One of the projects we'll be working on over the next several years is a fan-based documentary entitled, Benjamin's Ride. Ben is an autistic boy who fell in love with Snow White's Scary Adventures at Walt Disney World. He was the last person to ever ride the attraction before it was permanently closed in 2012. His story is told through interviews with his parents and others. This project has been a labor of love for us ever since it was started back in 2011.
This film is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company. There has been no outside sources of funding, only our own out-of-pocket.
If Snow White has in some way had an influence on your life, we'd love to hear about it. We welcome your stories.
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Saturday, December 30, 2017
Adriana Caselotti's Snow White Dress
Adriana Caselotti was no stranger to the Snow White dress. She wore it on countless occasions, usually out on public appearance tours to publicize the latest Disney re-release of film. She also posed for numerous in-studio photo sessions.
Chicago Herald-Examiner, April 22, 1938.
Adriana in her 1958 dress promoting the re-release of the movie that year.
Additional public engagements included fan conventions, school groups, and other affairs. This pink and yellow version--Adriana's last--belonged to her. She greets a group of school children in 1988 at her southern California home.
She was pictured wearing it for a write-up in the September 21, 1993 edition of the supermarket tabloid, Globe.
Though the dress design had changed through the years, Adriana's joyful personality did not. When she wore it, she truly did so with a smile and a song. See a few more examples of Adriana with a Snow White dress in a recent Archive entry.
Chicago Herald-Examiner, April 22, 1938.
Clipping from Adriana Caselotti estate via Heritage Auctions.
Adriana in her 1958 dress promoting the re-release of the movie that year.
B&W image copyright Disney.
Additional public engagements included fan conventions, school groups, and other affairs. This pink and yellow version--Adriana's last--belonged to her. She greets a group of school children in 1988 at her southern California home.
She was pictured wearing it for a write-up in the September 21, 1993 edition of the supermarket tabloid, Globe.
Pink dress images via Heritage Auctions.
Though the dress design had changed through the years, Adriana's joyful personality did not. When she wore it, she truly did so with a smile and a song. See a few more examples of Adriana with a Snow White dress in a recent Archive entry.
Walt Disney & Shirley Temple Oscars Photo
In December 2016, Heritage Auctions listed this well-known b&w photograph from the 1939 Academy Awards. It features Shirley Temple presenting Walt Disney with the honorary Oscar for Snow White. The special award consisted of one full size statue and seven miniatures. (Learn more in an earlier post.)
The photograph belonged to the personal collection of Shirley Temple Black. Mounted to construction paper. Measures 11" x 14" (image area 8" x 9.5"). It is inscribed in black fountain pen ink by Walt Disney..."To Shirley Temple from Snow White, Dopey, and all the gang and me too - Walt Disney".
Also signed in pencil by the photographer, Hyman Fink.
The photograph belonged to the personal collection of Shirley Temple Black. Mounted to construction paper. Measures 11" x 14" (image area 8" x 9.5"). It is inscribed in black fountain pen ink by Walt Disney..."To Shirley Temple from Snow White, Dopey, and all the gang and me too - Walt Disney".
Also signed in pencil by the photographer, Hyman Fink.
Images via Heritage Auctions.
Friday, December 29, 2017
1958 US Snow White Banner - 82"
A colorful silk screen banner from the 1958 US theatrical re-release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Measures 82" x 24". Rolled. Distributed by Buena Vista.
Images via Heritage Auctions.
1958 Snow White Lobby Streamer - 240"
A long lobby banner from the 1958 US theatrical re-release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Measures 240" x 32" Grommeted. Distributed by Buena Vista. Original cost to theatre owners: $6.50.
It is shown on page 26-27 of the 1958 pressbook.
Images via Heritage Auctions.
It is shown on page 26-27 of the 1958 pressbook.
"Miracle Vinyl" Snow White & Seven Dwarfs Dolls by Deluxe Reading
The "Miracle Vinyl" Snow White doll was manufactured by Deluxe Reading (Deluxe Creations, Inc.) of New York, circa 1957. "© Walt Disney Productions." She stands 22" tall. Moving sleep eyes when placed horizontal. Rooted hair. Yellow dress with blue bodice (which shows fading in many of the examples found online).
The original tag is seen on this doll.
Snow was sold as a boxed set with the Seven Dwarfs. They measure between 7 to 8".
Original box holds all eight dolls.
The original tag is seen on this doll.
Snow was sold as a boxed set with the Seven Dwarfs. They measure between 7 to 8".
Original box holds all eight dolls.
Thursday, December 28, 2017
1938 "Snow White Laundry" Jingle Club Book & Cards
The Snow White Jingle Club was a 1938 promotional campaign from bread manufacturers. Local bakeries would include a Jingle card in each of their loaves of bread. There were 24 cards total. They were printed on thin paper with a full-color illustration. They also included a four-line jingle. Kids would collect these cards and affix them inside a free Jingle book. We saw both the booklet and cards in earlier Archive entries.
Once all 24 cards were found, the child was directed to the blank pages at the back of the book where they were to write down the fourth line of each jingle. These could then be turned back in at the local bread store in exchange for a Snow White prize, usually a framed character picture.
What's interesting to note is the fact that Disney did not limit the use of their Jingle Club promotion to bread manufactures alone. This particular book (above) and cards (below) were instead sponsored by the aptly-named Snow White Laundry based in Philadelphia. The laundry truck would come to your home to pick up and drop off your garments. A Jingle card would be left with each clean bundle of clothes.
Printed on the reverse side is one of two different informational blurbs. The first reminds you to look in your next Snow White Laundry bundle for another Jingle Card. And also to ask your routeman about a Jingle Book if you don't have one. The other card mentions the that complete set of 24 pasted in your Jingle Book entitles you to a beautifully framed picture of your favorite Snow White character. The "Radcliff 5700" was the phone number for the laundry service.
An apology letter from the Snow White Laundry service was found within this book. Sound like there was a back order delay in sending out the Jingle Book and the club button (seen in earlier post).
Original mailing envelope.
Image scans generously provided by the Denise Vernier Collection. The book and cards came to her through her grandfather, who at one time either worked for or was a patron of this Philadelphia laundry service.
Once all 24 cards were found, the child was directed to the blank pages at the back of the book where they were to write down the fourth line of each jingle. These could then be turned back in at the local bread store in exchange for a Snow White prize, usually a framed character picture.
What's interesting to note is the fact that Disney did not limit the use of their Jingle Club promotion to bread manufactures alone. This particular book (above) and cards (below) were instead sponsored by the aptly-named Snow White Laundry based in Philadelphia. The laundry truck would come to your home to pick up and drop off your garments. A Jingle card would be left with each clean bundle of clothes.
Printed on the reverse side is one of two different informational blurbs. The first reminds you to look in your next Snow White Laundry bundle for another Jingle Card. And also to ask your routeman about a Jingle Book if you don't have one. The other card mentions the that complete set of 24 pasted in your Jingle Book entitles you to a beautifully framed picture of your favorite Snow White character. The "Radcliff 5700" was the phone number for the laundry service.
An apology letter from the Snow White Laundry service was found within this book. Sound like there was a back order delay in sending out the Jingle Book and the club button (seen in earlier post).
Original mailing envelope.
Image scans generously provided by the Denise Vernier Collection. The book and cards came to her through her grandfather, who at one time either worked for or was a patron of this Philadelphia laundry service.