2005:
Paul Winchell, the voice of Tigger, passes away at age 82
in Moorpark, California. A versatile ventriloquist who became a fixture
in early children's television along with his puppet side-kicks Jerry Mahoney
and Knucklehead Smiff, Winchell first became the lovable Tigger in 1968 for
Disney's Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day. Winchell earned a Grammy
in 1974 for Best Children's Recording with "The Most Wonderful Things About
Tiggers" from the feature Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too. In addition, he was
nominated for an Annie award for the 1998 animated feature-length Pooh's
Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin. A giant in the field of
cartoon voices, Winchell's Disney credits also include Zummi Gummi in
episodes of Adventures of the Gummi Bears, Boomer in the feature The Fox
and the Hound, and Shun Gon in The Aristocats. (Winchell was also the voice of Fleegle for TV's The Banana Splits Adventure Hour.)
The sixth (and final) Star Wars Weekends of the 2005 season takes place at Disney-MGM Studios. Celebrity guests include Jake Lloyd and Warren Fu.
1893:
Roy Oliver Disney is born in Chicago, Illinois. The middle of 5 children, he
along with his younger brother Walt started what is today The Walt Disney Company. Roy
guided the business side of the Disney company leaving his brother, Walt, free to produce and
create. Roy served as president of Walt Disney Productions from 1945 to 1968 and chairman of
the board from 1964 until his death in 1971. A modest man, it was Roy's idea to change the name
of the Florida park from simply Disney World to Walt Disney World (after the death of his brother in
1966). Married to Edna Francis in 1925, Roy was the father of Roy E. Disney.
Today there is a statue of Roy O. Disney seated on a park bench beside Minnie Mouse at the
Town Square section of Main Street, U.S.A., at the Magic Kingdom theme park in Florida, and
outside the Team Disney building at Disney's corporate headquarters in Burbank, California.
1904:
Singer, songwriter, jazz musician, actor and comedian Phil Harris - the voice
behind Disney's Thomas O'Malley in The Aristocats and Baloo the Bear in The Jungle Book - is born in Linton, Indiana. He also voiced the character of Little John for Disney's 1973 Robin Hood
and in 1989 briefly returned to Disney to once again voice Baloo for the series TaleSpin. Harris began his
career in show business as a drummer in San Francisco before becoming the musical director for Jack Benny's
radio show in 1936. Though successful as an orchestra leader, Harris is remembered today for his recordings as a
vocalist, his voice work in animation and as a pioneer in radio situation comedy. Wonga Philip Harris passed at age 91 in California in August 1995.
1913:
Alan Alexander Milne (future creator of Winnie-the-Pooh) marries Daphne de
Selincourt. In 1920, they will have a son and name him Christopher Robin.
1942:
Actress Michele Lee, who played Miss Carole Bennett in Disney's The Love Bug, is
born in Los Angeles, California. A singer, dancer, actress, producer, director and frequent game show
panelist of the 1970s, Lee is perhaps best known for her role as Karen Cooper Fairgate MacKenzie on the 1980s
prime-time soap opera, Knots Landing.
1949:
Disney's Pluto cartoon Bubble Bee, directed by Charles Nichols, is released. The short features the second appearance of a bee who will later be named Spike. After Pluto (voiced by Pinto Colvig) pounces on a “ball” which turns out to be a bubble gum machine, Pluto and the bee fight over the gum balls.
1956:
Walt Disney appears on Ed Sullivan's 8th Anniversary Show. Walt along
with Ronald Reagan, Natalie Wood, Robert Walker, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz sing "Happy
Anniversary" in a tribute to Sullivan.
1959:
Disney's Darby O'Gill and the Little People premieres in Dublin, Ireland. A wily old codger
(played by Albert Sharpe) matches wits with the king of the leprechauns and helps play matchmaker for his
daughter (Janet Munro) and the strapping lad (Sean Connery) who has replaced him as caretaker. The film will be
generally released two days later.
1977:
Disney's Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, starring Dean Jones and Don Knotts, is released. The third in the series of Herbie films, Jones returns to the role as champion race car driver Jim Douglas along with Knotts as his mechanic. Herbie, the "Love Bug," takes part in the (fictional) Trans-France Race, from Paris, France to Monte Carlo, Monaco. The cast features Julie Sommars, Jacques Marin, Roy Kinnear, Bernard Fox, and Eric Braeden.
1994:
Disney's 32nd animated film The Lion King is generally released in U.S. theaters. A Lion cub crown prince is tricked by a treacherous uncle into thinking he caused his father's death and flees into exile in despair, only to learn in adulthood his identity and his responsibilities. With award-winning music by Hans Zimmer, Elton John and Tim Rice, the film features the voices of Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Cummings, and Nathan Lane. Unlike previous Disney animated films, which featured only a select few famous voice actors alongside lesser-known performers, nearly all of the voice acting work for this film is done by well-known actors. (It will rapidly becomes the most successful Disney film ever and one of the top ten highest-grossing movies of all time!)
At Epcot, the Electric Umbrella fast-food facility opens in Communicore East.
1998:
Jacqueline D'Ambrosi, a 9-year-old from Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, becomes
the 600-millionth person to walk through the turnstiles of the Magic Kingdom in
Walt Disney World! With a click of the turnstile at 7:37 a.m., Jacqueline is immediately mobbed by
Mickey Mouse and a cast of other Disney characters. She is awarded lifetime passes to the Florida park,
and to Disney's 3 other theme parks, for her and her family.
2002:
The June 24th issue of TIME includes an article on
Disney's newest animated feature Lilo & Stitch.
2003:
Disney's direct-to-video sequel Air Bud Spikes Back is released.
2006:
The Disneyland Resort hosts a world premiere event for the new feature film Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. The second installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean film series, Dead Man's Chest will be released in the United States on July 7.
Disney Channel first airs "Ill of the Future" the 40th Phil of the
Future episode.
1919:
Actor Al Molinaro, who appeared in Disney's 1976 Freaky Friday, is born in Kenosha,
Wisconsin. TV fans know him best as Police Officer Murray Greshler on The Odd Couple and Al Delveccio
on Happy Days.
2007:
The Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs Foundation host a prerelease
charity screening for Disney/Pixar's new animated film Ratatouille
at the Disney Studio lot in Burbank, California.
Disney Channel debuts the Hanna Montana 2-part episode
"Achy Jakey Heart."
JUNE
"Television and its use of computers can make everything talk, so there's no need for the art of ventriloquism anymore." -Paul Winchell
2008:
The soundtrack for Disney/Pixar's WALL•E is released. The CD features an original score
by Thomas Newman and a new Peter Gabriel single "Down To Earth."
Disney and NASA host a screening of the new movie WALL•E at the Newseum,
a 250000-square-foot museum of news in Washington,D.C.
Disney is awarded multiple times at the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror’s
34th annual Saturn Awards, held at the Universal Hilton Hotel in Universal City, California. Disney's Enchanted takes home three awards for Best Fantasy Film, Best Actress (Amy Adams), and
Best Music (Alan Menken). Other Disney winners include Brad Bird (Ratatouilee) for Best Writing, Ve Neill & Martin
Samuel (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End) for Best Make-Up, and Ratatouilee for Best Animated Film.
ABC's Lost wins for Best Network Television Series, Best Actor on Television (Matthew Fox), and Best Supporting Actor
on Television (Michael Emerson). Best Retro Television Series on DVD goes to Twin Peaks.
1938:
Walt Disney graces the cover of this day's issue of The Family Circle periodical.
The cover's text reads: WALT DISNEY ... gave The Family Circle an exclusive interview, with emphasis on his
animals (which is why we show your friend Donald Duck here too). We believe you will be as much
interested as we were in George Kent's account of his tour of the Disney studio and his visit with Walt.
The inside article is titled Snow White's Daddy.
JUNE 24
JUNE 24
THIS DAY MADE
IN THE
USA
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The Lion King generally released
Ventriloquist Paul Winchell credited Jean Freeman, his British-born wife, for coming up with Tigger's signature phrase "TTFN,"
or "Ta-ta for now."
2009:
The 35th Annual Saturn Awards (presented by the Academy of Science-Fiction,
Fantasy and Horror Films) are handed out in California. Best Animated Film goes
to Disney/Pixar's WALL•E.
Breathing Underwater, the third album and second international studio album by American singer Marié Digby, is released in Japan on Hollywood Records. It will be released on September 15, 2009 in the U.S.
| ||||
"My job is to help Walt do the things he wants to do."
2011:
Cars 2, Pixar's sequel to to the 2006 animated Cars, is generally
released in U.S.theaters. Lightning McQueen, voiced by Owen Wilson, and
tow truck Mater, voiced by Larry the Cable Guy, head to Japan and Europe to compete
in the World Grand Prix ... but Mater becomes sidetracked with international espionage!
Directed by John Lasseter, written by Ben Queen, and produced by Denise Ream, the
voice cast includes Michael Caine as Finn McMissile, Emily Mortimer as Holley Shiftwell,
John Turturro as Francesco Bernoulli, and Tony Shalhoub as Luigi.
Released along with Cars 2 is the Pixar animated short Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian
Vacation. Directed by Gary Rydstrom, it features the voices of Jodi Benson and
Michael Keaton as Barbie and Ken; who plan a romantic get-away to a tropical
paradise.
On this same day, Walt Disney World opens a new meet-and-
greet at Disney’sHollywood Studios featuring Lightning McQueen
and Tow Mater, two of the characters from the Disney-Pixar movies Cars and Cars 2.
Disney Publishing Worldwide announces its new Disney Comics App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch available on the App Store. Disney Comics gives readers instant access to an extensive collections of comics, short stories and graphic novels, ranging from classic adventures starring Mickey Mouse to brand new comics from Toy Story and Cars 2.
2012:
The 1-hour episode, Good Luck Charlie: Special Delivery premieres on
Disney Channel. Some 7.5 million viewers tune in to watch the very first 60 minute episode of season 3.
This Day in Disney History - THE FIRST - THE ORIGINAL
Traveling in time since 1999!
2013:
Disney chief Bob Iger leads a ceremony dedicating the stage at Walt Disney Studios
to Disney Legend Annette Funicello, the Mouseketeer-turned-movie star who died in April at age 70. The stage where "The Mickey Mouse Club" was filmed is now officially the Annette Funicello Stage. (Julie Andrews is the only other entertainer to have a namesake stage at Disney studios.) Annette’s family, friends, and fellow Mouseketeers gather to pay homage to the icon. Among those in attendance are fellow Disney Legend Richard Sherman. Richard and his brother Robert wrote Annette’s first Top 10 hit song, which caught the attention of Walt Disney. After the dedication, film critic and historian Leonard Maltin plays host at a special
presentation entitled "Annette Funicello: A Life Celebration."
June 24
1979:
Actress & writer Mindy Kaling is born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Best known for her role on the TV series The Office, her Disney voice credits include Wreck-It-Ralph as Taffyta Muttonfudge and Inside Out &
Riley's First Date? as Disgust. Kaling also played the role of Mrs. Who in the 2018 live-action A Wrinkle in Time.
2016:
The 100th Disney Channel Original Movie,
Adventures in Babysitting first airs. A comedy
starring Sabrina Carpenter as Jenny and Sofia Carson as
Lola who play two competing babysitters, it is based on the
1987 feature film of the same name. The cast also includes
Nikki Hahn as Emily Cooper, Mallory James Mahoney as
Katy Cooper, Max Gecowets as Trey Anderson, Jet
Jurgensmeyer as Bobby Anderson, Madison Horcher as
AJ Anderson, and Kevin Quinn as Zac Chase. The premiere
attracts 3.45 million viewers.
Bizaardvark, a comedy television series created by Kyle Stegina and Josh Lehrman, premieres on Disney Channel. Best friends Paige and Frankie make video blogs for their popular online comedy channel in hopes of becoming celebrities. The series stars Madison Hu, Olivia Rodrigo, Jake Paul, DeVore Ledridge, Ethan Wacker, Maxwell Simkins, and Elie Samouhi.
2014:
The Legacy Collection: The Lion King is released on Walt Disney Records, in conjunction
with the 20th anniversary of The Lion King. (The Legacy series commemorates distinct anniversaries of
Disney films and the 60th anniversary of Disneyland, containing newly remastered versions of the original and expanded
soundtrack albums.) The first volume in the series (of 14), this two-disc soundtrack features music from the animated hit
film and approximately thirty minutes of previously unreleased music mixed by Alan Meyerson, as well as liner notes from
Hans Zimmer and producer Don Hahn.
2000:
Actor David Tomlinson passes away at age 83 in London, England. A stage, film and television actor and comedian, Disney fans best remember him for his role of George Banks in the 1964 Mary Poppins. He also portrayed Peter Thorndyke in The Love Bug (1968) and Professor Emilius Browne in Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971). Tomlinson will be posthumously inducted as a Disney Legend in 2002.
1962:
Actress Lucile Watson passes away at age 83 in New York City. She portrayed the grandmother in Disney's 1946 Song of the South.
2018:
Season 2 of Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure (originally known as Tangled: The Series) kicks off on Disney Channel with the episode "Beyond the Corona Walls."
1992:
Actress Raven Goodwin is born in Washington, D.C. She made her television debut with the
main role of Becca on the ABC Family original series Huge. Goodwin then portrayed Ivy Wentz on Disney
Channel series Good Luck Charlie and the television movie Good Luck Charlie: It's Christmas!.
2010:
The 36th Saturn Awards are presented in Burbank, California.
Avatar dominates, winning Best Science Fiction Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director, Best Writing, Best Music, Best Production Design, and Best Special Effects.
ABC's Lost wins Best Network Television Series.
1971:
Actor Christopher Showerman is born in Stockbridge, Michigan. He is best known for his role as George in Disney's live-action George of the Jungle 2 (2003). He also appeared in a 2017 episode of ABC's
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
1991:
Actor, singer & dancer Max Ehrich is born in Marlboro Township, New Jersey. His Disney credits include the 2008 film High School Musical 3: Senior Year, and episodes of Ugly Betty and Shake It Up.
1997:
Actor Brian Keith passes away at age 75 in California. He gained recognition in his six-decade career for his work on stage, screen, and television. His live-action Disney film credits included "The Parent Trap" as Mitch Evers - the father of twin daughters, "Moon Pilot" playing Maj. Gen. John M. Vanneman, "A Tiger Walks" as Sheriff Pete Williams, "Those Calloways" as Cam Calloway, "Ten Who Dared" portraying William 'Bill' Dunn, "Savage Sam" as Ben, and "Scandalous John" as John McCanless. Keith also appeared in episodes of Disney's "Elfego Baca," and "Johnny Shiloh." He will always be remembered as Uncle Bill from the 1960s series "Family Affair," which earned him 3 Emmy Award nominations (and made him a household name), the 1966 comedy feature "The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming," and the 1975 adventure saga "The Wind and the Lion," in which he portrayed President Theodore Roosevelt.
1912:
Animator and sequence director Brad Case is born in Los Angeles, California. Beginning his career as an animator on Bambi, his first screen credit was for the 1944 Donald Duck short The Plastics Inventor. He subsequently worked on additional feature films for Disney such as Pinocchio, Song of the South
and Make Mine Music, but gradually progressed to TV animation for studios such as Hanna-Barbbera, UPA, and Warner Brothers.
1958:
Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr., character actor and occasional professional wrestler, is born in Compton, California. He voiced Mr. Mussels in the television series Fish Hooks and Finnick in the 2016 animated feature Zootopia.
1955:
Actress Besty Randle is born in Chicago, Illinois. Appearing on 7 episodes of the ABC sitcom Home Improvement (1992-1993), she later played Amy Matthews (the mom) on the ABC series Boy Meets World (1993-2000). Randle revived the role for 3 episodes of Disney Channel's Girl Meets World in 2014.
