Paperback version of “Designing Disney” is both affordable & essential

Jim Hill

16 years ago

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.

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?