Earlier this month a new book was released called "Disney In-Between: The Lost Years 1966-1986" by author Stephen Anderson
I'm a little over 3/4 through the book, and I can already say this should be mandatory reading for Disney fans. It catalogues the history of the studio during that time with such thoroughness, honesty and appreciation that it really puts into perspective what was going on during a time the company itself speaks very little of and its fans don't know much about either, because they only have the official history to go by. The true story is so much more interesting and complex than "Disney sucked then and now it doesn't..." and thankfully it's told through the words of those who were there at the time, many of whom have not received much spotlight in the past.
The lackluster cover art hides what a nicely produced this book is too. Tons of personal photographs, concept art, publicity stills, marketing materials are in here, most of them full colour. It's nice to just sift through, even without the valuable text.
I think there's some minor factual errors here and there (like saying Fiddler on the Roof won the Oscar for Best Picture...it was nominated, but didn't win), but they don't undermine the core narrative or the words of those shared.
It's also difficult not to draw comparisons to what Disney was like then and now. Similar criticisms about the creative rut the company was in, the "assembly line" nature of the movies, a risk adverse upper management, a growing reliance on sequels, not wanting to deviate from the brand etc. The only difference now is that the movies cost 30x more and make 30x more, but they're just as hit and miss these days in terms of quality and don't benefit from the quaint cheesiness of hindsight.
I'm a little over 3/4 through the book, and I can already say this should be mandatory reading for Disney fans. It catalogues the history of the studio during that time with such thoroughness, honesty and appreciation that it really puts into perspective what was going on during a time the company itself speaks very little of and its fans don't know much about either, because they only have the official history to go by. The true story is so much more interesting and complex than "Disney sucked then and now it doesn't..." and thankfully it's told through the words of those who were there at the time, many of whom have not received much spotlight in the past.
The lackluster cover art hides what a nicely produced this book is too. Tons of personal photographs, concept art, publicity stills, marketing materials are in here, most of them full colour. It's nice to just sift through, even without the valuable text.
I think there's some minor factual errors here and there (like saying Fiddler on the Roof won the Oscar for Best Picture...it was nominated, but didn't win), but they don't undermine the core narrative or the words of those shared.
It's also difficult not to draw comparisons to what Disney was like then and now. Similar criticisms about the creative rut the company was in, the "assembly line" nature of the movies, a risk adverse upper management, a growing reliance on sequels, not wanting to deviate from the brand etc. The only difference now is that the movies cost 30x more and make 30x more, but they're just as hit and miss these days in terms of quality and don't benefit from the quaint cheesiness of hindsight.
