These two photos were taken at the 1st Official Disneyana Convention held in 1992 at Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort. To the left in the top picture, is Ward Kimball, with Frank Thomas to the right. In the lower picture, Ollie Johnston is on the left and Marc Davis is on the right. These were the last four surviving members of Disney’s famous “Nine Old Men.”
Walt Disney once famously said that, “It all started with a mouse.” However, without these gentlemen [and others like them], Disney would not be where it is today.
Ward Kimball [died 2002] animated the Cheshire Cat, Jiminy Cricket, and the eponymous song from The Three Caballeros. He went on to design the tableaux in the World of Motion at Walt Disney World. He was a train buff and had a full-sized, working locomotive in his back yard.
Frank Thomas [died 2004] animated Thumper, Captain Hook, and Lady and the Tramp at Tony’s. He was a life-long friend of Ollie Johnston’s - having met in college.
Ollie Johnston [died 2008] animated Rufus in the Rescuers, Prince John, and Mr. Smee. He, along with Frank Tomas, wrote the definitive ‘bible’ on animation techniques - Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life.
Marc Davis [died 2000] animated Tinker Bell, Maleficent, and Cruella De Vil. He was also an imagineer, designing the scenes in the Jungle Cruise, the Country Bear Jamboree, and the [pre-Jack Sparrow] Pirates of the Carribean. It is his art work in the ‘stretching room’ of the Haunted Mansion.
At that first Disneyana Convention there were 500 registrants. I was amazed that the majority had no idea who these elderly men were and never stopped to to talk to them - even at times set aside to do so. I had the opportunity to meet and talk with these Legends - especially Marc and his lovely wife, Alice [both Disney Legends with side-by-side windows on Main Street in
Disneyland].
I thought I would pass along some info to those who might not know who these men were or what they looked like.
Now back to the usual pictures.