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Walt Disney Life Story
1859
Month Unknown
oElias Disney is born, in Canada, of Irish immigrants.
1888
January
January 1: Elias Disney and Flora Call are married, in Akron, Florida.
December
December 8: Herbert is born to Elias and Flora Disney, in Daytona Beach, Florida.
1889
Month Unknown
oElias, Flora, and Herbert move from Florida to Chicago.
1890
December
December 30: Raymond Arnold (registered as "Walter Disney") is born to Elias and Flora Disney, at 3515 Vernon St. in Cook County, in Chicago, Illinois, according to records of the Vital Statistics Dept, Cook County.
1891
January
January 8: The birth of "Walter Disney" (later to be re-named Raymond Arnold) is recorded as December 30 1890, in Chicago, Illinois.
1893
January
June 24: Roy Oliver is born to Elias and Flora Disney, in Chicago, Illinois. Elias wanted to call him Columbus.
1901
December
December 5: Walter Elias ("Walt Disney") is born at 1249 Tripp Avenue, in Chicago, Illinois, to parents Elias and Flora Disney. Walter is named after Reverend Walter Parr.
1903
December
December 6: Ruth Flora is born to Elias and Flora Disney, in Chicago, Illinois.
1906
March
March (?): Elias Disney signs papers to purchase a 48-acre farm in Marceline, Missouri.
April
April (?): Elias Disney and family move to Marceline, Missouri.
1909
Month Unknown
oHerbert and Raymond leave home.
1910
Month Unknown
oElias Disney and family move to Kansas City, Missouri. oWalt Disney is enrolled in Benton Grammar School.
1911
Month Unknown
oRoy Disney decides to leave home.
1912
Month Unknown
oRoy Disney leaves home to go to live with his Uncle Will in Kansas City.
1913
Month Unknown
oRoy Disney takes a job as a bank clerk in Kansas City, Missouri.
1915
Month Unknown
oWalt Disney attends the Kansas City Art Institute.
1917
June
June 8: Walt Disney graduates from Benton School (8th grade).
June 22: Roy Disney enlists in the US Navy.
June (?): Walt Disney works as a news butcher for the Van Noyes Interstate News Company, selling items on the Pacific Railroad running between Kansas City and Jefferson.
Month Unknown
oElias, Flora and Ruth move back to Chicago, Illinois. Walt stays behind to finish the term of school, before joining the family. Herbert Disney agrees to stay with Walt. oWalt moves to Chicago to join his parents. oWalt enrols in the McKinley High School in Chicago. oWalt begins taking night courses at the Chicago Institute of Art.
1918
August
August 26: Walt forges his parents' signatures, and enlists in the American Ambulance Corps, part of the Red Cross. Walt alters the document, changing his birth year from 1901 to 1900.
November
November 18: Walt sails aboard the SS Vaubin to France, as a Red Cross volunteer.
December
December 4: Walt, aboard the SS Vaubin, arrives at Le Havre, France.
Month Unknown
oWalt completes his freshman year at McKinley High School. oWalt works for the post office. oWalt buys his first movie camera.
1919
February
February (?): Roy is discharged from the Navy, in Seattle, Washington.
September
September (?): Walt returns from Europe to the US, staying a night in New York city, then a night with his parents in Chicago, then finally moving on to Kansas City to start a career as a commercial artist.
October
October (?): The Pesmen-Rubin Agency hires Walt as an apprentice, to help prepare Christmas catalogues. Ubbe Ert Iwwerks is hired on the same day.
November
November (?): Due to sagging business, Walt is let go from Pesmen-Rubin.
December
December (?): Walt gets a temporary job with the Post Office in Kansas City, sorting and delivering Christmas mail.
December (?): Walt and Ubbe Iwwerks (later Ubbe Iwerks) form a company called Iwerks-Disney Commercial Artists.
December (?): Iwerks-Disney Commercial Artists receive their first contract, designing a union newsletter for Walt Pfeiffer's dad.
Month Unknown
oWalt persuades Ubbe Iwwerks to change his name to Ub Iwerks.
1920
January
January 29: Walt joins the Kansas City Slide Company, for US$40 per week.
March
March (?): Ub Iwerks joins the Kansas City Film Ad Company.
Month Unknown
oThe Kansas City Slide Company is renamed the Kansas City Film Ad Service. oWalt applies for he an Ub to work at the Kansas City Film Ad Service. But the job is full-time for one person, for US$40/week. oWalt transfers all contracts and assets of Iwerks-Disney Commercial Artists to Ub Iwerks, who continues running the company. oRoy is diagnosed with tuberculosis and is advised to leave Kansas City for a warmer, drier climate. oUb files for bankruptcy of Iwerks-Disney. oWalt asks the Kansas City Film Ad Company to also hire Ub. oWalt produces an animated film poking fun at the poor road conditions in Kansas City. He sells it to Milton Feld, who shows it in the Newman Theatres. oMilton Feld contracts to Walt to produce 12 more cartoons, which he calls Newman's Laugh-O-grams.
1921
March
March 20: The first sample Newman Laugh-O-gram animated film is shown in the Newman Theatre, in Kansas City, Missouri.
November
November (?): Elias, Flora, and Ruth leave Kansas City, headed to Portland, Oregon.
1922
April
April (?): Disney and his artists begin producing "Lafflets", short joke reels.
May
May 23: Walt incorporates Laugh-O-gram Films, using the remaining assets of Iwerks-Disney Commercial Artists, and US$15,000 from local investors.
May (?): The Laugh-O-gram animated film "The Four Musicians of Bremen" is completed.
July
July (?): Laugh-O-gram Films makes its first trade advertisement, in "Motion Picture News", promising a series of twelve films.
September
September 16: A deal is signed with Pictorial Clubs of Tennessee to produce six Laugh-O-gram films for US$11,000. Only US$100 was specified as downpayment, with the remainder to be paid on January 1 1924.
September (?): Walt buys a tripod, for ease of use in live-action filming.
October
October (?): The Laugh-O-gram animated and live-action film "Goldie Locks and the Three Bears" is completed.
October (?): The Laugh-O-gram animated and live-action film "Puss in Boots" is completed.
November
November (?): The Laugh-O-gram animated and live-action film "Cinderella" is completed.
November (?): Walt Disney convinces Ub Iwerks to leave Kansas City Ad, to work with him at Laugh-O-gram Films.
December
December (?): Walt signs a contract with a local dentist, Dr. Thomas McCrum, to make a Laugh-O-gram cartoon, "Tommy Tucker's Tooth" for the Kansas City Dental Institute, for US$500.
Month Unknown
oWork is completed on the animated Laugh-O-gram film, "Little Red Riding Hood". oWalt resigns from the Kansas City Film Ad Company. oWalt rents office space in the McConahy Building in Kansas City, Missouri, for production of Laugh-O-gram films. oThe Laugh-O-gram animated film "Jack and the Beanstalk" is completed. oLaugh-O-gram Films' salesman Leslie Mace goes to New York to secure a contract for film distribution. oAfter running out of money, Walt is forced to let his staff go, including Ub Iwerks, who returns to the Kansas Film Ad Company. oWalt Disney re-hires Ub Iwerks to Laugh-O-gram Films. oWalt Disney makes a deal with Milton Feld, general manager of a chain of local Kansas City movie theaters, to produce Newman Laugh-O-gram films for 25 cents per foot. oMilton Feld requests Walt Disney produce two weekly Newman Laugh-O-grams, for US$60 per week. oWalt Disney moves from the family home to a room in downtown Kansas City. oWalt begins producing "Laugh-O-gram" animated films. oWalt produces the live-action and animated Laugh-O-gram film, "Puss in Boots".
1923
March
March (?): A sample reel of Laugh-O-gram Films' "Lafflets" is ready for sending to Universal Pictures for approval.
April
April 23: Virginia Davis' parents sign a contract with Laugh-O-gram Films, giving her 5% of receipts from showing the film "Alice's Wonderland" for starring in the film.
May
May 14: Walt writes to New York film distributor Margaret Winkler, looking for a distributor for his new "Alice's Wonderland" film.
July
July (?): Walt Disney's Laugh-O-grams venture ends in bankruptcy.
July (?): Walt leaves Kansas City, heading to Los Angeles, to be with Roy.
July (?): Walt arrives in Edendale, in Los Angeles. He is given a room in his Uncle Robert's house.
August
August (?): Laugh-O-gram Films completes work on "Alice's Wonderland" featuring a live-action girl in a cartoon world.
September
September (?): Margaret Winkler writes to Walt, requesting to see the film "Alice's Wonderland".
October
October 15: Walt receives a telegram from Margaret Winkler, offering to pay US$1500 each for the first six of Disney's "Alice" films.
October 16: The Disney Brothers Studio signs a contract with Margaret J. Winkler, a New York distributor, to produce six Alice Comedy short films, for US$1500 each, with an option for six more. This date is considered the beginning of the Disney studio. Walt writes to Virginia Davis' mother in Kansas City, offering a one-year contract to star in the new Alice Comedies.
October 24: Walt writes to Margaret Winkler, informing her that the first Alice Comedy will be titled "Alice's Day at Sea".
October (?): Walt and Roy rent space in an office at 4651 Kingswell Avenue in Hollywood for US$10/month.
October (?): Walt begins work on the first Alice Comedy film.
December
December (?): The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Day at Sea" is completed. It cost US$750 to make.
December 15: Disney ships the film "Alice's Day at Sea" to Winkler.
December 26: Walt receives a telegram from Winkler, acknowledging receipt of the film "Alice's Day at Sea".
Month Unknown
oLaugh-O-Gram Films produces the Song-O-Reel film "Martha". It is the only Song-O-Reel produced. It was produced to illustrate the ballad "Martha: Just a Plain Old Fashioned Name" published by the Jenkins Music Company. oLaugh-O-gram Films moves to the Wirthman Building, in Kansas City, Missouri. oWalt and Roy Disney launch the Disney Brothers Studio. oWalt writes to New York distributor Margaret Winkler a second time, again proposing to produce a series of animated/live-action films. oMargaret Winkler contracts with the Disney studio for six more Alice comedies.
1924
January
January 21: The 2nd Alice Comedy film "Alice Hunting in Africa" is shipped to Winkler.
January (?): Walt rents a lot at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Rodney Drive for US$10/month for live-action filming of children for the Alice Comedies.
January (?): The Alice Comedy film "Alice Hunting in Africa" arrives at Margaret Winkler's office in New York.
January (?): Rights to the Laugh-O-gram films are sold to the New York branch of Pictorial Clubs.
February
February 22: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Spooky Adventure" is shipped to Winkler.
February (?): Walt hires his first animator, Rollin C. "Ham" Hamilton.
February (?): Walt and Roy move their studio next door, to 4649 Kingswell, for US$35/month.
March
March 1: The Alice Comedy series makes its debut, in a number of theaters on the East Coast of the US. The film "Alice's Day at Sea" is shown. Julius the cat makes its first appearance, though unnamed.
March 28: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Wild West Show" is shipped to Winkler.
March (?): Walt contacts Ub Iwerks in Kansas City, and asks him to come work with him in Hollywood. Ub turns down the offer.
April
April 1: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Spooky Adventure" is released. A black cat in the film later gains the name "Julius" and becomes a regular character in the series.
May
May 1: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Wild West Show" is released.
May 7: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Fishy Story" is shipped to Winkler.
May (?): The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Fishy Story" is previewed at Bard's Hollywood Theatre, in Los Angeles.
May (?): The Alice Comedy film "Alice and the Dog Catcher" is completed.
June
June 1: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Fishy Story" is released.
June 3: The Alice Comedy film "Alice and the Dog Catcher" is shipped to Winkler.
June (?): Ub arrives in California.
July
July 1: The Alice Comedy film "Alice and the Dog Catcher" is released.
July (?): Walt hires Ub Iwerks for US$40 per week.
August
August 1: The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Peacemaker" is released.
August 27: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Gets in Dutch" is shipped to Winkler.
August (?): Margaret Winkler sends a telegram to Walt, informing him that advances on future films would drop from $1500 to $900.
August (?): The Alice Comedy film "Alice Gets in Dutch" is previewed at Bard's Hollywood Theater.
September
September 25: The Alice Comedy film "Alice and the Three Bears" is previewed at Bard's Hollywood Theater.
September 27: The Alice Comedy film "Alice and the Three Bears" is shipped to Winkler.
October
October 20: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Gets in Dutch" is shown at the Picadilly Theatre on Broadway, in New York. This is the first time an Alice film is shown in a first-run Broadway theater.
October (?): Thurston Harper is hired as an animator.
October (?): Some live action is removed from the film "Alice Hunting in Africa" and some animation is revised.
November
November 1: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Gets in Dutch" is released. The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Piper" is shipped to Winkler.
November 2: The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Piper" is previewed at Bard's Hollywood Theater.
November 15: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Hunting in Africa" is released.
November 29: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Cans the Cannibals" is shipped to Winkler.
December
December 1: The Alice Comedy film "Alice and the Three Bears" is released.
December 15: The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Piper" is released.
December 31: Walt signs a contract with Charles Mintz to produce 18 Alice comedies at US$1800 each, plus a share in the profits. The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Toreador" is shipped to Winkler.
December (?): Charles Mintz offers a contract of US$1800 each plus a share in profits for 18 more Alice films.
Month Unknown
oPortions of the Alice film "Alice Hunting in Africa" are re-made to improve its quality.
1925
January
January 1: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Cans the Cannibals" is released.
January 15: The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Toreador" is released.
January 31: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Gets Stung" is completed. The Alice Comedy film "Alice Gets Stung" is shipped to Winkler.
January (?): The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Day at Sea" is partially remade with new animation.
February
February 1: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Gets Stung" is released.
February 15: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Solves the Puzzle" is released. Bootleg Pete debuts, who later evolves into Peg Leg Pete in the Mickey Mouse films.
February 27: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Solves the Puzzle" is completed.
March
March 5: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Cans the Cannibals" is played at the Criterion in Los Angeles.
March 24: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Solves the Puzzle" premieres in New York City at the Rivoli Theater.
March 27: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Egg Plant" is completed.
April
April 7: Roy Disney marries Edna Francis.
April 20: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Loses Out" is delivered to Winkler.
May
May 14: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Stage Struck" (working title "Alice's Uncle Tom's Cabin") is completed.
May 17: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Egg Plant" debuts in New York City at the Rivoli Theater.
May 28: Animation work begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice Picks the Champ".
May 29: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Stage Struck" is delivered to Winkler.
June
June 9: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Wins the Derby" is completed. The Alice Comedy film "Alice Wins the Derby" is delivered to Winkler.
June 18: Animation work begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice's Tin Pony".
June 23: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Stage Struck" premieres at the Rivoli Theater in New York City.
June (?): Ruth Disney is hired to the Disney Studios.
June (?): Irene Hamilton is hired to the Disney Studios.
June (?): Rudy Ising is hired to the Disney Studios.
June (?): Hugh Harman is hired to the Disney Studios.
June (?): Walker Harman is hired to the Disney Studios.
July
July 1: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Picks the Champ" is completed.
July 6: Walt and Roy put a US$400 deposit on a lot at 2719 Hyperion Avenue, in the Silver Lake district of Los Angeles, where they plan to build a new studio.
July 12: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Wins the Derby" premieres at the Piccadilly Theater in New York City.
July 15: Animation work begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice Chops the Suey".
July 23: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Tin Pony" is completed.
July 25: Walt Disney marries Lillian Bounds, in Lewiston, Idaho.
July 30: Live-action filming is done for the Alice Comedy film "Alice the Jail Bird".
July (?): The Alice Comedy film "Alice Picks the Champ" premieres at Apollo Theater in Los Angeles.
August
August 1: Animation work begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice the Jail Bird".
August 8: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Chops the Suey" is completed.
August 17: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Chops the Suey" is previewed at Bard's Hollywood Theater in Los Angeles.
August 18: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Chops the Suey" is shipped to Winkler.
August 24: Production begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice in Love". The film is later renamed "Alice Plays Cupid".
August 29: The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Jail Bird" is completed.
August (?): Rights to the Laugh-O-gram films reverts from Pictorial Clubs back to the Laugh-O-gram Films estate, due to lack of payments for use.
September
September 1: The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Jail Bird" is previewed at Paramount Theater in Los Angeles.
September 10: Animation work begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice Rattled by Rats".
September 15: The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Jail Bird" is released.
September 17: The Alice Comedy film "Alice in Love" ("Alice Plays Cupid") is completed.
September 18: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Plays Cupid" premieres at Apollo Theater in Los Angeles.
September 20: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Tin Pony" premieres at Warner's Theater in New York City.
September 28: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Chops the Suey" arrives at the Winkler office in New York, two months late. Animation work begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice in the Jungle".
October
October 6: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Rattled by Rats" is completed.
October 9: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Rattled by Rats" premieres at Apollo Theater in Los Angeles.
October 15: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Plays Cupid" is released. Animation work begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice on the Farm".
October 21: The Alice Comedy film "Alice in the Jungle" is completed.
October 23: The Alice Comedy film "Alice in the Jungle" is previewed at Iris Theater in Los Angeles.
November
November 3: Animation work begins on the Alice Comedy film, "Alice's Balloon Race".
November 7: The Alice Comedy film "Alice on the Farm" is completed.
November 11: The Alice Comedy film "Alice on the Farm" is previewed at Bard's Glendale Theater in Los Angeles.
November 15: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Rattled by Rats" is released.
November (?): Animation work begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice's Orphan" (working title "Alice's Ornery Orphan").
December
December 11: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Balloon Race" is completed. The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Balloon Race" is previewed at Bard's Glendale Theater in Los Angeles.
December 13: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Balloon Race" is shipped to Winkler.
December 15: The Alice Comedy film "Alice in the Jungle" is released.
December 19: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Orphan" is completed.
December 22: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Orphan" is previewed at Bard's Glendale Theater in Los Angeles.
December (?): Production begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice's Little Parade".
Month Unknown
oSix-year-old actress Dawn Paris (pseudonym Dawn O'Day) is hired for the lead role in the Alice Comedies. She appears on only one film "Alice's Egg Plant". oFour-year-old Margie Gay is contracted for the part of Alice in the Alice Comedies. oThe Alice Comedy film "Alice Loses Out" is released.
1926
January
January 1: The Alice Comedy film "Alice on the Farm" is released.
January 13: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Little Parade" is completed.
January 14: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Little Parade" is shipped to Winkler.
January 15: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Balloon Race" is released.
January (?): Walt and Roy Disney move to the new studio at 2719 Hyperion.
January (?): The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Orphan" is released.
January (?): Production begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice's Mysterious Mystery".
January (?): Production begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice in the Wooly West".
February
February 1: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Little Parade" is released.
February 3: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Mysterious Mystery" is shipped to Winkler.
February 15: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Mysterious Mystery" is released.
February (?): Disney signs a contract with Charles Mintz, allowing the Alice Comedy series to be released by Film Booking Offices, starting in September.
February (?): Production begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice's Monkey Business".
March
March 25: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Monkey Business" is previewed at the Iris Theater in Los Angeles.
March 31: The Alice Comedy film "Alice in the Wooly West" is delivered to Winkler.
March (?): Production begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice Charms the Fish".
April
April 19: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Charms the Fish" is previewed at Bard's Hollywood Theater in Los Angeles.
April 20: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Monkey Business" is delivered to Winkler.
April 29: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Charms the Fish" is delivered to Winkler.
May
May 12: The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Fire Fighter" is previewed at Bard's Hollywood Theater in Los Angeles.
May 18: The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Fire Fighter" is delivered to Winkler.
May (?): Production begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice Cuts the Ice".
May (?): Production begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice's Spanish Guitar".
June
June 5: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Cuts the Ice" is previewed at Bard's Hollywood Theater in Los Angeles.
June 21: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Helps the Romance" is shipped to Winkler.
June (?): Production begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice Helps the Romance".
July
July 12: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Spanish Guitar" is shipped to Winkler.
July 29: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Brown Derby" is premiered at Bard's Hollywood Theater in Los Angeles.
July 31: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Brown Derby" is shipped to Winkler.
July (?): Production begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice's Brown Derby".
July (?): Production begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice's Lumber Jack".
August
August 19: The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Lumber Jack" is shipped to Winkler.
August (?): The animated and live-action film "Clara Cleans Her Teeth" is produced by the Walt Disney Studio, for Dr. McCrum in Kansas City.
September
September 6: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Charms the Fish" is released.
September 11: The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Golf Bug" is shipped to Winkler.
September 20: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Monkey Business" is released.
September 30: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Foils the Pirates" is delivered to Winkler.
October
October 4: The Alice Comedy film "Alice in the Wooly West" is released.
October 18: The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Fire Fighter" is released.
October 26: The Alice Comedy film "Alice at the Carnival" is delivered to Winkler.
November
November 1: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Cuts the Ice" is released.
November 15: The Alice Comedy film "Alice Helps the Romance" is released. The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Rodeo" is delivered to Winkler.
November 29: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Spanish Guitar" is released. The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Collegiate" is shipped to Winkler.
December
December 13: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Brown Derby" is released. The Alice Comedy film "Alice in the Alps" is shipped to Winkler.
December 27: The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Lumber Jack" is released.
December 29: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Auto Race" is delivered to Winkler.
December 31: Live-action filming is done for the Alice Comedy films: "Circus Story" (later named "Alice's Circus Daze"); "Alice's Knaughty Knight"; and "Alice's Three Bad Eggs
Month Unknown
oConstruction of the new studio is completed. oCharles and Margaret Mintz visit the Disney studio, and ask for a new all-animation series, starring a rabbit. oWalt Disney changes the name of the company from Disney Brothers Studio to the Walt Disney Studio. oCharles Mintz, husband of Margaret Winkler, tells Walt in person that the contract to produce Alice cartoons is cancelled, due to lack of interest. oCharles Mintz makes a deal with Universal Pictures' founder Carl Laemmle to produce a cartoon series featuring a rabbit.
1927
January
January 10: The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Golf Bug" is released.
January 17: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Knaughty Knight" is delivered to Winkler.
January 31: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Circus Daze" is delivered to Winkler. Live-action filming is done for the Alice Comedy film "Alice in the Klondike".
January (?): Animation work begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice's Circus Daze".
January (?): Animation work begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice's Knaughty Knight".
January (?): Isadore (Friz) Freleng begins work at the Disney Studios.
January (?): Bankruptcy proceedings from Laugh-O-gram Films are concluded.
January (?): Disney sends Charles Mintz several sketches of cartoon rabbits, for approval for use in a new cartoon series.
January (?): Live-action filming begins for the Alice Comedy film "Alice's Picnic".
February
February 7: The Alice Comedy film "Alice at the Carnival" is released.
February 21: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Rodeo" (also known as "Alice at the Rodeo") is released.
February 20: The Alice Comedy film "Alice at the Carnival" premieres at Paramount Theater in New York City.
February 21: The Alice Comedy film "Alice in the Klondike" is shipped to Winkler.
February 24: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Three Bad Eggs" is delivered to Winkler.
February (?): Animation work begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice's Three Bad Eggs".
February (?): Animation work begins on the Alice Comedy film "Alice in the Klondike".
March
March 7: The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Collegiate" is released.
March 16: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Picnic" is delivered to Winkler.
March 21: The Alice Comedy film "Alice in the Alps" is released.
March 26: Live-action filming is done for the Alice Comedy films: "Alice's Channel Swim"; "Alice's Medicine Show"; "Alice the Whaler"; "Alice the Beach Nut"; and "Alice in the Big League".
March (?): Animation work begins for the Alice Comedy film "Alice's Picnic".
March (?): Rudy Ising leaves the Disney Studios.
March (?): The Disney Studios begins work on the first Oswald cartoon "Poor Papa".
April
April 4: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Auto Race" is released. This is the last Alice Comedy with actor Margie Gay as "Alice".
April 10: Walt delivers the first Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoon "Poor Papa" to Charles Mintz in New York. The reviewers are unimpressed, complaining that the rabbit is old, sloppy, and fat.
April 18: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Circus Daze" is released. This film debuts Lois Hardwick as Alice, the fourth and final actor of the series.
April 25: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Three Bad Eggs" debuts at Paramount Theater in New York City.
April 30: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Medicine Show" is delivered to Winkler.
April (?): Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks begin drawing Oswald the Lucky Rabbit for Universal Pictures.
April (?): Animation work begins for the Alice Comedy film "Alice's Medicine Show".
April (?): Animation work begins for the Alice Comedy film "Alice the Beach Nut".
April (?): Animation work begins for the Alice Comedy film "Alice in the Big League".
May
May 1: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Trolley Troubles" is shipped to Winkler.
May 2: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Knaughty Knight" is released.
May 16: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Three Bad Eggs" is released.
May 30: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Picnic" is released. The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Channel Swim" premieres at Paramount Theater in New York City.
June
June 13: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Channel Swim" is released.
June 14: The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Beach Nut" is previewed in Los Angeles.
June 27: The Alice Comedy film "Alice in the Klondike" is released.
July
July 4: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Trolley Troubles" premieres at Criterion Theatre in Los Angeles.
July 11: The Alice Comedy film "Alice's Medicine Show" is released. Story work begins on the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "The Ocean Hop".
July 15: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Trolley Troubles" premieres at Roxy Theatre in New York City. Animation work begins on the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "The Ocean Hop".
July 16: The (last) Alice Comedy film "Alice in the Big League" is previewed in Los Angeles.
July 18: The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Whaler" premieres at Paramount Theater in New York City.
July 25: The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Whaler" is released.
July (?): Johnny Cannon is hired to the Disney Studios.
July (?): Walt splits the animators into two units, one headed by Ub Iwerks and Friz Freleng, the other by Hugh Harman and Ham Hamilton.
August
August 8: The Alice Comedy film "Alice the Beach Nut" is released.
August 12: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "The Banker's Daughter" is completed.
August 20: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "The Banker's Daughter" is shipped to Winkler. The first licensed merchandise for Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is announced: a chocolate-coated marshmallow candy bar called Milk Chocolate Frappe, produced by the Vogan Candy Corporation.
August 21: An "Oswald Stencil Set" is first advertised for sale, produced by the Universal Tag and Novelty Company.
August 22: The Alice Comedy film "Alice in the Big League" is released.
August (?): A pin-back button featuring a picture of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is first offered for sale, manufactured by the Philadelphia Badge Company.
September
September 2: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Rickety Gin" is completed.
September 5: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Trolley Troubles" is released.
September 17: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Rickety Gin" is shipped to Winkler. The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Neck 'n' Neck" is completed.
September 19: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Oh, Teacher" is released.
September 26: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "The Ocean Hop" premieres at Colony Theater in New York City.
October
October 1: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Neck 'n' Neck" is shipped to Winkler.
October 3: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "The Mechanical Cow" is released.
October 6: Warner Brothers releases "The Jazz Singer", the first motion picture with sound.
October 10: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Great Guns" premieres at Colony Theater in New York City.
October 17: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Great Guns" is released.
October 22: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "The Ole' Swimmin' Ole" is completed.
October 29: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "The Ole' Swimmin' Ole" is shipped to Winkler.
October 31: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "All Wet" is released.
November
November 2: Animation work is completed on the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Africa Before Dark".
November 12: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Africa Before Dark" is shipped to Winkler. The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Bright Lights" is completed.
November 14: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "The Ocean Hop" is released.
November 26: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Bright Lights" is shipped to Winkler.
November 28: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "The Banker's Daughter" is released.
December
December 3: Animation work is completed on the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Rival Romeos".
December 5: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Harem Scarem" premieres at Colony Theater in New York City.
December 10: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Rival Romeos" is shipped to Winkler.
December 12: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Empty Socks" is released.
December 25: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Empty Socks" premieres at the Roxy Theatre in New York City.
December 26: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Rickety Gin" is released.
Month Unknown
oLes Clark is hired to the Disney Studios. o"Max" Maxwell is hired to the Disney Studios.
1928
January
January 9: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Harem Scarem" is released.
January 23: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Neck 'n' Neck" is released.
January 25: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Ozzie of the Mounted" is completed and shipped to Winkler.
January (?): The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Ozzie of the Mounted" is produced.
February
February 6: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "The Ol' Swimmin' 'Ole" is released. Walt, accompanied by Lillian, goes to New York to negotiate a deal with Mintz for the next series of Oswald cartoons.
February 7: Charles Mintz tells Walt that the advance on Oswald cartoons would be dropped from US$2250 to US$1800. If Walt did not agree, all production would be moved to Mintz' distribution company, Snappy Comedies.
February 20: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Africa Before Dark" is released.
February 26: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Rival Romeos" premieres at Colony Theatre in New York City.
February (?): Four principal Disney Studio animators hand in their resignations to accept positions with Snappy.
March
March 5: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Rival Romeos" is released.
March 8: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Sky Scrappers" is completed and shipped to Winkler.
March 13: Walt Disney leaves New York to return to Hollywood. He sends a telegram to his brother saying "DONT WORRY EVERYTHING OKAY".
March 18: Walt arrives back in Hollywood.
March 19: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Bright Lights" is released.
March (?): Walt relinquishes all claims to the Oswald character to Charles Mintz.
March (?): During a five-day train trip from New York to Los Angeles, Walt Disney (allegedly) first develops the idea of "The Mouse".
March (?): Walt and Lillian arrive in Los Angeles.
March (?): Ub Iwerks modifies the Oswald character, turning him into Mickey Mouse.
March (?): Iwerks begins work on the first Mickey Mouse cartoon.
April
April 2: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Sagebrush Sadie" is released.
April 16: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Ride 'em Plowboy" is released.
April 30: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Ozzie of the Mounted" is released.
April (?): Inspired by Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic flight, and the Oswald film "The Ocean Hop", production begins on the Mickey Mouse film "Plane Crazy".
April (?): Wilfred Jackson is hired to the Walt Disney Studio.
May
May 14: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Hungry Hoboes" is released.
May 15: Walt Disney's first silent film featuring Mickey Mouse, "Plane Crazy" premieres as a sneak preview at a theatre on Sunset Boulevard, in Los Angeles, California. It cost US$1772.89 to make. Minnie Mouse also debuts.
May 16: Walt Disney applies for a trademark for "Mickey Mouse" for use in motion pictures.
May 21: Walt Disney's trademark application for "Mickey Mouse" is filed with the United States Patent Office.
May 26: Walt Disney copyrights the film "Plane Crazy".
May 28: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Oh, What a Knight" is released.
May (?): Ub completes work on the drawings for the Mickey Mouse film "Plane Crazy".
May (?): The Mickey Mouse film "Plane Crazy" is completed.
June
June 11: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Sky Scrappers" is released.
June 25: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "The Fox Chase" is released.
June (?): The cartoonists that had signed up with Mintz in February leave the Disney studio.
June (?): Production begins on the Mickey Mouse film, "Gallopin' Gaucho".
July
July 9: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film, "Tall Timber" is released.
July 23: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film, "Sleigh Bells" is released.
July 29: The Mickey Mouse film, "Steamboat Willie" is delivered to the distributor.
July (?): Production begins on the Mickey Mouse film, "Steamboat Willie". This is the first cartoon designed for use with a soundtrack.
July (?): Walt, Ub, Wilfred Jackson, and Johnny Cannon provide the music, voices, and sound effects for a test showing of "Steamboat Willie".
August
August 6: The Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Poor Papa" is released.
August 7: The Mickey Mouse film "Gallopin' Gaucho" is completed.
August 20: The 26th Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film, "Hot Dog" is released. This is the last Oswald film that the Walt Disney Studio contributed to.
August 28: The Mickey Mouse film "Gallopin' Gaucho" is previewed in Los Angeles.
September
September 15: Walt hires an orchestra in New York to record the soundtrack for "Steamboat Willie".
September 18: Walt Disney's "Mickey Mouse" trademark application is granted.
September (?): A musical score for "Steamboat Willie" is completed, and Walt Disney heads to New York to have it recorded.
September (?): The Mickey Mouse film "Steamboat Willie" is completed.
November
November 15: The Mickey Mouse film "The Barn Dance" is completed. Minnie Mouse also appears.
November 18: The Mickey Mouse film "Steamboat Willie" debuts as a sneak preview at the Colony Theater in New York. This is Mickey's sound debut, with Minnie Mouse as co-star. The music of "Turkey in the Straw" was used. It is the first cartoon to feature synchronised sound. It uses Pat Powers' Cinephone system, which was illegally copied from RCA's sound recording equipment.
November 21: Walt Disney copyrights the film "Steamboat Willie".
November (?): A soundtrack is added to the film "Plane Crazy".
November (?): A soundtrack is added to the film "Gallopin' Gaucho".
December
December 30: The Mickey Mouse film "Gallopin' Gaucho" (with sound) premieres at Mark Strand Theater in New York City.
December (?): Walt leaves New York to return to Hollywood.
Month Unknown
oHarry Reichenbach, independent promoter for New York's Colony Theater, offers Walt US$500 per week for a minimum two weeks to show "Steamboat Willie". oWalt leaves Hollywood headed to New York, to get the soundtrack for "Steamboat Willie" professionally recorded. On his way, he stops in Kansas City to have Carl Stalling compose the score for the film. oWalt meets with Charles Mintz and the directors of Universal Pictures to hear their offer to have Walt join them. Walt refuses.
1929
March
March 17: The Mickey Mouse film "Plane Crazy" (with sound) premieres at Mark Strand Theater in New York City.
March 20: The Mickey Mouse film "The Opry House" is completed.
May
May 3: The Mickey Mouse film "When the Cat's Away" is completed. Minnie Mouse also appears. This film is a remake of the Alice Comedy film "Alice Rattled by Rats".
May 10: The first Silly Symphony film "The Skeleton Dance" is completed.
June
June 5: Walt Disney applies for a trademark of the image of Mickey Mouse for use in motion pictures.
June 11: Walt Disney's trademark application for the image of Mickey Mouse is filed with the United States Patent Office.
June 28: The Mickey Mouse film "The Plow Boy" (introducing Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow) is completed. Minnie Mouse also appears.
July
July 2: The Mickey Mouse film "The Barnyard Battle" is completed.
July 31: The Mickey Mouse film "The Karnival Kid" is completed. Minnie Mouse also appears. Mickey speaks his first words: "Hot dog!".
July (?): The Silly Symphony film "The Skeleton Dance" is released.
August
August 12: Walt Disney is granted a trademark for the use of the image of Mickey Mouse in motion pictures.
August 28: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Follies" is completed. It includes the first Disney song co-written by Walt Disney "Minnie's Yoo Hoo".
September
September 7: The Silly Symphony film "El Terrible Toreador" is completed.
September (?): Harry W. Woodin begins the first Mickey Mouse Club at the Fox Dome Theater in Ocean Park, California.
October
October 1: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Choo-Choo" is completed.
October 4: The Silly Symphony film "Springtime" is completed.
October 15: The Mickey Mouse film "The Jazz Fool" is completed.
November
November 11: The Silly Symphony film "Hell's Bells" is completed.
November 15: The Mickey Mouse film "Jungle Rhythm" is completed.
November 18: Walt Disney sends the first six specimens for a comic strip to King Features.
December
December 1: The Silly Symphony film "The Merry Dwarfs" is completed.
December 2: The Mickey Mouse film "The Haunted House" is completed.
December 16: The partnership of Walt Disney Studios is incorporated and renamed to Walt Disney Productions Limited. Disney Film Recording Company Limited is created as a subsidiary of Walt Disney Productions. Walt and Roy set up Walt Disney Enterprises, a division of the company for handling Disney merchandising. Liled Realty & Investment Company is created, to own real estate used by the other two Disney corporations.
December 18: Walt Disney sends a second batch of six Mickey Mouse comic strips to King Features.
December 21: The Mickey Mouse film "Wild Waves" is completed. Minnie Mouse also appears.
December 31: The Silly Symphony film "The Skeleton Dance" is shows as a sneak preview at Hollywood's Carthay Circle Theater.
Month Unknown
oOn a business trip to New York, Walt Disney accepts US$300 from a stationery company for the right to imprint Mickey Mouse on school writing tablets. This is the start of cross-promotion of Disney's cartoon characters. oThe Disney Studios is incorporated, as a partnership. oWalt signs a distribution deal with Pat Powers. Powers agrees to pay Disney US$2500 per cartoon, in return for 10% of gross earnings, and a ten-year exclusive contract to use Powers' Cinephone sound system, for US$26,000 in license fees per year.
1930
January
January 4: The Silly Symphony film "Summer" is completed.
January 10: Roy Edward is born to Roy and Edna Disney in Los Angeles, California.
January 13: The first Mickey Mouse comic strip is published, in the New York Mirror. The strip is initially written by Walt Disney and drawn by Ub Iwerks.
January 21: Ub Iwerks informs Roy Disney that he wishes to leave the Disney Company. Disney buys his 20% share of the company for US$2920.
January 24: Disney signs a contract with King Features for the Mickey Mouse comic strip.
January (?): Walt, Roy, others, and their new lawyer Gunther Lessing take a train to New York, to confront Pat Powers regarding his defrauding them out of US$150,000 in royalties.
January (?): Charlotte Clark begins production of Mickey Mouse dolls.
February
February 3: Roy signs the first contract for merchandising, with George Borgfeldt & Company of New York.
February 7: Walt abandons Pat Powers as distributor, agreeing to a US$100,000 settlement to buy back the rights to their cartoon films and get out of the deal to use the Cinephone system.
February 15: The Silly Symphony film "Autumn" is completed.
March
March 6: The Mickey Mouse film "Just Mickey" (also known as "Fiddlin' Around") is completed.
March 15: The Silly Symphony film "Cannibal Capers" is completed.
March 27: George Borgfeldt & Company of New York issues its first Disney merchandising license to Walkburger, Tanner and Company of St. Gall, Switzerland, for manufacturing handkerchiefs featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
March 31: The first episode of the first Mickey Mouse adventure story comic strip "Mickey Mouse in Death Valley" is published in newspapers.
March (?): King Features asks Disney to turn the Mickey Mouse comic strip into a continuous serial.
April
April 2: Clarabelle Cow is first used in the Mickey Mouse comic strip.
April 3: Horace Horsecollar is first used in the Mickey Mouse comic strip.
April 5: The Mickey Mouse film "The Barnyard Concert" is completed.
April 14: Peg Leg Pete is added to the Mickey Mouse comic strip series.
April 15: The first issue of the "Official Bulletin of the Mickey Mouse Club" is published.
April 18: The Silly Symphony film "Night" is completed.
April (?): Floyd Gottfredson takes over drawing the Mickey Mouse comic strip.
May
May 5: The first Mickey Mouse comic strip drawn and inked by Floyd Gottfredson is published.
May 10: The Mickey Mouse film "The Cactus Kid" is completed. Minnie Mouse also appears.
May 19: Floyd Gottfredson takes over writing the Mickey Mouse comic strip.
May 23: The Silly Symphony film "Frolicking Fish" is completed.
June
June 17: William Banks Levy becomes Disney's representative in England, receiving authority to license Mickey and Minnie Mouse character merchandise.
June 20: The Mickey Mouse film "The Fire Fighters" is completed. Minnie Mouse also appears.
June 26: The Silly Symphony film "Arctic Antics" is completed.
July
July 11: The Mickey Mouse film "The Shindig" is completed.
July 28: The Silly Symphony film "Midnite in a Toy Shop" is completed.
July (?): Germany's film censors ban the Mickey Mouse film "The Barnyard Battle" because, "the wearing of German military helmets by an army of cats which opposes a militia of mice is offensive to the national dignity".
August
August 9: Walt Disney copyrights the sound version of the film "Plane Crazy". Walt Disney copyrights the sound version of the film "Gallopin' Gaucho".
August 18: The Mickey Mouse film "The Chain Gang" is completed. This film debuts Pluto the dog, though he is not named.
September
September 2: The Silly Symphony film "Monkey Melodies" is completed.
September 22: The Mickey Mouse film "The Gorilla Mystery" is completed. Minnie Mouse also appears.
October
October 9: The Mickey Mouse film "The Picnic" is completed. Minnie Mouse also appears. Pluto also appears as "Rover", Minnie's dog.
October 22: The Silly Symphony film "Winter" is completed.
October (?): The first British-made Mickey Mouse doll appears.
October (?): The film "The Chain Gang" is released.
October (?): "The Mickey Mouse Book" is the first Disney book published.
November
November 20: The Mickey Mouse film "Pioneer Days" is completed. Minnie Mouse also appears.
December
December 16: The Silly Symphony film "Playful Pan" is completed.
Month Unknown
oDisney signs a major merchandising contract with the George Borgfeldt Corporation of New York. oThe first song from the Disney studio is written, by Walt and Carl Stalling: "Minnie's Yoo-Hoo". oThe Mickey Mouse Club concept is expanded to hundreds of theaters. oWalt contacts MGM studio head Louis Mayer about signing with Disney for distribution of its films. Initially Mayer agrees, but changes his mind when Pat Powers threatens to sue anyone who interfered with his exclusive contract of the rights to Disney's films. oWalt contacts Columbia Pictures studio head Harry Cohn, who agrees to distribute Disney's films. Pat Powers sues, Cohn countersues, and Powers backs off. Starting February 7 1930, Columbia begins advancing Disney US$7000 per cartoon. oA song by Harry Carlton includes the lines "There's a certain animal making everybody smile. What's this fellow's name? Mickey! Mickey! Tricky Mickey Mouse!". oMadame Tussauds wax museum in London, England, adds a waxwork figure of Mickey Mouse playing the piano. oDisney's resident music director, Carl Stalling, resigns to join Ub Iwerks in his new studio. He is lured away by Pat Powers doubling his salary to US$300 per week.
1931
January
January 2: The Mickey Mouse film "The Birthday Party" is completed. Minnie Mouse, Horace Horsecollar, and Clarabelle Cow also appear.
January 23: The Silly Symphony film "Birds of a Feather" is completed.
March
March 7: The Mickey Mouse film "Traffic Troubles" is completed. Minnie Mouse also appears.
March 27: The Mickey Mouse film "The Castaway" is completed.
April
April 11: The Silly Symphony film "Mother Goose Melodies" is completed.
April 30: The Mickey Mouse film "The Moose Hunt" is completed. Pluto also appears, and is first called by name. Pluto speaks for the first and only time in his career.
May
May 16: The Silly Symphony film "The China Plate" is completed.
June
June 6: The Mickey Mouse film "The Delivery Boy" is completed. Minnie Mouse also appears.
June 22: The Silly Symphony film "The Busy Beavers" is completed.
July
July 10: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey Steps Out" is completed. Pluto and Minnie Mouse also appear.
July 20: The Silly Symphony film "The Cat's Out" (also known as "The Cat's Nightmare") is completed.
August
August 7: The Mickey Mouse film "Blue Rhythm" is completed. Minnie Mouse also appears.
August 19: The Silly Symphony film "Egyptian Melodies" is completed.
September
September 1: The Mickey Mouse film "Fishin' Around" is completed. Pluto also appears.
September 16: The Silly Symphony film "The Clock Store" (also known as "In A Clock Store") is completed.
September 30: The Mickey Mouse film "The Barnyard Broadcast" is completed.
October
October 13: The Silly Symphony film "The Spider and the Fly" is completed.
October 28: The Mickey Mouse film "The Beach Party" is completed. Pluto and Clarabelle Cow also appear.
November
November 10: The Silly Symphony film "The Fox Hunt" is completed.
November 25: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey Cuts Up" is completed. Pluto also appears.
December
December 5: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Orphans" is completed. Pluto also appears.
December 12: The Silly Symphony film "The Ugly Duckling" is completed.
Month Unknown
oThe David McKay Company of Philadelphia publishes the book "The Adventures of Mickey Mouse". The book gives the first published reference to Donald Duck. oThe book "Mickey Mouse Movie Stories Volume One" is published. oPreproduction work begins on an animated feature of Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland". Work is halted when Commonwealth Pictures releases its live-action feature-length version. oThe Saalfield Publishing Company of Akron, Ohio, publishes the "Mickey Mouse Coloring Book".
1932
January
January 5: The Silly Symphony film "The Bird Store" is completed.
January 10: The first "Mickey Mouse" colour comic page is published in Sunday editions of newspapers. The page is written, drawn, and inked by Earl Duvall. The first "Silly Symphonies" colour comic page is published in Sunday editions of newspapers. The edition is titled "Bucky Bug".
January 17: The first colour Mickey Mouse page written and drawn by Floyd Gottfredson is published.
January 21: The Mickey Mouse film "The Duck Hunt" is completed. Pluto also appears.
February
February 8: The Mickey Mouse film "The Grocery Boy" is completed. Pluto and Minnie Mouse also appear.
February 27: The Mickey Mouse film "The Mad Dog" is completed. Pluto also appears.
April
April 13: The Mickey Mouse film "Barnyard Olympics" is released. Pluto also appears.
May
May 12: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Revue" is released. Pluto and Horace Horsecollar also appear. Goofy appears for the first time, with the name "Dippy Dawg".
June
June 8: The Mickey Mouse film "Musical Farmer" is released.
July
July 1: Disney signs a merchandising arrangement with Herman Kay Kamen, making him the sole representative for the company.
July 9: The Silly Symphony film "The Bears and the Bees" is released.
July 11: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey in Arabia" is released. Minnie Mouse also appears.
July 30: The Silly Symphony film "Just Dogs" is released. Pluto also appears. This is the last black and white Silly Symphony. The Silly Symphony film "Flowers and Trees" is released. This is the first full colour cartoon.
August
August 13: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Nightmare" is released. Pluto and Minnie Mouse also appear. This film is a remake of the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit film "Poor Papa".
August 20: The Mickey Mouse film "Trader Mickey" is released. Pluto also appears.
September
September 10: The Silly Symphony film "King Neptune" is released.
September 17: The Mickey Mouse film "The Whoopee Party" is released. Goofy and Minnie Mouse also appear.
October
October 1: The Silly Symphony film "Bugs in Love" is released.
October 13: The film "Flowers and Trees" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons). The film "Mickey's Orphans" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons).
October 15: The Mickey Mouse film "Touchdown Mickey" is released.
November
November 12: The Mickey Mouse film "The Wayward Canary" is released. Pluto also appears. The Mickey Mouse film "The Klondike Kid" is released. Pluto and Minnie Mouse also appear.
November 15: The Disney Art Class first meets, with Don Graham of the Chouinard School of Art lecturing at the Disney Studios.
November 18: Walt Disney receives an Academy Award (Special Award) for the creation of Mickey Mouse. An Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons) is won for "Flowers and Trees". This is the first Academy Award for a cartoon. The animated film collage "Parade of the Award Nominees" is released.
November 19: The Silly Symphony film "Babes in the Woods" is released.
November (?): Disney publishes the first issue of "Mickey Mouse Melodeon".
December
December 10: The Silly Symphony film "Santa's Workshop" is released. It was produced in colour.
December 15: Disney publishes the last issue of the "Official Bulletin of the Mickey Mouse Club".
December 17: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Good Deed" is released. Pluto also appears.
December (?): Production begins on the Silly Symphony film "Three Little Pigs".
Month Unknown
oThe book "Mickey Mouse and his Horse Tanglefoot" is published. oDisney signs an exclusive two-year deal with Technicolor for use of their three-colour process. oUnited Artists produces a 48-page Mickey Mouse film and merchandise promotion book. oDisney signs a contract with the Norwich Knitting Company of Norwich, New York, to produce Mickey Mouse sweaters. oMembership in Mickey Mouse clubs in the US reaches 1 million. oRoy Disney signs with United Artists as distributors of Disney's cartoons.
1933
January
January 7: The Mickey Mouse film "Building a Building" is released. The first issue of the magazine "Topolino" (which means "Mickey Mouse" in Italian) is published in Italy.
January 21: The Mickey Mouse film "The Mad Doctor" is released. Pluto also appears.
January (?): Kay Kamen produces the first "Mickey Mouse Magazine".
February
February 18: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Pal Pluto" is released. Pluto and Minnie Mouse also appear.
February (?): Disney publishes the last issue of "Mickey Mouse Melodeon".
March
March 11: The Silly Symphony film "Birds in the Spring" is released.
March 18: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Mellerdrammer" is released. Goofy and Horace Horsecollar also appear.
April
April 8: The Mickey Mouse film "Ye Olden Days" is released. Goofy and Minnie also appear. The Silly Symphony film "Father Noah's Ark" is released.
May
May 13: The Mickey Mouse film "The Mail Pilot" is released.
May 27: The Silly Symphony film "Three Little Pigs" is released, opening at Radio City Music Hall in New York. Although it cost US$60,000 to produce, with revenue from merchandising it became the studio's first profit-making film.
June
June 9: Disney cancels William Levy's merchandising contract in England.
June 17: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Mechanical Man" is released.
July
July 1: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Gala Premiere" is released. Pluto also appears. Kay Kamen signs his first big merchandising contract with Walt Disney Enterprises. Kamen would receive 40% of receipts on the first US$100,000 and 50% of receipts above that.
July 29: The Silly Symphony film "Old King Cole" is released.
August
August 19: The Silly Symphony film "Lullaby Land" is released.
September
September 2: The Mickey Mouse film "Puppy Love" is released. Pluto and Minnie Mouse also appear. Fifi the dog makes her first appearance.
September 16: The Silly Symphony film "The Pied Piper" is released.
September 30: The Mickey Mouse film "The Steeple-Chase" is released.
September (?): The ninth and last issue of Kay Kamen's original "Mickey Mouse Magazine" is published.
October
October 28: The Mickey Mouse film "The Pet Store" is released. Minnie Mouse also appears.
November
November 10: The film "My Lips Betray" is generally released by Fox Film Corp. The first scene shows a portion of the Mickey Mouse cartoon "Ye Olden Days" on a TV in a car. Disney provided the clip free of charge.
November 25: The Mickey Mouse film "Giant Land" is released.
November (?): The second "Mickey Mouse Magazine" is first published, on behalf of a chain of dairies, to advertise milk products.
December
December 9: The Silly Symphony film "The Night Before Christmas" is released.
December 18: Diane Marie is born to Walt and Lillian Disney.
Month Unknown
oThe first Mickey Mouse Club in Britain is formed, at Darlington's Arcade Cinema. oWalt goes to New York to negotiate with Harry Cohn of Columbia Pictures for an increase in cartoon advances, from US$7500 to US$15,000 each. Harry Cohn refuses, and tears up their existing contract. oDisney signs a contract with the Ingersoll-Waterbury Company to produce Mickey Mouse watches.
1934
January
January 13: The Silly Symphony film "The China Shop" is released. The Mickey Mouse film "Shanghaied" is released. Minnie Mouse also appears.
February
February 5: The U.S. Patent Office grants a patent to the Ingersoll-Waterbury Clock Company, of Connecticut, for the first Mickey Mouse watch.
February 10: The Silly Symphony film "The Grasshopper and the Ants" is released.
February 12: Walt Disney Productions files an application for a trademark of "Mickey Mouse" for use in books and newspaper comic strips.
February 17: The Mickey Mouse film "Camping Out" is released. Minnie Mouse, Clarabelle Cow, and Horace Horsecollar also appear.
February 26: The film "Building a Building" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons). The film "Three Little Pigs" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons).
March
March 3: The Mickey Mouse film "Playful Pluto" is released. Pluto also appears.
March 16: An Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons) is won for the film "Three Little Pigs".
March 24: The Silly Symphony film "Funny Little Bunnies" is released.
April
April 2: Ward Kimball begins work at the Disney Studios as an apprentice.
April 14: The Silly Symphony film "The Big Bad Wolf" is released.
May
May 19: The Mickey Mouse film "Gulliver Mickey" is released.
June
June 1: The film "Hollywood Party" is generally released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. A scene has Jimmy Durante "tangle" with an animated Mickey Mouse. This is the first feature film appearance of Mickey.
June 5: Walt Disney Productions is granted a trademark of "Mickey Mouse" for use in books and newspaper comic strips.
June 9: The Silly Symphony film "The Wise Little Hen" is released. Donald Duck makes his unnamed debut. Clarence Nash supplies his voice.
June 16: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Steamroller" is released. Minnie Mouse also appears.
July
July 14: The Silly Symphony film "The Flying Mouse" is released.
July 19: Disney signs a contract with the Lionel Corporation to produce a Mickey Mouse wind-up handcar.
July 31: Disney files a lawsuit against the United Biscuit Company of America, Sawyer Biscuit Company, and the Chicago Carton Company. The case involves the unauthorised use of Disney characters for animal crackers. The suit is settled in favour of Disney after four months
August
August 9: The first outline for the film "Snow White" is prepared.
August 11: The Mickey Mouse film "Orphan's Benefit" is released. Donald and Clara Cluck also appear.
August 27: 15 months after its release the short film "Three Little Pigs" has grossed US$150,000.
August (?): Walt suggests 50 possible names for the dwarfs in the film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs".
September
September 1: The Silly Symphony film "Peculiar Penguins" is released.
September 7: The film "Servant's Entrance" is generally released by Fox Film Corp. A nightmare scene contains animation of kitchen items, provided by Walt Disney Productions for the fee of US$12,500.
September 16: Donald Duck is introduced to comic strips in the Silly Symphony Sunday edition.
September 29: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey Plays Papa" is released. Pluto also appears.
October
October 21: The first issue of "Le Journal de Mickey" is published, in France.
November
November 3: The Silly Symphony film "The Goddess of Spring" is released.
November 17: The Mickey Mouse film "The Dog Napper" is released. Donald Duck also appears.
December
December 15: The Mickey Mouse film "Two-Gun Mickey" is released. Minnie Mouse also appears.
Month Unknown
oWalt Disney tells his artists of plans to make a feature-length film of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs". oThe British Art Workers Guild elects Walt Disney as an Honorary member. oMickey Mouse has a cameo appearance in Laurel and Hardy's "Babes in Toyland" film. oThe Encyclopedia Britannica adds an entry for "Mickey Mouse". oBlue Ribbon Books Inc., of New York, publishes the "Mickey Mouse Waddle Book" which includes cutout models of Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, and Tanglefoot the horse. oThe book "Mickey Mouse Movie Stories Volume Two" is published. oCole Porter records the song "You're the Top" including the line "You're Mickey Mouse". oThe jewellery company Cartier's begins selling diamond-studded Mickey Mouse pins. oThe confectionery firm of E. Sharp & Sons begins selling Mickey Mouse toffee in England.
1935
January
January 5: The Silly Symphony film "The Tortoise and the Hare" is released.
January 19: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Man Friday" is released.
February
February 5: The film "The Tortoise and the Hare" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons).
February 10: Donald Duck makes his first appearance in the Mickey Mouse Sunday edition comic strip.
February 23: The Mickey Mouse film "The Band Concert" is released. Donald Duck also appears. This is the first Mickey Mouse film in Technicolor.
February 27: An Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons) is won for the film "The Tortoise and the Hare".
March
March 14: Donald Duck makes his first appearance in the Mickey Mouse daily newspaper comic strip.
March 16: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Service Station" is released. Donald Duck and Goofy also appear.
March 22: The Silly Symphony film "The Golden Touch" is released.
April
April 13: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Kangaroo" is released. Pluto also appears. This is the last black-and-white Disney cartoon.
April 20: The Silly Symphony film "The Robber Kitten" is released.
May
May 11: The Silly Symphony film "Water Babies" is released.
May 15: The third "Mickey Mouse Magazine" is first published.
May 25: The Silly Symphony film "The Cookie Carnival" is released.
June
June 1: The Ingersoll-Waterbury Company reports that it produced 2.5 million Mickey Mouse watches during its 2-year association with Disney.
June 29: The Silly Symphony film "Who Killed Cock Robin?" is released.
July
July 13: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Garden" is released. Pluto also appears.
August
August 3: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Fire Brigade" is released. Donald Duck, Clarabelle Cow, and Goofy also appear.
August 31: The Mickey Mouse film "Pluto's Judgement Day" is released. Pluto also appears.
September
September 28: The Mickey Mouse film "On Ice" is released. Donald Duck, Pluto, and Goofy also appear.
October
October 5: The Silly Symphony film "Music Land" is released.
October 26: The Silly Symphony film "Three Orphan Kittens" is released.
October (?): The last issue of the second "Mickey Mouse Magazine" is published.
November
November 30: The Silly Symphony film "Cock o' the Walk" is released.
December
December 14: The Silly Symphony film "Broken Toys" is released.
Month Unknown
oAn exhibition of Mickey Mouse art is displayed at the Leicester Gallery in London, England. oDisney begins to phase out the Mickey Mouse Clubs due to the difficulties involved in administering so many clubs worldwide. oThe Goodyear Rubber Company produces a 50-foot high inflatable Mickey Mouse to lead Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. oThe League of Nations presents Walt Disney with a special medal in recognition of the fact that: "Mickey Mouse is a symbol of universal good will".
1936
January
January 4: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Polo Team" is released. Donald Duck and Goofy also appear.
February
February 7: The film "Who Killed Cock Robin?" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons). The film "Three Orphan Kittens" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons).
February 8: "Mickey Mouse Weekly" is first published, in England. 375,000 copies of the first issue are sold.
February 15: The Mickey Mouse film "Orphan's Picnic" is released. Donald Duck also appears.
March
March 5: An Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons) is won for the film "Three Orphan Kittens".
March 7: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Grand Opera" is released. Pluto also appears.
March 28: The Silly Symphony film "Elmer Elephant" is released.
April
April 18: The Silly Symphony film "Three Little Wolves" is released.
May
May 30: The Mickey Mouse film "Thru the Mirror" is released.
June
June 20: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Rival" is released. Minnie Mouse also appears. Mortimer Mouse makes his debut. The Mickey Mouse film "Moving Day" is released. Donald Duck and Goofy also appear.
June (?): Kay Kamen takes over the publishing of the "Mickey Mouse Magazine" from Hal Horne.
July
July 4: David Hilberman begins work at the Disney studio.
July 25: The Mickey Mouse film "Alpine Climbers" is released. Donald Duck and Goofy also appear.
August
August 1: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Circus" is released. Donald Duck also appears.
August 22: The Silly Symphony film "Toby Tortoise Returns" is released.
September
September 12: The Mickey Mouse film "Donald and Pluto" is released. Donald Duck and Pluto star, without Mickey.
September 26: The Silly Symphony film "Three Blind Mouseketeers" is released.
October
October 10: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Elephant" is released. Pluto also appears.
October 31: The Silly Symphony film "The Country Cousin" is released.
November
November 14: The Mickey Mouse film "Mother Pluto" is released. Pluto stars, without Mickey.
December
December 19: The Silly Symphony film "More Kittens" is released.
December 31: Walt gains a second daughter, Sharon Mae, who is adopted.
Month Unknown
oWalt receives the French Legion of Honor award. oThe "Mickey Mouse Weekly" comic is launched in England, published by Odhams Press Ltd.
1937
January
January 2:The Mickey Mouse film "The Worm Turns" is released.
January 9: The Mickey Mouse film "Don Donald" is released. Donald Duck stars, without Mickey. Daisy Duck first appears, but is not named.
January 11: The film "The Woman Alone" is generally released by Gaumont-British Picture Corp. containing an excerpt from the Silly Symphony film "Who Killed Cock Robin?".
January (?): Walt Disney is named as the Junior Chamber of Commerce's 1936 "Outstanding Young Man".
February
February 6: The Mickey Mouse film "Magician Mickey" is released. Donald Duck also appears.
February 7: The film "The Country Cousin" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons).
February 20: The Mickey Mouse film "Moose Hunters" is released. Donald Duck and Goofy also appear.
March
March 4: An Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons) is won for the film "The Country Cousin".
March 13: The Silly Symphony film "Woodland Cafe" is released.
April
April 17: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Amateurs" is released. Donald Duck, Clara Cluck, Clarabelle Cow, and Goofy also appear.
May
May 15: The Silly Symphony film "Little Hiawatha" is released. Republic Pictures Corp. containing an excerpt from the Mickey Mouse film "Puppy Love" generally release the film "Michael O'Halloran".
May 29: The Mickey Mouse film "Modern Inventions" is released. Donald Duck stars, without Mickey.
May: Walt begins negotiations with Paul Dukas to purchase the rights to use the music and story of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" in an animated film.
July
July (?): Walt obtains the rights to use the music and story of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice".
September
September 24: The Mickey Mouse film "Hawaiian Holiday" is released. Donald Duck, Pluto, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy also appear.
September 26: Camera work begins on the film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs".
October
October 15: The Mickey Mouse film "Clock Cleaners" is released. Donald Duck and Goofy also appear.
November
November 5: The Silly Symphony film "The Old Mill" is released. This is the first animated film using a multiplane camera. The camera alone cost US$70,000 to build, and stood 14 feet high.
November 26: The Mickey Mouse film "Pluto's Quin-Puplets" is released. Pluto stars, without Mickey.
November 29: Walt receives a letter from Leopold Stowkowski, suggesting Walt create a new character to use in "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" instead of using Mickey Mouse.
November (?):Work begins on the short film "The Sorcerer's Apprentice".
December
December 1: The Mickey Mouse comic strip is censored by the Yugoslavian paper Politika.
December 10: The first Donald Duck film "Donald's Ostrich" is released.
December 12: A new Sunday color comic strip is published, featuring the animated characters from the feature films. The first edition is "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs".
December 21: Disney's first full-length animated feature film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" premieres at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Hollywood. It is the industry's first full-length animated movie. The US$1.5 million needed to complete the film nearly bankrupted the company. Two million drawings make up the 83 minute film.
December 24: The Mickey Mouse film "Lonesome Ghosts" is released. Donald Duck and Goofy also appear.
December (?): Production on "Snow White" is completed.
December (?): The film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is given its first pre-release screening, in a theater in Pomona, California.
Month Unknown
oWalt decides to make a Silly Symphony based on the musical story "The Sorcerer's Apprentice". oUnited Artists informs Disney that to continue acting as Disney's film distributor, Disney would have to sign over all future television rights to Disney's entire film inventory. Disney refuses. oDisney signs with RKO Radio Pictures to act as distributors of Disney films. oThe film compilation "Academy Award Review of Walt Disney Cartoons" is released. oDisney publishes the first issue of "The Mickey Mouse Globe Trotter Weekly". oProduction begins on the film "Pinocchio". oWalt decides to make an animated feature film of "Bambi". oProduction begins on the film "Bambi". oThe book "Mickey Mouse Bedtime Stories" is published. oWalt Disney hears the Paul Dukas' music "L'Apprenti-Sorcier" ("The Sorcerer's Apprentice).
1938
January
January 21: Animation work begins on "The Sorcerer's Apprentice".
January (?): Leopold Stokowski records the sound track to "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", in Hollywood.
February
February 4: The film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is released.
February 6: The film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is nominated for an Academy Award (Music, Best Score). The film "The Old Mill" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons).
February 7: The first daily "Donald Duck" comic strip is published.
February 11: The Donald Duck film "Self Control" is released.
February 25: The Mickey Mouse film "Boat Builders" is released. Donald Duck, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy also appear.
March
March 10: An Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons) is won for the film "The Old Mill". Walt Disney Productions receives an Academy Award (Scientific or Technical, Class II) for the design and application of the multi-plane camera.
March 11: The Donald Duck film "Donald's Better Self" is released.
April
April 1: The Silly Symphony film "The Moth and the Flame" is released.
April 12: Walt's agent contacts Leopold Stravinsky's publisher, asking for the film rights to "The Firebird".
April 15: The Donald Duck film "Donald's Nephews" is released. Huey, Dewey, and Louie make their debut.
May
May 6: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Trailer" is released. Donald Duck and Goofy also appear.
May 27: The Silly Symphony film "Wynken, Blynken and Nod" is released.
May (?): A document and organisation diagram is created, detailing functions of all Disney employees.
June
June 17: The Donald Duck film "Polar Trappers" is released. Pluto also appeared.
July
July 8: The Donald Duck film "Good Scouts" is released. Huey, Dewey, and Louie also appear.
July 19: Disney and Courvoisier Galleries sign a contract, making Guthrie Courvoisier the sole representative for marketing original art, such as animation cels.
July 29: The Donald Duck film "The Fox Hunt" is released. Goofy also appears.
August
August 19: The Mickey Mouse film "The Whalers" is released. Donald Duck and Goofy also appear.
August 31: Walt and Roy Disney pay a US$10,000 deposit on a US$100,000 51 acre property on Buena Vista Street in Burbank, for a new studio.
August (?): In its first six months "Snow White" grosses US$2 million.
September
September 9: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Parrot" is released. Pluto also appears.
September 23: The Mickey Mouse film "The Brave Little Tailor" is released.
September 28: The Fantasound surround sound system for "Fantasia" is first tested.
September 29: Walt Disney Productions Ltd., Walt Disney Enterprises, Liled Realty and Investment Company Ltd., and the Disney Film Recording Company are consolidated to form Walt Disney Enterprises.
September (?): Walt Disney and four others meet to start choosing pieces of music to use as additional episodes with "The Sorcerer's Apprentice". At the time this project is called "The Concert Feature".
October
October 14: The Silly Symphony film "Farmyard Symphony" is released.
October 17: The first story meeting is held to discuss the "Dance of the Hours" segment of the film "Fantasia".
November
November 4: The Donald Duck film "Donald's Golf Game" is released. Huey, Dewey, and Louie also appear.
November 25: The animated film "Ferdinand the Bull" is released.
November 29: Flora Disney dies of inhaling poison gas fumes from a defective water heater.
December
December 9: The Silly Symphony film "Merbabies" is released. It was not animated by the Disney studio, but by former employees Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising.
December 23: The Silly Symphony film "Mother Goose Goes Hollywood" is released.
December (?): Walt Disney Enterprises is renamed Walt Disney Productions.
Month Unknown
oK. K. Publications publishes a black and white Donald Duck comic book. oE. Cardon Walker (known as "Card") starts work at the studio, as a traffic boy. oWalt Disney receives an honorary Master of Arts degree from Harvard University. oWalt Disney receives an honorary Master of Fine Arts degree from Yale University. oWalt Disney receives an honorary Master of Science degree from the University of Southern California. oWalt Disney joins the Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers (SIMPP), which was created to challenge the domination of the major picture studios. oThe SIMPP files a lawsuit against Paramount Pictures, with the other major studios named as co-defendants. oMickey Mouse acquires pupils in his eyes for the first time. oWalt Disney Productions is reorganised.
1939
January
January 4: Walt Disney Productions signs a contract with Stravinsky for the use of "Rite of Spring" in an animated film.
January 6: Disney publishes the first issue of "The Bulletin", a studio employee newsletter.
January 13: The Donald Duck film "Donald's Lucky Day" is released.
January (?): Disney publishes the first issue of "Travel Tykes Weekly".
February
February 3: The Mickey Mouse film "Society Dog Show" is released. Pluto also appears.
February 12: The film "The Brave Little Tailor" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons). The film "Mother Goose Goes Hollywood" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons). The film "Ferdinand the Bull" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons). The film "Good Scouts" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons).
February 23: An Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons) is won for the film "Ferdinand the Bull". Walt Disney receives an Academy Award (Special Award) for the film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", for screen innovation. Disney is presented one statuette and seven miniature statuettes.
February 24: The animated film "The Practical Pig" is released.
March
March 17: Disney's first Goofy film "Goofy and Wilbur" is released. Wilbur the grasshopper appears for the first time.
April
April 7: The Silly Symphony film "The Ugly Duckling" is released. This is a color remake of the 1931 film. This is the last Silly Symphony film.
April 28: The Donald Duck film "The Hockey Champ" is released. Huey, Dewey, and Louie also appear.
May
May 19: The Donald Duck film "Donald's Cousin Gus" is released.
June
June 9: The Donald Duck film "Beach Picnic" is released. Pluto also appears.
June 30: The Donald Duck film, "Sea Scouts" is released. Huey, Dewey, and Louie also appear
July
July 21: The Mickey Mouse film "The Pointer" is released. Pluto also appears.
July 22: The National Labor Relations Board approves Disney's Federation of Screen Cartoonists union.
August
August 11: The Donald Duck film "Donald's Penguin" is released.
August (?): The Disney Studio begins the move to its new studio in Burbank, the cost of building the new studio was US$3 million.
August (?): Filming begins on the film "Pinocchio".
September
September 1: The Donald Duck film "The Autograph Hound" is released.
September (?): Disney publishes the last issue of "Travel Tykes Weekly".
October
October 10: The Donald Duck film "Officer Duck" is released.
December
December 10: The first Sunday colour Donald Duck comic strip is published.
December 24: The first colour comic strip of "Pinocchio" is published in Sunday editions of newspapers.
Month Unknown
oThe Philadelphia Orchestra records the musical numbers (except "The Sorcerer's Apprentice") for the film "Fantasia", in Philadelphia, under direction from Stowkowski. oThe new Disney studio in Burbank, California, is officially opened. oDisney's lawyer composes a proclamation officially establishing the Disney Studio Federation of Screen Cartoonists, an in-house, company-run, union. oThe New York Film Critics award a Special Award for the film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs". oDisney produces the animated film "The Standard Parade" for the Standard Oil Company. oDisney produces the animated film "Mickey's Surprise Party" for the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco). oA celluloid of a Disney cartoon is hung in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. oWalt Disney buys the film rights to T.H. White's novel "The Sword in the Stone". oA Mickey Mouse watch is sealed in the World's Fair time capsule buried in New York. oWalt Disney buys the animated film rights to James Barrie's play "Peter Pan" for 5,000 British pounds.
1940
February
February 7: The animated feature film "Pinocchio" premieres at the Central Theatre in New York. It cost US$2.6 million to make.
February 9: The film "Pinocchio" opens in Los Angeles theaters.
February 12: The film "The Pointer" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons). The film, "The Ugly Duckling" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons).
February 23: The film "Pinocchio" is generally released.
February 29: An Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons) is won for the film "The Ugly Duckling".
February (?): Western Publishing (Dell Publishing Company) produces Dell Color Comics comic book #4, featuring Donald Duck.
March
March 15: The Donald Duck film "The Riveter" is released.
April
April 2: Walt Disney Productions first offers shares in the company to the public. 155,000 shares of preferred stock are offered at US$25 per share and 600,000 of common stock for US$5 per share.
April 5: The Donald Duck film "Donald's Dog Laundry" is released. Pluto also appears.
April 26: The Mickey Mouse film "Tugboat Mickey" is released. Donald Duck and Goofy also appear.
May
May 6: The Walt Disney Studio completes its move to Burbank, California.
May 17: The Donald Duck film "Bill Posters" is released. Goofy also appears.
June
June 7: The Donald Duck film "Mr. Duck Steps Out" is released. Daisy Duck, Huey, Dewey, and Louie also appear.
June 19: The "Mickey Mouse" comic strip is published containing a small swastika in the last panel of the strip.
June 28: Disney's first Pluto film "Bone Trouble" is released. Butch, the bulldog, debuts.
July
July 19: The Donald Duck film "Put-Put Troubles" is released. Pluto also appears.
August
August 9: The Donald Duck film "Donald's Vacation" is released.
August 30: The Pluto film "Pluto's Dream House" is released. Mickey Mouse also appears.
September
September 20: The Donald Duck film "Window Cleaners" is released. Pluto also appears.
September (?): The last issue of the third "Mickey Mouse Magazine" is published.
October
October 12: Walt shows Stravinsky the finished film of "Rite of Spring".
October 23: Stravinsky sells the film rights to Disney for: "Renard"; "Fireworks" and "The Firebird".
October (?): The first issue of "Walt Disney's Comics and Stories" is published by Dell Publishing Company.
November
November 1: The Mickey Mouse film "Mr Mouse takes a Trip" is released. Pluto also appears.
November 11: Work on "Fantasia" is completed.
November 13: The animated feature film "Fantasia" premieres at New York's Broadway Theater. The film introduces stereophonic sound to motion pictures via a special sound system called Fantasound. The film cost US$2.28 million to make. This is Mickey Mouse' feature film debut, in the Silly Symphony "The Sorcerer's Apprentice". This 10.5 minute segment alone cost US$125,000 to make.
November 22: The Goofy film "Goofy's Glider" is released.
December
December 13: The Donald Duck film "Fire Chief" is released.
December 27: The Pluto film "Pantry Pirate" is released.
Month Unknown
oDisney issues its first Annual Report. oThe "Dell Black and White Comics" comic book "Donald Duck" if first published. oDisney produces the animated film "The Volunteer Worker" for the Community Chests and Councils, Incorporated. oUb Iwerks returns to work at the Disney Studios, as head of the technical research division. oThe Disney Studios' debt reaches US$4.5 million. oA compilation of six short films "La Grande Parade de Walt Disney" is released in France. oThelma Boardman takes over from Marcellite Garner as the voice of Minnie Mouse.
1941
January
January 10: The Donald Duck film "Timber" is released.
January 24: The Pluto film "Pluto's Playmate" is released.
January 29: The film "Fantasia" has its Hollywood premiere.
January (?): Herb Sorrell meets with Walt and Roy, presenting them with over 400 signature cards from employees wishing to join the Cartoonists Guild.
February
February 10: The film "Pinocchio" is nominated for an Academy Award (Music, Best Score). The song "When You Wish Upon a Star" from the film "Pinocchio" is nominated for an Academy Award (Music, Best Song).
February 14: The Mickey Mouse film "The Little Whirlwind" is released. Minnie Mouse also appears.
February 19: The film "Fantasia" opens in Chicago, Illinois.
February 27: An Academy Award (Music, Best Song) is won for the song "When You Wish Upon a Star" from the film "Pinocchio". An Academy Award (Music, Best Score) is won for the film "Pinocchio".
March
March 7: The Donald Duck film "The Golden Eggs" is released.
March 28: The Pluto film "A Gentleman's Gentleman" is released. Mickey Mouse also appears.
March (?): Walt enlists the assistance of an engineer from the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation to work on the film "Four Methods of Flush Riveting".
April
April 4: Disney publishes the last issue of the studio's employee newsletter "The Bulletin".
April 18: The Goofy film "Baggage Buster" is released.
April (?): The National Film Board of Canada commissions Disney to produce four commercials promoting the purchase of Canadian War Bonds.
April (?): Walt Disney Productions turns the film "Fantasia" over to RKO for continued distribution.
May
May 9: The Donald Duck film "A Good Time for a Dime" is released.
May 17: An anonymous memo at the Disney studios informs the 1200 employees that only qualified "artists" would be eligible for representation and continued job security.
May 22: A consent decree officially dissolves the Federation of Screen Cartoonists.
May 23: Leaflets appear all over Hollywood denouncing Arthur Babbit, Herb Sorrell, and David Hilberman as communists. The authors are identified only as "Committee of 21".
May 27: Richard Storey, of the Boston banking firm underwriting the studio's public stock offering, and Joseph Rosenberg from the Bank of America meet with Disney. They try unsuccessfully to convince Disney to recognise the Cartoonists Guild.
May 29: 293 Disney animators, members of the Screen Cartoonists Guild, stage a strike of the Disney Studios. More than 1000 picketers appear in the first hour.
May 30: The Pluto film "Canine Caddy" is released. Mickey Mouse also appears.
May (?): The National Labor Relations Board declares the Disney Studio Federation illegal, and orders it disbanded.
June
June 20: The animated and live-action feature film "The Reluctant Dragon" is released. The premiere is held at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood. This is Disney's first live-action film. It cost US$600,000 to make. The animated Goofy short film "How to Ride a Horse" and the animated short film "The Reluctant Dragon" are included. The Mickey Mouse film "The Nifty Nineties" is released. Donald Duck, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy also appear.
June 30: Disney asks Willie Bioff to call a meeting with the strikers that night, to settle the strike. Later that day, Willie Bioff is indicted by a federal grand jury on a charge of complicity to extort US$500,000 from several studios.
July
July 2: Walt Disney runs a full-page ad in Variety magazine outlining the settlement terms he had planned to present on June 30. Due to the Bioff indictment, the strikers called a halt to all further negotiations.
July 11: The Donald Duck film "Early to Bed" is released.
July 15: US President Franklin Roosevelt sends federal labour conciliator Stanley White to Hollywood, to try to work out a settlement of the Disney workers' strike.
July (?): The Printing Council forces the temporary withdrawal of the "Mickey Mouse" comic strip from its member newspapers, in support of the Disney strikers.
July (?): Technicolor Corporation announces its refusal to process Disney film until the studio recognises the Cartoonists Guild.
August
August 1: The Donald Duck film "Truant Officer Donald" is released. Huey, Dewey, and Louie also appear.
August 17: Walt Disney and a team of animators take a trip to South America as a "goodwill tour" and as inspiration for new films.
August 22: The Mickey Mouse film "Orphan's Benefit" is remade in colour and released. Donald Duck, Clara Cluck, Horace Horsecollar, Clarabelle Cow, and Goofy also appear.
August (?): The U.S. Labor Department Conciliation Service, on President Roosevelt's directive, sends James Dewey to try to work out a settlement in the Disney studio strike.
September
September 9: Roy Disney agrees to settle the strike via binding arbitration.
September 12: The Donald Duck film "Old Macdonald Duck" is released.
September 14: The strike at the Disney studio officially ends.
September 15: Walt Disney fires Arthur Babbit and Dave Hilberman, considered to have been the leaders of the walkout.
October
October 3: The Pluto film "Lend a Paw" is released. Mickey Mouse also appears.
October 23: The animated feature film "Dumbo" premieres in New York. It cost US$812,000 to make.
October 24: The Donald Duck film "Donald's Camera" is released.
October (?): Walt Disney returns to California from his South American trip.
October (?): Walt Disney contacts the chairman of the Joint Fact-Finding Committee on Un-American Activities, urging him to investigate the strikers of the studio.
November
November 14: The Goofy film "The Art of Skiing" is released.
December
December 5: The Donald Duck film "Chef Donald" is released.
December 7: Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the US Army commandeers Disney's soundstage for the repair of military vehicles and anti-aircraft guns, and use as a primary defence station to guard the nearby Lockheed plant against a possible air strike.
December 8: The US Navy orders a series of 20 films on aircraft and warship identifications, at a cost of US$4,500 each.
December 18: Walt Disney is called to Washington, D.C. to meet with the Treasury Department and the IRS. Walt is asked to provide a film to promote paying taxes, to be completed by the end of February, 1942.
December 26: The Goofy film "The Art of Self Defence" is released.
December (?): Walt Disney announces to his family that he has decided to retire from making movies.
Month Unknown
oElias Disney dies. oDell Publishing Company publishes a black and white Donald Duck comic paint book. oThe New York Film Critics award a Special Award for the film "Fantasia". oDisney produces the animated film "The Thirsty Pig" for the National Film Board of Canada. oDisney produces the animated film "The Seven Wise Dwarfs" for the National Film Board of Canada. oDisney produces the film "New Spirit" for the US Treasury Department. oDell Publishing Company produces Dell Color Comics comic book #13 "The Reluctant Dragon". oDell Publishing Company produces Dell Color Comics comic book #17 "Dumbo". oA strike at Disney studios results in mass resignations, and the formation of the United Productions of America. oWork begins on turning the book "The Hound of Florence" into Disney's first live-action film. The project is shelved when the studio's resources were needed for the war effort. The project later becomes the film "The Shaggy Dog". oDisney publishes eight issues of "Dumbo Weekly" distributed by Diamond D-X Service Stations. oDisney produces the animated film "Four Methods of Flush Riveting" in conjunction with the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. oThe National Film Board of Canada purchases the rights to "Four Methods of Flush Riveting".
1942
January
January 16: The Donald Duck film "The Village Smithy" is released.
January: The US Naval Bureau of Aeronautics asks Walt to make 20 animated training films for a total of US$80,000. Walt accepts. He manages to make the 20 films for US$72,000.
February
February 7: The Mickey Mouse film "Mickey's Birthday Party" is released. Donald Duck, Minnie Mouse, Clara Cluck, and Goofy also appear. The film is a colour remake of "The Birthday Party".
February 9: The film "Dumbo" is nominated for an Academy Award (Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture). The song "Baby Mine" from the film "Dumbo" is nominated for an Academy Award (Music, Song). The film "Lend a Paw" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons). The film "Truant Officer Donald" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons).
February 26: An Academy Award (Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture) is won for the film "Dumbo". An Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons) is won for the film "Lend a Paw". Walt Disney receives an Academy Award (Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award). Music conductor Leopold Stokowski receives an Academy Award (Special Award) for the film "Fantasia", for "widening the scope of the motion picture as entertainment and as an art form". Walt Disney and others receive an Academy Award (Special Award) for the film "Fantasia", for advancement of the use of sound in motion pictures.
February 28: The Pluto film "Pluto Junior" is released.
March
March 20: The Mickey Mouse film "Symphony Hour" is released. Donald Duck and Goofy also appear.
April
April 10: The Donald Duck film "Donald's Snow Fight" is released. Huey, Dewey, and Louie also appear. The film "Fantasia" is generally released.
May
May 1: The Donald Duck film "Donald Gets Drafted" is released.
May 4: Walt begins seeking the rights to the book "Victory Through Air Power", to turn it into a film.
May 22: The Pluto film "The Army Mascot" is released.
June
June 12: The Donald Duck film "Donald's Garden" is released.
July
July 3: The Pluto film "The Sleepwalker" is released.
July 12: The last Silly Symphony colour comic strip is published.
July 19: The first colour comic strip of "Bambi" is published in Sunday editions of newspapers.
July 24: The Donald Duck film "Donald's Gold Mine" is released.
July (?): Walt Disney purchases the film rights to the book "Victory Through Air Power".
August
August 13: The animated feature film "Bambi" world premieres at Radio City Music Hall. It cost US$1.741 million to make.
August 14: The Pluto film "T-Bone for Two" is released.
August (?): The US military ends its occupation of the Disney studio.
September
September 4: The Goofy film "How to Play Basketball" is released.
September 25: The Donald Duck film "The Vanishing Private" is released.
October
October 9: The Goofy film "The Olympic Champ" is released.
October 11: The first colour comic strip of "Jose Carioca" is published in Sunday editions of newspapers.
October 23: The Goofy film "How to Swim" is released.
November
November 6: The Donald Duck film "Sky Trooper" is released.
November 20: The Pluto film "Pluto at the Zoo" is released.
December
December 4: The Goofy film "How to Fish" is released.
December 18: The Donald Duck film "Bellboy Donald" is released.
Month Unknown
oWalt Disney and family move into their new home in Holmby Hills, in Los Angeles. oThe film "South of the Border with Disney" is released as a 16mm film. oRuth Clifford takes over from Thelma Boardman as the voice of Minnie Mouse. oDisney's "Four Methods of Flush Riveting" is released by the National Film Board of Canada. oDell Publishing Company produces Dell Four Color Comics comic book #9, "Donald Duck - Pirate Gold". oDell Publishing Company produces Dell Four Color Comics comic book #12, "Bambi". oThe animated feature film "Saludos Amigos" opens in South America. oDisney produces the film "Aircraft Carrier Landing Signals" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Aircraft Carrier Mat Approaches and Landings" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Aircraft Riveting" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Approaches and Landings" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Battle of Britain" in part for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Bending and Curving" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Blanking and Punching" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Forming Methods" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Icing Conditions" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Know Your Enemy, Germany" in part for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "The Nazi's Strike [Campaign in Poland]" in part for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Prelude to War" in part for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Protection Against Chemical Warfare" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "US Army Identification Series - WEFT" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "US Navy Identification Series - WEFT and Warships" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Boys Anti-Tank Rifle [Stop That Tank]" for the National Film Board of Canada. oDisney produces the film "Donald's Decision" for the National Film Board of Canada. oDisney produces the film "All Together" for the National Film Board of Canada. oDisney produces the film "Food Will Win the War" for the National Film Board of Canada. It cost US$20,000 to make. oDisney produces the film "Out of the Frying Pan into the Firing Line" for the Conservation Division of the War Production Board.
1943
January
January 1: The Donald Duck film "Der Fuehrer's Face" is released. The original title was "Donald Duck in Nutziland".
January 15: The film "Education For Death" is released.
January 29: The Donald Duck film "Donald's Tire Trouble" is released.
February
February 6: The animated feature film "Saludos Amigos" is released in the U.S. It cost US$300,000 to make. It includes the animated short films: "Lake Titicaca" (with Donald Duck); "Pedro"; "El Gaucho Goofy" (with Goofy) and "Aquarela do Brasil" (with Donald Duck).
February 8: The film "Bambi" is nominated for an Academy Award (Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture). The song "Love is a Song" from the film "Bambi" is nominated for an Academy Award (Music, Best Song). The film "Der Fuehrer's Face" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons). The film "The Grain that Built a Hemisphere" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Documentary). The film "New Spirit" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Documentary).
February 19: The Pluto film "Pluto and the Armadillo" is released. Mickey Mouse also appears.
March
March 4: An Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons) is won for the film "Der Fuehrer's Face".
March 12: The Donald Duck film "Flying Jalopy" is released.
April
April 2: The Pluto film "Private Pluto" is released. Chip and Dale make their first appearance, though unnamed.
April 23: The Donald Duck film "Fall Out - Fall In" is released.
June
June (?): Frank Reilly is hired to take over as head of the comic strip department.
July
July 17: The animated and live-action feature film "Victory Through Air Power" is released. It cost US$788,000 to make.
July 30: The Goofy film "Victory Vehicles" is released. Pluto also appears.
August
August 27: The film "Reason and Emotion" is released.
September
September (?): Disney publishes the first issue of "Mickey Mouse on the Home Front" mainly for use by aircraft companies during World War II.
October
October 15: Disney's first Figaro film "Figaro and Cleo" is released.
November
November 5: The Donald Duck film "The Old Army Game" is released.
November 26: The Donald Duck film "Home Defence" is released.
December
December 17: The film "Chicken Little" is released.
Month Unknown
oDell Publishing Company produces Dell Four Color Comics comic book #19 "Thumper". oDisney publishes the first and only issue of "Dispatch from Disney", for employees in the armed services. oDell Publishing Company produces Dell Four Color Comics comic book #30 "Bambi's Children". oDisney produces the film "Aeronca Project Maintenance of Primary Training Airplanes]" for the US Army and Aeronca. oDisney produces the film "Air Masses and Fronts" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Air Transport Command" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Aircraft Carrier Landing Qualifications" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Aircraft Welding" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "The Aleutian Islands Project]" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Battle of China" in part for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Battle of Russia" in part for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Beechcraft Maintenance and Repair" for Beech Aircraft Corporation and the US Army. oDisney produces the film "British Torpedo Plane Tactics" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Carrier Rendezvous and Breakup" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "The Cold Front" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Divide and Conquer" in part for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Fixed Gunnery and Fighter Tactics" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Fog" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Glider Training" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Heat Treating" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "High Level Precision Bombing" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Know Your Enemy - Japan" in part for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Lofting and Layouts" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "The Mark 13 - Modification I Aerial Torpedo" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Minneapolis Honeywell Project [Auto Pilot]" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "The Occluded Front" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Rules of the Nautical Road" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Substitution and Conversion" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Template Reproduction" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Thunderstorms" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "V.T.B. Pilot Training" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "The Warm Front" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "The Grain that Built a Hemisphere" for the Co-ordinator of Inter-American Affairs. oDisney produces the film "The Spirit of '43" for the US Treasury Department. oDisney produces the film "The Winged Scourge" for the Co-ordinator of Inter-American Affairs. oDisney produces the film "Water, Friend or Enemy" for the Co-ordinator of Inter-American Affairs. oDisney produces the film "Defence Against Invasion" for the Co-ordinator of Inter-American Affairs. oDell Publishing Company produces Dell Four Color Comics comic book #29 "Donald Duck - Mummy's Ring".
1944
January
January 7: The film "The Pelican and the Snipe" is released.
January 28: The Goofy film "How to Be a Sailor" is released.
February
February 7: The film "Saludos Amigos" is nominated for an Academy Award (Sound Recording). The film "Victory Through Air Power" is nominated for an Academy Award (Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture). The film "Saludos Amigos" is nominated for an Academy Award (Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture). The song "Saludos Amigos" from the film "Saludos Amigos" is nominated for an Academy Award (Music, Song). The film "Reason and Emotion" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons).
February 18: The Donald Duck film "Trombone Trouble" is released.
February (?): The film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is re-released in theaters. The re-release was a gamble that paid off.
February (?): Walt Disney becomes vice-president and one of the founding members of the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals.
March
March 7: Walt Disney writes a letter to North Carolina Senator Robert R. Reynolds, urging that the House Un-American Activities Committee intensify its presence in Hollywood.
March 10: The Goofy film "How to Play Golf" is released.
March 31: The Donald Duck film "Donald Duck and the Gorilla" is released. Huey, Dewey, and Louie also appear.
April
April 21: The Donald Duck film "Contrary Condor" is released.
June
June 2: The Donald Duck film "Commando Duck" is released.
June 6: "Mickey Mouse" is used as the password for the D-Day invasion of Europe.
June 23: The Pluto film "Springtime for Pluto" is released.
September
September 1: The Donald Duck film "The Plastics Inventor" is released.
September 15: The Goofy film "How to Play Football" is released.
September 22: The Pluto film "First Aiders" is released. Minnie Mouse and Figaro also appear.
October
October (?): The film "The Three Caballeros" is completed.
December
December 8: The Donald Duck film "Donald's Day Off" is released. Huey, Dewey, and Louie also appear.
Month Unknown
oRoy Disney visits P.L. Travers, author of the Mary Poppins stories, in New York, to enquire about acquiring the film rights to the stories. oConstruction work is started to accommodate the studio's soundstages for live-action productions. oDell Publishing Company produces Dell Four Color Comics comic book #49 "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs". oDisney produces the film "The Amazon Awakens" for the Co-ordinator of Inter-American Affairs. oDisney produces the film "Air Brakes, Principles of Operation" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Attack in the Pacific" for the OWI. oDisney produces the film "Automotive Electricity for Military Vehicles" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Basic Map Reading" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Battle of Cape Gloucester" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Carburation, Basic Principles" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "The Case of the Tremendous Trifle" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Electric Brakes, Principles of Operation" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "The Equatorial Front" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "A Few Quick Facts #7 Disease" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Flying the Weather Map" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Fundamentals of Artillery Weapons" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "The Howgozit Chart" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Howitzer, 105mm M2A1 and Carriage M2, Principles of Operation" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "It's Your War, Too" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Operation and Maintenance of the Electronic Turbo Supercharger" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Theory of Simplex and Phantom Circuits" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Tuning Transmitters" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Two Down and One to Go" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Ward Care of Psychotic Patients" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Weather at War" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Weather for the Navigator" for the US Navy. oDisney produces the film "Your Job in Germany" for the US Army. oDell Publishing Company produces Dell Four Color Comics comic book #62 "Donald Duck - Frozen Gold". oPreproduction work begins on a live-action and animated feature film tentatively titled "Uncle Remus". It would eventually be released as "Song of the South". oThe Interracial Film and Radio Guild expresses concerns with Walt's announcement of work on the "Uncle Remus" film. The concern is that the film might portray blacks in a degrading fashion. As a result, Walt changes the name of the film to "Song of the South". oThe film "Fantasia" is re-released in theaters.
1945
January
January 5: The Goofy film "Tiger Trouble" is released.
January 26: The Donald Duck film "The Clock Watcher" is released.
January (?): Walt resigns as president of Walt Disney Productions. He appoints Roy as new president.
February
February 3: The animated and live-action feature film "The Three Caballeros" is released. After a brief initial run, Walt pulls the film from general release, due to bad press reviews. It includes the animated short films: "The Cold-Blooded Penguin"; "The Flying Gauchito"; "Baia" and "Le Pinata", all with Donald Duck.
February 5: The film "How to Play Football" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons).
March
March 16: The Pluto film "Dog Watch" is released.
March 30: The Donald Duck film "The Eyes Have It" is released. Pluto also appears.
April
April 20: The Goofy film "African Diary" is released.
June
June 16: Lillian Disney christens the ship SS Rice Victory, a 10,500-ton World War II warship.
June 29: The Donald Duck film "Donald's Crime" is released.
June 30: Disney produces the film "Hookworm" for the Co-ordinator of Inter-American Affairs.
July
July 13: The Goofy film "Californy 'er Bust" is released.
July 27: The Pluto film "Canine Casanova" is released.
August
August 10: The Donald Duck film "Duck Pimples" is released.
August 24: The Pluto film "The Legend of Coyote Rock" is released.
September
September 7: The Donald Duck film "No Sail" is released. Goofy also appears.
September 21: The Goofy film "Hockey Homicide" is released.
October
October 14: The Sunday colour comic strip "Uncle Remus" is first published.
October 26: The Donald Duck film "Cured Duck" is released. Daisy also appears.
October (?): The film "Pinocchio" is re-released in theatres.
December
December 7: The Pluto film "Canine Patrol" is released.
December 21: The Donald Duck film "Old Sequoia" is released.
December (?): Aldous Huxley produces a draft script for a live-action/animated "Alice in Wonderland" film.
Month Unknown
oArthur Babbit applies to be rehired at the studio. Walt refuses, despite a National Labor Relations Board order to rehire him. oDell Publishing Company produces Dell Four Color Comics comic book #71 "The Three Caballeros". oDell Publishing Company produces Dell Four Color Comics comic book #92 "Pinocchio". oThe Supreme Court rules that Disney must hire back Arthur Babbit, and pay him a large settlement. oDisney produces the film "The Right Spark Plug in the Right Place" for the Electric Auto-Lite Company. oDisney produces the film "The Dawn of Better Living" for Westinghouse Electric. oDisney produces the film "Insects as Carriers of Disease" for the Co-ordinator of Inter-American Affairs. oDisney produces the film "Cleanliness Brings Health" for the Co-ordinator of Inter-American Affairs. oDisney produces the film "Infant Care" for the Co-ordinator of Inter-American Affairs. oDisney produces the film "Hold Your Horsepower" for The Texas Company. oDisney produces the film "What is Disease?" for the Co-ordinator of Inter-American Affairs. Also known as "El Enemigo Invisible" or "The Unseen Enemy". oDisney produces the film "The Human Body" for the Co-ordinator of Inter-American Affairs. oDisney produces the film "Tuberculosis" for the Co-ordinator of Inter-American Affairs. oDisney produces the film "How Disease Travels" for the Co-ordinator of Inter-American Affairs. oDisney produces the film "Light Is What You Make It" for the Better Light Better Sight Bureau. oDisney produces the film "Something You Didn't Eat" for the Cereal Institute (Office of War Information, War Food Administration). oDisney produces the film "Prevention and Control of Distortion in Arc Welding" for the Lincoln Electrical Company. oDisney announces that Ginger Rogers will star in an upcoming live-action/animated version of "Alice in Wonderland". oDisney produces the film "Portuguese Reading Film 1" in conjunction with the Co-ordinator of Inter-American Affairs. oDisney produces the film "Portuguese Reading Film 2" in conjunction with the Co-ordinator of Inter-American Affairs. oDisney produces the film "Another Chance [UN Peace Charter]" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Burma Campaign [The Stilwell Road]" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "Dental Health" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "On to Tokyo" for the US Army. oDisney produces the film "War Comes to America" in part for the US Army.
1946
January
January 28: The film "The Three Caballeros" is nominated for an Academy Award (Sound Recording). The film "The Three Caballeros" is nominated for an Academy Award (Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture). The film "Donald's Crime" is nominated for an Academy Award (Short Subjects, Cartoons).
January (?): Arthur Babbit voluntarily leaves the studio. Walt orders his name removed from all documents and from the credits of films he had worked on.
March
March 8: The Goofy film "A Knight for a Day" is released.
March (?): The film "Fantasia" is re-released in theaters, in its original 130 minute length.
April
April 12: The Pluto film "Pluto's Kid Brother" is released.
May
May 10: The Pluto film "In Dutch" is released.
June
June 7: The Pluto film "Squatter's Rights" is released. Mickey Mouse, and Chip and Dale also appear.
June 28: The Donald Duck film "Donald's Double Trouble" is released. Daisy also appears.
July
July 19: The Pluto film "The Purloined Pup" is released.
August
August 9: The Donald Duck film "Wet Paint" is released.
August 15: The animated feature film "Make Mine Music" is released. It comprises the following animated short films: "The Martins and the Coys"; "Casey at the Bat"; "Peter and the Wolf"; "Johnnie Fedora and Alice Bluebonnet" and "The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met".
August 30: The Donald Duck film "Dumb Bell of the Yukon" is released.
September
September 20: The Donald Duck film "Lighthouse Keeping" is released.
October
October 11: The Figaro film "Bath Day" is released. Minnie Mouse also appears.
November
November 1: The Donald Duck film "Frank Duck Brings 'em Back Alive" is released. Goofy also appears.
November 2: The animated and live-action feature film "Song of the South" is released in theaters. Its premiere is held in Atlanta, Georgia. It cost US$2.125 million to make.
December
December 20: The Goofy film "Double Dribble" is released.
Month Unknown
oDisney announces planned layoffs of over 400 employees of a staff of 1000. oDisney announces suspension of production on all studio projects except for "Song of the South ";" Fun and Fancy Free; "So Dear to My Heart "and" Melody Time. oJimmy Macdonald, the Disney studios sound-effects man, takes over the job of providing Mickey Mouse's voice from Walt Disney. oThree days after the announcement of planned layoffs, Disney lays off 450 workers. The Cartoonists Guild manages to bargain for rehiring of 94 cartoonists, and two weeks severance pay for another 215. oProduction begins on "Alice in Wonderland" as a full-length animated feature film. oDisney produces the film "The ABC of Hand Tools" for General Motors. oDisney produces the film "The Building of A Tire" for Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. oDisney produces the film "Bathing Time for Baby" for Johnson and Johnson. oDisney produces the film "Environmental Sanitation" for the Co-ordinator of Inter-American Affairs. oDisney produces the film "Planning for Good Eating" for the Co-ordinator of Inter-American Affairs. oDisney produces the film "Jet Propulsion" for the General Electric Company. oDisney produces the film