1956:
The Disneyland television series
"A Day in the Life of Donald Duck," featuring Walt Disney, the Mouseketeers
and Clarence Nash (the voice of Donald).
Better Homes & Gardens runs an article about the new Disneyland park
titled "Land That Does Away With Time."
At Disneyland the Mule Pack Ride and Stage Coach in Frontierland (both opening day attractions) close.
 | ||||
2005:
"This actress who is the voice of Kim Possible ... played Belle in Beauty and the Beast" is the answer given on today's airing of the TV game show Jeopardy.
A contestant correctly answers "Who is Christy Carlson Romano?"
The direct-to-video animated film Mulan II premieres. Preparing for their wedding, Shang
and Mulan are suddenly sent off on a secret mission.
1925:
Disney's Alice Comedy Alice Gets Stung is released. The last time actress
Virginia Davis will portray Alice, Julius goes rabbit hunting while Alice goes bear hunting.
1926:
The Alice Comedy Alice's Little Parade, starring Margie Gay, is released.
Julius the cat leads an all-out war against the mice - only to wind up defeating the rodents single handedly.
1954:
Actor/musician Bill Mumy is born Charles William Mumy, Jr. in San Gabriel, California.
He appeared in 1964 episodes of the Disneyland TV series playing the role of Freddy Gray in "For the Love of
Willadean: A Taste of Melon" and "For the Love of Willadean: Treasure in the Haunted House."
Mumy's feature film credits include the 1962 Sammy The Way Out Seal (as Petey Loomis) and the
1969 Rascal (portraying Sterling North). As an adult, he wrote music for Disney's Adventures in Wonderland
and even did voice-over work for the animated Buzz Lightyear: Star Command. Between 1961-1963
Mummy appeared on 3 different episodes of The Twilight Zone; most notably playing the role of Anthony Fremont
in "It's A Good Life." (TV fans know him best for his role as young Will Robinson on the classic 1960s series
Lost in Space, which co-starred Guy Williams - previously known as Disney's Zorro.)
1966:
Hollywood fixture & gossip columnist Hedda Hopper passes away. In 1938 Hopper began
writing a newspaper column, "Hedda Hopper's Hollywood," for the Los Angeles Times. A year later she spun the
column off into a 15-minute radio program. A Disney fan, she had a framed vintage Mickey Mouse print that was signed
"To Hedda From Walt," hanging in her office. In 1952 Walt actually wrote Hedda a humorous letter inviting
her to stop by for a ride on his Carolwood Pacific Railroad! Walt even appeared on her January 1960 TV special,
Hedda Hopper's Hollywood. (One of the many Hollywood characters who stroll about the Disney-MGM
Studios/Disney's Hollywood Studios interacting with guests, is very reminiscent of Miss Hopper!)
1967:
Teenage/adult romantic comedy author Meg Cabot is born Meggin Cabot in Bloomington,
Indiana. Her "Princess Diaries" series of novels were the inspiration for two Disney feature films; The Princess Diaries
and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. The 2010 Disney Channel Original Movie Avalon High is loosely based on Cabot's 2005 book of the same name. She also wrote the original script for Disney's 2005 film Ice Princess. (Best known as an author of paranormal fiction, Cabot has written and published over fifty books. Her work has been the recipients of many awards and she has had numerous number one New York Times bestsellers.)
1984:
Actor Lee Thompson Young, star of Disney Channel's The Famous Jett Jackson
(a series which ran between 1998-2001), is born in Columbia, South Carolina.
In 1999, Lee starred in Johnny Tsunami, a Disney Channel Original Movie, as Sam Sterling.
1987:
Television's The Wonderful World of Disney airs the
episode "You Ruined My Life."
1989:
to help cope with the heavy load of movies that Touchstone Pictures
is dealing with. Arachnophobia will be Hollywood Pictures' first release - in 1990. Although then-Disney chief Michael Eisner at first intended Hollywood Pictures to be a full-fledged studio, like Touchstone, its operations were
later scaled back and its management merged with the flagship Walt Disney Pictures studio. Its most profitable film
to date is The Sixth Sense, which grossed over $200 million at the North American box office.
1991:
Drummer, sound effects genius, and the second voice of Mickey Mouse, James
MacDonald passes away at age 84 in Glendale, California. Born in the UK in 1906, he was the original head of Disney's sound effects department and began voicing Mickey in 1947. For over 50 years MacDonald created sound effects that have become an integral part of Disney films and theme parks. His long list of sound effects credits include such classics as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Dumbo, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, and The Black Hole. Recently, he had been scheduled to contribute sounds to the Splash Mountain attraction at Disney parks in Tokyo and Florida.
Disney's Hollywood Pictures releases the thriller Run starring Patrick Dempsey and
Kelly Preston. It is Hollywood Pictures' third feature.
1996:
A 2-day Dapper Dans reunion begins at Disneyland.
1998:
The "25" is removed from Epcot's IllumiNations 25 (as Disney World's 25th anniversary celebration has ended) the same day IllUminations 98 debuts.
1999:
A month-long salute to African-Americans in history begins in Disney World. History, culture, music and dance take center stage at the 4 theme parks and the Downtown Disney entertainment complex.
2001:
It is reported that Disney executives are giving serious thought to letting LEGO (the Danish toy manufacturer) build its next stateside park on Disney World soil. (LEGOLAND California, the first park created in the U.S. by LEGO, includes rides, hands-on building challenges, interactive attractions, wild coasters, and shopping opportunities.)
2003:
The 30th Annual Annie Awards take place at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California. Animator Doug Sweetland picks up an Annie for his work in Disney's Monsters, Inc. Daveigh Chase
wins an award for the voice of Lilo in Disney's Lilo & Stich. Veteran voice actor Corey Burton wins for the voice of
Ludwig Von Drake in Disney's House of Mouse. The Windsor McCay award (given to individuals for a lifetime of achievement in animation) is presented to Gene Hazelton, Floyd Norman and the Sherman brothers.
Disney World's Diamond Horseshoe Revue closes their saloon doors for
good with a final performance. As one of the Magic Kingdom's original shows from 1971, the 1-hour
Western saloon revue was performed up to 10 times a day! The Diamond Horseshoe Revue featured cancan
dancers, singers, a live band, and even comedian Wally Boag (who relocated from Disneyland to the Magic
Kingdom for the first three years). It will be replaced with Goofy's Country Dancin' Jamboree and by 2009 be
turned into a sandwich shop (with no entertainment).
2004:
Immediately following the New England Patriots' 32-29 Super Bowl
win over the Carolina Panthers, quarterback Tom Brady is captured on video
exclaiming: "I'm going to Disney World!" (The 34th episode of the long-running TV ad will
air all over the country the following morning.)
1908:
Baggy-trousered, banjo-strumming comedian Gene Sheldon
(a specialist in pantomime acting) is born Eugene Hume in
Columbus, Ohio. He was cast by Disney as the mute sidekick/servant Bernardo
(pictured right) on the 1957 hit television series Zorro. This led to roles in such Disney
features as Toby Tyler, or Ten Weeks With the Circus (in which he played Sam Treat, a
clown and animal trainer) and Babes in Toyland (as silent Roderigo).
FEB
1957:
The article "Clean Sweep For Disneyland" appears in the publication American
City. The article tells of the 64-member crew whose 24-hour job is to keep Disneyland clean.
Disney Legend James MacDonald
(the 2nd voiceof Mickey Mouse) is
the silhouetted tympani player in
the Disney film Fantasia. Originally
a drummer, he was the creator of
hundreds of one-of-a-kind gadgets
and props used to make sound fx.
FEBRUARY 1
2008:
Directors at the Walt Disney Company sign the chief executive, Robert A. Iger,
to a new five-year contract. The agreement, which extends through Jan. 31, 2013, shows their
confidence in Iger's ability to navigate a turbulent economy and sweeping changes in the media business.
Disney Channel premieres the 3rd Phineas and Ferb episode "Flop Starz."
The animated series (which had two sneak previews in 2007) centers on Phineas Flynn and his English
stepbrother Ferb Fletche who each day embark on a grand project, much to the annoyance of their
controlling sister, Candace. The voice cast includes Vincent Martella (as Phineas), Thomas Brodie-Sangster
(as Ferb) and Ashley Tisdale (as Candace).
Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert, a concert film produced and released by Walt Disney Pictures, is released in the United States
and Canada for one week. The film documents a 2007 tour by Miley Cyrus, star of the tween sitcom Hannah Montana. It will premiere on Disney Channel later in the year.
1942:
Writer, actor, director and comedian Terry Jones is born in Colwyn Bay, Wales, UK.
A member of Monty Python's Flying Circus, Jones portrayed Mr. Toad in the 1996 live-action The Wind in the Willows
(later titled Mr. Toad's Wild Ride).
| ||||
30th Annual
Annie
Awards
take place
FEBRUARY 01
THIS
SITE MADE
IN THE USA
2009:
Santonio Holmes and Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers film their "I’m
going to Disney World" commercial on the field following Pittsburgh’s 27-23 victory
over the Arizona Cardinals at Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida.
(This latest commercial is the milestone 40th of a series that began in 1987 following Super Bowl XXI.)
Rocker Bruce Springsteen even gets in on the act when he shouts "I'm Going to Disneyland!" following his
halftime performance!
| ||||
| ||||
SEASON 2 EPISODE 18
"In Hollywood gratitude is Public Enemy Number One." -Hedda Hopper (1885-1966)
Today is Freedom Day
Honoring the signing by Abraham Lincoln of a joint House and Senate resolution that later became the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. President Lincoln signed the Amendment outlawing slavery on February 1, 1865, although it was not ratified by the states until later.
1973:
Disney's live-action comedy film The World's Greatest Athlete, starring Tim
Conway, Jan-Michael Vincent, and John Amos, is released in theaters. A down on his
luck coach travels to Africa where he spots the world's greatest athlete and brings him back to the U.S. to
compete. Much of the film was shot on the campus of the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.
It will be the 10th-top grossing film released in 1973, just ahead of American Graffiti.
1977:
Boxing and baseball are today's special feature on episode 12 of The New Mickey Mouse Club. The Mouseketeers visit Johnny Flores' training camp for Golden Glove boxing and then travel to
a Little League baseball game to watch Katie Thorpe (one of the first girls to break into the all-boy sport) play ball.
2011:
Walt Disney’s 1951 classic Alice in Wonderland is released to hi-def Blu-ray
as a new 2-disc 60th Anniversary Edition.
The Visual Effects Society announces the winners of the 9th Annual VES
Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
Outstanding Achievement in an Animated Short is given to Pixar's Day & Night.
The spring issue of Disney twenty-three magazine hits stands.
The cover story gives readers a stem-to-stern tour of Disney Cruise Line’s
newest ship, Disney Dream, a mighty 4,000 passenger vessel equipped with
cutting-edge technology.
Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 is released direct-to-DVD.
In Memory of Jimmy MacDonald
(1906-1991)
FEBRUARY IS RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERS MONTH
FEB
1994:
The U.S. Department of Defense leases the Disney Inn hotel at Walt Disney World and renames it Shades of Green. WDW will sell the property outright to the U.S. Military in 2004.
Select Disney voice credits:
Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers (1989) - Humphrey the Bear
The Rescuers (1977) - Evinrude
Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree (1966) - The Bees
The Sword in the Stone - Wolf
In the Bag (1956) - Humphrey the Bear
Up a Tree (1955) - Chip
Social Lion - Lion
The Simple Things (1953) - Mickey Mouse
2013:
After more than 30 years of service, Tony Baxter steps down from his role of Senior
Vice President, Creative Development at Walt Disney Imagineering. He will stay on board
as an advisor to Imagineers. Baxter made his name at Walt Disney Imagineering starting in the 1970s
when it was still known as WED Enterprises.
"Today, while there is a new set of 'futures' to explore, the time has come for me to evolve my role at Walt Disney Imagineering.
Beginning this February, I will be transitioning to a position as a part time advisor. While I will not be here on a regular basis, I will
continue to be available to any and all of you as needs arise. Though my time will be limited, my passion for the magic WDI creates will
be just as strong." -Baxter's open letter to fellow Imagineers
February 01
1947:
Imagineer Tony Wayne Baxter is born in Los Angeles, California.
First hired at the Disneyland Resort in 1965 as an Ice Cream Scooper on Main Street U.S.A.
at the age of 17, Baxter went on to become Senior Vice President of Creative Development
at Walt Disney Imagineering. His Disney park credits during his 47-year career include Big
Thunder Mountain Railroad, the original Journey Into Imagination Pavilion, Star Tours and
the re-design of Star Tours, and Splash Mountain.
"I used to open the Carnation shop at six in the morning, and I’d see a delivery truck out front, bringing the milk and ice cream. And you
won’t believe this, but it’s true. A number of times, Walt himself drove the milk truck! Can you imagine? The man who built the park was
also delivering the milk and ice cream! He wanted to enjoy every aspect of this park he had created. He had a gift for keeping in touch with everyday people, because he learned from them, and he used what he learned to improve the park." -Tony Baxter
2014:
Disney's Frozen is the evening's big winner at this year's Annie Awards.
The 3D fantasy musical snags 5 Annies:
Best Animated Feature
Best Directing for Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee
Best Music in an Animated Feature Production for Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez & Christopher Beck
Best Production Design
Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production for Josh Gad (the voice of Olaf)
Other wins include -
Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production For Preschool Children: "Disney Sofia the First"
Character Animation in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production: "Toy Story OF TERROR!"
Character Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production: "Disney Mickey Mouse"
Editorial in an Animated Feature Production: "Monsters University"
The June Foray Award is presented to legendary Disney costume designer Alice Davis (widow of animator
Marc Davis).
FEBRUARY IS DCA MONTH
2015:
Immediately after their 28-24 Super Bowl victory over the Seattle Seahawks in
Phoenix, wide receiver Julian Edelman and cornerback Malcolm Butler of the
New England Patriots stand on the field amid a sea of confetti and screaming
fans and shout the classic words: "We’re Going to Disneyland!"
1972:
Disney World's first price increase takes effect. General admission for adults is
now $3.75 (from $3.50). A rise in ticket books will follow a few months later (from $4.50 to $4.95).
1968:
Actor, voice actor, comedian, director, writer, and producer Pauly Shore is born in
Hollywood, California. His Disney voice credits include Robert "Bobby" Zimuruski in A Goofy Movie and An Extremely Goofy Movie, and Johnny Blowhole in the animated television comedy Star vs. the Forces of Evil. Shore's Hollywood Pictures credits include Stoney Brown in Encino Man, Crawl in Son in Law, and Private First Class Bones Conway in In the Army Now.
1970:
The Disney television movie Smoke first airs. Ron Howard plays Chris, a teen having difficulty coping with his mother's remarriage. When he finds and nurses back to health a German Shepherd, he keeps the dog a secret for fear that his stepfather will return him to his original owner. The cast includes Earl Holliman, Jacqueline Scott, and Andy Devine.
1928:
The Alice Comedy Alice's Little Parade, starring Margie Gay, is released.
Julius the cat leads an all-out war against the mice - only to wind up defeating the rodents single handedly.
Actor Stuart Whitman, known for his lengthy career in both film and TV, is born in
San Francisco, California. He starred in Disney's 1972 live-action film Run, Cougar, Run.
2000:
Mulan is released on VHS and DVD under the Walt Disney Gold Classic Collection banner. Bonus features include the music videos for "Reflection" by Christina Aguilera
and "True to Your Heart" by 98º & Stevie Wonder.
Nobody's Angel, the eponymous debut studio album by American girl group Nobody's Angel, is released on Disney's Hollywood Records.
1997:
Mad Libs, a children's game show based on the book/word game series, airs on the Disney Channel as a "special pilot." Hosted by David Sidoni, Mad Libs pitts two teams of two kids (one red and the other blue), in a series of physical/mental-related challenges that pertain to the formula of the "Mad Libs" books, while trying to score points and win prizes. Produced by Dick Clark and J. D. Roth, the series will start to run regularly in July 1998.
2021:
"The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure" debuts at The American Adventure inside Epcot. The new exhibit features Joe Gardner, the musician, mentor and teacher from the animated Soul, who shares the rich and surprising history of jazz from several influential cities.
Actor Dustin Diamond, best known for his television role of nerdy Samuel "Screech" Powers on the sitcom Saved By the Bell, passes away at age 44 from lung cancer in Florida. Saved by the Bell started out as Good Morning, Miss Bliss in 1988 on the Disney Channel. After one season, the show moved to NBC where it aired until 1993. Diamond continued to play the role of Screech on two spin-off series: Saved by the Bell: The College Years (1993–1994) and Saved by the Bell: The New Class (1993–2000).
1971:
Actress Hynden Walch is born Heidi Hynden Walch in Davenport, Iowa. Her voice credits include Doc McStuffins, Avengers Assemble, Star vs. the Forces of Evil, Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero, and the revived version of DuckTales.
2020:
Don Muchow of Plano, Texas, sets out for what he calls the first-ever "Mouse2Mouse" challenge. His plan is to run from Disneyland to Disney World, completing the grueling challenge to raise awareness for Type 1 diabetes. The 59-year-old marketing director, ultrarunner, Ironman, and type 1 diabetic begins jogging on this day in Newport Beach, California. (After making multiple stops to stay safe amid the COVID outbreak, Muchow will reach Disney World on April 5, 2021.)
