Disney World

Crown Media Holdings Inc. said Wednesday that its Hallmark Channel bought the rights to 99 movies from Walt Disney Co. in an effort to reach younger audiences.
The Studio City-based media company said the cable channel bought the rights to movies such as “Old Yeller” and “The Santa Clause,” for eight years. Financial terms were not disclosed.The deal is an effort to draw Baby Boomers as well as their children to the network, with some movies airing as early as December. Other titles included were the originals and remakes of “Freaky Friday,” “The Parent Trap” and “The Shaggy Dog.”
Shares in Crown Media closed up 3.4 percent to $5.18 in trading Wednesday but quickly lost 2 percent to $5.07 in after-hours trading.

Dancing has joined singing at the top of the television charts.The return of “Dancing With the Stars” last week gave a boost to ABC, which has been struggling through a tough winter. The competition’s two editions last week were second in viewership behind television’s dominant show, “American Idol,” according to Nielsen Media Research.With 17 million viewers for its second edition, “Dancing With the Stars” even managed to hold up well while directly competing against Tuesday’s “Idol.”A Britney Spears guest shot on “How I Met Your Mother” meant a million to CBS (nyse: CBS - news - people ) - in curious viewers. Her appearance Monday was seen by 10.6 million viewers, or a million more than the audience for the comedy’s first new episode back from the strike last week. Among the 18-to-49-year-old demographic, it was the most-watched episode of the series ever.
The CBS drama “Jericho,” which has its series finale Tuesday, was seen by 5.7 million people last week. That’s a smaller audience than CBS reruns of “CSI: NY,” “NCIS” and “Cold Case,” explaining why the network is canceling the series for a second time. CBS cut “Jericho” after last season, but revived it following a campaign by its fans.Don’t expect the same outcry for the Parker Posey comedy “The Return of Jezebel James.” Fox axed the series following three showings after it was seen by only 3.1 million people last week.Fox won the week, averaging 10.1 million viewers (6.0 rating, 10 share). ABC was second with 9.2 million viewers (5.8, 10), CBS had 8.8 million (5.5, 9), NBC 7.1 million (4.8, 8), the CW 2.4 million (1.6, 3), My Network TV 1.2 million (0.8, 1) and ION Television 540,000 (0.4, 1).Among the Spanish-language networks, Univision led with a 3.4 million viewer average (1,7, 3), Telemundo had 1 million (0.6, 1), TeleFutura 650,000 (0.4, 1) and Azteca 140,000 (0.1, 0).NBC’s “Nightly News” won the evening news ratings race, averaging 8.9 million viewers (6.0 rating, 12 share). ABC’s “World News” had 8.5 million (5.8, 12) and the “CBS Evening News” had 6.6 million (4.4, 9).A ratings point represents 1,128,000 households, or 1 percent of the nation’s estimated 112.8 million TV homes. The share is the percentage of in-use televisions tuned to a given show.For the week of March 17-23, the top 10 shows, their networks and viewerships: “American Idol” (Tuesday), Fox, 27.34 million; “American Idol,” (Wednesday), Fox, 26.08 million; “Dancing With the Stars,” (Monday), ABC, 21.15 million; “Dancing With the Stars,” (Tuesday), ABC, 17.02 million; “Two and a Half Men,” CBS, 14.06 million; “Survivor: Micronesia” (Wednesday), CBS, 11.56 million; “60 Minutes,” CBS, 11.54 million; “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” CBS, 11.47 million; “Lost,” ABC, 11.46 million; “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” ABC, 11.37 million.

Walt Disney Studios has been conjuring up movie magic in Burbank since moving in 1939 from its former studio in Silver Lake. With profits from the 1937 animated movie “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” Walt Disney purchased 51 acres on South Buena Vista Street.The facade of the Team Disney building - designed by Michael Graves and completed in 1990 - depicts the seven dwarfs holding up the roof and pays tribute to the seed money used to buy the property.”Most people say I have the coolest job in the world when I tell them where and what I do,” said Becky Cline, Walt Disney Studios’ archives manager.”I’ve been working here for almost 19 years and I still get a charge walking around. It is unique. It truly is a magical place.”Cline’s office features costumes from “Mary Poppins” and “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” Zorro’s sword and cape and the drum from “The Mickey Mouse Club.”"People are curious about the studio. They ask what’s filming now,” Cline said. “Some are star-struck. Ever seen Johnny Depp? Yes.”Items from movies including Depp’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” series are all part of the archives department that was founded in 1970.The archive keeps track of collections including at least 2 million photographs and Walt Disney’s entire correspondence. And there are off-site warehouses full of property related to Disney productions, Cline said.
Walt Disney’s animation career began in Kansas City, Mo., as an advertising cartoonist. He moved to Los Angeles in 1923 to seek his fortune in the Hollywood movie-making industry. But animation, not acting, continued to be his calling and he established a tiny cartooning studio in Hollywood.Having some success, the studio relocated to larger facilities in 1925 on Hyperion Avenue in Silver Lake - where Mickey Mouse was born in 1928.”Eventually the studio ran out of elbow room at the Silver Lake studio and Walt Disney started looking around. Warner Bros. Studios was already in Burbank and that may have given him the idea to relocate there,” Cline said.”Burbank was a sleepy place then. Cows grazed on Buena Vista Street. Burbank was not too far to drive for the workers. Walt Disney also commuted from his house in Silver Lake.”The first two animated movies completely made in Burbank were “Fantasia” and “Dumbo” in the early 1940s. “Treasure Island” was the first live-action movie to be filmed at the studio.Walt Disney’s office was on the third floor of the animation building. It was closed when he died in 1966 and later its contents were packed up for display at Disneyland and Disney World.
Walt Disney considered putting a children’s amusement park between Riverside Drive and the Los Angeles River, but soon realized the site wasn’t big enough.In July 1955, Disneyland opened in Anaheim.”I think many people think we all work for one of the theme parks and that we don’t have jobs like other companies. We are a business, but with a unique product,” said Leslie Schwartz, executive director of diversity for Walt Disney Studios.”Saying you work for Disney elicits a happy response because most of us grew up with the brand. There is a lot of excitement here. It’s a company full of really smart and creative people. The bar is constantly being raised.”And Disney Studios has left its impact on Burbank as well. “We were one of the first major industries to locate here and other businesses have followed us. We’ve done a lot of charitable work,” said Cline.”I think many would say that the Disney Studios put Burbank on the map.”Walt Disney Studios, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank. No tours offered, but the “Seven Dwarfs” building can be seen at Alameda and Lincoln streets. Call 818-560-1000.

Disney execs have shot down the reports that they are considering casting a Persian prince in their next venture titled Prince of Persia: Sands of Time.Prince David K. Zandi is believed to be circulating an official-looking Worldwide Audience Poll that shows him the favourite of 17 million movie fans.Zandi had told a reporter “Most people are fascinated that a real Persian with royal lineage could be hired to play this role.However, Disneys rep denies the reports.”There is absolutely no truth [to the rumour that Zandi is being considered]. The speculation is self-created,” New York Post quoted a rep as saying.The film to be produced by Oscar winning producer Jerry Bruckheimer is the movie version of the video game.

 Walt Disney films such as Bambi, The Jungle Book and Pocahontas have played an important role in educating the public about the environment, a new book by a University of Cambridge academic has claimed.The stories of animated Disney characters, from Snow White in 1937 to the clownfish Nemo in 2003, have built “a critical awareness of contested environmental issues”, according to David Whitley, a lecturer in English.While Disney movies are often regarded as little more than escapism, and have even been criticised as bland populism, many feature messages about conservation and the relationship between people and the natural world that have proved to be highly influential, Dr Whitley said.His book, The Idea of Nature in Disney Animation, argues that the films’ cute animals have systematically encouraged generations of children to ally themselves with the natural world and protect it.Dr Whitley singled out Bambi, which was released in 1942, as particularly influential, saying that many green activists had credited it as the inspiration that first made them interested in environmental issues.He said: “Disney films have often been criticised as inauthentic and pandering to popular taste rather than developing the animation medium in a more thought-provoking way.“In fact, these films have taught us variously about having a fundamental respect for nature. Some of them, such as Bambi, inspired conservation awareness and laid the emotional groundwork for environmental activism.“For decades Disney films have been providing children with potent fantasies, enabling them to explore how they relate to the natural world.”The book, published by Ashgate, concentrates on two periods in the Walt Disney Company’s history – between 1937 and 1967, when Walt Disney was in charge, and between 1984 and 2005, when Michael Eisner was chief executive. Both moguls “saw themselves as having a sustained and strong commitment to wild nature and the environment”, but in subtly different ways, Dr Whitley said.Walt Disney promoted a “folksy and homespun” relationship with nature, the influence of which can be seen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Bambiand Sleeping Beauty. These are pastoral films, in which the natural world is portrayed as an idyllic but vulnerable retreat from a threatening civilisation.During Eisner’s stewardship, Disney films became more complex, suggesting that people and nature can coexist if people come to respect wildlife and realise their place in the natural order. Dr Whitley said: “If you can accept their sentimentality, it becomes possible to see that these films are giving young audiences a cultural arena within which serious environmental issues can be rehearsed and explored.“Popular art often does more than we think to shape our feelings and our ideas about certain themes. Disney may well be telling us more about the environment and the way we relate to it than we tend to accept.”The movies could even reflect disputes about how nature is best conserved. Dr Whitley said that the rivalry between the carefree Baloo and the authoritative Bagheera in The Jungle Book, released in 1967, echoed contemporary disagreements between hippies and mainstream conservation groups.How animation brought green issues to lifeSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)The jealous Queen arranges for the death of Snow White who escapes to the forest and befriends dwarfs and woodland creatures.The message “The forest’s pastoral setting gives viewers a sense of the integrity and separateness of nature from the world of humans, which is shown as oppressively unbalanced. Snow White is also a role model, showing how humans can protect nature and even bring order to it.

”Bambi (1942)
The plot follows Bambi through his friendships with Thumper the rabbit and Flower the skunk, the death of his mother at the hands of hunters and his ascent to prince of the forest.The message “A classic example of the use of animated detail to represent the idyllic realm of nature rendered vulnerable by human incursions. The film is credited with having influenced a generation of conservationists.

”Cinderella (1950)
Under the thumb of her cruel stepmother and stepsisters, Cinderella’s only friends are animals. After attending the royal ball, the mice help the Prince to find her.
The message “Cinderella’s relationship with an extensive subculture of friendly animals demonstrates that she is wholesome and good. The animals help to subvert the authority of a repressive, self-regarding human culture cut off from nature and represented by the ugly sisters.”

The Jungle Book (1967)
Ten years after he was found by Bagheera, the panther, it is decided that Mowgli, a feral child, should return to the world of human beings to escape Shere Khan, the tiger.
The message “Mowgli demonstrates not just a desire to protect the animal kingdom but to become part of it. The film introduced young viewers to some of the competing theories about the consumption of natural resources.”The Little Mermaid (1989)
Ariel, the mermaid princess, longs to be part of the human world. She falls in love with Prince Eric and temporarily becomes a human being.The message “This suggests a fundamental division between humans and the natural world that can, at least partially, be overcome. The film persuades viewers that the human and natural worlds are comparable and equivalent.

”Pocahontas (1995)
Pocahontas, a Native American, falls in love with John Smith, an English settler. She shows him that her people have an intimate and spiritual relationship with nature.
The message “Pocahontas’s decision to stay among her own tribe teaches that the natural world is not there to be harnessed by the civilising effects of humans. The historically inaccurate reconciliation with the colonists implies that our rift with nature can be healed.”

Tarzan (1999)
Tarzan is raised by gorillas. A group of humans arrive, including Jane, who falls in love with Tarzan after he rescues her. Tarzan saves the gorillas from Clayton, a hunter who wants to capture them.
The message: “The human impact on the environment is seen at its destructive worst in the form of Clayton’s efforts to exploit the natural world for commercial gain.”

Finding Nemo (2003)
Nemo, a clownfish, is embarrassed by his overprotective father, Marlin. He is captured and taken to Sydney.
The message: “The theme of letting go of one’s protective anxieties accepts the dangerous aspect of nature, but we are encouraged to tolerate freedom with all the precariousness that entails.”

Disneyland plans to incorporate stylized Disney characters into It’s a Small World in keeping with attraction creator Mary Blair’s original designs and color palette, Walt Disney Imagineering officials confirmed. An “Alice in Wonderland” doll wearing a blue dress and a white rabbit in a playing card tunic based on illustrations created by Blair while working on the 1951 animated movie will be added to the England segment of the classic boat ride, officials said. The Alice and rabbit characters will be added near a chessboard and red rose tree already existing in the Small World attraction. Officials confirmed that Alice is one of several Disney characters that will be added to Disneyland’s Small World in a controversial plan that has infuriated some purists. Officials have insisted that Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will not appear in the Anaheim attraction. The major rehab, which has been in the works for eight years, will “respect and honor the original creative intent” of Blair’s iconic work while adding “new richness, excitement and relevance,” according to an Imagineering official. The renovated ride will not be a “carbon copy” of the new Small World attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland, officials said.

Triple threat Brandon Kane, announces new deal with the increasingly popular independent label, Jean Rah Fya Records. Set to release his debut album titled “Brandon Kane” subtitled “Coming At Cha Young World!” which promises to be a refreshing addition to the music industry. At only 16 years old, Brandon is already an accomplished actor, singer and dancer. He is most recognized for starring as “Young Simba” in the Walt Disney musical production of “The Lion King.” He has sung background vocals for several Grammy-Award winning artists, including, “Pink” and “Alicia Keys.”
Brandon’s fan base is growing rapidly with over 295,000 fans and over 110 fan sites around the world. He also has over 90 YouTube videos and is ranked 16th for most watched video. With over 8 million music plays on his MySpace site, he holds the title of “Artist of the Year” and is featured in numerous teen publications including “Teen Graffiti” and the current issue of “Right On Magazine.” Brandon was also voted “2007 R&B Artist Of the Year” at the Las Vegas Music Awards. In September 2006, Brandon performed with J Xavier on the Up Close and Personal Tour with Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Lil’ Wayne and others. He is currently on a 53 school tour with the “SEAP” Program and hosts his own weekly two hour live show on XRadio/KWAV for listeners world-wide. In March 2007, Brandon was an opening act at the Ciara concert in Mobile, Alabama and is currently a featured new artist on Disney Incubator on http://www.Disney.com.
After bubbling under the radar for quite some time, Brandon is excited to have finally found a label home where he joins label mate teen sensation Chantel “Chani” Christie and says “I am passionate about my music and have made it my goal to bring back ‘real’ music from the days of ‘Motown’ and become the next ‘legend’ in the entertainment industry.” Brandon will undoubtedly set a new standard for R&B.

How would it look if Tom Cruise and Britney Spears run around trees to a song in a Hollywood movie? Does it sound crazy…exciting… Something like this is on the anvil with the sequel to Disney’s hugely popular ‘The Cheetah Girls One World’
This is the first Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) to be shot in India. To be shot completely in the Indian setting, the sequel continues the story of best friends Chanel, Aqua and Dorinda as they embark on their biggest adventure yet – a role in a Bollywood movie. The production includes 1500 local extras for the movie, 450 local dancers and 45 principal core dancers from Mumbai.
‘The Cheetah Girls One World’ sequel would have an Indian touch with music, dance and colours. The movie celebrates friendship, cultural diversity and encourages tweens to pursue their goals and dreams.
Based on the book series for kids and tweens by award-winning journalist-turned-author Deborah Gregory (Jump at the Sun/ Hyperion Books for Children), the movie stars Sabrina Bryan, of the ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ fame, as Dorinda Thomas; and platinum-selling recording artistes Adrienne Bailon and Kiely Williams of the R&B/ pop music group 3LW, as Chanel and Aqua, respectively. The movie also stars Roshan Seth as Uncle Kamal, Kunal Sharma as Amar, Rupak Ginn as Rahim, Michael Steger as Vikram “Vik” Bhatia and Deepti Daryanani as Gita. Paul Hoen is the Director of the movie.
The feel-good story of ‘The Cheetah Girls One World’ begins when Galleria heads off to Cambridge and her fierce, fabulous and ‘Cheetahlicious’ friends, Chanel, Dorinda and Aqua, are readying for college prep courses and dance camp. Soon, the trio takes a break, journeying to Mumbai when an aspiring Bollywood movie director, Vikram “Vik” Bhatia, offers them roles in his movie, ‘Namaste Bombay’, a love story starring Bollywood star Rahim. Upon their arrival in the bustling city, their dreams of international stardom are in jeopardy when Kamal, the movie’s producer (and Vik’s uncle), announces that there’s just one role available. Now, The Cheetah Girls must compete with each other for the lead in the movie and prove to the talented young choreographer, Gita that they can dance. Before long, the three girls begin to question their commitment to The Cheetah Girls’ dream and each must weigh her own aspirations against the group’s future.
With change in the air and their world expanding, the Cheetahs experience many cultural traditions including Holi Festival, the joyous, colourful spring ceremony and are personally affected by the Indian culture.
“The first Disney Channel Original Movie to be ever shot in India, ‘The Cheetah Girls One World’ is part of the hugely successful tween-driven, family inclusive franchise. Localising international franchises has been a Disney Channel benchmark across the world. The movie uses local settings, talent and creativity to further strengthen our brand affinity while providing the environment that Indian kids relate to,” said Antoine Villeneuve, senior vice president and managing director, Walt Disney India.
‘The Cheetah Girls’ first premiered on Disney Channel in USA in August 2003 and was followed by ‘The Cheetah Girls 2′ in November 2006. In India, the movies premiered on Disney Channel in 2007 and were watched by an estimated 4.7 million people.
The sequel will premiere in October 2008 on Disney Channel India and, on Disney Channels around the world.

It was no walk in the park. Six women planned to walk 200 miles to Disney World and five crossed the finish line. Debra Flinn, Al Kaiser-Proffitt, Catherine Kelly, Carol Case and Yvette Doherty, endured bloodied feet, blisters, back pain and fatigue to meet their goal.
The walkers left Cape Coral arch 2 singing a Mickey Mouse song, waving to friends and supporters as they set out for Orlando. They are singing a tired tune now after two weeks of walking 15 miles a day and weaving through towns like Bradenton, Tampa, Plant City and Kissimmee. Kelly, 46, of Fort Myers, was the youngest walker in the group. “My legs are rock solid but my feet are still sore,” she said. “It was a very interesting journey.” It was a journey that Kaiser-Proffitt was glad to finish. The other women pushed her and Case in wheelchairs to the Disney finish line. Her feet were infected and Case was having back problems. But Kaiser-Proffitt, 64, of Fort Myers Beach, didn’t think about quitting.
“I never expected what I got,” she said. “It was rough. It was really rough. The only thing you could think about was getting one foot in front of the other.”
But she wouldn’t have survived without the team spirit. “We all helped each other,” she said. “The last 10 miles were so difficult but we were not going to leave anyone behind.”Flinn organized the walk to inspire women to make their lives healthier and happier.Last summer, Flinn, 48, of Cape Coral, felt called by God to walk to Dandridge, Tenn., to lose weight and take her life back. She called her trip “From Desperate to Dandridge.” During that trip Flinn walked 66 days and 874 miles. The Cape Coral mother wanted to help local women change their lives so she a launched a contest: “Desperate to Disney.” Subway supplied all of the meals during the walk. The journey changed Case, who at 67 was the oldest and fastest walker of the bunch. “I made it,” she said. “It opened a new chapter in my life.”Case had been “keeping close to home” since her husband died in 2000. This trip helped her make lasting friendships and inspired her to “open more doors.”"I’m ready to get out there,” she said.Her back went out at the end of the walk but her new friends stayed by her side until the last minute.”It’s an adventure I’ll never forget,” she said. “I lost seven pounds and there has been an awful lot of good.”Three other women gave it their best shot.Dianne Meisenzahl, 58, of Cape Coral dropped out after the second day because of pain in her feet. Allison Bergen, 48, of Marco Island planned to walk halfway because of a family obligation.Yvette Doherty, 54, of Cape Coral, lost a few days on the trail because of pain. But she still crossed the finish line with a limp and a cane. She walked 167 miles.”It was an exhausting and painful adventure,” she said. “But it is the will to do something and not give up. Too many times we just don’t finish something.”We just got strength from each other,” she said. “If women older than me could do it, then so could I.”Flinn is proud of all of them. “Perseverance is an understatement,” she said. “I have deep respect for these women. They wouldn’t quit.”Flinn isn’t going to stop walking either. She has plans to walk to Disney World again and will lead a group in October for another 200-mile walk “From Desperate to Dolly Wood.” They will walk from Chattanooga to Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Flinn will be signing copies of her book, “From Desperate to Dandridge,” at the Subway located at 2481 Del Prado in Cape Coral Wednesday, March 26, from 2 to 3 p.m. For more information call her at 239-699-3274 or www.debraflinn.org. You can also read her blog and look at photos of their trip to Disney at www.news-press.com/ debraflinn.

The latest issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly is on its way to subscribers, but 1UP has revealed some of the tasty rumours from its pages already. According to rumour-monger ‘Quartermann’, Tecmo is busy working on a classic edition of Tecmo Bowl for the Nintendo DS, whilst a modern re-working of the classic NES title will hit Wii as well. Information is set to be revealed on the pages of EGM in the near future.
What may come as a more interesting prospect, though, is word of a Mario-beater platform project from Disney. According to Quatermann, Warren Spector’s company (which is now owned by Disney) is set to use none other than Mickey Mouse to take on the venerable Italian plumber in the platform stakes. Could it be coming exclusively to a Nintendo format, though, or will we see this across all systems?