Cleopatra's Choice Review

Growing up I remember some of my favorite cartoons being set to music…no words were ever needed to create the feeling they were made for, and up until a week ago I never knew what they were called (sad I know). LONG before I watched these cartoons, or shorts, back in the 1920’s and 1930’s, Disney Silly Symphony shorts played in movie theaters before the main feature. 75 Silly Symphony shorts were made, usually performed by a 32-piece orchestra! Due to limitations in technology, each piece has to be played perfectly in one sitting or they had to start over to try again. Some amazing advancements were made using these shorts…The Skeleton Dance was the first musical animation and Flowers and Trees was the first full-color animation using Technicolor.
Disney in Concert: A Silly Symphony Celebration
Last week at the D23 Expo 2015, we were able to sit in on Disney in Concert: A Silly Symphony Celebration with a LIVE ORCHESTRA! This was a 32 piece orchestra which is what would be similar to what it would have been for the recording, and original viewing, of an original Silly Symphony films.
This event was hosted by Leonard Maltin and music was performed in synchronization with the original Silly Symphonies shorts being shown on two screens. It really was quite exciting! It’s been quite a long time since I’ve been able to listen to a live orchestra, and to have it go along with cartoons/shorts that I remember as a kid was a once in a lifetime event!
This D23 Event was in honor of the release of The Silly Symphony Collection box set. This set features restored soundtracks from the 75 Silly Symphony shorts from 1929-1939 on 16 vinyl LPs. If you are an LP collector like my hubby, this is a set you will want to have!
This event was part of an all expenses paid press trip to Anaheim for the #D23Expo, all experiences and opinions are 100% my own.
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A new TOMORROWLAND featurette is now available including interviews with George Clooney, Director Brad Bird and more.
From Disney comes two-time Oscar® winner Brad Bird’s riveting, mystery adventure “Tomorrowland,” starring Academy Award® winner George Clooney. Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever.
Featuring a screenplay by “Lost” writer and co-creator Damon Lindelof and Brad Bird, from a story by Lindelof & Bird & Jeff Jensen, “Tomorrowland” promises to take audiences on a thrill ride of nonstop adventures through new dimensions that have only been dreamed of.
Like TOMORROWLAND on Facebook | Twitter
Visit the official TOMORROWLAND website: www.Disney.com/Tomorrowland
TOMORROWLAND opens in theaters everywhere on May 22nd!
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While in LA last week for the Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales we also celebrated the 75th anniversary of Disney’s Bambi! As part of this celebration we were able to sit down and interview the voices behind young Bambi ( Donald “Donnie” Dunagan ) & young Thumper ( Peter Behn ) moderated by Disney Archivist Becky Cline!!
While Disney’s Bambi was based on the book Bambi, A Life in the Woods by author Felix Salten, it was altered slightly from the book version. The original novel, written for an adult audience, was considered too “grim” and “somber” for the young audience Disney was targeting, and with the work required to adapt the novel, Disney put production on hold while it worked on several other works. Bambi was originally supposed to come out after Snow White (and be the second animated film released) but came out 5 yrs later due to this process. Disney was also forced to slash 12 minutes from the film before final animation, to save costs on production.
The filming studio moved, WW2 happened, and there was even a strike during the process of filming!
Nowadays when a movie releases there are many interviews in both tv & print, but the film scene was quite different 75 years ago when Donnie Dunagan and Peter Behn recorded the voices of Bambi & Thumper. In fact, Donnie & Peter didn’t even meet untill about 10 years ago! Even Donnie’s wife didn’t know he was the voice of Bambi until she discovered a box of his mementos buried in the attic!
Peter’s father was a screenwriter, starting in the 20’s silent film era, & children’s book author. He met Walt sometime in the 30’s which helped Peter launch his career. Peter originally auditioned for the part of Bambi in Disney’s classic film but was told had the wrong voice for the part.
“My voice was right for the rabbit”
Peter never auditioned for Thumper, after his audition for Bambi they knew he had the right voice for Thumper.
When Peter grew up he built houses & worked in real estate.
Q: Did you see the Bambi after you filmed?
A: “No not for some time.”
Q: What was it like to work with Disney himself?
A: “I did meet him but not on a regular basis. But I remember the Disney zoo where they had little deer so animators could watch the anatomy and movement of the deer to draw.”
Q: What was it like to work on a big Disney film as a child?
A: “I remember going into the sound booth with a voice director to read my lines. I would mimic him. The thing I remember most is the recording equipment was in the booth with us and was fascinated. It was so mechanical.”
Q: What do you hope for Bambi’s Legacy?
A: “One of my strongest feelings about the movie is that Disney was so ahead of his time. I think the movie was so far ahead of it’s time to protect the environment. We have to do everything we can to keep the environment from getting worse. I think as time goes on that aspect of the movie will resonate and become more important.”
”We were dirt poor. And I mean, certified dirt poor in the South. And my mother would take me down to the corner about two blocks away where a wonderful man danced on the corner on Saturday. I’m standing there at 3 ½, four years old, people were there laughing about this wonderful man dancing on the corner for nickels and pennies. And I started imitating him. Then they decided to put me in a talent contest and I won the darn thing which was a miracle. I danced to ‘A Tisket a Tasket’ with a paper bag and a stick for a cane.” In the audience was a wonderful man who was a bona fide genuine talent scout in those days. About two weeks later we’re in Los Angeles.”
Donnie started filming Bambi when he was just 5 years old but his acting career began at the age of 3.
He was in 7 movies before the age of 5 1/2 yrs old.
When Donnie grew up he joined the Marine Corps.
Q: What was it like acting so much as a child?
A: “I was a little boy – sometimes I just wanted to be home riding my bike and playing with my puppy.”
Q: Did you see Bambi after you filmed?
A: “I saw it with Peter in theaters at the premiere.”
Q: What was it like seeing Walt Disney?
A: “When I first saw Mr. Disney I thought he’d get a broom and help clean up….he participated in things. Disney was successful bc he had such great leadership and participated in what was going on.”
Q: What did you do after Bambi?
A: ” I went into the US Marine Corps. when I got older. In 1977 I was a battalion commander. I saw that Disney was going to re-release Bambi and I was horrified that my base would find out. I could imagine all of my soldiers saying that their battalion commander was Bambi!”
Q: What do you hope for Bambi’s Legacy?
A: “If I live to be 1000 years old I couldn’t say it better than Peter did. The environmental profile is spoken to children in school now, and they pick up on that right away. I get one of these by children a month from all over the world.”
Photo by: Louise Manning Bishop from MOM START
During this day of celebration we were also able to chat with Paul Felix, a Disney animator who worked on Bambi and was inspired by the original Disney Animator Tyrus Wong.
Q: How has animation changed over the years?
A: “Animation starts with hand drawing, that hasn’t changed much. Things need to be much richer now. The drawings from Bambi to Moana are all the same principles.”
Q: How did you become interested in art?
A: “I drew a lot as a child & always thought my older brother was the artist in the family.”
Q: What are some of the projects you’ve worked on here at Disney?
A: “Mulan, Bolt, Big Hero 6, Inner Workings”
Q: What was your favorite film to work on?
A: Lilo & Stitch. It is more about heart and storytelling than the effects although Big Hero 6 was the first time we could technologically add things to the film & use light.
“Designing Bambi is deceptively tricky! I’m known for designing environments instead of characters. I looked at some of Mark Davis’ drawing of deer for research. My first drawings Bambi looked more like a fox. But everyone has their own unique take.”
Q: Why do you think Bambi is such a popular film?
A: “Bambi is a cycle of life. It shares the beauty, mystery, & reality of the world. It’s zen. What’s more primal than the connection with a mother? Films are an extension of us.”
Make a Portfolio. (life drawing is a good talent)
Don’t limit yourself to just drawing. Try colors.
Learn a sense of art history (eras, mediums, etc)
Bambi, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, joins the Collection on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere on May 23, and on Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand on June 6. The Collection release includes a variety of new bonus material, including recordings of Walt Disney discussing the challenges and triumphs during the production of Bambi; deleted scenes and characters; stories and effects that Bambi had on the studio, other films and artists; and much much more! Additionally, the Digital HD release includes an exclusive, heartfelt feature on the incredible artist, Tyus Wong, who inspired the film’s soft watercolor backgrounds and beautiful palette.
Brand New:
The Bambi Effect – “Bambi” was full of innovations for its time. Let’s take a look at how those past innovations affected future Disney animated titles all the way up to today
Studio Stories: “Bambi” – Recordings of Walt Disney. Listen in on intimate moments where he discussed the challenges, pitfalls and triumphs during the production of “Bambi.”
Deleted Scene: Bambi’s Ice And Snow – Bambi coaxes Thumper and his brothers and sister to come play on the ice during the first snow.
Bambi Fawn Facts – Think you know everything there is to know about Bambi and his forest companions? Well, it’s time to discover some fun real-life facts about the creatures that live in the forest he calls home.
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit: “Africa Before Dark” – Oswald Short
Celebrating Tyrus Wong (Digital Exclusive) – A Heartfelt look at the man who played a key role in the success of “Bambi.” Much like Mary Blair and Eyvind Earle, Tyrus Wong had a unique signature style all to his own. The Soft Water-colored backgrounds and beautiful palettes in “Bambi” were inspired by Tyrus’ concept art paintings.
Classic:
Deleted Scenes – Two Leaves, Bambi Stuck on a Reed, Winter Grass, Twitterpated
The Making of Bambi: A Prince is Born
Trick of the Trade (Excerpt)
Inside The Disney Archives
The Old Mill: Animated Short
Original Theatrical Trailer
The Golden Age
*Digital Bonus Offerings May Very by Retailer
Bambi will be released on Digital HD 5/23 and Blu-ray & DVD 6/6.
Follow Facebook | Disney Animation #Bambi
DISNEY MOVIE REWARDS BONUS: If you have Disney Movie Rewards and purchase Bambi you have the option to buy this special tank top featuring the Paul Felix art inspired by BAMBI here! Ends July 31!

One thing that I love getting for the holidays is bath and body products. One product that I have gotten over the years that I just love is Burts Bees…they have so many things to choose from for adult and babies.
Most companies look out for the bottom line. We do, too. In fact, we have a triple bottom line: people, profit, planet. You can’t have one without the other two. So when we look after our own, we mean everybody: our employees, our customers, our families, ourselves. And yes, our environment, too. Our ingredients—right down to the packaging—are simple, natural, and responsible. We practice what we preach—and we hope to set the example for others to follow.
Burts Bees has plenty of gift sets to choose from!
Need a last minute gift for a last minute guest? Keep a couple Burt’s Bees Honey Pots on hand. Choose this softening set for Thoroughly Therapeutic Honey & Grapeseed Oil Hand Cream, Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion, and – of course – Honey Lip Balm. They’ll think you’re so sweet.
This winter, stuff their stockings with the gift of nourished lips. Each Burt’s Bees Beeswax Bounty Lip Balm Quartet contains four dryness-banishing, buttery lip balms in Pomegranate, Mango, Coconut & Pear, or our classic Beeswax formula. The bonus woven paper change purse is the perfect size for their on-the-go essentials.
These are wonderful gifts..you know with the winter weather showing up extra early and hard this year, hydrating lips and skin is going to be a must! The Honey Pot would do both, so I plan on picking up a few more of those to go along with peoples gifts.
Buy it!
Honey Pot | Beeswax Bounty
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”