The Fabulous Disney Babe
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If you go into the Alameda gate at the Disney Studios in Burbank, you'll find yourself between the Seven Dwarfs on the right and the 2s building on the left.
The 2s building, officially known as the Frank G Wells building, hosts the Disney Archives and some animation offices, including those dedicated to Disney's most recent corporate craze, the animated sequel.
Inside the 2s building, they are presently working on Jungle Book 2, Cinderella 2, Dumbo 2, ...you get the gist. It's not all retreads at Disney, however. Hidden among the Atlantises, Lilo and Stitches, and Treasure Planets, is an upcoming spot of giddy fun: Disney's Three Musketeers. Who are Aramis, Porthos, and Athos? None other than Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. D'Artagnan? Not here, sorry.
This good-natured romp has all ready undergone a few major changes, and the story is still in flux.
One joke, no longer being used, unfortunately, was when Mickey was the fourth Musketeer, replacing the absent third Musketeer. "What happened to the third Musketeer?" Mickey asks at the beginning of the film. Donald and Goofy doff their hats, hold them to their chests, and bow their heads in a show of mourning. Throughout the film, characters would keep asking about the Third Musketeer and get the same reaction. The movie would end without any explanation of the missing third Musketeer. Finally during the end credits Mickey interrups: "I've got to ask! Whatever happened to the Third Musketeer?!?!?!?" The scene cuts to a corporate office, with a huge leather chair turned away from us. The chair spins around to reveal Michael Eisner in a Musketeer outfit.
When this idea was presented to him, Michael, who is apparently a very good sport with this kind of thing, loved the idea. Unfortunately, they decided to go in another direction. But, when watching Disney's Three Musketeers, remember what happened to the Third Musketeer.
I know I promised you more about the Country Bears Movie, but I've spoiled more than enough for you at the moment. It looks so good, from what I saw, and I love the music. I'll tell you tons more closer to the release, so you don't get sick of hearing me rave about it.
I haven't been hearing the same about Atlantis, which I'm still dying to see. From a friend: "It's amazing eye candy, but it has no heart. The scenes that should be long are short and the scenes that should be short are long. And just wait til you hear Rosie Perez. It's supposed to be set in the pre WWII era, and she's talking like a nineties fly girl." Ouch. However, I have bought all of the submarine toys and action figures all ready, and plan to see it on opening day, because I am a rivet-crazed Disney Submarine-that-looks-like-a-sea-monster nut of the highest order. I think you should go see it, too. And you should get there early. Early enough to see the Previews of Coming Attractions. And maybe you should stay a little longer after the movie is over, and catch the Previews of Coming Attractions again. Did I mention that you should see the Previews of Coming Attractions? You should also see Pearl Harbor again late in it's release. And you should also get there early. Got it?
I got a package from the deepest darkest jungles of Bwanaland. Wow! An Old Navy shirt with FAB emblazoned across the chest in silvery dots! Now I have something to wear on my summer tours of Disneyland and DCA. Thank you so much!
The Newest Cast Member asked me to clarify the Dick Tracy's Crime Stoppers rule for him. Dick Tracy's Crime Stoppers was one of the much-touted attractions for the defunct-in-three-years Disney Decade. It was featured in a TV special, press releases, and fan publications as fact, not rumor. It was in development, had been announced officially, and was considered rock-solid, as were the Muppet Movie Studio and other Disney Decade concepts. Then, suddenly, it wasn't there anymore. Michael had been talking it up at the stockholder's meetings, and then it never existed.
This is the way things sometimes happen with Disney attractions. Nothing is ever certain until it's opened to the public. Walt had Pirates of the Caribbean torn out and started over as a boat ride after the steel had been installed for the walk-through attraction. Alien Encounter was shuttered by Michael Eisner during soft openings and reopened with a much edgier experience than before. Discovery Bay....oh, the pain. Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye was in model stages when three of the four rides that would have been there were cut. Tomorrowland 98 was in construction on-site during the last two rounds of cuts. I can find out what is being planned and being built, but until opening day, all bets are off.
I'll be answering your emails next column. Til then...
Discuss It
-- Michelle Smith
Michelle Smith can be reached using the Talkback form below or by emailing her at [email protected].
The Fabulous Disney Babe's column is posted every Friday and when ever else she has something to say. For more on Michelle's background, see her first column. She also offers The Fabulous Tour: Disneyland Secrets and Stories. Click here for more information.
The opinions expressed by our Michelle Smith, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.
-- Posted May 10, 2001