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I called Bob last year. He is doing great, still working on some little projects for Disney as well.Bob Gurr is still doing well, as far as I know. But that group of people who worked alongside Walt and laid the foundation for Disney is quickly dwindling.
There will be a few eras that will close quickly behind, in the next 10-15 years or so, in terms of those who worked directly with Roy (the elder), and some of his successors. But the Walt era ending will probably hurt the most.With Richard Sherman's passing, this makes Floyd Norman alongside Julia Andrews, Kurt Russel, Bob Gurr, and Dick Van to one of the last surviving members of the"The Walt Era of Disney" who personally knew and interacted with Walt Disney.
Been keeping an eye on Donnie Dunagan (voice of Young Bambi) who's currently 89 and still keeping himself in good shape. I will always remember one interview a few years back where Dunagan recalled the time he annoyed Walt as a young boy by firing a pea shooter behind his back while playing during breaks from recording sessions for the movie.There will be a few eras that will close quickly behind, in the next 10-15 years or so, in terms of those who worked directly with Roy (the elder), and some of his successors. But the Walt era ending will probably hurt the most.
Don’t forget Disney superstar Hayley Mills, Karen Dotrice of Mary Poppins, Gnome-Mobile and three lives of Thomasina fame, Kathryn Beaumont who played Alice and Wendy. Some OG mouseketeers including Cubby. Also Disney Imagineer Orlando Ferrante and some others I’m sure we haven’t mentioned. Not sure how much animation giant Don Bluth worked with Walt but he was there as an animator during Walt’s years.With Richard Sherman's passing, this makes Floyd Norman (did inbetweening for Disney's Films beginning with Sleeping Beauty) alongside Julia Andrews, Kurt Russel, Bob Gurr, Dick Van , to be one of the last surviving members of the "The Walt Era of Disney" who personally knew and interacted with Walt Disney.
Donnie Dunagan (Young Bambi), and Peter Behn (Young Thumper) are also the last surviving voice actors from Disney Animation's early years.
The Tiki room is safe for a long time to come, it is just too small a space to put anything there and they just invested in the Tropical Hideaway food service extension a couple of years ago. Sherman Bros music will always live on in the parks, rest in peace.I hope this buys the Tiki room some more time.
I had no idea Hayley Mills was alive to be honest. There are others, but the list of big names is getting smaller by the day. Kurt Russell may be the biggest name nobody's mentioned yet, in terms of Walt's impact.Don’t forget Disney superstar Hayley Mills, Karen Dotrice of Mary Poppins, Gnome-Mobile and three lives of Thomasina fame, Kathryn Beaumont who played Alice and Wendy. Some OG mouseketeers including Cubby. Also Disney Imagineer Orlando Ferrante and some others I’m sure we haven’t mentioned. Not sure how much animation giant Don Bluth worked with Walt but he was there as an animator during Walt’s years.
The big reason why that Pixar concert never returned? Not because of low crowd numbers, but because every musician was paid according to a deal with the local chapter of the musicians union - $250 a night. Very expensive to do except as a limited time thing, compared to Disney's standard practice of recording music and using it for decades. Would it be nice? Yeah, but it won't happen while we still have locations that last got new shows in the 90's.I feel like a tribute show featuring many of the Sherman Bros songs would be a nice touch and good addition to the parks. I’m thinking something like the Pixar concert they did at the BatB theater.
Do people think that would be a reasonable way to honor these Disney greats?
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