A two-page spread on Snow White model, Marge Belcher, was published in the April 4, 1938 issue of LIFE magazine (pp.18-19). The article contains several nice photos of her along with Louis
Hightower, the model for the Prince.
A few of the images were used in promotional materials for the film--including the swimsuit photo of Marge--which appeared in the 1938 RKO Danish theartre program.
At the time of publication, Marge was wedded to her first husband, Disney animator Art Babbitt, "whom she married last summer.”
Walt's Field Day (June 4-5, 1938) was planned as a way for Disney to give back to his staff for all the hard work they'd put in on Snow White over the previous three and a half years. The daytime events included such activities as footraces, swimming, and baseball. Yet, when evening arrived, the itinerary and the mood changed. With plenty of food, drink, and music on hand, the dancing and romance got a little wild.
Photos via the BabbitBlog. The dinning room of the Lake Norconian Resort.
Walt, wife Lillian, and Snow White director Dave Hand. Walt and Lillian wouldn't arrive to the party until that evening for dinner.
Drinking started in the early afternoon. By 9:00 pm, dancing kicked in. Snow White live-action model--Marge Belcher--is seen here in the flowered dress.
And here she is guzzling from a water pitcher. Note the sporting event handsome cups on the table. They would be handed out to the winners later in the evening.
Since the Snow White movie was doing so well in theatres, many animators and artists were hoping when Walt addressed the group with his evening speech, that there would be an announcement of financial bonuses for everyone--something that was hinted at during the production of the film. However, no such statement was made that night. As the party wore on, reports of drunkenness, nudity and promiscuity increased; Walt was not pleased. You can learn all the juicy details from the Disney History Institute Podcast.
In a 1938 RKO Danish theatre program, one page is dedicated to Marge Belcher and the story of how she came to be the live-action reference model for Snow White.
"The living Snow White" (Den levende Snehvide) is pictured here looking all grown up. The photo was original published in the April 4, 1938 issue of Life magazine.
From collector Bob Cowan comes a couple of images of Marge Champion, known then as Marjorie Belcher. They date from circa 1936 when she was 16 or 17 and employed by Disney as the live-action model for Snow White. For two years, Marge would visit the studio two or three times a month and act out the storyboard scenes for the animators.
These photos appear to be snapshots taken when Marge was on break on the Disney property. They were found in a scrapbook put together by Ingeborg Willy. Ingeborg worked as an inker at the studio from November 23, 1936 to November 26, 1941. (She passed away in 1999.) The scrapbook contained photos, pencil drawings cels, studio memos and other items from the time period. See more at Cowan Collection: Animation and Comic Art.
Starting today in the Grand Ballroom of the Disneyland Hotel, the D23 Disney Fan Club kicks off its two-day event, Destination D: 75 Years of Disney Animated Features. Presentations, entertainment and panels will be offered throughout the weekend.
The Sunday lineup includes a segment entitled, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Still The Fairest of Them All. The following description comes from the D23 press release:
Join us as we salute this groundbreaking film with a rare west coast appearance by 93-years-young Marge Champion, the live-action reference model for the character of Snow White. Also joining the presentation will be Gabriella Calicchio, CEO of The Walt Disney Family Museum, to provide insights on the museum’s upcoming Snow White exhibition and an exciting new D23 opportunity.
UPDATE: 8.13.2012...
"Snow White" rounded out the D23 panel discussions this past Sunday in Anaheim. Below, host Tim O’Day listens as film historian Alex Rannie shares images of original Snow White music "sketches".
Marge Champion then joined the panel and shared stories of how, for the dark forest scene, her movement model duties included running through ropes hanging from clothes lines to simulate tree branches. She said ,“I was scared to death,” because she thought she might fall.
Finally, Gabriella Calicchio, CEO of The Walt Disney Family Museum, spoke about the new exhibit, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Creation of a Classic.” It's coming to the museum this November.
And what D23 event would be complete without a little merch? Here's some reprints of the original Whitman Publishers 1938 Snow White Big Little Book as well as the one for Bambi.
Recently, it was announced that the TCM (Turner Classic Movies) Classic Film Festival along with the D23 Disney Fan Club will present a 75th anniversary big screen showing of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The public screening will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday April 14, 2012 at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
In addition, on the day before, legendary actor Kirk Douglas will be on hand at the theatre for the first public screening of the newly restored 1954 Disney film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. That will be Friday April 13th at 2:45 pm.
The four-day festival runs April 12-15 and will play a wide variety of motion picture gems as they were originally meant to be seen--on the big screen, in some of the world's most iconic venues, with the people who made them. For the classic film lover, this looks to be quite the prodigious weekend.
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[UPDATE: 4/16/2012...]
Marge Champion (pictured on stage with Leonard Maltin) received "a huge applause and standing ovation" at the screening.
Ginnifer Goodwin (who plays Snow White on the television series Once Upon a Time) chats with Leonard Maltin on stage.
Info and images of the festival screening via WAMG.
On November 16, 2007, a special commemorative event was held at Disney's California Adventure Park in honor of the 70th Anniversary of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
The Event Packages
Guests could sign up for one of two itineraries for the 70th anniversary event. The first was the $25 Magic Mirror deal which bought you admission to DCA at 5:00 pm. You'd get a commemorative gift and have time to shop for other anniversary merchandise. This was followed by a special introduction to and screening of the film.
The more attractive package was the $150 Poisoned Apple program. It included the above but with admission to the park at the earlier time of 2:00 pm. Guests would have the first look at the limited edition merchandise plus have the opportunity to get their pieces signed by the artists on hand. This was followed at 5:00 pm with food and a drink at the Snow White Soiree. A panel discussion at 6:00 pm would include Roy E. Disney, John Lasseter and others. Next came a preview tour of "The Fairest One of All" art exhibit in the Animation Building, before being led to reserved seating at the Hyperion Theater for the film screening.
Registration for the event was at the east esplanade.
Guests were handed their registration packets which contained among other things their event badges, itineraries, and keepsake vouchers.
Magic Mirror Badge
Poison Apple Badge (front and back). Badges via Cindy's Disneyland Resort Page.
Guests were told to hang onto their commemorative keepsake voucher until the end of the day when they would be able to redeem it for something rather cool. Each guest was also handed a free boxed gift. Inside was a surprise souvenir.
Keepsake Voucher and Gift Box
The Poison Apple Itinerary from the Walt Disney Event Services website.
[CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE]
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The Merchandise
The event store was set up in the Stage 12 building where there was no shortage of commemorative 70th Anniversary merch to be had. Well...actually...most items were limited editions so a Random Selection Process was used to insure the fair distribution to attendees. Some of the collectibles were simple keepsakes such as this magnet and keychain displaying the anniversary logo.
In additional to the 70th anniversary merchandise, attendees also had the opportunity to purchase and have personally signed original art and prints from such Disney artists as Robert Olszewski, Toby Bluth, Joe Yakovetic, Elisabete Gomes, David Bird, and Dave Avanzino.
The Fairest One Of All Shadowbox
by Dave Avanzino
Medium: Mixed Media
Edition Size: 10
Retail: $800
Measures:
12.5" x 16" (within frame)
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The Snow White Soiree
The Poison Apple itinerary continued onto Stage 17 where servers came 'round with trays of food items, seven different hors d'ouevres in all, one for each of the dwarfs, plus drinks and dessert too. The servings were bite-sized but the portions kept coming so everyone got their fill. This was scheduled to begin at 5:00 pm, but things got started a little late.
Napkins image via Cindy's Disneyland Resort Page.
During this time, guests had the chance to get their photo taken with either Snow White or the Evil Queen.
Image via tripodjw.
And next to the stage, artist Noah was creating a painting of the Evil Queen. On the right of the canvas was the Magic Mirror which, when seen under black light, revealed the image of Snow White.
Image copyright kathyjO via Mouse Guest Message Boards.
Traffic problems for some of the special guests caused another delay, but once they'd all arrived, the Soiree was followed by a lively panel discussion moderated by producer Don Hahn (Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, Waking Sleeping Beauty). The panelists included Roy E. Disney, Marge Champion, Glen Keane, John Lasseter, Leonard Maltin, and Lella Smith (Creative Director of the Animation Research Library). Each person was escorted to the stage by one of the Dwarfs.
In the audience were both Alice Davis and Kim Justice, wives to Disney Legends Marc Davis and Bill Justice.
At the conclusion of the panel discussion, a Disney cast member sang "Someday My Prince Will Come" while Snow White and the Prince did their dance on stage. Cindy from Cindy's Disneyland Resort Page shot this hand-held video of the performance.
All Panel Discussion images via tripodjw.
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The Art Exhibit
Attendees who purchased the Poison Apple package were next invited over to the Animation Building for a first look at the "Fairest One of All" exhibit. Out in front was a miniature version of the Dwarfs' cottage which would serve as a backdrop for Snow White photo opportunities throughout the run of the exhibition.
It's interesting to note that this same cottage background was brought out at DCA again in October of 2009 in celebration of the Diamond Edition Blu-ray release of the film.
Dwarf Cottage image via Loren Javier. Creative Commons License.
Inside the Animation Building, a collection of more than 100 pieces of original animation art was on display within the main room and still more stunning images ran on the overhead screens. Curated by Lella Smith, the exhibit featured storyboards, concept art, layouts, and backgrounds from the film. Guests also had a chance to view cels but due to the delicate nature of the originals, those on display were reproductions.
Here's a high speed video tour into the Animation Building...
Video posted by The Disneyland Gazette.
The exhibit would open to the general public the following day. Next door in the Off the Page store, they were ready with loads of Snow White merchandise.
Image via MiceChat.
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The Screening
For the finale to the day, guests headed over to the Hyperion Theater for the screening of the film. Apparently, there was a bit of a mix up and not nearly enough reserved seating was set aside for those who had purchased the Poison Apple package. Yet, everyone got a seat, and soon John Lasseter marched out on stage along with Snow White, the Prince, and the Dwarfs. As he introduced the film, several of the Dwarfs did funny antics behind him.
Film Screening Sign image via Cindy's Disneyland Resort Page.
Theater images copyright kathyjO via Mouse Guest Message Boards.
At the conclusion to the evening (and for those who managed to hang onto their Commemorative Keepsake Voucher), guests were handed a large envelope. Inside was a beautiful replica program from the 1937 Carthay Circle Theatre premiere. We'll have a look at it in an upcoming post.
For the Snow White enthusiast, the event offered plenty to choose from. Limited edition commemorative gifts and merchandise, a chance to meet and talk with Snow White artists, themed food, Marge Champion, Alice Davis and Roy E. Disney all sharing their own Snow White memories, an exhibit of original animation artwork, and a big-screen showing of the film inside a Disney theme park...maybe not a perfect day, but certainly not a bad way to celebrate the 70th year milestone.
A two-page spread on Snow White model, Marge Belcher, was published in the April 4, 1938 issue of LIFE magazine (pp.18-19). The article contains several nice photos of her along with Louis
Hightower, the model for the Prince.
