Snow White 1930s Candy Tins from Brussels

Three scarce Snow White tins manufactured by F. Van Rooy Confectionery of Brussels. The candy sample tins feature a vintage-looking Snow White, Doc, and Sleepy, circa late 1930s. Bottom-stamped in Dutch with: 

CONFISERIE

F.VAN ROOY

EVERC-BRUXELLES

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Images via Nigel Scott Old Advertising Tins.

Belgian Cookie Tin #2

Here's another Snow White cookie tin produced in the late 1930s/early40s by J. Schuybroek. It's quite similar to the one mentioned in the earlier post with same measurements of 20 x 33 x 6.5 cm. Key lock lid. Copyright reads "PAR AUT. WALT. DISNEY--MICKEY MOUSE S.A. ETABL. J. SCHUYBROEK S.A. HOBOKEN--ANVERS."

Images courtesy of Danial's Antiques. Used with permission.

Vintage De Beukelaer Snow White "Sticker" Book from Belgium

This 20 page softcover was first published in Belgium by De Beukelaer bakery products company in 1938 and contains 100 different scene renditions from the Disney film. Each of the color pictures (3 1/2" x 2") would be obtained separately and then adhered to its corresponding page. The book measures approximately 13.5" x 9.75".

Of the different languages spoken in Belgium, the dominant two are Dutch and French, so it's not surprising that this title was published separately in both. Same story, same stickers, just different languages.

It's probable that numerous editions of the book have been printed. A 1938 French version (F1) was bound in a reddish-brown softcover and held together with a simple red cord. Another French edition (F2), from a later publication date (possibly 1950s), was spiral-bound in an orange softcover. A Dutch (D) text edition came with a spiral-bound blue softcover.

Sample pages from all three books follow...

Front Cover Dutch (D)

Front Cover French (F1)

Front Cover French (F2)

Title Page (D)

Title Page (F1)

Page 1 (D)

Page 1 (F1)

Page 2 (F2)

Page 3 (F2)

Page 4 (F2)

Page 5 (D)

Page 5 (F2)

Page 9 (D)

Page 11 (F1)

Page 13 (D)

Page 16 (D)

Page 20 (D)

Dutch language image scans courtesy of Leander3. Used with permission. 
Additional French (F1) images via fmcollectors. French (F2) via sunnyseller2000.

Snow White Belgian Biscuit Tin, circa 1938

In the late 1930s and early 40s, the European merchandising for Walt Disney Enterprises made a big splash with Belgian cookie, candy and bakery manufacturers. Numerous collectible tins, books, stickers, and other Snow White items came out of this pre-war era.

Here's one of the several cookie tins that were produced by J. Schuybroek. Measures 20 x 33 x 6.5 cm. Key lock lid. Copyright reads "PAR AUT. WALT. DISNEY--MICKEY MOUSE S.A. ETABL. J. SCHUYBROEK S.A. HOBOKEN--ANVERS."

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Images courtesy of Danial's Antiques. Used with permission.

Also see the earlier post on the J. Schuybroek "lunch box" tin.

Brian Sibley's Radio Presentation - The Fairest of Them All

Brian Sibley, co-author of the book, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and the Making of the Classic Film, was also the creator of the BBC radio program, Fairest of Them All, which in 1987 marked the movie's 50th anniversary. As with his book, the audio presentation covered in wonderful detail the story of this motion picture and its making. Included are sound bites from the film, Hollywood news reports from the Carthay Circle premiere, interviews and anecdotes from animators and a wealth of other information.

Written and presented by Brian Sibley, the broadcast first aired over 23 years ago on 'Meridian', BBC World Service, December 8, 1987. Now go grab yourself a cup of hot tea, sit back and relax as you listen to this original program in its entirety...

 

The Fairest of Them All by Brian Sibley
Radio presentation used with permission from the author.

Snow White Flickr Group

Sara "Starberryshyne" is the creator of the Disney's Snow White flickr group--which at the time of this writing has over 2400 shared photos. From cast members to collectibles, if it has to do with Disney's first princess, you can post your pics there.

At the age of ten, Sara was asked to play the part of Snow White in her father's barbershop chorus' "Tribute to Walt Disney" concert...

While I always knew who Snow White was, there was something special to me about "being" her in this play. I really think that's what started my love of Snow White. Later that year my family went to WDW and, I remember loving the Snow White ride. Then in 1987, I was able to see the movie at a theatre on the big screen. I was hooked and a fan for life!

Sara has been fortunate enough to have experienced three different Disney theme parks in the past three years: WDW 2008, DLR 2009, DLP 2010...

So I have ridden the Snow White ride at all of them. Each one is different and yet have similar things. I like Walt Disney World's the best because it tells a more complete story, showing Snow White at the Wishing Well and the prince kissing her for example. But they all are fun! It was strange hearing everything in French at DLP. I do like how the Paris version ends with Snow White on the horse. I really love the murals at all three parks, but I think Disneyland in California has my favorites.

I asked Sara if she has any Snow White collectibles or memorabilia. She said that she does, particularly figurines...

There are so many things that I like from my collection. The Jim Shore and Precious Moments pieces are some of the nicer items. My favorite, though, has to be a piece I received for my 17th birthday--a Schmid music box featuring Snow White and Dopey dancing.

So Sara, just what is the attraction for you to the Snow White character and the Disney film?

I like her first of all because she sees the best in everyone. The way that Snow White is so trusting and loving is much like myself. I can relate to her. Somehow you know that taking an apple from a stranger is bad, but you have this naive trust that all is going to be alright. I also love the fact that Snow White was the "first." The first film, the first princess... Plus Snow White is just so pretty. The black hair with her yellow skirt is very pleasing to look at.

All images are courtesy of Starberryshyne. See loads more of Sara's work and other Snow White photographers at the Disney's Snow White flickr group. And be sure to add your own pics as well!

8th Dwarf A Little "Creepy" (Book Review)

Front Cover

Writer Michael Mullin is the co-author of the children's picture book series Larry Gets Lost. Michael used to work at Disney as a copywriter in the Consumer Products Division. While there, he wrote not one, but two sequels to Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. He personally met with Tim who approved both books for publication, yet Disney never moved forward with them.

Tim Burton...a fan of Mullin's writing. Keep this in mind as we review Michael's Snow White eBook, 8: The Previously Untold Story of the Previously Unknown 8th Dwarf.

Title Page

Written in verse and about 2200 words in length, 8 tells the story of Creepy, who is banished by the other dwarfs to the cottage cellar for being different or as the author puts it "well...weird." The name suits this eighth dwarf as he is indeed a distasteful character and is unlike any of the other seven--even Grumpy. Creepy would never have made it past one of Walt Disney's storyboard meetings.

Yet, in this account, the angry and hurt dwarf plays a vital--and of course previously unknown--role in Snow White's destiny. Watching the princess through cracks in the floorboards, Creepy secretly falls in love with "the Maid". As with the original Brothers Grimm tale, the "old hag" pays three visits to the cottage, and it's during these encounters that the eighth dwarf (sort of) overcomes his "unpleasant" tendencies when he goes to her aid.

This short metrically-structured fable certainly has a different, edgier feel to it than that of the classic fairytale. And if you are a die-hard Disney "pretty in pink" princess fan, it's probably not what you're looking for. I found it disturbing at moments. Yet fresh and original too. The story is well-written, and if the Tim Burton-esque is more your style, then you won't be disappointed with Michael Mullin's 8: The Previously Untold Story of the Previously Unknown 8th Dwarf.

The eBook is available for just 99¢ at: Apple's iBookstore, BarnesandNoble.com, Amazon.com, Diesel ebooks, Borders.com/Kobo, and SonyStyle.com.

Currently, Michael is working on a wholly original fairytale called The Brothers Eek (longer, non-verse). He's looking to self-publish it as an actual hard copy book where 8 will be included as a bonus story.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Fantasyland Expansion

Revised artwork of the Fantasyland expansion at Walt Disney World...

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Closer look at the Mine Train area.

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Videos on the expansion featuring Eric Jacobson, Senior Vice President of Creative Development at Walt Disney Imagineering...

Posted by Inside the Magic.

Posted by AllEarsNet.

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Construction wall poster...

Photo copyright Steve Boutet via Kevin Yee's Ultimate Orlando Blog.*

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Artwork of the Princess Fairytale Hall scheduled to replace Snow White's Scary Adventures...

*Special thanks to Kurt Raymond for his assistance with this post.