Editor's Report
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"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"

Cinderella
With Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Walt Disney changed the rules of movie making. The film was a smash hit and Disney followed it up with Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo and Bambi. Then came World War II and instead of full-length features Disney released a series of featurettes combined together including Saludos Amigos and Make Mine Music. By 1950 there was no guarantee feature length animations would be in Disney's future.

Then, on February 15th, came Cinderella.

For Cinderella, Disney started with the most famous fairy tale of all time and added new characters including Lucifer, Bruno and those lovable mice Gus and Jaq. Add to that a wonderful score and several memorable songs and a classic was born. Cinderella was a hit and she now sits as the second in a long and beautiful line of Disney princesses.

Cinderella was nominated for three Academy Awards including Best Song (Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo), Best Scoring of a Musical Picture and Best Sound. Additionally, the film won the following awards: Parents Magazine Medal Award, Box Office Blue Ribbon Award, Cine Revue Magazine Award, Venice Film Festival Special Prize and the Berlin Film Festival First Prize Award.

Happily, Disney has not let Cinderella's 50th go unnoticed. On February 12th a huge celebration was held at the Disneyland Hotel. Featured were a panel discussion with animators and voices, live performances and new merchandise releases. The event was enjoyed by hundreds including some LaughingPlace.com staff members. Walt Disney Art Classics has released a new series as well. Entitled The Glass Slipper Scene it features six new pieces including the stepsisters, Lady Tremaine and, of course, Cinderella herself. Cinderella is still available on video (no DVD yet) and DisneyStore.com has lots of anniversary merchandise available.

No film better exemplifies the wonderful treatment Walt Disney could give to a fairy tale. It's been a classic for 50 years and is destined to remain one for generations to come. I don't think Walt would have it any other way.

News of the Week
Here are last week's major stories:

• The February 21st Los Angeles Times reported one of the major hurdles facing the Disney Company Anaheim expansion is filling the jobs. The article discusses ways Florida and Las Vegas overcame these hurdles including increasing base pay and recruitment pushes.
• The Associated Press in a February 19th article reported Bill Nye, the Science Guy is suing Disney claiming they still owe him more than a half million dollars for using his likeness.
• Disney held its stockholder meeting last Tuesday. Click here for links to the entire text of the speeches and several articles from analysits.
• The February 25th Orange County Register reported many signs that point to an early opening date for Disney's California Adventure.
• For those in the Los Angeles area, here's a great event: On Wednesday, March 15 at 7 p.m., The American Cinematheque will present the restored roadshow version of The Happiest Millionaire (The 164-minute version). It will be shown at the Cinematheque's new residence, the famous Graumann's Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Blvd (between Las Palmas and Highland Avenues). Robert & Richard Sherman will be on hand (as well as some cast members) for a Questions and Answers. The Sherman Brothers will also be signing copies of their book from 6:15 to 6:45 p.m. For further info call 323-466-FILM.

This Week
This week's trivia contest is about Disney movies, television and stage and all the questions were suggested by readers and this week's Online Poll asks the question "Which recent movie has your favorite sidekicks"? We've already published a Disneyland Update for this week with eight pages of DCA, Autopia and new merchandise pictures. Look for another Walt Disney World update very soon.

-- Doobie Moseley (February 29, 2000)