"Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life" is an episode of Disney's Wonderful World. It aired on April 26, 1981. This episode is based on the book of the same name, which was written by Disney animators Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston.
Synopsis[]
Former Disney child star Hayley Mills returns to the Walt Disney Studio for a look at the techniques of animated film production, with various veteran Disney animators illustrating said techniques.
Featured cartoons[]
- Plane Crazy
- Steamboat Willie
- The Plowboy
- The Ugly Duckling (1931)
- Mickey's Revue
- Playful Pluto
- Orphan's Benefit (1934)
- Two-Gun Mickey
- The Cookie Carnival
- Mickey's Grand Opera
- Thru the Mirror
- Hawaiian Holiday
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
- Brave Little Tailor
- The Ugly Duckling (1939 film)
- Pinocchio
- Fantasia
- The Reluctant Dragon
- Dumbo
- Bambi
- The Three Caballeros
- Make Mine Music
- Melody Time
- Cinderella
- Alice in Wonderland
- Susie the Little Blue Coupe
- Peter Pan
- Lady and the Tramp
- Sleeping Beauty
- 101 Dalmatians
- The Jungle Book
- The Rescuers
- The Fox and the Hound
Trivia[]
- This episode featured the first announcement of the animated feature film The Black Cauldron (released in 1985), through the use of conceptual paintings for the film. While Hayley Mills says that she will provide the voice of Eilonwy, the role ended up going to Susan Sheridan.
With the talents of[]
- The Andrews Sisters ... Themselves
- Nelson Eddy ... Willie the Operatic Whale (voice) (archive footage)
- Stan Fidel ... Himself
- Betty Lou Gerson ... Cruella De Vil (voice) (archive footage)
- Phil Harris ... Himself / Baloo (voice) (archive footage)
- Richard O. Johnston ... Himself
- Peggy Lee ... Herself / Peg (voice) (archive footage)
- Freddy Martin and His Orchestra ... Themselves (archive footage)
- Geraldine Page ... Herself / Madame Medusa (voice) (archive footage)
Uncredited[]
- Ken Anderson ... Himself
- Pearl Bailey ... Herself
- Adriana Caselotti ... Herself
- Marc Davis ... Himself
- Ollie Johnston ... Himself
- Milt Kahl ... Himself
- Glen Keane ... Himself
- Ward Kimball ... Himself
- Eric Larson ... Himself
- Hayley Mills ... Herself - Host
- Wolfgang Reitherman ... Himself
- Frank Thomas ... Himself