The Wonderful World of Disney
Season 1
Walt Disney, one of Hollywood's most ambitious producers, was first approached to do television in 1950, when The Coca-Cola Company offered him a one-hour special. The one hour special, "One Hour in Wonderland," aired December 25, 1950 on NBC and garnered 90% of the television viewing audience. A second special, "The Walt Disney Christmas Special," aired December 25, 1951 on CBS. When Walt had drawn up plans for a theme park, known as Disneyland, he found a hard time obtaining funding; critics, including Walt's brother Roy, thought that it was unfeasible and that it would be a fiasco. At the same time, the ABC television network offered him a deal for a television anthology series. Walt wouldn't agree to it unless they put up partial financing for Disneyland (a term that had kept CBS and NBC from signing with him). ABC agreed, and also paid him $50,000 per program, an exorbitant sum for the time. The show, titled Disneyland, premiered on October 27, 1954 and was an immediate success. The program showcased original works from the Disney Studios. Cartoons, documentaries, educational shorts, all were shown to a captive worldwide audience. Variety was the key to its success, as it kept most of what it did fresh, multi-cultural and constantly changing its entertainment.
Where to Watch The Wonderful World of Disney • Season 1
22 Episodes
- The Disneyland StoryE1
The Disneyland StoryWalt Disney introduces the show that will be a Sunday-night tradition for over 40 years, Disneyland. In this episode, he introduces upcoming season previews, plus movies that are to be coming out soon. The second half of the show is all about Mickey Mouse, Disney's first creation. - MOVIE: So Dear to My HeartE5
MOVIE: So Dear to My HeartThe 1949 Disney movie is highlighted in this episode. Jeremiah is a young boy who owns a black lamb named Danny the Ram. Jeremiah wants to enter Danny into the spring fair, not out of pride for his pet but for the material gain of winning a ribbon. But alas, the fleece-bearer flees from home, leaving Jeremiah devastated. Jeremiah prays to God asking to be reunited with his runaway ram. In return, he promises to love Danny forever, and forsake any thoughts of using him to win ribbons. - Beaver Valley / Cameras in AfricaE10
Beaver Valley / Cameras in AfricaIn teh first part, Walt Disney presents a famous animal photographer named Alfred G. Milotte, who presents clips of his African trip that has stunning stories about the African elephant and the lion. The second part deals with the beaver habitat as displayed in the 1948 True-Life Adventure film, Beaver Valley. - Davy Crockett Goes to CongressE14
Davy Crockett Goes to CongressIn the Second episode of the Davy Crockett trilogy, Davy, George and their families settle in Tennessee. Davy goes to town to file his claim, and he gets into it with a bully named Big Foot Mason. When Mason is beaten, the judge asks Davy to be the new lawman. - Davy Crockett at the AlamoE18
Davy Crockett at the AlamoThe final chapter of the Davy Crockett trilogy begins when Davy and George make friends with a cheating gambler named Thimblerig. It is Thimblerig that gets Davy and George to go to Texas to fight the Mexicans at the Alamo, an ill-fated mistake for Davy. - Dateline Disneyland
E22Dateline DisneylandThe Grand Opening of Disneyland is celebrated on live tv coast to coast. The 17 million dollar project is finally complete. Many celebrities attended the opening (although not scheduled for an appearance)as they take a day to enjoy the park with their families.These included: Irene Dunn,Bonita Granville,Marjorie Raines,Gail Storm,Ken Murray,Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr.,Alan Young, and Jerry Colona.