2004:
A blackout forces Tokyo DisneySea (the newer addition to Disney's Japanese theme park) to shut its doors 4 hours early. Seven of the park's 23 attractions come to a gradual halt as the lights slowly dim.
1946:
Linda Hughes, who joined the cast of Mickey Mouse Club for
the 1957-1958 season, is born in San Diego, California.
1961:
The NBC-TV series Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color airs "The Hunting
Instinct." Ludwig Von Drake hosts this episode along with his assistant Herman the Bootle Beetle to help
demonstrate the finer points of hunting.
1963:
Figure skating champion Brian Boitano, who appeared as himself in Disney's
2005 live-action feature Ice Princess, is born Sunnyvale, California.
1979:
At the Magic Kingdom, 8-year-old Kurt Miller from Maryland, Walt
Disney World's 100-millionth guest, passes through the turnstiles!
1991:
Actor Sterling Holloway, the original voice of Winnie the Pooh, and Donald Duck
illustrator/writer Carl Barks are among the 9 honored as Disney Legends. The ceremony
is held at the Disney Legends Promenade (sidewalk area in front of the Disney Studio Theatre).
1996:
The CD A&E: An Evening With Mel Tormé
at the Disney Institute is released.
1997:
The Orlando Sentinel reports that Walt Disney World sources have
revealed plans to close the Fantasyland staple Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in
favor of a trip through the Hundred Acre Woods with Pooh and his friends.
2003:
A 60th anniversary presentation of Disney's 1943 feature Victory Through Air
Power is screened at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences in Beverly
Hills, California.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affair holds a business
meeting at 10:30 am in Room 342 of the Dirksen Senate Office
Building. Among matters discussed:
H.R. 1610, to redesignate the facility of the United States Postal
Service, located at 120 East Ritchie Avenue in Marceline, Missouri,
as the "Walt Disney Post Office Building."
Dick Clark, one of the driving forces behind popular music in America, tours
Disney's Pop Century Resort (which will officially open to guests December 14)
at Walt Disney World. Dave Vermeulen, the hotel's general manager tours Clark through the resort
grounds on a golf cart built to resemble a '57 Chevy.
1942:
Actress/singer and original Mouseketeer Annette Funicello is born in Utica, New York.
She and her family moved to Southern California in 1946. Walt Disney first saw 12-year-old Funicello dancing the lead in Swan Lake at the Starlight Bowl in Burbank, California, and later invited her to audition for his new children's show, Mickey Mouse Club. She was a featured Mouseketeer on the hit series and took part (along with the other original Mouseketeers) in Disneyland's grand opening in 1955. She later starred in several Disney features, including The Shaggy Dog, Babes in Toyland, The Misadventures of Merlin Jones, and The Monkey's Uncle. Her Disney television credits included Zorro, Elfego Baca and The Horsemasters. As an adult, Funicello was one of many celebrities who took part in Walt Disney World's three-day opening festivities in October 1971. In 1977, Funicello guest starred as the Blue Fairy in Disneyland's Main Street Electrical Parade! Named a Disney Legend in 1992, her autobiography A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: My Story was published two years later.
1990:
Buena Vista Records releases the soundtrack to the
Disney classic Fantasia.
2006:
Golfer Joe Durant shoots a bogey-free 7-under 65 in the final round
of the FUNAI Classic at Walt Disney World Resort, finishing 25
under and picking up his first PGA Tour victory since March 2001.
1908:
Imagineer and mechanical engineer Roger E. Broggie is
born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He first joined Disney in 1939 as
a precision machinist where his initial assignments included installing the
famous multiplane camera at the new Burbank studio, and working with Ub
Iwerks on special effects.In 1949, Broggie worked closely with Walt Disney
himself to create model trains for the 1/2 mile-long Carolwood Pacific Railroad
located in the Disney's backyard. (Broggie is credited with supervising the
building of the Lilly Belle, a one-eighth scale miniature working live steam
locomotive named for Walt's wife Lillian.) After the success of the Carolwood
Pacific, Disney again asked Broggie for his help, this time in designing and
building Disneyland. Broggie was one of the first Imagineers at WED (now better known as Walt Disney Imagineering). Broggie was also promoted to head of the Disney Studios Machine Shop and went on to create the special effects for the film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and as well as the attractions for the 1964 New York World's Fair. In 1973, he turned his attention to EPCOT Center until his retirement in the mid-1970s, after dedicating more than 50 years to the Company. Broggie was named a Disney Legend in 1990 (a year before his death). Today engine No. 3 of the Walt Disney World Railroad is named Roger E. Broggie because of his contributions to the Disney park railroads.
1969:
A contract is signed between WED Enterprises and the Florida Citrus
Commission, formalizing the FCC's sponsorship of a future Magic
Kingdom attraction at Disney World. The "tropical bird show" (later named the
Tropical Serenade) will cost $3 million. (In 1970, WED Enterprises will create the Orange Bird character -
"the friendly face of Florida sunshine and fresh squeezed Florida orange juice" - to serve as the FCC's official
mascot in promotional campaigns.)
Actress Angela Lansbury sends a handwritten note to Disney producer/director Bill
Walsh in reference to her earlier visit to the studio to be considered for the lead role
of Miss Price in a new feature film called Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
"I think the script has so many marvelous facets, character, humor, heart and an opportunity for rare
inventiveness in so many areas…. And the songs Dick and Bob have written for Eglantine are charming and just
what was needed. So, all things being equal, do hope I'm 'Your Girl'."
Nine days later Walsh will announce that Miss Lansbury will indeed be signed for the role of Miss Price.
"I have always thought of Walt Disney as my second father." -Annette Funicello
"I want to thank all the kids that bought my comic books for a dime and are now
selling them for $2,000." -92-year-old Carl Barks
1971:
Actress & singer Sarah Litzsinger, who played the Broadway role of Belle in two separate runs for Disney's Beauty and the Beast, is born in Indiana. Litzsinger holds the distinction of being Broadway's longest-running Belle!
Down in Florida, inaugural service to Walt Disney World's own
airport STOLport, by both Shawnee and Executive airlines, begin. The occasion is
marked by a luncheon ceremony, with the state of Florida presenting Disney with STOLport license No. 1. A
group of local and state politicians and officials are on hand, as well as executives from the airlines. Disney
announces that STOL service will commence with around 26 flights daily. A single airstrip located not too far
from the Contemporary Resort, the Lake Buena Vista STOLport, consists of a 2000-foot runway (and plans
for a terminal building). Disney has high hopes for the service. (Unfortunately by December 1972, the idea
of affordable short-range air routes became completely impractical and STOLport closed.)
Screenwriter, film director, playwright, and chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios Jennifer Michelle Lee is born in Providence, Rhode Island. She is
best known as the writer and co-director of the 2013 Disney animated feature Frozen, for which she earned an
Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Her writing credits also include Wreck-It Ralph and A Wrinkle in Time.
OCTOBER 22
THIS DAY MADE IN THE USA
OCTOBER 22
Annette Funicello born
 | ||||
| ||||
Although uncomfortable being thought
of as a singer, original Mouseketeer
Annette Funicello had a number of pop
record hits in the late 1950s and early
1960s, including: "Tall Paul" (written
by the Sherman Brothers), "First Name
Initial" (by Martin Kalmanoff and Aaron
H. Schroeder),
"O Dio Mio" (by Al
Hoffman) and
"Train of
Love" (by
Paul Anka).
| ||||
1991 Disney Legends
1982:
At Walt Disney World, the formal grand opening of EPCOT Center begins. To be held over the next three days, the official Future World dedication takes place
on this evening with special invited guests surrounding Spaceship Earth. Cast members
dressed in tuxedos offer champagne as seven big bands provide entertainment for
the elegant occassion. High above the park, the Goodyear Blimp flashes the display:
"Saluting Walt Disney World, Epcot Center."
AIRPORT OF THE FUTURE
2010:
At Disney's Hollywood Studios, "Disney Channel Rocks!" a live show
based on music from Disney Channel hit shows debuts. Taking place in front of the
Sorcerer's Hat, the show features music from High School Musical, Camp Rock, Cheetah Girls, Star
Struck and Jump In.
| ||||
Formal Grand Opening of EPCOT Center - Day 1
October 22
1955:
Bill Condon, screenwriter and director, is born in New York City. He directed the
2017 live-action film adaptation of the animated 1991 film Beauty and the Beast.
1958:
Film producer Darla Kay Anderson is born in Glendale, California. Working for Pixar for nearly 25 years, her credits include Toy Story, It's Tough to Be a Bug, A Bug's Life, Monsters, Inc., Cars,
Toy Story 3, and Coco.
Actress Shigeru Muroi is born in Japan. She dubbed the voice of Dory for the Japanese language version of Finding Nemo and Finding Dory.
1975:
Actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson, best known for portraying Mitchell Pritchett on the
ABC-TV sitcom Modern Family, is born in Montana. He also appeared in 2 episodes
of the ABC sitcom Ugly Betty.
1959:
Composer and lyricist for films, television, and theatre Marc Shaiman is born in
Newark, New Jersey. His film credits include Sister Act (1992), Life with Mikey (1993), Sister Act 2: Back
in the Habit (1993), George of the Jungle (1997), The Kid (2000), and Mary Poppins Returns (2018).
1938:
Actor Christopher Lloyd is born Christopher Alan Lloyd in Stamford, Connecticut. Making his screen debut in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), he gained widespread recognition as Jim Ignatowski in the comedy series Taxi (1978–1983) and later in the Back to the Future trilogy. His Disney credits include Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) as Judge Doom, DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp (1990) as the voice of Merlock the Magician, Angels in the Outfield (1994) as Al "The Boss" Angel, Camp Nowhere (1994) as Dennis, Angels in the Endzone (1997) returning to the role of Al, My Favorite Martian (1999) as Uncle Martin, and Santa Buddies (2009) as Stan.
2019:
Just ahead of its debut on November 12th, The Cinema Society hosts a screening of Disney+’s Lady and the Tramp in New York City. Disney+ is a subscription video on-demand (SVOD) streaming service; also set to debut on November 12. Lady and the Tramp is a live-action adaptation of Walt Disney’s 1955 animated film of the same name, which was based on the Cosmopolitan magazine story of Happy Dan, The Cynical Dog by Ward Greene. It is set to be released exclusively on November 12, 2019 on Disney+, making it the first remake to not receive a theatrical release, instead debuting on an online streaming platform.
1952:
Actor Jeff Goldblum is born in West Homestead, Pennsylvania. Starring in some of the highest-grossing films of his era, such as Jurassic Park (1993) and Independence Day (1996), his documentary web television series The World According to Jeff Goldblum debuted on Disney+ in November 2019. The series follows Goldblum, in which he explores the world, for example tattoos, ice-creams and sneakers and how they are developed. He appeared in both Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Thor: Ragnarok as The Grandmaster (during the closing credits).
1995:
Veteran character actress Mary Wickes passes away at age 85 in Los Angeles, California.
She played the warm yet jocular maid Katie in the Mickey Mouse Club serial Annette (1957-1958) and was later the animators' model for Cruella De Vil in the 1961 One Hundred and One Dalmatians. Her Disney credits also include the live-action films Napoleon and Samantha and Snowball Express. Wickes is probably best know for playing Sister Mary Lazarus in Sister Act (1992) and in the sequel Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993). Although it won't be released until June 1996, Disney fans will be able to hear her one last time as the voice of Laverne in The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
1972:
Actress Saffron Burrows is born in London, England. She played the recurring role
of Victoria Hand on the ABC series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
2012:
Activist, libertarian political activist, actor, writer and musician Russell Means passes away at age 72 in South Dakota. He provided the voice of Chief Powhatan in Disney's Pocahontas (1995) and Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (1998).
Hello My Name Is..., the debut studio album by singer/songwriter Bridgit Mendler, is released through Hollywood Records. Disney Channel fans know her as Juliet van Heusen on
Wizards of Waverly Place.
1962:
Actor, comedian, writer, and director Bob Odenkirk is born Berwyn, Illinois. He voiced Winston Deavor in the 2018 Disney/Pixar film Incredibles 2 and reprised the role for the video game LEGO The Incredibles. (Best known for his role as smooth-talking lawyer Saul Goodman on the AMC crime drama series Breaking Bad and its spin-off Better Call Saul, he's also known for the HBO sketch comedy series Mr. Show with Bob and David.)
2021:
Television, film, and stage actor Peter Scolari passes at age 66 in New York City.
Best known for his sitcom roles of Michael Harris on Newhart (1984–1990) and Henry Desmond on Bosom Buddies
(1980–1982), Scolari replaced Rick Moranis as the role of Wayne Szalinski for Disney's Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show, on which he also served as producer and director of several episodes. His Disney film roles include Disney Channel's Perfect Harmony (1991), the Hollywood Pictures comedy Camp Nowhere (1994), and Disney Channel's The Ultimate Christmas Present (2000). Scolari also voiced Preston Vogel in the animated series
Gargoyles (1995-1996). A favorite guest actor, he appeared on such sitcoms as Empty Nest, The Drew Carey Show, and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.
"Ron's Gone Wrong," a computer-animated science fiction comedy film directed by Sarah Smith & Jean-Philippe Vine, is released by Disney's 20th Century Studios. The story of Barney, an awkward middle-schooler and Ron, his new walking, talking, digitally-connected device, the voice cast features Jack Dylan Grazer, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, Olivia Colman, Rob Delaney, and Justice Smith. After founding Locksmith Animation (a British studio), co-director Sarah Smith wanted to create a film that observed the impact of the internet on children's relationships and self-esteem. It is the first animated feature film to be theatrically released under the studio's new name, 20th Century Studios, following the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney.
