This Day in Disney History: DEC 04

2001:

Disney's "Walt Disney Treasures" series releases The Complete

Davy Crockett Televised Series, Disneyland USA, Mickey Mouse In Living Color, and Silly Symphonies. Each title is released as a special 2-disc DVD.

Cast members of "The Lion King" and "Aida" perform at the Tree of

Life & Festival of Lights at California Plaza Watercourt, in downtown

Los Angeles.

The Travel Channel airs Great Hotels - Disney's Grand Floridian,

Walt Disney World Resort for the first time.

The television special Mickey Mouse in Living Color airs. Host

Leonard Maltin talks about Mickey Mouse's career and shows cuts

from early movies.

2005:

Film producer Gregg Hoffman passes away at the age of 42 in Los Angeles, California. In 1995, he was hired at Disney, where he helped develop such live-action films as Inspector Gadget, 101 Dalmatians and The Parent Trap. Hoffman later became a senior vice president of production and earned a producer credit on Disney's George of the Jungle.

1949:

Actor Jeff Bridges, the star of Disney's 1982 Tron,

is born to Dorothy Dean and actor Lloyd Bridges in Los Angeles, California.

1952:

Walt Disney writes his annual birthday letter to his sister Ruth (who will celebrate on December 6). His opening words include: "It's time to wish you Happy Birthday again, in which I am joined by Lilly and the girls." He writes of family, his hobbies and the retirement of their brother Herb from the Post Office. As usual, Walt sends along a check as a birthday gift.

1957:

The television series Disneyland airs the episode "Mars and Beyond." The program is hosted by Walt and a mechanical man named Garco. Popular Disney voice artist Paul Frees narrates as well as provides all the voices. ("Mars and Beyond" is the third installment of what will be a highly acclaimed and influential series about space exploration.)

Walt's annual birthday letter to his sister Ruth begins with: "It is time for a Happy Birthday greeting again and I must say it seems only a short time ago that I sent your last birthday letter ... the years really do tick by, don't they?" He goes on to describe he and Lily's recent trip to Europe. A check is included with the letter as a gift for Ruth.

1959:

The television series Walt Disney Presents airs

"Texas John Slaughter: The Robber Stallion."

1960:

Walt Disney Presents features the first

Daniel Boone episode titled "The Warrior's Path."

1987:

Actor Orlando Brown is born in Los Angeles, California. His Disney credits include That's So Raven, Fillmore!, Max Keeble's Big Move, The Proud Family and even an episode of Lizzie McGuire.

1998:

A 1931 Mickey Mouse doll sells for 4,370 pounds (about $7,250) at a Christie's Teddy Bear auction in London, England.

1999:

A Disneyland Holiday Celebration airs on KCOP in Los Angeles. This one hour TV special, featuring future American Idol host Ryan Seacrest, takes viewers on a tour of Disneyland's entertainment and attractions for the holiday season. Among the Disney performers are The Dapper Dans, the Main Street Townsfolk Carolers, and ragtime piano player Rod Miller.

Animator/Imagineer Marc Davis (one of Walt's "Nine Old Men") and his wife Alice (also an Imagineer) are interviewed and filmed for a television special about Walt Disney. (Unfortunately Marc will pass away a little over 5 weeks later.)

"Daisy's Road Trip" airs on ABC-TV as part of Disney's

Mickey Mouse Works series.

2003:

Michael Eisner (Disney chairman-CEO) is honored at the 65th annual Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation's Pioneer of the Year dinner. Singer Phil Collins (known for his work on Disney's Tarzan) performs at the event at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.

The Travel Channel airs Inside Walt Disney Studios: Paris for the first time.

Walt Disney World's new Pop Century Resort hosts an "Open Mouse" for Cast Members only.

DECEMBER 4 is Santas' List Day

Get your Disney tickets at Maple Leaf Tickets!

2006:

Nominations for the Annies, the International Animated Film Society equivalent of the Oscars, are announced. The Disney-Pixar film Cars is nominated for nine awards including best animated feature and best director for John Lasseter. Composer Randy Newman also receives a nomination for the film's soundtrack. (Winners will be announced at the 34th annual event for achievement in animation on Februarty 11, 2007.)

1996:

Rocker Bryan Adams performs at Pleasure Island in Florida.