Welcome to those of you joining me from Heidi’s Head and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 3rd stop on our Magical Blogorail.
Today, the Golden Anniversary of “it’s a small world”, is the perfect time to reflect on treasures we cannot take for granted. This “Happiest Cruise That Ever Sailed” has brought untold smiles to children and adults around the world for 50 years. Its happiness coefficient might not have been so remarkable had it not been for the friendship, respect and affinity in this collaboration. The relationship spanned 25 years, and was much, much, more memorable than the iconic colorful singing dolls themselves. Walt Disney and Mary Blair were visionaries and artists, true. They were also international goodwill ambassadors and leaders in the feminist movement!
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Creative Projects:
– Mary Blair’s distinctive and innovative style influenced the early classics, such as Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Cinderella. It is said that Walt was particularly drawn to Mary’s use of color and abstracts to tell a story.
– A mere 11 months before the opening of the 1964 New York World’s Fair, Walt Disney was approached to design the Pepsi sponsored UNICEF pavilion. In this “salute to the children of the world”, Walt selected Mary Blair as the point person for style, concept and color. She worked alongside such legendary personalities as Rolly Crump, and Blaine Gibson, (who sculpted the dolls under Walt’s direction). “it’s a small world” is and was regarded as the most successful pavilion in the fair.
– In the 1960’s, Walt personally choose Mary to re-design the mural in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland to portray lightheartedness and optimism for the future.
– Sadly, when Walt passed in 1965, Mary’s work with the company also ended, with the exception of The Grand Canyon Concourse in Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
International Goodwill:
_ After early work at Walt Disney Studio, (for Dumbo and Lady and the Tramp), Mary briefly left to work in commercial advertising. (She also is credited as set color designer for the Broadway show “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” during this period.) Walt and Lillian, invited her to accompany them to South America to do research for FDR’s Good Neighbor program. This initiative was intended to promote unity amongst North and South American countries, and seen as a counter to the Nazi propaganda that was infiltrating South America during World War II. As a result of this trip, Disney produced The Three Caballeros and Saludos Amigos. Guess who was named art supervisor on both productions?? This “peace through understanding” theme would continue through Mary’s work for the New York World’s Fair.
Early Feminists:
– Frozen made Disney history because it featured the first female director in Disney Animation history. Yet, in 1941 Walt gave the following speech to his Burbank studio employees: (LA Times, November 29. 2013)
“If a woman can do the work as well, she is worth as much as a man,” Disney said, according to studio archives. “The girl artists have the right to expect the same chances for advancement as men, and I honestly believe they may eventually contribute something to this business that men never would or could.”
In a time when many males animators were being drafted for World War II, Walt recognized the value of his female collaborators. He recognized talent- pure and simple!
Together Again:
– San Francisco’s Walt Disney Family Museum‘s Mary Blair Exhibition entitled, “MAGIC, COLOR, FLAIR: the World of Mary Blair”. (March 13 – September 7, 2014) In over 200 works, this exhibit showcases the modern art that captivated Walt Disney; the work that he promoted first in his films, and then in his theme parks.
Today, the 50th anniversary of this, their most famous collaboration, I celebrate too! I share this birthday, and remember well the April day when I took my first happy cruise at the New York World’s Fair. What a joyful legacy this duo left behind. How grand. How golden.
Explore Mary Blair’s work on Facebook and Pinterest! Read more about the artist at Designing Disney!
Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is Return to Disney.
Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:
1st Stop~ A Disney Mom’s Thoughts
2nd Stop~ Heidi’s Head
3rd Stop~ DIStherapy (You are here!)
4th Stop~ Return to Disney
Final Stop~ Home is Where the Mouse Is
What a great twist on Disney couples!! This was definitely a great collaboration, I really enjoyed learning more about their work together. Thanks Birthday Girl!
Thanks for all of your wished friend!
Such a great post Didi! Thanks for sharing it with us, along with your memories of your first trip! Walt Disney and Mary Blair at first seems like a far-fetched couple to put together, but that's because of the shortsightedness of my brain — I think of a "couple" as being a married couple or something along those lines. But you showed me that a couple can be as much about business and friendship as love and romance. Thanks!
Mike
Mike, the more I read about Walt and Mary, the more I could understand the deep respect they seemed to have for one another. Without "it's a small world", Walt's legacy from the NY World's Fair, and Disneyland would have looked far different from what we know. Power couple!!
Thanks for showcasing this great partnership! In the end, as you said – Walt was able to look past the pretty face and see the talent behind it. And isn't that the basis of every great relationship? The ability to look past the surface and appreciate the talents and personality that make up the whole person?
So true Tricia; and how extraordinary given the time and era. The more I learn of "Uncle Walt", the more I just love the man!!!
Happy Birthday, Didi! We are celebrating too as our son shares his birthday with you and "it's a small world"! I really enjoyed your post! Such a fascinating partnership between Walt and Mary that we all get to enjoy, along with generations to come!
I hope your son had a magical birthday James- I know I did!! Don't we feel special sharing this milestone with what I consider the catalyst for Walt Disney World. Be sure to wish your son a very happy birthday from me!
this rocks!! I learned so much from this post! What a great couple… what's your favorite Mary Blair creation?
I have a silly answer Beth; I bought the Le Sports Sac "it's a small world" backpack for my sister's milestone 50th, and I think it is another indelible link between us and this piece of family history. "After all", for us, all things Disney began with this attraction in 1964!!
Beautiful post Didi! Mary Blair is a huge inspiration to me, as is Walt of course! Already have the new edition of The Art & Flair of Mary Blair pre-ordered!
Oh, I hope you do a review Lin; the more I read and see of Mary Blair's work, the more I need to know. I wish I could get out to the exhibit in San Francisco. Another wish list item!!
What an interesting choice of "couple," but they certainly made an incredible duo!
The timing seemed right Jodi! 😀
What a great couple, in terms of business partnerships! My goodness, I cannot even imagine what Walt Disney World (and specifically It's a Small World) would be like without this relationship! Thanks for the more in-depth look at this partnership. You know, I think that we MB members have a similar relationship. It works!
I like your analogy Heidi- all great relationships/partnerships are based upon mutual respect. Here's to us!
Great choice! I always use Mary in defense of Walt when people start spouting the rumors that he was terrible and only liked middle aged white men – mary did amazing work and it's great that Walt recognized her!
Agreed! I think not enough folks know that Walt as ahead of his time in most every way!!
awesome article! I LOVE MaryBlair and love the working relationship between her and Walt… what an amazing eye Walt Disney had for seeing not only what the world would develop an emotional attachment to, but also for seeing amazing talent within individuals…. I did not know Mary Blair was the supervisor on Three Cabs and Saludos Amigos!! Thanks for that piece of the puzzle!
above from ~ Maureen @ Two Moms and A Mouse 😀