Disney That Never Was: The Stories and Art of Five Decades of Unproduced Animation [Hardcover]

Charles Solomon (Author)

Book Description

Release date: December 2, 1995 | Grade Level: Preschool and up

From "Steamboat Willie" to The Lion King, the Walt Disney Studio's contribution to animation has been unparalleled. This unprecendented look at the creative processes behind the scenes at the Disney studio offers a wealth of magnificent animation art from uncompleted films stored in the vast Disney Archives. Photos.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Disney That Never Was: The Stories and Art from Five Decades of Unproduced Animation is a celebration of drawings from uncompleted films that were "simply too beautiful to leave in their folders." Some of the ideas and projects were abandoned for obvious reasons--a lack of time, money, or resources--but certainly not for lack of ingenuity. Charles Solomon, internationally respected critic and historian of animation, has gleaned the best of these unused animation drawings, storyboards, gags, and concept art, all of which make their first public appearances in this book. From Mickey, Donald, and Goofy sketches to Hans Christian Andersen roughs to wartime propaganda films to early versions of Fantasia, this book allows a delightful inside glimpse into the world of Disney.

From Library Journal

The Art of Walt Disney was first published in 1973. This major revision (some 50 percent of the text is new, with 200 new illustrations) carries the Disney story up to such current feature films as Pocahontas and even stories in production like The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Finch (The Art of the Lion King, Hyperion, 1994) also continues his exploration of Disney's nonanimated enterprises: the live-action films, television productions, and Disney theme parks in the United States, Japan, and France. As one would expect, excellent full-color illustrations abound, although the type size has been reduced in comparison with the first edition, presumably for reasons of economy. Solomon (The History of Animation, LJ 12/95) takes a vertical approach to the Disney phenomenon, concentrating on the fascinating world of Disney-animated features that were never released for a variety of reasons. In doing so he draws on the resources of the studio's Animation Research Library, where he was able to take advantage of countless detailed drawings and notes preserved even for productions that never came to fruition?a common practice at Disney. In this volume the Disney connoisseur will learn about Disney projects like Chanticleer and Reynard, as well as a curious collaborative venture undertaken by Disney and Salvador Dali. Disney propaganda, training, and entertainment films made during World War II are detailed in one of the most fascinating chapters. Few Disney fans would associate the animation giant with such films as Four Methods of Flush Riveting or Prostitution and the War. As contributions to the history of animation, both volumes are essential for academic and American studies collections. Public libraries with limited budgets may opt for Finch's more broadly appealing book.?Janice Zlendich, California State Univ. Lib., Fullerton
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1st edition (December 2, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786860375
• ISBN-13: 978-0786860371
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #612,252 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential for the Disney enthusiast December 24, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

This gloriously illustrated book is a must for anyone who loves animation, especially Disney animation. The wealth of projects that were never produced is almost as rich as those that were. I especially love the illustrations from the "Ride of the Valkyries" segment that was not included in "Fantasia," and the characters from an unproduced "Chanticleer." The text is also full of interesting information. Get it and enjoy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Pull back the curtain and see what's behind April 9, 2002

By J. J. Kwashnak VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Disney is often considered to be the premiere house for animation. Yet in the course of creation, there will always be ideas that were rejected, or didn't gel, or just fell apart. Luckily, Disney kept everything - good, bad or unused, and created a bounty for the animation historian. This book allows a peek behind the creative process. We are familiar with what made it to the screen, but Solomon shows us what didn't make it. A combination of a history of Disney successess and failures, and a portfolio of hidden artwork, this book is a trove of Disney information that is usually overlooked. It is interesting, following the release of Fantasia 2000, to look back at actual work prepared for Walt's original idea of re-releasing Fantasia annually with different pieces, creating more than just a film, but an experience. Economics and logistics kept this from happening, and only 60 years later did a new attempt at this vision appear. There is so much more that did not make it, beause of money, lack of story, politics or more, and most of the parts rightfully finally get their day in the sun (some of the work should stay buried, but that's few and far between). A fascinating look at "the rest of the story."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the stuff that shows just how creative they are! September 24, 2000

By Michael W. Howe

Format:Hardcover

Over the years, Disney has given us 40 major animated features, but along the way, there are those that we never have seen. The art that always seems to instill ideas, the creations that are considered not creative enough, or those that were cut for various reasons. Here, Charles Solomon has pretty much ventured into the greatest journey of his life: The Disney Archives!!(Imy career in animation hoped to one day lead me to these hallowed halls). Here, he poured over hundreds or thousnads of drawings and much more, finding out everything from animated short ideas, to feature length movies. Solomon unearthed such concepts as "The Emperor's nightingale (showing wonderful pastel and watercolor prints), to shorts from Hans Christian Andersen (some art that was mentioned but not shown was the inspiration for the "Fantasia 2000" segment of "The Steadfast Tin Soldier"). There are even countless Mickey, Goofy and Donald shorts that were not made (such as one with Goofy called "How to Be a Cowboy"). In the realm of feature films, there are two incredible stories. The first centers around an idea Walt Disney had to join with another studio to make a telling of Hans Christien Andersen's life story, with interstitials from animation to live-action and back again. An unknown artist did FANTASTIC(it deserves caps) watercolor conceptuals, bu the project fell apart soon afterwards. The second story focuses ona joint venture between Walt and oil painter Salvador Dali. The numerous concepts were made and a short 8 second film reel was developed before it was shelved. There was even the story of the rooster "Chanticleer," which was probably in pre-production on and off since after World War II up til the time of "The Jungle Book...." Tons and tons of artwork were made, but a story consensus could never be reached, and the project was never again to see the light of day. The greatest chapter to me is one that deals with the numerous planned segments that were to follow on the possible success of "Fantasia." However, "Fantasia" never came about (not until 60 years later), and over the years, countless ideas were tried, from baby ballets, to even bringing back the pegasus characters from the "Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony" segment. There's even soem information on the "Clair De Lune" segment that was cut before the final release (it was 100% completed too!). I would hope that Disney woudl rerelease this book. It has shown me a lot in what went in to many ideas for the animators, and it is also an infallable reference to me. Read more ›

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Information July 25, 2000

By R. Mohr

Format:Hardcover

I was lucky enough to find a copy of this out-of-print book and I am really glad that I did. This book is packed with drawings created by Disney artists that were working on projects that were never put into production. Along with the drawings are the stories of the projects and in most cases, the reason why they were never completed.

I was especially interested in the material that was considered for the original Fantasia. I recently saw Fantasia 2000 and during this feature they talked about some ideas that were considered and discarded for Fantasia 2000. I found it particularly interesting to see that some material originally considered for Fantasia was actually used for Fantasia 2000 and other material considered for Fantasia was also considered for Fantasia 2000, but still not used.

I recommend this book to anyone (who is lucky enough to find a copy) who is interested in Disney animation and some of the material that might have come from the studio that never made the grade.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for Disney-philes April 30, 2011

By Stop Motion Maniac

Format:Hardcover

This is a great book about the Disney animations that were never produced. I like Charles Somon's writing, and have other Disney/animation titles by him. Hyperion usually does a good job and this book is no different. It's a hardback book with 214 pages, and is profusely illustrated with a wide variety of content and styles/medium. The paperstock is good and the printing is great. If you love all things Disney you'll want to pick up this up.

4.0 out of 5 stars Got this as a gift May 28, 2013

By Nicholas Daniels

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

From what I hear from the giftee, this book is precious with a lot of behind the scenes they don't tell you at disneyland. Great find

5.0 out of 5 stars 50 years of hidden disney June 8, 2012

By Jose Gabriel Martinez Rater

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

IT IS A VERY FASCINATING BOOK...50 HIDDEN YEARS OF DISNEY UNFINISHED PROJECTS THAT NEVER SAW THE LIGHT...PERHAPS AN IDEA FOR THE FUTURE...