This Day in History August 20, 1907

User:Nevit [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

I will admit it--I grew up watching The Flintstones.  Silly, I know, but it was a show that I loved, and my mom hated.  And it was on this date in 1907 that the voice of Fred Flintstone, Alan Reed, was born.  Edward Bergman was his real name, and he was Jewish.  He was a journalism major, and he was a successful radio announcer and stage actor.  He was a master in nothing less than 22 foreign dialects, and he was the one who thought up Fred's signature phrase: "Yabba Dabba Doo!"  He was Fred's voice throughout the 1960's television show, and he is the father of actor Alan Reed, Jr.  Alan Reed died June 14, 1977, from a heart attack.

For more information, be sure to check out:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0715284/bio
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Reed
http://www.nndb.com/people/042/000108715/

This Day in History August 9, 1930

Betty Boop - Dizzy Dishes by baje22

On this date in 1930, Betty Boop debuted.  You can see the video above.  Of course, she has become a U.S. icon that we still see to this date.  In fact, she became the official Fantasy Football Cheerleader for the Uni9ted Football League in 2010.  In her earliest days, she was patterned after a French poodle--go figure! Clara Bow and Helen Kane (don't know either) inspired the character as well.

Of course, I think of Betty Boop with her famous "Boop boop ba doo" and always wearing a skimpy little dress!  For more information, please check out:
http://famousdaily.com/history/betty-boop-cartoon-debuts.html

This Day in History July 28, 1941

So, what do Optimus Prime and Eeyore have in common?  You might be surprised.  It was on this date in 1941 that Peter Cullen was born.  Who is Peter Cullen?  Read on for more information.

Peter Cullen was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.  In 1963, he became a member of the first graduating class of the National Theatre School of Canada.  And I can hear you now--so what does that have to do with...Just hold on, I'm getting there.

He is a voice-over actor with an incredibly impressive list of characters he has done over the years.  His most famous character (and his personal favorite) is Optimus Prime.  He has done everything from animated TV shows to blockbuster movies.  In fact, when I saw his name, I really wondered why I recognized his name, and when I saw his list of works, I understood why.  

He has been the modern day Eeyore voice.  And he has done everything from The Jetsons to G.I.Joe, to Duck Tales to Knight Rider.  The list seems rather endless.  He was even the first person to voice Mario!

I know you might find this hard to believe, but I have never seen anything with the Transformers.  Yeah, I'm probably behind the times, but it is just not my thing.  I know my daughter would love to see the movies, but I think I need to wait a few years.  I was impressed with this video, however.

For more information, please check out this information about the "birthday boy." (And for the Transformers fans out there, the next installment Transformers 4 is scheduled to come out in 2014.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Cullen

http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Peter-Cullen/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0191520/bio

Photo sources:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/donabelandewen/4823148092/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tachyondecay/173561066/

Walt Disney's "Brave" Trailer and More

This is going to be a must-see film when it comes out this summer.  I love all the cute and fun films that Disney does, but this one looks like it is an animated film with a message!

BRAVE (In Disney Digital 3D™)

Disney•Pixar

Website & Mobile site: Disney.com/Brave

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/PixarBrave

Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/disneypixar

Genre:                          Animation/Comedy/Adventure

Rating:                         TBD

U.S. Release Date:       June 22, 2012

Voice Talent:                Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly, Julie Walters, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson, Robbie Coltrane

Directors:                     Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman

Producer:                     Katherine Sarafian

Composer:                    Patrick Doyle

Since ancient times, stories of epic battles and mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. In “Brave,” a new tale joins the lore when the courageous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition, destiny and the fiercest of beasts.

Merida is a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric old Witch (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late.

Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, and produced by Katherine Sarafian, “Brave” is a grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and the signature Pixar humor enjoyed by audiences of all ages. The film takes aim at theaters on June 22, 2012, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

Notes:

·        Director Mark Andrews served as story supervisor for the Disney•Pixar films “Ratatouille” and “The Incredibles,” and was Oscar^®-nominated as the co-writer/co-director of the Pixar short “One Man Band.”  He also contributed to the screenplay as co-writer and served as second unit director for the 2012 Walt Disney Studios film “John Carter.” Director Brenda Chapman directed DreamWorks Animation’s “The Prince of Egypt” and was story supervisor for the Disney classic “The Lion King.” Producer Katherine Sarafian produced the Pixar short film “Lifted” and served as production manager for “The Incredibles.”

·        Actress Kelly Macdonald stars as Margaret Schroeder on HBO's "Boardwalk Empire," and as Ravenclaw's ghost, The Grey Lady, in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.”  Her film credits also include “No Country for Old Men,” “Gosford Park” and “Trainspotting.”

·        Appearing in the movies “Men in Black 3” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” Emma Thompson is an Oscar®-winning actress (“Howards End”) and screenwriter (“Sense and Sensibility”) who most recently starred in, wrote and executive produced “Nanny McPhee Returns.”   

·        Scottish comedian Billy Connolly most recently served as narrator for the Walt Disney Animation Studios short “The Ballad of Nessie” and appeared in “Gulliver’s Travels.”

A grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and signature Pixar humor, “Brave” uncovers a new tale in the mysterious Highlands of Scotland where the impetuous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) defies an age-old custom and inadvertently unleashes chaos, forcing her to discover the meaning of true bravery before it’s too late. Opens June 22, 2012, in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY opens in theaters this Friday, February 17th THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY opens in theaters this Friday, February 17th

Cast Members: Amy Poehler, Bridgit Mendler and Carol Burnett in Los Angeles to promote the film.

THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY

DISNEY

Disney.com/Arrietty

Genre:                                                  Animation/Adventure

Rating:                                      G

Release Date:                                       February 17, 2012

Voice Cast:                               Bridgit Mendler, Amy Poehler, Carol Burnett, Will Arnett, David Henrie, Moises Arias

Director:                                   Hiromasa Yonebayashi

Producer:                                              Toshio Suzuki

Screenplay by :                                     Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa

Based on “The Borrowers” by:   Mary Norton

Director – English Language

Version:                                                Gary Rydstrom

Executive Producers –

English Language Version:        Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall

English Language Screenplay by:      Karey Kirkpatrick

Residing quietly beneath the floorboards are little people who live undetected in a secret world to be discovered, where the smallest may stand tallest of all.  From the legendary Studio Ghibli (“Spirited Away,” “Ponyo”) comes “The Secret World of Arrietty,” an animated adventure based on Mary Norton’s acclaimed children’s book series “The Borrowers.”

Arrietty (voice of Bridgit Mendler), a tiny, but tenacious 14-year-old, lives with her parents (voices of Will Arnett and Amy Poehler) in the recesses of a suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper (voice of Carol Burnett). Like all little people, Arrietty (AIR-ee-ett-ee) remains hidden from view, except during occasional covert ventures beyond the floorboards to “borrow” scrap supplies like sugar cubes from her human hosts. But when 12-year-old Shawn (voice of David Henrie), a human boy who comes to stay in the home, discovers his mysterious housemate one evening, a secret friendship blossoms. If discovered, their relationship could drive Arrietty’s family from the home and straight into danger. The English language version of “The Secret World of Arrietty” was executive produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, and directed by Gary Rydstrom. The film hits theaters Feb. 17, 2012.

Notes:

• Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most influential and admired filmmakers working in animation today and is a major figure in the Japanese cinematic landscape. His films have inspired moviegoers and colleagues around the world, from Pixar's John Lasseter to fantasist Guillermo del Toro to Chinese director Tsui Hark, and consistently top the box office in his native Japan.
• Director Hiromasa Yonebayashi, a top animator at Studio Ghibli, was responsible for the animation in a signature scene in “Ponyo,” in which Ponyo runs atop ocean waves.
• English language voice talent director Gary Rydstrom is a seven-time Academy Award^Ò winning sound designer/mixer (“Terminator 2: Judgment Day”). He joined Pixar Animation Studios as an animation film director in 2003.  His directorial debut for the studio was the Academy Award^®-nominated short film “Lifted,” and he directed the short film “Hawaiian Vacation,” which was released with “Cars 2” in June 2011.
• Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall are highly successful producing partners whose films, separately and together, include “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “E.T.,” “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?,” the Indiana Jones films and the Jurassic Park films. In total, Kennedy and Marshall have earned 11 Oscar® nominations.
• English language screenplay writer Karey Kirkpatrick’s credits include “Spiderwick Chronicles” and “Over the Hedge,” which he also directed (with Tim Johnson).

Disney's The Secret World of Arietty Trailer and Coloring Sheets

I had not heard about this new Disney film coming out called The Secret World of Arietty. It comes out February 17, and once I got this e-mail announcing it, I called my daughter over, and she watched the trailer and loved it!





To be perfectly honest, I was somewhat enraptured myself.  It look like something a little different.  I can remember hearing about The Borrowers in the past, but I have only just heard of it before.  I am already thinking this is a must-see for us.

THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY

DISNEY

Disney.com/Arrietty

Genre:                                      Animation/Adventure

Rating:                                      TBD

Release Date:                           February 17, 2012

Voice Cast:                               Bridgit Mendler, Amy Poehler, Carol Burnett, Will Arnett, David Henrie, Moises Arias

Director:                                   Hiromasa Yonebayashi

Producer:                                  Toshio Suzuki

Screenplay by :                         Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa

Based on “The Borrowers” by:    Mary Norton

Director – English Language

Version:                                    Gary Rydstrom

Executive Producers –

English Language Version:        Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall

English Language Screenplay by:      Karey Kirkpatrick

Residing quietly beneath the floorboards are little people who live undetected in a secret world to be discovered, where the smallest may stand tallest of all.  From the legendary Studio Ghibli (“Spirited Away,” “Ponyo”) comes “The Secret World of Arrietty,” an animated adventure based on Mary Norton’s acclaimed children’s book series “The Borrowers.”

Arrietty (voice of Bridgit Mendler), a tiny, but tenacious 14-year-old, lives with her parents (voices of Will Arnett and Amy Poehler) in the recesses of a suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper (voice of Carol Burnett). Like all little people, Arrietty (AIR-ee-ett-ee) remains hidden from view, except during occasional covert ventures beyond the floorboards to “borrow” scrap supplies like sugar cubes from her human hosts. But when 12-year-old Shawn (voice of David Henrie), a human boy who comes to stay in the home, discovers his mysterious housemate one evening, a secret friendship blossoms. If discovered, their relationship could drive Arrietty’s family from the home and straight into danger. The English language version of “The Secret World of Arrietty” was executive produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, and directed by Gary Rydstrom. The film hits theaters Feb. 17, 2012.

Notes:

• Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most influential and admired filmmakers working in animation today and is a major figure in the Japanese cinematic landscape. His films have inspired moviegoers and colleagues around the world, from Pixar's John Lasseter to fantasist Guillermo del Toro to Chinese director Tsui Hark, and consistently top the box office in his native Japan.
• Director Hiromasa Yonebayashi, a top animator at Studio Ghibli, was responsible for the animation in a signature scene in “Ponyo,” in which Ponyo runs atop ocean waves.
• English language voice talent director Gary Rydstrom is a seven-time Academy Award^Ò winning sound designer/mixer (“Terminator 2: Judgment Day”). He joined Pixar Animation Studios as an animation film director in 2003.  His directorial debut for the studio was the Academy Award^®-nominated short film “Lifted,” and he directed the short film “Hawaiian Vacation,” which was released with “Cars 2” in June 2011.
• Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall are highly successful producing partners whose films, separately and together, include “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “E.T.,” “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?,” the Indiana Jones films and the Jurassic Park films. In total, Kennedy and Marshall have earned 11 Oscar® nominations.
• English language screenplay writer Karey Kilpatrick’s credits include “Spiderwick Chronicles” and “Over the Hedge,” which he also directed (with Tim Johnson).

And now for a special treat for my readers.  If you follow this link, you will find an attachment file I was sent that contains printable coloring pages and a word search from the film.  You will find a PDF file that seems to work well. I'm going to leave them as is.  If you have trouble downloading and/or printing them, let me know, and I will try to make changes.  This is the first time I have ever attached files to a blog post, and so hopefully this will work like the tutorial I read said it would.

Enjoy!

This Day in History January 29, 1959

After yesterday's tragic story, I knew I needed something happy.  And I found it.  On this date in 1959, Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty premiered at the Fox Wilshire Theater in Los Angeles.  I always found this one of the animated films that was somewhat unusual.  I loved that the score was Tchaikovsky's score for his ballet by the same name.

This was the sixteenth of the animated features released by Disney, and it was the last (while he was alive) to be based upon a fairy tale.  It was also the last to be inked by hand.  And it was the first animated film to be filmed in Super Technirama 70.  This film took almost the entire decade to make.  (Wow!)  During the filming of this, each shot of the film was modeled by actors for the benefit of the animators.  (And here I thought they only did that in the computer age!)

When this film was released, it was essentially a flop.  It almost bankrupted the studio, only recouping half of the filming costs.  I can understand the criticisms of its being too slow and having little character development.  This is not one of those films that I generally watch over and over again.  It is also very dark.  I always found that the scene towards the end where Aurora's prince comes to rescue her is quite frightening.

For a lot more information on this Disney classic, please check out these sites:
http://thisdayindisneyhistory.homestead.com/jan29.html
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053285/
http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Sleeping_Beauty