A Touch of Disney in Black History- James Baskett
Photo Credit: disney.wikia.com
James Baskett was an African-American actor who was cast as Uncle Remus in Disney’s 1946 feature Song of the South and introduced us to that famous song “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah”. Mr. Baskett originally auditioned for a small role voicing one of the animals. Walt Disney was impressed by his audition and cast him in the lead role of Uncle Remus. Mr. Baskett was also the voice of Brer Fox and even filled in as the voice of Brer Rabbit in one sequence. Due to Atlanta being racially segregated by law at the time, Mr. Baskett was unable to attend the film’s premiere. On March 20, 1948, Mr. Baskett received an Honorary Academy Award for his performance. Mr. Baskett died as a result of heart disease on July 9, 1948. Song of the South has been unavailable for several years because of the portrayals by African-Americans.
This post is part of the Disney Blog Carnival Head over there to see more great Disney-related posts and articles.
Mean Muggin’ Monday
Today’s mug was purchased on the Disney Dream. I experienced my first Disney cruise in March 2011 and I had so much fun. I am looking forward to a cruise on the Fantasy, the newest Disney ship.
Photo Credit: EH
Fabulous Find Friday
The item I am presenting this Friday is a tote bag. I first saw this tote on DisneyStore.com last year. It has disappeared and reappeared several times on the site. Now I will admit I have a weakness for bags. What drew me to this bag of course was part of Mickey Mouse’s face showing and the comic script lining. The inside has a pocket that zips and additional pockets on the opposite side. I found the bag at Trend-D in Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World at the end of January. The tote retails for $49.95.
Photo Credit:EH
Photo Credit: EH
Photo Credit: EH
A Touch of Disney In Black History – Anika Noni Rose
Photo Credit: BF
Anika Noni Rose is an African American singer and actress. She attended Florida A&M University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre and went to study drama at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, CA. Ms. Rose has won numerous awards including a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical Caroline, or Change. Ms. Rose made her debut in movies in 1999 by starting in King of the Bingo Game. She appeared in Dreamgirls with Beyonce’ Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, and Eddie Murphy. In 2008-2009, she appeared alongside Jill Scott in HBO series The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.
Ms. Rose was the voice of the lead character, Tiana, the first African American Disney princess, in the 2009 Disney features The Princess and the Frog. This is one of my favorite movies. I had the honor of attending the 2011 Disney Legend Award Ceremony at the D23 Expo. I witnessed Ms. Rose receiving the Disney Legend Award for the voice of Tiana. She performed “Almost There” one of the songs from the movie. Good friends of mine, Toni F (@dopey926) and Bob F. (@Jiminy1231), were able to ask Ms. Rose to autograph my blank Vinylmation. They were also able to see Ms. Rose and other Legends put their hand prints and signatures on plaques that would be bronzed and placed at The Legends Plaza in The Walt Disney Studios.
Photo Credit: EH
Mean Muggin’ Monday
Today’s mug reminds me of Mickey Mouse’s famous outfit of red pants and yellow buttons. This mug is apart of the Disney Store’s 25th Anniversary collection. It retails for $10.50.
Photo Credit: EH
Fabulous Find Friday
The item being presented this Friday is a Disney inspired piggy bank. It appears that piggy banks are making a comeback. So why shouldn’t Disney hop on board? I saw at least four styles – 2 with Mickey Mouse themes, a blue one with Toy Story and Cars theme, and a pink one with the Princess on it. My Mickey Mouse themed piggy bank will help me save change for the “Disney Fund”. The piggy bank retails at $19.95.
Photo Credit: EH
Photo Credit: EH
Photo Credit: EH
Disney Blogger Giveaway-Win $100 Disney Gift Card
Image Courtesy of DisneyStore.com
Diz Thru Brown Eyes along with several other blogs are giving away a $100 Disney Gift Card. The contest ends 2/24 at 12:01 EST. Follow the link below to enter:
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One More Disney Day Contest – February 29th – March 1st
Photo Credit: EH
I thought it would be fun to have a contest during One More Disney Day at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
To be eligible for the contest a person must follow me at DizThruBrownEyes on Four Square and @DizThruBrwnEyes on Twitter.
On February 29th at 6am – March 1st at 6am, be on the lookout for my Four Square check-in saying to “come and meet me” at that location. This message will also be posted in a tweet to check out my last Four Square check-in. I will take a picture of myself for you to know what I look like and what I have on.
The first person who physically walks up to me at the location, within 15 minutes of the check-in will win a $24 Disney gift card*.
If no one comes to the location within 15 minutes, I will send out a tweet that no one came to meet me and I will continue my journey in the Magic Kingdom. Another check-in will be made with the message “come and meet me” on Four Square and in a tweet. Again, a person will have 15 minutes to meet me at the location.
The contest will continue until I am met at the location I designate.
The winner will be asked if their first name, initial of last name, picture, Twitter handle and/or Four Square name can be used on my blog DizThruBrownEyes.com in a future post.
*Per the Disneystore.com Disney gift cards are redeemable at DisneyStore.com, Disney Store locations in the U.S., participating locations at Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida, Disneyland® Resort in California, Disney Cruise Line®, ClubPenguin.com, and DisneyPhotoPass.com
A Touch of Disney in Black History – Bruce W. Smith
Photo Courtesy of Living Lines Library
Bruce W. Smith is known as a character animator, television producer, and film director. However, he is best known as the creator of Disney’s The Proud Family produced by his production company, Jambalaya Studios. Mr. Smith, born in 1961, started his career as an assistant animator for Garfield in the Rough. He then went on to work on the Toon Town sequences in Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
In 1998, Mr. Smith joined Walt Disney Feature Animation and worked on the following films:
- Tarzan – Supervising Animator on Kercheck
- Emperor’s New Groove – Supervising Animator on Pacha
- Home on the Range – Lead Animator on Pearl
- Winnie the Pooh – Supervising Animator on Piglet, Kanga, and Roo
I first heard about Mr. Smith’s work when learning he was the Supervising Animator on Dr. Facilier. The Princess and the Frog is one of my favorite movies. This role in the film made him the first African-American animator in Disney’s history to supervise an African-American character.
Mean Muggin’ Monday
Today’s mug was given to me as a souvenir from BFF, Stacie C ( @scook522 ) . She knows that Earl of Sandwich plays a major role in the Walt Disney World trips. This restaurant located in Downtown Disney is always the first meal of the trip. I love the tuna melt.
Photo Credit: EH
Photo Credit: EH
Fabulous Find Friday
The item being presented this Friday was first seen by me at a cart next to T-Rex Restaurant at Downtown Disney (Walt Disney World). It is a Mickey Mouse mini speaker. Per the packaging it is compatible with MP3 players, iPhone, iPad, Tablet Pad, and MAC & PC. The speaker comes with a USB 2.0 cable, 3.5mm audio cable, and a rechargeable lithium battery. The volume can be controlled by the volume on the device you are using. I had difficulty getting it to work with my iPhone, but I had no trouble when connecting it to the iPad. It retails for $29.95
Photo Credit: EH
Photo Credit: EH
Photo Credit: EH
A Touch of Disney in Black History – Dan Haskett
Photo Credit: Mayerson on Animation blog by Mark Mayerson
Dan Haskett is an African-America animator that has designed characters for several Disney films. Mr. Haskett, born August 20, 1952, designed Ariel for The Little Mermaid, Belle for Beauty and the Beast, and the adult version of Tod for The Fox and the Hound. He can also be described as one of the top character designers.
Mean Muggin’ Monday
Today’s mug come from The Disney Store. It is called “I Love You” Mickey Mouse mug and I feel it was made just for us Mickey Mouse lovers. What also adds to the appeal is “I Love You” is written/engraved in several different languages. There is also a surprise in the bottom of the mug. The mug can be purchased at a The Disney Store and DisneyStore.com . The mug retails for $10.50.
Photo Credit: EH
Photo Credit: EH
Fabulous Find Friday
Today’s Fabulous Find Friday was found in Mouse Gear at Epcot located at Walt Disney World. In walking through the store last weekend, I stumbled upon….jeans!! I thought they would be plain in design. However, I was surprised. Mickey Mouse was embroidered on the back pockets and the lining of the front pockets have Mickey Mouse printed on them. I was told they were new and were put out during the weekend. The style appears to be boot cut and run a little long on me. I love the patch that says “House of Mickey”. The jeans retail for $49.95.
Photo Credit: EH
Photo Credit: EH
A Touch of Disney In Black History – Floyd Norman
Photo Credit: Pixar Wiki
Floyd Norman can be considered the first African-American to work as an animator for Walt Disney. Mr. Norman, born on June 22, 1935, worked on the films Sleeping Beauty, The Sword in the Stone, and The Jungle Book. After Walt’s death in 1966, Mr. Norman co-founded AfroKids Animation Studio. In the early 1970s, Mr. Norman returned to Disney and worked on Robin Hood. He was a writer in the comic strip department in the 1980s working on the Mickey Mouse comic strip before it was discontinued. Mr. Norman has worked on motion pictures for Walt Disney Animation Studios as a story artist on Mulan, Dinosaur, and The Hunchback of Norte Dame. He was also a story artist for Toy Story 2 and Monsters, Inc. that were created at Pixar Animation Studios. Mr. Norman was awarded the Disney Legend Award in 2007. This award was established in 1987 to acknowledge individuals whose talents have created “Disney Magic”. Mr. Norman has been currently known to work as a freelance consultant for the Walt Disney Company.
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