Lawrence Muzzy "Larry" Lansburgh was an American director, producer, screenwriter, writer, and cinematographer, known for his work from Disney documentaries on animals and features, such as The Three Caballeros. At least 18 films were produced and directed by him.
Born in 1911, he was the son of renowned architect G. Albert Lansburgh and graduated from Mt. Tamalpais School in 1929. He would work on a ranch in Texas and participated in rodeos before going back to California to work in Hollywood. He worked as a stuntman for directors, like Cecil B. DeMille, until a leg injury forced him to change jobs.
He began his new career at Disney in 1938 doing clerical work before learning about cameras and transferred to the Editing Department where he began to partake in productions, such as Pinocchio and Fantasia. In 1941, he and his wife, Disney publicist Janet Martin, were among those that Walt Disney selected for his good will tour of South America which contributed to the productions of The Three Caballeros and Saludos Amigos. Over the years, Lansburgh wrote, produced, and directed films involving animals in their natural setting and instincts, believing that gimmicks or special effects would disillusion his audience. Nominated for several Academy Awards, he would win two; one for The Wetback Hound in 1958 for Best Short Subject (Live Action) and The Horse with the Flying Tail in 1961 for Best Documentary. Outside of Disney, Lansburgh worked on features, such as Mystery Lake, Beauty and the Bull, and Dawn Flight.
In 1971, after more than 30 years at Disney Studios, Lansburgh retired. From his ranch, he continued to produce films, including Disney's Chester, Yesterday's Horse, Runaway on the Rogue River, and Twister, Bull from the Sky. He also judged horses shows and taught film at Southern Oregon University. In 1998, he received a Disney Legend award.[1]
He died on his ranch in Eagle Point, Oregon. He was survived by his second wife, Olive; sons Lawrence Jr. and Brian; stepchildren Allen and Jennifer; and eight grandchildren. His son Brian and granddaughter Janet, would share memories of his time at Disney in Walt & El Grupo.
Filmography[]
| Year | Film | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1940 | Pinocchio | Assistant director (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Fantasia | Assistant director (uncredited) |
| 1941 | Pluto's Playmate | Assistant director (uncredited) |
| 1941 | Dumbo | Assistant director (uncredited) |
| 1942 | Saludos Amigos | Location photographer: 16 mm. Assistant director: "Pedro" |
| 1942 | South of the Border with Disney | Self (uncredited) |
| 1944 | The Three Caballeros | Assistant production supervisor Cameraman |
| 1948 | So Dear to My Heart | Technical director |
| 1950 | Cinderella | Assistant director (uncredited) |
| 1954 | Stormy, the Throughbred | Director Producer Cinematographer |
| 1955 | The Littlest Outlaw | Producer Story |
| 1955 | Arizona Sheepdog | Director |
| 1956 | Cow Dog | Director Producer Writer Cinematographer |
| 1957–1976 | The Magical World of Disney | Director Producer Story Cinematographer: "Greta, the Misfit Greyhound" |
| 1957 | The Wetback Hound | Director Producer |
| 1960 | The Horse with the Flying Tail | Director Producer Cinematographer |
| 1964 | The Tattooed Police Horse | Director Producer Story |
| 1966 | Run, Appaloosa, Run | Director Story Cinematographer |
| 1968 | The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit | Second unit director |
| 1969 | Hang Your Hat on the Wind | Director Producer Story |
| 1971 | Hacksaw | Director |
| 1973 | Chester, Yesterday's Horse | Director Producer |
| 1974 | Runaway on the Rogue River | Director Producer Songwriter: "Bucky's Song" |
| 1976 | Twister, Bull from the Sky | Director |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Lansburgh would often direct and work his camera on horseback, such as on 1966's Run, Appaloosa, Run.
References[]
- ↑ "Larry Lansburgh". D23.
