Sky High’s Clouds

Sky High (2005) was released on July 29th, 2005, and was a commercial, critical, and public success. The film starred Kurt Russell as Steve Stronghold/The Commander, father of Will Stronghold, the film’s main protagonist, and Danielle Panabaker as Layla Williams, Will’s best friend turned girlfriend in the film. The film also starred Dave Foley and Kevin McDonald of The Kids in the Hall (1989-1995). Foley portrayed Jonathan Boy/All-American Boy who was the Hero Support Teacher at Sky High, but who was also the Commander’s former sidekick. McDonald played the role of Professor Medulla, Sky High’s mad scientist professor. The film also featured a cameo by Tom Kenny and his real-life spouse, Jill Talley, who play a husband and wife who almost get killed when the evil “Royal Pain” attempts to send Sky High down to the normal world. It’s possible, however, that each of these actors are better known to you for lending their acting and voice talents to other Disney movies.

Kurt Russell began his career as a Disney child star making his feature film debut in Follow Me, Boys! (1966), opposite fellow Disney veteran Fred MacMurray. Next came The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (1968), which would be his first film with future companion, Goldie Hawn. His other Disney films include The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit (1968), The Barefoot Executive (1971), and Superdad (1973). He portrayed the character of Dexter Riley in The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969) and its two sequels Now You See Him, Now You Don’t (1972) and The Strongest Man in the World (1975). He also acted in seven episodes of Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color (1954-1992), lent his voice to the character of Adult Copper in The Fox and the Hound (1981), and prior to “High,” played U.S. Hockey Coach Herb Brooks in Disney’s Miracle (2004). He will next be seen in Disney/Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (2017).

Danielle Panabaker acted in 2 Disney Channel Original Movies, Stuck in the Suburbs (2004) and Read It and Weep (2006). In “Weep,” she acted alongside her real-life sister, Kay Panabaker, who has also appeared in Disney Channel television shows and films. 

Dave Foley made his Disney debut voicing the character of Flik the Ant in A Bug’s Life (1998). He reprised the role for A Bug’s Life: The Video Game (1998), the It’s Tough to Be a Bug (1998) attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Toy Story 2 (1999) outtakes, and he voiced the “Flik” car in the Cars (2006) outtakes. He also voiced Terry in Monsters University (2013) and reprised that role for the short, Party Central (2014). In addition to all of his film roles, Foley has also portrayed Brick’s therapist/friend, Dr. Fulton in Disney/ABC’s The Middle (2009-) and voiced Wayne the Elf in Prep & Landing (2009) and it’s two sequels, Prep & Landing Stocking Stuffer: Operation: Secret Santa (2010), and Prep and Landing: Naughty vs. Nice (2011). Foley also lent his voice to an episode of the Disney Channel Television Show, Lilo and Stitch: The Series (2003-2006). 

Kevin McDonald, who is best friends with Dave Foley in real life, provided the voice of Pleakley in Lilo and Stitch (2002). He reprised the character for the series as well as the three direct-to-video sequels, Stitch: The Movie (2003), Lilo and Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch (2005), and Leroy & Stitch (2006). McDonald also lent his voice to an episode of the Disney Channel Show, Phineas and Ferb (2007-2015).

Tom Kenny, who played Mr. Timmerman in “Sky High,” is best known throughout the world for doing the voice of Spongebob Squarepants (1999-). In addition to that role, Kenny also voiced Mr. Willerstein in Disney’s Meet the Robinsons (2007), Rabbit in Winnie the Pooh (2011), and the New Holland Townsfolk in Frankenweenie (2012). Kenny has also done numerous voices in Disney Channel Shows, including Kim Possible (2003-2007) “Phineas and Ferb,” and Miles from Tomorrowland (2015-). Kenny’s wife, Jill Talley, who played Mrs. Timmerman, does the voice of Plankton’s computer wife, Karen on “Spongebob.” Talley also portrayed a Dance Competition Official in the Disney Channel Original Movie, Gotta Kick It Up! (2002).

Each of these people played significant roles in helping make “Sky High,” the hit that it became. It has now been 11 years since the film’s release, and each of these actors are still busy. It is unlikely that there will be a sequel to the film, but considering sequels are rarely better or even as good as the original, by itself, “Sky High,” will be an asset in continuing the Disney legacy of family entertainment.  

Ghostbusters Lives On

Do you believe in ghosts? You don’t have to answer that, but can you believe it’s been 32 years since the ‘80s classic film Ghostbusters (1984) was released? And in addition to that, they’re coming out with an all-new remake of the original film (July 15th) with Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, and Chris Hemsworth. I thought with this piece I would acknowledge to you the stars of the original film and some of the other memorable films of their career. Did you happen to know that many of them have been the voices of Disney cartoons?

Bill Murray, better known as “Dr. Peter Venkman,” received an Academy Award Nomination for Best Actor in Lost in Translation (2003). Murray also starred opposite future “Ghostbuster” Melissa McCarthy in St. Vincent (2014). He most recently lent his voice to Baloo in Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book (2016), and his “Translation” co-star, Scarlett Johansson, voiced Kaa the Snake in “Jungle Book.”

Dan Aykroyd, who portrayed Dr. Raymond Stantz in “Ghostbusters,” and co-wrote the screenplay for the film with Harold Ramis, received an Academy Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Driving Miss Daisy (1989). He also starred opposite Melissa McCarthy as her father, Don, in Tammy (2014). He never voiced any Disney cartoon, but did voice Yogi Bear for Warner Bros. live-action adaptation of Yogi Bear (2010), starring opposite the voice talent of Justin Timberlake as Boo Boo. 

Sigourney Weaver who played Dana Barrett in “Ghostbusters,” is one of the very few actresses in the entire movie industry ever to be nominated for two Academy Awards for two different films in the same year, being nominated in 1989 for Best Supporting Actress in Working Girl (1988) and Best Actress for Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey (1988). She previously was nominated for Best Actress in Aliens (1986). She portrayed the evil Warden in Disney’s Holes (2003). She also provided the voice of the Ship’s Computer in Disney/Pixar’s Wall-E (2008) and portrayed herself in Finding Dory (2016). 

The late, great Harold Ramis, who played Dr. Egon Spengler in “Ghostbusters,” sadly never received any Academy Award Nominations for any of his work. Nor did he star in any Disney films. He did, however, collaborate with good friend Bill Murray on 6 comedy films, including Meatballs (1979), Caddyshack (1980), Stripes (1981), Ghostbusters (1984), Ghostbusters 2 (1989), and Groundhog Day (1993). (Ramis wrote each film and he also produced and directed “Groundhog Day,” and “Caddyshack.” (co-written with Bill Murray’s brother, Brian Doyle Murray.) “Ghostbusters 1 and 2,” “Stripes,” and “Meatballs,” were all directed by Ivan Reitman.”) Both consider “Groundhog Day” their best work. They feuded throughout production of the film, but reconciled their friendship before Ramis’s untimely death at age 69 on February 24th, 2014.

Ernie Hudson who portrayed Winston Zeddermore in “Ghostbusters,” played Agent Gus Sanders in Disney’s Mr. Magoo (1997). He voiced Pedro the Bulldog in Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 (2011) and Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva La Fiesta! (2012), the direct-to-video sequels to Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008), and played King Poseidon in an episode of ABC’s Once Upon a Time. He, along with all of the other living “Ghostbusters,” originals less Rick Moranis, are going to make cameos in the upcoming “Ghostbusters,” film.  

Rick Moranis played the role of Louis Tully in “Ghostbusters,” as well as Wayne Szalinski in Disney’s Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989). (This was released the same year as Ghostbusters 2 (1989)). He reprised that role for both the sequels to that film, Honey, I Blew Up the Kid (1992), and the direct-to-video sequel, Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves (1997). He also provided the voice of Rutt the Moose in Brother Bear (2003) and reprised that role for the direct-to-video sequel to that film, Brother Bear 2 (2006).

Annie Potts who was Janine Melnitz, the secretary in “Ghostbusters,” played in Iona in Pretty in Pink (1986), in between “Ghostbusters,” and it’s sequel. She provided the voice of Bo Peep in Toy Story (1995) and Toy Story 2 (1999). She did not reprise the character for Toy Story 3 (2010), but is currently attached to do so for Toy Story 4, which is to be released in 2018.

Each of these actors have gone far beyond “Ghostbusters.” But thanks to their efforts for the film, along with the efforts producer/director Ivan Reitman, and it’s team of Oscar-nominated visual effects artists, (Richard Edlund, John Bruno, Mark Vargo, and Chuck Gaspar), as well as singer Ray Parker, Jr. who received an Academy Award Nomination for Best Original Song “Ghostbusters,” “Ghostbusters,” the movie has become a true cult classic. Like many other ‘80s films that spawned sequels, i.e. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Beverly Hills Cop (1984), Back to the Future (1985), the sequel to “Ghostbusters,” didn’t equal the success of its predecessor. Whether or not the upcoming new film will do so remains to be seen. In spite of that, “Ghostbusters,” will continue to be remembered for many years to come.  

Rob Marshall: Movie-Musical/Theatre Magician

Throughout the history of Hollywood, incredibly skilled directors have created movie-musicals that are considered classics including Victor Fleming’s The Wizard of Oz (1939), George Cukor’s My Fair Lady (1964), and Robert Wise’s The Sound of Music (1965). However, few directors have the unique skill of making a movie-musical that makes you feel as though you’re watching a Broadway show, rather than a movie. Rob Marshall is one such example of a director who falls into that category.

Originally, it was “all Broadway” for Marshall, who began his career as a dancer, performing in various Broadway shows, including the original company of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats. Unfortunately, a herniated disc while performing in Cats ended his dancing career. After recovering, he decided to become a choreographer and then director. He received his first Best Choreography Tony Award Nomination, collaborating with Vincent Paterson on the musical based on the 1985 film of the same name, Kiss of the Spiderwoman. Next came Tony Nominations for choreographing the 1993 revival of the musical She Loves Me and the 1994 revival of the musical Damn Yankees. He received his 4th and 5th Tony Nomination for Best Choreography and Best Director for the 1998 revival of Cabaret, sharing the honors with Sam Mendes. He received another nomination the very next year for choreographing a musical entitled Little Me.

Marshall transitioned from Broadway into Hollywood when he was hired by by CBS to choreograph the made-for-television movie-musical Mrs. Santa Clause starring Angela Lansbury. And he was hired by ABC to direct the third made-for-television film adaptation of Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella starring Whitney Houston, which reunited him with “Yankees,” star Victor Garber. He was then re-hired by ABC to not only be the choreographer, but also the director of their next TV musical, Annie (1999), reuniting him with “Cabaret” star Alan Cumming and, again, with Victor Garber. (Cumming won a Tony Award for his performance as the Emcee in Cabaret under Marshall’s direction). He initially did not want to direct “Annie,” simply because he had only wanted to do the choreography, but he was ultimately persuaded to do both. The film’s success earned him the job of directing and choreographing Chicago (2002), for Mirimax Studios. He would go on to receive an Academy Award Nomination for Best Director for the film. Though he lost that award to Roman Polanski for The Pianist (2002), “Chicago,” went on to receive 6 Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Catherine Zeta-Jones for her performance as Velma Kelly and Best Motion Picture of 2002.  

Marshall’s next film was Columbia Pictures’ Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) which garnered 3 Academy Awards, including Best Cinematography for Dion Beebe, who had also been Marshall’s cinematographer on “Chicago,” and had received a previous nomination for his work. His film after that was the Weinstein Company’s Nine (2009), which like “Chicago,” was also based on a Broadway musical of the same name. He choreographed, co-produced, and directed “Nine.” 

He was hired by Disney to direct Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011), the 4th film in the franchise, reuniting him with “Nine,” star Penelope Cruz. (Cruz received an Academy Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Carla in “Nine.”). Disney re-hired him in 2014 to co-produce and direct their film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods. The film received 3 Academy Award Nominations, including Best Supporting Actress for Meryl Streep for her performance as the Witch and Best Costume Design for Colleen Atwood who won 2 Academy Awards for designing the costumes for “Chicago,” and “Memoirs of a Geisha,” and received another nomination for her work on “Nine.” 

Rob Marshall is currently attached to direct a “Mary Poppins,” motion-picture sequel for Disney, which is to be released in 2018, which will reunite him with “Into the Woods,” star Emily Blunt in the title role, cinematographer Dion Beebe, and costume designer Colleen Atwood, as well as “Chicago,” Art Directors John Myhre and Gordon Sim and “On Stranger Tides,” editor Wyatt Smith.

Looking back on all of Rob Marshall’s work, each of his movies have been hits for their production/distribution companies, but more interestingly, they are full of a diverse group of stage and screen performers who did some of their best work under his direction. The look and feel created by his incredibly talented creative teams, and his own personal skills of choreographing and directing, makes his work comes to life in such an astonishing way, that it looks more like live theatre than it does a motion picture.  

Pixar Voice-Talents

In animated movies, the filmmakers usually cast A-List Hollywood actors to provide the voices of the main characters in their movies. Did you happen to know, however, that the filmmakers at Pixar Animation Studios every so often cast themselves as bit characters in each of their movies? You might be surprised to know that in addition to creating creative and heartwarming stories for the silver screen, the filmmakers of Pixar are also responsible for giving “small” characters their souls and egos just like the main actors.

John Lasseter who founded Pixar with Ed Catmull and Steve Jobs and is the current Chief Creative Officer of Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and DisneyToon Studios had a bit voice part in Toy Story (1995). He also voiced Bug Zapper Bug #1 in A Bug’s Life (1998), the Blue Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robot #1 in Toy Story 2 (1999), and provided additional voices in Cars 2 (2011). He is currently attached to co-write/co-direct and executive produce Toy Story 4 for Pixar which will be released in 2018.      

The late, great Joe Ranft, who served as a Pixar screenwriter/animator/storyboard artist did a LOT of voice work: also provided the voices of Elmo St. Peters in The Brave Little Toaster (1987), Igor in The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Lenny the Binoculars in Toy Story (1995), Heimlich the Caterpillar in A Bug’s Life (1998), the speaking voice of Wheezy the Penguin in Toy Story 2 (1999), various additional voices in Monsters, Inc. (2001), Jacques the Shrimp in Finding Nemo (2003), and Red in Cars (2006). Ranft unfortunately passed away in a tragic car accident at the age of 45, on August 16th, 2005, 10 months before the release of “Cars.” There is a dedication to him in the end titles of the film. (His brother, Jerome Ranft, who works as a character sculptor for Pixar, voiced Gamma in Up (2009) and succeeded his brother in the role of Jacuqes for Finding Dory (2016)).   

Andrew Stanton won 2 Academy Awards for being the writer/director of Finding Nemo (2003) and Wall-E (2008). He voiced for Toy Story (1995), A Bug’s Life (1998), Toy Story 2 (1999), and was a big hit as Crush the Sea Turtle in Finding Nemo (2003) and Finding Dory (2016). He was also Fred in Cars (2006), and Axiom Passenger #1 in Wall-E (2008). Stanton also wrote and directed Finding Dory (2016).

Pete Docter was the Academy-award winning writer/director of Up (2009) and Inside Out (2015), and also wrote and directed Monsters, Inc. (2001). He provided voices for Monsters, Inc. (2001), The Incredibles (2004), and Inside Out (2015). Docter also voiced the Lifeguard Bot in Wall-E (2008) and Campmaster Strauch in Up (2009).

Brad Bird got his awards as the writer/director of The Incredibles (2004) and Ratatouille (2007), but he also voiced Edna “E” Mode in The Incredibles (2004) and the Ambrister Minion in Ratatouille (2007). He is currently attached to direct The Incredibles 2 for Pixar which will be released in 2019.

The acting skills of each of these people can’t compare to those who have been the lead Disney/Pixar Cartoons, i.e. Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Billy Crystal, etc. However, I’m sure you could agree that it is interesting how each of these individuals have been able to work their multiple creative talents into their creative talents into their projects!

Disney’s Connection to Classic 90’s Sit-Coms

While Broadway performers have usually gotten the roles in most of Disney’s movie-musicals, 90’s Sit-Coms stars have gotten the roles in non-musicals-many of them have several different times!

Kelsey Grammer, best known throughout the world for his role as Dr. Frasier Crane on Cheers (1982-1993) and on Frasier (1993-2004) provided the voices of Stinky Pete the Prospector in Toy Story 2 (1999) and Dr. Ivan Krank in Teacher’s Pet (2004). David Hyde Pierce who played Frasier’s on-screen brother, Dr. Niles Crane voiced Slim the Walking Stick in A Bug’s Life (1998) and Dr. Doppler in Disney’s Treasure Planet (2002).

Laurie Metcalf-best remembered for portraying Roseanne’s sister, Jackie Harris on Roseanne (1988-1997)-was the voice of Andy’s Mom in all three Toy Story movies, and the voices of Jim Hawkins’s Mom in Treasure Planet (2002) and Lucille Krunklehorn in Meet the Robinsons (2007).

Brad Garrett, better known as Robert Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond, a frequently used Disney voice-over artist, made his Disney debut as the voice of Dim in “A Bug’s Life,” (1998). Next, he voiced Tank in the direct-to-video sequel An Extremely Goofy Movie (2000). He also voiced Bloat the Puffer Fish in Finding Nemo (2003) and reprised that role for Finding Dory (2016). He lent his voice to Uto the Ape in the direct-to-video sequel, Tarzan 2 (2005), and played the voice of Gusteau the Chef in Ratatouille (2007). Other roles include those of the Hook Hand Thug in Tangled (2010) and Chug in Planes (2013) and it’s sequel Planes: Fire and Rescue (2014). In addition to all of these roles, plus several other various voice-over roles on Disney-produced television shows (i.e. Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000-2001), House of Mouse (2001-2002)), Garrett also played the evil Vice Principal Dwayne Murney in Disney’s live-action film, The Pacifier (2005) and he lent his voice to Disney’s live-action/CGI film, Underdog (2007). 

You more than likely remember Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, Wayne Knight, and Patrick Warburton for the characters that they played on Seinfeld (1989-1998). Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who played Elaine Benes on “Seinfeld” voiced Princess Atta in “A Bug’s Life,” and Rochelle in “Planes.” She also portrayed the Blue Fairy in the Disney/ABC made-for-television film Geppetto (2000). Jason Alexander, who played George Costanza on “Seinfeld,” was the voice of Hugo the Gargoyle in Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996). He also lent his voice to the character of Lightning the Dog in the direct-to-video sequel 101 Dalmatians 2: Patch’s London Adventure (2003). Like Dreyfus, Alexander also acted in a made-for-television film produced by Disney/ABC, playing the role of Lionel, Prince Charming’s Butler/Valet in the third film adaptation of Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (1997). He also acted the part of Philip Stuckey in the classic romantic comedy Pretty Woman (1990).

Wayne Knight, who played Seinfeld’s narrow-minded enemy, Newman on “Seinfeld,” provided the voice of Demetrius the Pot Maker in Hercules (1997). He also voiced the Microwave in the direct-to-video sequel, The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars (1998). The following year, in 1999, Newman voiced Tantor the Elephant in Tarzan (1999), Al the Toy Maker in Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story 2 (1999) and Orthus in the direct-to-video sequel, Hercules: Zero to Hero (1999). He took over the role of the Evil Emperor Zurg for the direct-to-video movie, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins (2000) and it’s following series Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000-2001), succeeding Pixar writer/director Andrew Stanton in the role who had voiced the character in “Toy/2.”

Patrick Warburton, who played Elaine’s on-again-off-again boyfriend David Puddy on “Seinfeld,” made his Disney debut as the voice of Kronk in The Emperor’s New Groove (2000). He succeeded Tim Allen as the voice of Buzz Lightyear for “Buzz Lightyear of Star Command,” the series. Warburton was also the voice of Patrick the Horse in Home on the Range (2004), the Alien Cop in Chicken Little (2005) and reprised the role of Kronk for the direct-to-video sequel, Kronk’s New Groove (2005) and for the television series, The Emperor’s New School (2006-2008). He also lent his voice to the character of Royal Pain in the live-action film, Sky High (2005).

      Each of these actors is perhaps more memorable for their roles on television but their animated and live-action work for Disney was also part of their distinguished careers.

Jonathan Freeman: Disney Film and Theatre Legend

You might remember from some of my previous blog pieces how I’ve mentioned the colorful history of actors who have portrayed classic Disney villains (i.e. Eleanor Audley as Wicked Stepmother/Maleficent and Betty Lou Gerson as Cruella De Vill) and if they’ve played any other roles besides those villains. In this piece I would like to tell you about another actor who best known for his portrayal of a Disney villain-one who has acted in Television, Film, and Broadway: Jonathan Freeman.

Jonathan Freeman voiced Jafar in Aladdin (1992) and reprised the role for the direct-to-video sequel, The Return of Jafar (1994). He took it a step further, recreating the role of Jafar for Aladdin on Broadway where he is currently playing today. In addition to originating the role of Jafar in “Aladdin,” on Broadway, Freeman also originated the role of Grimsby, Prince Eric’s elderly guardian in The Little Mermaid on Broadway. I had the good fortune of getting to see Mr. Freeman in this role when it premiered at Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in 2008. Prior to that, in 2006, Freeman took over the role of Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, starring opposite Ashley Brown as Belle. Brown would go on to originate the role of Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins. Freeman would go on to take over the role of Admiral Boom and the Bank Chairman in “Poppins,” in 2009.

Beyond his work for Disney, Jonathan Freeman acted in several “Revival” musical productions on Broadway, including How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, On The Town, 42nd Street, The Producers, and She Loves Me, which earned him a Tony Award Nomination for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in Musical in 1994. On Television, he portrayed Tito Swing on Shining Time Station (1989-1995) and made appearances in episodes of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (1999-present) and Law and Order: Criminal Intent (2001-2011). 

He also lent his voice to several Disney-produced television shows including Disney’s House of Mouse (2001-2003), where he reprised the role of Jafar, Lilo and Stitch: The Series (2003-2006), and American Dragon: Jake Long (2005-2007). He had bit parts in the movies Forever, Lulu (1987) and Homeboy (1988). He reprised the role of Jafar again for many Disney Video Games, including Aladdin Activity Center (1994) and Kingdom Hearts (2002).

Jonathan Freeman will be forever remembered as the voice of Jafar, though he is one of the very few Disney voice-over artists ever to act for Disney on Broadway as well. His uniquely deep, sinister voice helped make the character of Jafar seem just the right amount of “diabolical,” while remaining one of Disney’s classy and unforgettable villains. 

Disney’s Greatest Pairs: Part 3

I mentioned in an earlier blog that Marc Davis was the “Laurence Olivier of Animation,” given his accomplishments. If that is true, than Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston were the Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy of Animation. Like Davis, they were also two members of Walt’s “Nine Old Men.” They met each other at Stanford University as art majors. Thomas came to the Disney Studios in 1934 while Johnston came in 1935 and both retired in 1978. Their friendship developed throughout their time at Disney, and their assignments were unusual, in that they always seemed to be animation of characters who were sidekicks, both heroes and villains-a fitting combination, since they were real-life sidekicks.

Frank Thomas made his debut at the Disney studios animating the scenes between Mickey Mouse and the King in the short, The Brave Little Tailor (1938). Next, he animated scenes between Mickey Mouse and the Bear in the short, The Pointer (1939). Thomas’s first Disney “ feature length film” assignment was the scene in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) where the dwarfs are all mourning over Snow White’s “dead” body. He also animated Pinocchio singing and dancing in Pinocchio (1940), Bambi and Thumper ice skating in Bambi (1942), and Lady and Tramp eating spaghetti together in Lady and the Tramp (1955)-a favorite of many. Prior to Marc Davis’s animation of the Disney villains, Frank Thomas served as the supervising animator of Lady Tremaine/Wicked Stepmother in Cinderella (1950), the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland (1951), Captain Hook in Peter Pan (1953), and Aunt Sarah in Lady and the Tramp (1955). He did, however, continue to animate supporting characters as well, including the three Good Fairies in Sleeping Beauty (1959), the Penguin Waiters in Mary Poppins (1964), and both King Louie and Baloo dancing in the “I Wanna Be Like You,” sequence from The Jungle Book (1967). In addition to being one of the studio’s most renowned animators, Frank Thomas was the Piano Player for the Dixieland Jazz Band who often played at Disneyland: “Firehouse Five Plus Two.” He passed away of a cerebral hemorrhage on September 8th, 2004.

Ollie Johnston worked one many of the studios’ films, though he never worked on any of their shorts. He served as an assistant animator on “Snow White.” He joined Thomas, working on Pinocchio in “Pinocchio,” Bambi and Thumper in “Bambi,” the three Good Fairies in “Sleeping Beauty,” as well as Baloo and Bagheera in “The Jungle Book.” He animated the Evil Stepsisters (“Anastasia and Drizella”) in “Cinderella,” the King of Hearts in “Alice,” and Mr. Smee in “Peter Pan.” Before retiring from Disney, Johnston animated the characters of Bernard, Bianca, the Mouse Chairman, Orville the Albatross, and Rufus the Cat in The Rescuers (1977). Johnston animated Rufus the cat as a caricature of himself. Johnston was the very last member of Walt Disney’s “Nine Old Men,” to pass away. He died of natural causes on April 14th, 2008 at the age of 95.

After retiring from Disney, Thomas and Johnston went on to co-author Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life which was published in 1981. Their Disney careers were documented in the documentary Frank and Ollie (1995) which was written, produced and directed by Frank Thomas’s son Theodore “Ted” Thomas (Ted Thomas’s wife, Kuniko Okubo co-produced the film as well). Ted Thomas also went on to write, produce, and direct two other documentaries for Disney, including Growing Up with Nine Old Men (2013) in which he paid visits to each of the children of Walt Disney’s “Nine Old Men,” and talked to them about what it was like to have “Nine Old Men,” as fathers. He also produced and directed Walt & El Grupo (2008), which chronicled Walt Disney’s trip to South America in 1941 at the time of an unfortunate studio strike. (Thomas’s wife co-produced these films as well.) Thomas and Johnston both went on to provide the voices of caricatured versions of themselves in The Iron Giant (1999) and the Disney/Pixar Academy-Award-Winning Classic, The Incredibles (2004), both of which were under the direction and screenwriting of Brad Bird.

Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston had a friendship and partnership unlike any two animators. Together, their talents brought many of the more memorable scenes from Walt Disney Animation to life. It’s fun to think of their real0life friendship, and easy to understand how it made their work great!