New Releases by Jeff Kurtti

This is the Commemorative Edition of one of the most trusted and respected nonfiction books about Walt Disney ever written! Includes 4 commemorative essays; a photo insert with more than 60 behind-the-scenes images; and an endnotes section with insightful passages from 15 Disney historians and authors to provide further context for modern audiences. Walt Disney is an American hero. From Mickey Mouse to Disneyland, he changed the face of American culture. His is a success story like no other: a man who developed animated film into an art form and made a massive contribution to the folklore of the world. After years of research, respected Hollywood biographer Bob Thomas produced this definitive biography of the person behind the legend of Disney: the unschooled cartoonist from Kansas City, Missouri, who—though his initial studio went bankrupt during his first movie venture—developed into a creative spirit who produced unmatched works of entertainment that have influenced generations. Inside the Commemorative Edition paperback: • Special essays by Christopher Miller, Jeff Kurtti, Marcy Carriker Smothers, and Rebecca Cline and an updated index from the 2023 edition • Preface by Bob Thomas from the 1994 edition • Foreground, 28 chapters, and sources by Bob Thomas from the 1976 edition • Endnotes excerpting 15 books that have furthered Bob’s research from the 2023 edition • 32-page photo insert with more than 60 behind-the-scenes images from the 2023 edition Searching for information about Walt Disney? Explore more books from Disney Editions: The Official Walt Disney Quote Book People Behind the Disney Parks: Stories of Those Honored with a Window on Main Street, U.S.A. Maps of the Disney Parks: Charting 60 Years from California to Shanghai Walt's Disneyland: A Walk in the Park with Walt Disney The Story of Disney: 100 Years of Wonder

On June 14, 1959, Walt Disney's Monorail opened at Tomorrowland in Disneyland and became the first daily operating monorail in the Western Hemisphere. Tomorrow offers new frontiers in science, adventure, and ideals: the Atomic Age... the challenge of outer space... and the hope for a peaceful and unified world, Walt Disney had said of his future-forward park area; so, it s no surprise that Walt had planned for a Tomorrowland-based monorail starting in the early days of the property's development.

The Art of Mulan was only Jeff Kurtti's fourth published work, and one of which he remains enormously proud. He is honored to see this important and significant story in print again for new generations, along with some stunning additional visual development artwork and new foreword by Thomas Schumacher. Inspired by a two-thousand-year-old Chinese legend, Mulan was the first animated feature film to be primarily produced by Disney's animation studio at Walt Disney World in Florida. This was a dazzling array of talented and dedicated filmmakers who specialized in traditional hand-drawn animation and collaborated on the musical segment "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" in The Lion King (1994), shorts ranging from the Roger Rabbit cartoon Tummy Trouble (1989) to the legendary folktale John Henry (2000), and feature films such as Lilo & Stitch (2002). The Art of Mulan reveals the story behind the making of the film in this distinct place and at this particular time, both of which bridge the Disney animation renaissance of the 1990s and the sensibilities of today's Walt Disney Animation Studios. Like the film's heroine, the Disney artists who created Mulan made a journey of self-discovery that began with a momentous decision: to make a modern film adapted from an ancient Chinese source. The Art of Mulan chronicles their efforts to remain faithful to the spirit of the original legend and the traditions of the Chinese culture, while at the same time make it accessible for an international audience approaching the end of the second millennium. Their words reveal their passion while more than 350 stunning color and black-and-white illustrations showcase their brilliance, all clear reminders of why Mulan has become a fan favorite of so many who grew up with it.

Ever since 1934, when Mary Poppins descended from the skies over London into Cherry Tree Lane in the beloved book by P. L. Travers, the world has adored the enchanting adventures and peculiar wisdom of this magical nanny.For more than eight decades, Travers's staunch but charming heroine has been beloved in the pages of eight popular books-and in media-from movies to stage, and music to television, all around the world.Now Mary Poppins has come to light up cinema screens again in a magical, musical new incarnation, Mary Poppins Returns. From the Walt Disney Studios, this film is a colorful and charming new story-a sequel to the 1964 classic-featuring an all-star cast and brought to life by a stellar creative team. In Depression-era London, a now-grown Jane and Michael Banks, along with Michael's three children, are visited by the enigmatic Mary Poppins following a personal, grievous loss. She's back just in time. And through her unique magical skills andpresence, plus the aid of her friend Jack, Mary helps restore for the troubled family the joy and wonder that's been lost in their lives.Every incarnation of Mary Poppins has had at least one thing in common: she's always arrived out of the blue, though the stay is for an all-too brief period of time-until the wind changes or the chain breaks-whereupon she flies away again for, as Pamela Travers put it, "Apparently . . . nowhere."Practically Poppins In Every Way is a showcase of the varied creative forces that have brought Mary Poppins to life, generation after generation. It is accompanied by erudite and informative text, essays, and observations by creative luminaries such as Cameron Mackintosh, Thomas Schumacher, Gavin Lee, and John Myhre, as well as renowned Disney authorities Brian Sibley, Jim Fanning, Paula Sigman Lowery, Craig D. Barton, and Greg Ehrbar.This colorful and lavish showcase is a rich, vivid, and frequently surprising visual document of the development behind the stories of Mary Poppins on the page, screen, and stage. Treasures collected by the Walt Disney Studios, the Walt Disney Archives, the Walt Disney Archives Photo Library, the Walt Disney Animation Studios Research Library, the Disney Publishing Archives, and Disney Theatrical Group abound throughout the book.Practically Poppins in Every Way is a magical carpetbag containing countless wonders and "a bit o' magic" that will captivate, inform, and entertain readers of all ages.

This Fall, The Walt Disney Animation Studios returns to its timeless art form of hand-drawn animation. From the creative minds of directors John Musker and Ron Clements (The Little Mermaid and Aladdin) comes an American fairy tale and musical set in the heart of New Orleans during the Jazz Age. This unforgettable tale of love, enchantment, and discovery features Tiana, a young girl with big dreams who is working hard to achieve them amid theelegance and grandeur of the fabled French Quarter. The Art of The Princess and the Frog showcases the lush concept art of this sure-to-be-classic movie, including sketches, character designs, lighting studies and storyboards, alongside inspiring quotes from the directors, producers, artists and designers, including veteran hand drawn animators that brought you many of Disney's most classic and unforgettable characters.

A lighthearted twist on Rapunzel, the beloved fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm, Tangled brims with thrilling adventure, a distinctive cast of characters, a daring heroine, and, of course, seventy feet of golden hair. Featuring the stunning concept art behind the newest Disney masterpiece, The Art of Tangled also includes a preface by John Lasseter, a foreword by Directors Nathan Greno and Byron Howard, and interviews with the artists, animators, and production team—including Art Director David Goetz—that shed light on the history and artistry of this landmark film.

50 years ago, Walt Disney utterly transformed the concept of outdoor entertainment venues. Using his innate talent for combining disparate skills and personalities, he assembled a creative team that blended imagination with engineering and called them 'Imagineers'. Kurtti introduces a core group of the originators of Disneyland and the other Disney parks. He explores their individual relationships with Walt and each other, their creative breakthroughs and failure, their rivalries and professional politics. Lavishly illustrated with rare never-before-seen photos.

Filled with detailed explanations, captivating illustrations, and entertaining trivia, this clearly written, lively, and uniquely-designed book is a first-of-its-kind introduction to the world of the Theatre, from the box office to backstage, and beyond. From one side of the book, the reader enters via the front door, where the people and activities of the “front of house” can be examined. From the book’s other side, the reader enters the “Stage Door,” where the behind-the-scenes world of the “Back of house” is revealed. In exploring this visually-inviting “theatre of the mind,” readers encounter the people, places, occupations, and equipment of the theatre world, and have the opportunity to investigate them all. From the box office and the Usher Staff to the Dressing Rooms and the Backstage doorman, the reader may wander at will within this one-of-a-kind world, discovering the wonders of theatre all along the way.

“Direct” from the extensive files of The Walt Disney Archives inBurbank, California, as “collected” by Archives Director David R. Smith foryour research and enlightenment, here is a one-of-a-kind collection of Disneycharacter reference. In an entertainingand informative format, readers get an insider’s peek intothe careers of Disney’s best-loved animated characters, whether their roles arestarring or supporting. Disney Dossiersbrings together a fascinating collection of information, anecdotes, andillustrations, providing highlights from Disney productions past and presentfor all your “casting” needs. The format, though playful, will also be informativeand sophisticated, geared toward an adult audience with an ample base of Disneyknowledge. The book will be heavily illustrated and beautifully designed./DIV /DIVJeff Kurtti is the author of more than a dozen books andscores of magazine articles, a writer-director of award-winning documentaries,and a respected public speaker, host, and panel moderator. He is currently theCreative Director of The Walt Disney Family Library (a project of The WaltDisney Family Foundation), and is considered one of the leading authorities onThe Walt Disney Company and its history. /DIV

Gathered together for the first time anywhere is anillustrated chronicle of the artistic development of the landmarks,attractions, and shows that constitute Disneyland. Conceptual materials, sketches, layout drawings, andpaintings are meticulously reproduced with lavish production values in abeautiful large-format book that is destined to become a spectacular keepsakefor the Park’s fans and art collectors everywhere.

This fiendishly fun 48-page handbook features the villains everyone loves to hate. The sinister lineup includes such baddies as Cruella De Vil, Lady Tremaine, Captain Hook, Madame Medusa, The Evil Queen, Maleficent, Yzma, Gaston, Ursula, and Jafar. Inside you'll find hilarious dossiers and revealing information on each twisted villain, with removable documents like Gaston's report card from the Village Grade School, a flowchart from Ursula that plots her rise to Ruler of the Sea, Maleficent's favorite clothing catalog, Fearsome Fashions, and more! Moo-whah-hah-hah!

Introduction by Martin A. Sklar.

Go "behind the sails" on an intergalactic treasure hunt in this thrilling new animated space adventure by Walt Disney Pictures. A futuristic twist on one of the greatest adventure stories ever told, Treasure Planet follows Jim Hawkins's fantastic journey across a parallel universe aboard a glittering space galleon. Bug great dangers lie ahead when Jim discovers that his trusted mentor, the cyborg cook John Silver, is actually a scheming pirate with mutiny on his mind. Legends of pirate treasure and pirate terror, the lore of literary pirates, and a look at the loot of a thousand worlds are all featured in this richly illustrated volume that will be treasured by buccaneers of all ages. Discover the film's evolution and the development of its characters, weaponry, and technology, as well as exploring the interesting histories of actual pirates who sailed the seven seas. Part techno-log, part field guide, this book is brimming with diagrams, gadgets, and gizmos, fun facts, and fascinating anecdotes.

Official tie-in to the new Disney film 'Atlantis: The Lost Empire' - scheduled for UK release on 19th October, 2001. A comprehensive study of numerous theories behind the legend of Atlantis. Was it an island in the Mediterranean or in a volcanic lake in the Andes? Was it a continent in the Atlantic Ocean or a mountain in Antarctica? Are mysterious ancient ruins and artifacts scattered around the globe remnants of an Atlantean civilisation? These and many other questions are examined in this fascinating work. Illustrated in colour and b/w.

Official tie-in to Disney's 'Atlantis: The Lost City' movie - scheduled for UK release 19th October 2001. Essential for both visitors and tourists journeying to Atlantis, this official guide to the city includes everything from visa and passport requirements through to advice on tipping, exchange rates, opening and closing times of shops, nightlife, accomodation, language, architecture and history. Illustrated in full-colour.

Official tie-in to the Disney film 'Atlantis: The Lost Empire' - schedule for UK release on 19th October 2001. An extraordinary facsimile reproduction of the travel journal of Milo Thatch, the brilliant explorer of Atlantis. Overflowing with notes, drawings, photographs and translations of the Atlantean language, this personal account of his discovery of the lost empire was to rocket him to fame and transform him from a timid linguist and cartographer to a courageous hero. Illustrated in colour throughout.

This essential keepsake captures the remarkable warmth, dramatic plot, and heart-felt humor of this animated feature as well as the behind-the-scenes story of the talented artists, ingenious techniques, and fascinating techniques and technology. Color and b&w illustrations.

Modern Historiographyis the essential introduction to the history of historical writing. It explains the broad philosophical background to the different historians and historical schools of the modern era. In a unique overview of modern historiography, the book includes surveys on the Enlightenment and Counter Enlightenment; Romanticism; the voice of Science and the process of secularization within Western intellectual thought; the influence of, and broadening contact with, the New World; theAnnalesschool in France; and the effects of the repression and exile of the inter-war years and the Post-War 'moods.'Modern Historiographyprovides a clear and concise account of this modern period of historical writing.