A New Take on a Modern Classic
Greetings, readers! At the risk of burying the headline…this week Disney Cruise Line is celebrating its 25th Anniversary of the christening of the Disney Magic, which is big news in our household…however, this weekend was a huge weekend at the box office.
For those who are new to this publication, each week Magic in the Mail looks at relevant topics in both Disney pop culture and history. In this week’s section on pop culture, we are going to look at the head-to-head summer blockbuster mania, Barbie vs. Oppenheimer, with a Disney twist. This was too fun an opportunity to pass up.
Barbie vs. Oppenheimer: Disney Edition
In honor of this weekend’s Barbie/Oppenheimer double feature, this week’s Magic in the Mail is a double feature! Check your email for a second article exploring this weekend's Barbenheimer craze with a head-to-head Disney mashup.
It is in this spirit we are going head-to-head to review Disney’s ties (however loose) to both Barbie and Oppenheimer. Neither of these studio films are related to Disney (or Disney franchises), but I can’t help but want to get in on this weekend’s Barbenheimer fever. What do I have to lose, except my sleep and my sanity? Wish me luck, as I tie these two topics together, with a Disney twist.
Due to length restriction, I’m sending out my review of Disney vs Barbenheimer in a second article. You can click the link below to jump straight to the story, or continuing reading to enjoy the segment on Disney history and then enjoy Barbenheimer as a second article.
This Week in Disney History: July 23rd-July 29th
July 23, 1973: Actress and comedian Kathryn Hahn is born in Westchester, Illinois
Actress, writer and producer Kathryn Hahn was born on July 23, 1973, in Illinois. Kathryn Hahn first captured my heart as Andy Anderson’s best friend Michelle, in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003). Over the years, Hahn has shined in both comedic and dramatic roles.
In her first project for Disney, Hahn played Ursula Gernsback, the audio-animatronic robot (or assassin, if we’re being honest), in the science-fiction adventure Tomorrowland (2015), starring George Clooney.
Disney+ viewers know Hahn as the nosy-neighbor Agatha Harkness in the Marvel miniseries WandaVision. (SPOILERS) In episode 6 of the series, All-New Halloween Spooktacular!, it is revealed perfect neighbor Agatha may not be who she seems (queue the music, and a Munster’s style musical intro)…It’s been Agatha All Along!
Later this year, Kathryn Hahn is set to star in the follow-up Marvel series, Agatha: Coven of Chaos (2023), alongside Patti LuPone and Aubrey Plaza. The series will stream directly to Disney+.
July 24, 1966: The New Orleans Square Area Opens at Disneyland, California
The New Orleans Square area opens at Disneyland, California, with a ceremony presided over by Walt Disney and then-mayor of New Orleans, Victor Schiro.
The land was opened to the public on July 24, 1966, with New Orleans Mayor Victor H. Schiro participating in the dedication ceremony. Schiro announced Walt Disney had been made an honorary citizen of New Orleans; Disney joked that the addition cost as much as the original Louisiana Purchase. Without adjusting for inflation, it actually cost more.
The opening ceremony was Walt Disney's last major public appearance at Disneyland before his death in December 1966.
The 3-acre site is the first new themed "land" added to Disneyland after its 1955 opening. Based on 19th-century New Orleans, Louisiana, construction cost $18 million to build, and at the time New Orleans Square was the only land in Disneyland to debut without a single attraction.
New Orleans Square did, however, feature several shops, including: the One-of-a-Kind shop and Mademoiselle Antoinette's Parfumerie. In March 1967, the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction opened, alongside the Blue Bayou Restaurant. In August of 1969, after great anticipation, The Haunted Mansion finally opened to the public.
Taking part in the dedication is the Firehouse Five Plus Two, the Dixieland jazz band led by animator Ward Kimball, and Disneyland Ambassador Connie Swanson.
"I had the honor of standing next to Walt for the opening of New Orleans Square. His eyes missed no detail and he spoke of how he would improve on the concept. Accompanying us was the mayor of New Orleans."
-1966 Disneyland Ambassador Connie Swanson
July 25, 1923: Actress and comedienne Estelle Getty is born Estelle Gettleman in New York City
Thank you for being a friend!
Actress and comedienne Estelle Getty is born Estelle Gettleman in New York City. She is best known for her portrayal of wisecracking Sophia Petrillo on The Golden Girls (1985–1992), an NBC sitcom produced by Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions, in association with Disney's Touchstone Television. Getty reprised the role for appearances on such comedies as Empty Nest (1993–1995) and The Golden Palace (1992–1993).
Getty relied on wigs, clothing, and heavy makeup to age herself to look the part of a mother in her 80s. In reality, she was a year younger than her television daughter, Bea Arthur, who played Dorothy Zbornak. In 1988, Getty won her most notable award, the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, for her work on the show.
She was named Disney Legend in 2009 (a year after her death) along with her fellow Golden Girls cast members.
“I always wondered why blessings wore disguises. If I were a blessing, I'd run around naked.” Sophia Petrillo, The Golden Girls
July 26, 1951: Disney's Feature Film, Alice in Wonderland has its World Premiere in London, England
Disney's animated film, Alice in Wonderland, has its world premiere in England, at London's Leicester Square Theatre. It will be released in the United States two days later. Based on Lewis Carroll's books "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass," it is the 18th feature film to be released by Disney (but today considered the 13th animated film). The film will be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Scoring of a Musical Picture.
Attending the premiere is Walt Disney and Kathryn Beaumont, dressed as Alice.
“I remember arriving at the theatre and being helped from the vehicle by the Mad Hatter. Yes, Walt was there, and it was wonderful having pictures taken with him. He looked so handsome in his tuxedo!" -Kathryn Beaumont
July 27, 1945: Disney's Pluto cartoon Canine Casanova is Released in the Theaters
Disney's Pluto cartoon, Canine Casanova, directed by Charles A. Nichols, is released in US theaters. This marks the first appearance of Pluto’s paramore, Dinah the Dachshund, in a Disney cartoon.
Voice actor Pinto Clovig reprises his role as Pluto, Ruth Clifford voices Dinah the dachshund and Billy Bletcher plays the dogcatcher.
Pinto Clovig is an American comedian, vaudeville performer and actor best known in the Disney community as the original performer of the characters Goofy and Pluto.
In 1930, Colvig signed an eight-year contract with Walt Disney Productions as a writer, also providing sound effects, including the barks for Pluto the Pup. The following year he began voicing Goofy, originally known as Dippy Dawg. Other notable characters he voiced include Practical Pig, the pig that built the "house of bricks" in the Disney short "Three Little Pigs", and both Sleepy and Grumpy in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937).
Colvig also provided Ichabod Crane's screams in The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad in 1949. Along with Erdman Penner and Walt Pfeiffer, he directed the 1937 Mickey Mouse short, Mickey's Amateurs. Colvig would be associated with Disney for most of his career.
In 1993, Pinto Colvig was posthumously made a Disney Legend for his contributions to Walt Disney Films, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Fun and Fancy Free.
July 28, 1998: Disney Cruise Line’s First Ship, The Disney Magic, is Christened in Port Canaveral, Florida
On July 28, 1998, Disney's first cruise ship The Disney Magic, is christened by Patricia Disney, Roy E. Disney's wife, in Florida. This year marks The Magic’s 25th anniversary, of sailing the Caribbean and around the globe.
Patricia Disney christened the ship by remote control, flicking a switch that sends a 3-foot-tall bottle of champagne crashing into the ship's hull. Patricia Disney is named the ship’s Godmother, and each subsequent Disney ship will also receive a Godmother.
The Magic then sets sail with a star-studded manifest that includes Star Wars director George Lucas, San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson and country singer Travis Tritt, on a two-day trip to Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, in the Bahamas. This will be the ship's last test run, as it will embark on its official maiden voyage two days later.
The inspiration for the design of the Disney Magic, as well as Disney’s future cruise ships, is a take on a “Modern Classic”. The design features of the Magic, include: two tapered stacks; a striking red, gold and blue-black color scheme; portholes; and a tapered gold filigree design along the bow, stern and hull of the ship. Built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, the Disney Magic can hold approximately 2,400 passengers. The ship boasts 10 expansive decks, a total length of 964 feet, a maximum width of 106 feet and an astonishing gross tonnage of 83,000.
This year Disney Cruise Line is celebrating the 25th year of their cruise ships sailing on the high seas.
July 29, 1999: Walt Disney World's Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is Dedicated
Walt Disney World's Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith opens with a special, invitation-only party, with Aerosmith as the guests of honor at Disney-MGM Studios. An enclosed steel roller coaster ride, it is located at the end of Sunset Boulevard.
Invited guests are treated to an all-you-can-eat buffet and bar and get a chance to ride the roller coaster with a member of Aerosmith. (Rock 'n' Roller Coaster will officially open to the public the following day.)
Fun Fact, Walt Disney Imagineering worked with Aerosmith to produce a special soundtrack for the roller coaster. Each coaster train features different Aerosmith songs, some containing some new lyrics written specifically for the attraction; for example, "Love in an Elevator" is sung as "Love in a roller coaster".
License plates and songs heard on each car:
1QKLIMO: "Nine Lives"
UGOBABE: "Love in an Elevator" and "Walk This Way"
BUHBYE: "Young Lust", "F.I.N.E.*" and "Love in an Elevator" (Sung as Love in a Rollercoaster in the last line)
H8TRFFC: "Back in the Saddle" and "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)"
2FAST4U: "Sweet Emotion" (live, as featured in A Little South of Sanity)
There is an unused song that is only used during testing and maintenance known as "What Kind of Love Are You On" (Sung as What Kind of Ride Are You On in the last line)
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Stay optimistic and see you real soon!
Sincerely,
Harper