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Disney's Latest Movies (2004)

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There's no question that those three films were the highlights of the summer, but I couldn't help wonder what Walt would think of them.

The first thing that came to my mind was a giant smile. Who wouldn't have one when they saw the box office receipts so far? I'm sure everyone has heard that Finding Nemo is already the richest animated feature film in history, with almost $335 million in ticket sales. Pirates of The Caribbean is not far behind with $288 million. And Open Range, which was just released in mid-August, has already collected $54 million.

As for the films themselves, they'd probably get mixed reviews.

Walt would love the story, voices and music of Finding Nemo; all of them right up there with his classics such as Cinderella and Pinocchio. He'd also probably chuckle over the subtle allusion to Captain Nemo in his own 1954 production of 20,000 Leagues under the Sea. And he would be absolutely fascinated with the technology and artistry of the computer animation. Walt was always pushing the tech envelope himself. I've mentioned before that Walt Disney brought sound to animated films, but many people don't know that he also introduced movie goers to stereophonic sound, with the premier of Fantasia on November 11, 1940 - more than 60 years ago. He also amazed us, by seamlessly combining live action with animation. Remember that incredible scene in Mary Poppins with Dick van Dyke and the penguins?

The cash influx from Pirates wouldn't be the only thing that would have Walt smiling about this film. He called it cross-plugging; the tool that modern promotion wizards now sell as the tongue-twisting "synergism." One thing promotes another. Based upon the popularity of Pirates of The Caribbean, I'm sure Walt would jump at the idea of turning other theme park attractions into motion pictures. (We won't tell him about the Country Bears movie, will we?).

While Walt might raise a critical eyebrow at some of the language, violence, and sexual references in this swashbuckler, I'm sure it would remind him of his own rousing pirate adventures, Treasure Island and Kidnapped, and he'd give it "Well done, me hearties!"

So, what about Open Range? I seem to recall that Walt Disney and John Wayne were friends. That may give this new Western a leg up. We also know that he liked the old west as a genre. In fact, the company produced a number of its own Westerns under Walt's guidance, including Gunfight at Sandoval with Tom Tryon and Dan Duryea, and Westward Ho, the Wagons! starring Fess Parker who also played Davy Crockett in the Disney television phenomenon.

Walt, I think, would also be pleased with the acting and the spectacular photography of Open Range. And the good vs. evil theme was a mainstay in many of his films.

However, with its R rating for violence and strong language, Walt would never have let the Disney Company produce the movie in the first place. And if anyone pointed out to him that it was wasn't a Walt Disney film, but a Touchstone picture, they would very likely get an evil eye and a comment about trying to get rid of dirt by sweeping it under a rug.

And that's the sad part, really. In the traditional sense of the word, neither Disney nor Touchstone "produced" any of these films.

Open Range is actually a Kevin Costner film, produced and directed by the Academy Award winner for Dances with Wolves. It was distributed by Disney owned Touchstone. Pirates of The Caribbean was released by Walt Disney Pictures. But it is clearly a Jerry Bruckheimer creation, with a handprint we can all recognize from his other film and television productions. As a matter of record, when he was asked if he would produce the film, he was quoted as saying, "Yes, but not with this screenplay," and then had the Disney script re-written by his own people.

Finally, we have Finding Nemo. As a former Disney executive, I wish I could proudly tell you that this beautiful, funny, and touching animated feature film is another in the long line of classics from the Walt Disney Company. But as you all know (especially with the recent media coverage of the looming contract renewal deadline), this is a Pixar film, only distributed by Disney.

Maybe next summer.

Regards,
Larry Pontius

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A former vice president of marketing for Disneyland and Walt Disney World, Larry Pontius is the author of Waking Walt, a thriller that brings Walt Disney back from cryonic suspension. Larry lives in Florida with his wife and a large, orange dog named Samson.

For more information about Larry Pontius please visit his website at www.wakingwalt.com.