well, just drop me a line at Gregwhitecomics.com
and I’ll see if there isn’t something in my online shop (which features a large
selection of pop culture related items) that can take the sting out of missing
this year’s New York Comic Con.
In the meantime, if you
live in the LA area, don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to see “Pinocchio”
back up on the big screen. The El Cap’s limited engagement of this Disney
classic ends on Thursday, February 12th.