Films & Events
Walt & El Grupo
Presented in association with 98.1 Classical KING FM
In 1941, war loomed on the horizon but Walt Disney had plenty of other things to worry about as well. Labor disputes threatened the financial future of his company and newly created dream studio. Then, surprisingly, the U.S. government proposed that Walt and his team take a Goodwill tour of South America, culminating in a series of Latin-American-themed Disney films.
Fresh on the heels of the groundbreaking
Fantasia, and little more than three years after the worldwide success of
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, the Roosevelt administration was betting that Disney’s popularity would thwart the Axis Powers overtures to that region. Disney and “El Grupo,” as they came to name themselves, set out on a two-month tour, which would result in films such as
Saludos Amigos and
The Three Caballeros.
While any documentary using never-before-seen archival footage from the Disney vault would be extraordinary,
Walt & El Grupo goes further. Filmmaker Theodore Thomas–son of Disney animator (and El Grupo member) Frank Thomas—uses his familiarity and extraordinary access to augment this archival footage with excerpts from El Grupo’s personal letters and journals (read by their present-day family members), as well as with interviews with South American eyewitnesses and their descendants. Additionally, Thomas’ crew retraces the path of El Grupo’s trip through South America, contrasting the team’s 1941 footage and drawings with their modern counterparts.
A film of intimacy, charm, and historical acuity,
Walt & El Grupo weaves these details together to reveal a legendary artist during one of his most trying times.
Cast & Crew
Director: Theodore Thomas
Producer: Kuniko Okubo
Editor: Lisa Palatella
Screenwriter: Theodore Thomas
Cinematographer: Shana Hagan
Music: James Stemple
Principal Cast: Featuring: Disney, Cindy Garcia, Jeanette Thomas, Sheila Banani, Diane Miller, Lydia Reed
Filmography: Frank and Ollie (1995); Where the Toys Come From (1984)
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(5 reviews)
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Walt & El Grupo, May 19, 2008
By Jerry Luiten
“This is a perfect documentary. The images of the tile sidewalk on Copacabana have stayed with me ever since I saw the film "Saludos Amigos" many years ago. To learn the background of how Disney was inspired to create those images makes fascinating history. The archieval footage blended with today's pictures, the interviews of people who experienced or were affected by this historical trip, seeing the art work that the staff did while being there, and learning about the adventurous people who made this journey in 1941 all added up to an enjoyable film. This was a daring trip to take in uncertain times, successfully captured by this documentary. ”
