Beautiful, Deb. I love the way your brain works and the connections it creates with such lithe energy. Eek. I didn’t like the original Snow White as a child, I think I found her voice grating. I was more of a sleeping beauty fan 😂. I’ve only ever seen the original and only years ago, but I can never forget the hi-ho song. My mom read old yeller to us and I cried my eyes out. Sending you all the love and a heap of gratitude for this lovely post ❤️
Thank you Jenn. That's hilarious about Snow White! The voices can be very shrill in those old movies! I don't think it was my favorite. Mary Poppins, on the other hand, was life! I can still see my poor mom and dad trying to get me out of Grauman's Chinese Theater after it was over. I sobbed my way up the aisle, feet dragging. I wanted more. And yeah, my poor dad had no clue about Old Yeller when he rented it out! I can still see that too. Six little girls sobbing and my mom calling their parents to come and get them, too distraught to stay. I find it amazing that if we dig or pay attention we are all surrounded by a lot of talent, from everywhere we go to where we live, there is an interesting story. I thought of you as I was reading about Theodore Criley Sr., and his wiki is very short but packed with interest and a funny story. I can only imagine these people. Like a movie! Sending you much love back. oxox
Oh no! It’s so hard when things end when you’re little! My youngest is at that stage now. The meltdowns when anything ends 😭 Yes, I agree, there are so many stories of meaningful builders and creators everywhere. It is so easy to take them for granted. And so interesting to dig into the very humanity of things they accomplished. I will check out Theodore, that sounds very interesting! Sending you happy weekend vibes ❤️🙌✨
You made me laugh out loud: “Oh that’s amazing!” screamed the youngest, “Nana can you turn it back on?” I wanna put my dress on Nana!” - kids, you gotta love their attention span; and you made me reminisce- I loved hearing about the famous architect, those who built your home, and all about you and John remodeling! Those were the days when heart and soul were pored into making that special place where life happens, and when the term “jack of all trades” made its debut! Today the trades specialize: foundation builders, framers, roofers, etc all have a speciality and don’t cross-over to other functions. Ken Follett in his blockbuster “Pillars of the Earth” painstakingly describes the building of a cathedral. Sounds boring, it wasn’t, and still the finest book I’ve ever read! Thanks for sharing this with all of us!
ha ha!! It's true! Vi is the exuberant girlfriend everyone needs in their life. She turned four yesterday and we arrive in the parking lot of Chipotle fast food (her birthday dinner choice which took all day to decide) - she hops out of the car with the loudest scream, always excited to see you. "That's MAZING" is totally her! even if she didn't hear you! Just caught her tonight from a video the kids sent of her dancing on one of those large dance mattes at Legoland, where they went for two days for her birthday. In her absolute element. I knew you would love the story of the architects/builders - I get giddy at the thought of all we are surrounded by. Both men, Frank Thomas (the animator's house) and Larry Johnson (our house) took squished-up notes to Ted Criley Jr.'s office with their ideas on them. It's crazy to think how everything is so separated now in the trades. John is so well rounded. My dad was too, but the only thing he wouldn't do was electrical - so I married the electrician! Another thing is that Larry Johnson's brother was a construction mentor to John as well (he discovered this the day our realtor took us to see our home - which started the ball rolling on all we had in common) Do you know how many Johnsons are in the phone book?? ) And Pillars of the Earth was my dad's favorite book of all time. Now I'm curious! John has been wanting to read it but both of us have a stack as tall as us by our bedsides <insert face-slap>. Thank you so much for reading this Bob! oxox
Lovely piece and as ever, I love the photo. The remake is out over here at the cinema but has mixed reviews. In my opinion you can’t better the animated original. Glad you found your Prince ❤️
Awe, thank you Julie! This made my evening! The movie has bombed over here. Yikes. The original made a mint. Taking the original song out and the prince was silly, but that's the way of everything for years now. It's obnoxious.
My Prince is an island. I find life fascinating with John. He played his music five evenings straight last week and works about 60 hours a week still at 63 yrs old. Lucky for him I'm a fan. I also love to create and stay busy - catching him is often like chasing an F1. We've been through a ton together and it's the wild ride that binds us. Responsible, encouraging, reliable, talented, generous and in need of charm school, but he's mine :). Don't think I could handle the soppy guy anyways! Cheers to you friend. oxox
He definitely sounds like a keeper and it’s great that you have such a beautiful connection. It’s wonderful he has such passion for his music, as you do for your creative pursuits x
I was charmed reading your story, Deborah, and all the narratives within your stories. What a glimpse of Disney films from an entirely different perspective. Roy Disney is leaving for creative differences, and I imagine he would be rolling in his grave today after seeing the bastardization of one of Disney’s greatest masterpieces.
Old Yeller. 😔😔😣 I cried and cried. 😢 it was probably before its time, but Disney knew how to move the audience's pathos.
The artists listed, including your father and son, honor them as the creative forces that make Disney magical!
A good friend of mine is the daughter of Art Babbitt, who, through boycotts, fought for workers' rights. I don’t know if you are aware of his story. His first wife, not my friend's mother, was Marge Champion, a dance model in Snow White. But her mother, Dina Babbitt, was an animator for Hanna Barbers and Disney. As a Holocaust survivor, she painted her way out of hell. It was her job to create portraits of fellow inmates—Romani individuals—who were used as subjects for the grotesque “racial inferiority” project orchestrated by Josef Mengele. Her artistic talent saved her life as well as her mother's. The story of Snow White inspired her to pursue her artistic abilities, and she credits that movie and Disney for her survival. You’ll love her compelling tale told here. My friend Michelle told me that Disney and ABC still feel bad about their father's boycott efforts, even today. She is a journalist for ABC and never talks about her father’s past.
Charlotte! This is an amazing story about Dina Babbitt! I'm going to read the link you attached tomorrow! Incredible. Worthy of a story of your own about Snow White! I had to get these thoughts out as the movie came out. After what you said about Dina and how Snow White was a great influence on her art, it makes me even more angry that the star disrespected the original. Whoever decided to take the prince out, and the title song was bad enough, and then to put down the legacy of the movie? So annoying. It's bombing at the box office so I guess the public is speaking.
Thank you for reading my stream of conscious story within stories! I am amazed by the talent surrounding us all - if only we look, listen and discover!
Disney sure did know how to move an audience. Old Yeller will go down as the one that cleared the slumber party room I still see mum calling everyone to pick up my little friends! Goodness. I think I cried all night about that dog!!! Forget the birthday! ha ha! We were definitely a behind the scenes Disney family. Didn't get to go unless we had family come from England. Then dad went all out. It wasn't just a casual park we got to go to. Dad was too busy trading E-tickets for car engines (to build dune buggies!). We would see the drawer empty and scream!! If it was full then 50/50 company was coming! ha ha!
Thank you for passing on that story again. If only the young could appreciate history these days. Love you Charlotte. oxox
Thank you so much C.J.!! It’s so cool to think of all the ideas, hopes, dreams and creations that came before us. We are truly six degrees of separation :)
Thank you Jim!! Isn’t is amazing to think of all the hopes, dreams and creations of others who came before us? So important to respect them and preserve their original ideas :)
Beautiful, Deb. I love the way your brain works and the connections it creates with such lithe energy. Eek. I didn’t like the original Snow White as a child, I think I found her voice grating. I was more of a sleeping beauty fan 😂. I’ve only ever seen the original and only years ago, but I can never forget the hi-ho song. My mom read old yeller to us and I cried my eyes out. Sending you all the love and a heap of gratitude for this lovely post ❤️
Thank you Jenn. That's hilarious about Snow White! The voices can be very shrill in those old movies! I don't think it was my favorite. Mary Poppins, on the other hand, was life! I can still see my poor mom and dad trying to get me out of Grauman's Chinese Theater after it was over. I sobbed my way up the aisle, feet dragging. I wanted more. And yeah, my poor dad had no clue about Old Yeller when he rented it out! I can still see that too. Six little girls sobbing and my mom calling their parents to come and get them, too distraught to stay. I find it amazing that if we dig or pay attention we are all surrounded by a lot of talent, from everywhere we go to where we live, there is an interesting story. I thought of you as I was reading about Theodore Criley Sr., and his wiki is very short but packed with interest and a funny story. I can only imagine these people. Like a movie! Sending you much love back. oxox
Oh no! It’s so hard when things end when you’re little! My youngest is at that stage now. The meltdowns when anything ends 😭 Yes, I agree, there are so many stories of meaningful builders and creators everywhere. It is so easy to take them for granted. And so interesting to dig into the very humanity of things they accomplished. I will check out Theodore, that sounds very interesting! Sending you happy weekend vibes ❤️🙌✨
You made me laugh out loud: “Oh that’s amazing!” screamed the youngest, “Nana can you turn it back on?” I wanna put my dress on Nana!” - kids, you gotta love their attention span; and you made me reminisce- I loved hearing about the famous architect, those who built your home, and all about you and John remodeling! Those were the days when heart and soul were pored into making that special place where life happens, and when the term “jack of all trades” made its debut! Today the trades specialize: foundation builders, framers, roofers, etc all have a speciality and don’t cross-over to other functions. Ken Follett in his blockbuster “Pillars of the Earth” painstakingly describes the building of a cathedral. Sounds boring, it wasn’t, and still the finest book I’ve ever read! Thanks for sharing this with all of us!
ha ha!! It's true! Vi is the exuberant girlfriend everyone needs in their life. She turned four yesterday and we arrive in the parking lot of Chipotle fast food (her birthday dinner choice which took all day to decide) - she hops out of the car with the loudest scream, always excited to see you. "That's MAZING" is totally her! even if she didn't hear you! Just caught her tonight from a video the kids sent of her dancing on one of those large dance mattes at Legoland, where they went for two days for her birthday. In her absolute element. I knew you would love the story of the architects/builders - I get giddy at the thought of all we are surrounded by. Both men, Frank Thomas (the animator's house) and Larry Johnson (our house) took squished-up notes to Ted Criley Jr.'s office with their ideas on them. It's crazy to think how everything is so separated now in the trades. John is so well rounded. My dad was too, but the only thing he wouldn't do was electrical - so I married the electrician! Another thing is that Larry Johnson's brother was a construction mentor to John as well (he discovered this the day our realtor took us to see our home - which started the ball rolling on all we had in common) Do you know how many Johnsons are in the phone book?? ) And Pillars of the Earth was my dad's favorite book of all time. Now I'm curious! John has been wanting to read it but both of us have a stack as tall as us by our bedsides <insert face-slap>. Thank you so much for reading this Bob! oxox
Lovely piece and as ever, I love the photo. The remake is out over here at the cinema but has mixed reviews. In my opinion you can’t better the animated original. Glad you found your Prince ❤️
Awe, thank you Julie! This made my evening! The movie has bombed over here. Yikes. The original made a mint. Taking the original song out and the prince was silly, but that's the way of everything for years now. It's obnoxious.
My Prince is an island. I find life fascinating with John. He played his music five evenings straight last week and works about 60 hours a week still at 63 yrs old. Lucky for him I'm a fan. I also love to create and stay busy - catching him is often like chasing an F1. We've been through a ton together and it's the wild ride that binds us. Responsible, encouraging, reliable, talented, generous and in need of charm school, but he's mine :). Don't think I could handle the soppy guy anyways! Cheers to you friend. oxox
He definitely sounds like a keeper and it’s great that you have such a beautiful connection. It’s wonderful he has such passion for his music, as you do for your creative pursuits x
I was charmed reading your story, Deborah, and all the narratives within your stories. What a glimpse of Disney films from an entirely different perspective. Roy Disney is leaving for creative differences, and I imagine he would be rolling in his grave today after seeing the bastardization of one of Disney’s greatest masterpieces.
Old Yeller. 😔😔😣 I cried and cried. 😢 it was probably before its time, but Disney knew how to move the audience's pathos.
The artists listed, including your father and son, honor them as the creative forces that make Disney magical!
A good friend of mine is the daughter of Art Babbitt, who, through boycotts, fought for workers' rights. I don’t know if you are aware of his story. His first wife, not my friend's mother, was Marge Champion, a dance model in Snow White. But her mother, Dina Babbitt, was an animator for Hanna Barbers and Disney. As a Holocaust survivor, she painted her way out of hell. It was her job to create portraits of fellow inmates—Romani individuals—who were used as subjects for the grotesque “racial inferiority” project orchestrated by Josef Mengele. Her artistic talent saved her life as well as her mother's. The story of Snow White inspired her to pursue her artistic abilities, and she credits that movie and Disney for her survival. You’ll love her compelling tale told here. My friend Michelle told me that Disney and ABC still feel bad about their father's boycott efforts, even today. She is a journalist for ABC and never talks about her father’s past.
Here is Dina Babbitt’s story!
https://arolsen-archives.org/en/news/dinah-babbitt/
Charlotte! This is an amazing story about Dina Babbitt! I'm going to read the link you attached tomorrow! Incredible. Worthy of a story of your own about Snow White! I had to get these thoughts out as the movie came out. After what you said about Dina and how Snow White was a great influence on her art, it makes me even more angry that the star disrespected the original. Whoever decided to take the prince out, and the title song was bad enough, and then to put down the legacy of the movie? So annoying. It's bombing at the box office so I guess the public is speaking.
Thank you for reading my stream of conscious story within stories! I am amazed by the talent surrounding us all - if only we look, listen and discover!
Disney sure did know how to move an audience. Old Yeller will go down as the one that cleared the slumber party room I still see mum calling everyone to pick up my little friends! Goodness. I think I cried all night about that dog!!! Forget the birthday! ha ha! We were definitely a behind the scenes Disney family. Didn't get to go unless we had family come from England. Then dad went all out. It wasn't just a casual park we got to go to. Dad was too busy trading E-tickets for car engines (to build dune buggies!). We would see the drawer empty and scream!! If it was full then 50/50 company was coming! ha ha!
Thank you for passing on that story again. If only the young could appreciate history these days. Love you Charlotte. oxox
Very cool to see the inside of things that we do not really think about till it is placed in front of us. #niceone
Ahhhh! Thank you thank you!!! It’s such a cool feeling to know how many dreamers and artists surround us all!
Very interesting post, Deborah. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much C.J.!! It’s so cool to think of all the ideas, hopes, dreams and creations that came before us. We are truly six degrees of separation :)
Indeed, Deborah! Indeed!
What a great piece you have written here Deborah. Really enjoyed the read. - Jim
Thank you Jim!! Isn’t is amazing to think of all the hopes, dreams and creations of others who came before us? So important to respect them and preserve their original ideas :)