Sad news today – Harriet Burns, Disney’s first female Imagineer, passed away this morning. Burns, who was inducted as a Disney Legend in 2000, came to the Disney Studios in 1955 and later joined WED Enterprises to work on theme park projects. In her thirty-one years with Disney she worked on a number of significant projects for the Disney parks as well as Disney’s attractions for the 1964 World’s Fair. From her Disney biography:
[Burns] helped create Sleeping Beauty Castle, New Orleans Square, the Haunted Mansion, and more. She also helped construct Storybook Land, which features model-size villages inspired by Disney animated movies, such as “Pinocchio” and designed all of the “singing birds” in the Enchanted Tiki Room, the first Audio-Animatronics® attraction at Disneyland.
Among other contributions, Harriet worked on everything from figure finishing to stage design for attractions featured at the New York World’s Fair in 1964, including Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and The Carousel of Progress. On occasion, when Walt would introduce new theme park attractions to television audiences, she would appear on segments of “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color.”
Burns was a significant contributor to that first, legendary generation of Imagineers and, along with Alice Davis and Mary Blair, one of the few women to rise to Imagineering prominence at that time. Our thoughts go out to her family.
I’ve been out of town for quite some time, and while I have a few other stories I’m working on I thought it important to get this bit of news online as it has just occurred. Rumors had emerged earlier today that something “unannounced” would be presented during Disney’s panel this afternoon at the San Diego ComicCon. These surprise announcements are the rare treasures of ComicCon, as studios keep their most geek-friendly unveilings for just such occasions. Today was no different.
The panel, which mostly focused on actors Dwayne Johnson and Carla Gugino promoting their upcoming film Return to Witch Mountain, concluded with a three-minute clip from director Joseph Kosinski’s upcoming sequel to the 1982 cult classic TRON. While we had reported on this project in March, it was not widely known that production, much less filming, had started. Even more shocking was the revelation that actor Jeff Bridges – himself a veteran of the original film – would be taking part in the project.
Hopefully more details will emerge once all the bloggers make their way back to their hotel rooms from the Disney panel; if we’re really lucky some video will leak out. Then again, Disney – if you’re listening – could whip up some fan goodwill by releasing that video online…
We’re also eager to hear more about this production which, as mentioned, no one knew was underway. They’ve already checked off one of my key recommendations for the film by bringing in Jeff Bridges; could Wendy Carlos be far behind? Details, people! We need details! Where are my Bothans?
Props to Ain’t it Cool News for getting the story out…
Updates:
/Film describes the teaser and adds that more footage might not be seen until next year
I should also point out that the film is currently being billed as TR2N. While it’s said to look much better in the film’s trademark font, I have to say that I still prefer TRON 2.0.
Screamscape has pointed out that Walt Disney World’s website now lists the Country Bear Jamboree as scheduled for refurbishment from September 28th until October 31st. This is nothing but good news for fans of the bears, as the show has been a little – how shall we say it – rough around the edges lately? Threadbare? Decrepit? Unintelligible? To put it mildly, the show is in need of a massive audiovisual upgrade if only to render the lyrics of the songs discernible. Screamscape claims that the rehab will not be used to install the formerly annual Christmas show; this has been discontinued in recent years for cost-cutting reasons (and while you’re at it, why not send a note to WDW Guest Communications asking that they get their act together).
In any case, the bears are going to get a rehab of undisclosed scope and that’s always a good thing. If anyone out there knows the actual scope of the refurbishment, or whether the much-needed audio improvements will actually be made, let me know.
Well, the big day is here and WALL-E is opening on thousands of screens across the country. There’s little I can say here to meaningfully elaborate on the excitement over the new Pixar feature or to underscore the breathless reviews the film has been getting. Adding to the excitement is the fact that we’ll be getting our first real look at the long in gestation Walt Disney Animation Studios film Bolt (unless you watch it online now). Wrap it all up with a new Pixar animated short, Presto, and we’re good to go.
And if that wasn’t enough, ladies and gentlemen, the fine folks at 2719 Hyperion and Imaginerding are holding an inaugural North Carolina Disney Blog conclave to view the film tomorrow, June 28th, in High Point, N.C. I’ve often been bewildered by the sheer density of Disney bloggers in North Carolina, as we seem to threaten California and Florida in the rankings of per capita number of Disney blogs. Between barbeque, college basketball, and Disney blogging, we’ve got it covered. So it’s only fitting that great minds meet and enjoy a little Pixar excellence in the process.
From the Progress City archives comes this collection of 33 tall tales and true from Disney history. Available in paperback, hardback, and ebook formats.
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