Today in Disney History 1/17

[vizsla]

Jan. 17, 1706 – Statesman, inventor, scientist, printer and patriot Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts. (Visit Mr. Franklin at Epcot’s Audio-Animatronic stage show The American Adventure.)
Jan. 17, 1905 - Writer Erdman Penner was born in Canada and contributed to the Disney Classics, “Sleeping Beauty”, “Lady and the Tramp,” and “Peter Pan”.
Jan. 17, 1913 – Disney Legend & painter-color stylist Claude Coats was born in San Francisco, Ca. (His stunning, watercolor background paintings featured in Pinocchio, continue to be heralded by Disney scholars, fans and art collectors for the rich and textured beauty they add to the animated film.)
Jan. 17, 1927 – Actress, singer and cabaret star Eartha Kitt was born in Columbia, S.C. Kitts distinctive voice could be heard as the role of Yzma in Disney’s “The Emperor’s New Groove,” the straight-to-video sequel “Kronk’s New Groove” and the spin-off TV series “The Emperor’s New School,” for which she won an Emmy Award and two Annie Awards for Voice Acting in a Animated Television Production.
Jan. 17, 1930 – Walt Disney accompanied by his wife Lillian, left for New York. Tensions have increased between the Disney Studio and Pat Powers over royalties from Mickey cartoons. In 1928, Powers had sold Walt a Cinephone system so that he could make sound cartoons such as “Steamboat Willie.” Unable to find a distributor for the sound cartoons, Disney released his cartoons through Powers’ Celebrity Pictures company. Walt wanted to confront Powers face-to-face in New York over money he felt he was due.
Jan. 17, 1931 - Actor James Earl Jones, the voice of Mufasa in “The Lion King” was born in Arkabutla, Missouri.
Jan. 17, 1932 - The first color Mickey Mouse page written and drawn by Floyd Gottfredson was published.
Jan. 17, 1962 - Construction began on the Swiss Family Treehouse at Disneyland.
Jan. 17, 1962 – Actor Jim Carrey, the star of Disney’s 2009 “A Christmas Carol,” Was born in Ontario, Canada.
Jan. 17, 1964 – T.H. White, author of the “Sword in the Stone,” passed away aboard a ship in Greece. (His story was the inspiration of the 1963 Disney animated feature “The Sword in the Stone.)

[Jeff]

Nice working Benjamin Franklins' Birthday in.

[droopy d.]

Thanks Vince.

[ibrowse17]

Thank you

[PAYROLL PRINCESS]

Thanks Vince.

[pdrlkr]

Thanks Vince!