IS WALT DISNEYS REPUTATION JUSTIFIED?

Samuel Mundell December 2013 Recognised, and publicised (1), as Walt Disneys crowning achievement (2), the 1964 feature film Mary Poppins, winner of five Academy Awards (1), should be significant in the assessment of the producers professional achievements. Now, almost 47 years since his passing, The Walt Disney Studios are supporting the first actor to play Walt Disney (5) by releasing Saving Mr. Banks in November 2013, focusing on the untold story of how Disneys classic Mary Poppins made it to the screen (8). This is an excellent opportunity for me to analyse with an award-winning team, who have had exclusive access to The Walt Disney Archives (11), enhanced by the movies context that inevitably included the testy relationship that the legendary Walt Disney had with author P.L. Travers (8). Whilst Tom Hanks isnt actually the first to portray the studio-head (6), this feature film debut of Disney as a character is significant for Hanks dedicated weeks of research . . . to perform the role with accuracy (4), the choice by the studio to back it, and the director adding it is a fair portrayal of Walt as a mogul but also as an artist and a human being (11). Before even assessing the content of the film, I can learn from the reaction and participation of Walts all-powerful dynasty during production. It would seem appropriate that The Walt Disney Studios should select Kelly Marcels blacklisted screenplay (3), as it focussed on the production story behind the much-loved Mary Poppins, to produce their first film featuring the companys namesake (10). However, there are understandably alternative motives explored by many journalists, most prominently Disney buying the script to bury it (10) as the studio had to prevent any competitors from telling a story about their companys founder and namesake in a way they could not control (10). Across many sources the development of production story differs, although the studios have undeniably broken their tradition of rejecting scripts featuring Walt (10) and I must ensure the reviews of the

whole film do not skew my analysis because Its not about him (7). Key members of the cast and crew insist there were no preconceived notions or marching orders that we had (5), stated by lead actor Tom Amongst a series of and promotional Hanks, and that This was developed outside opportunities, with Disney pressing for [of Disney], the script didnt change Director awards consideration (9), John Lee Hancock adds on the development of the film. In fact the studio went to additional lengths to secure realism (e.g. a meeting organised between Hanks and Diane Disney Miller and a personal phone call for the Disney CEO himself to persuade Hanks to take the role (11)), but with critics split we are unlikely to ever know what happened in the discussions (11) described by Disney President of Production Sean Bailey, or decide whether it is nothing but a big corporation boasting about its own marvelousness (13) or an irresistible backstage tale . . . brought to the screen with a surplus of old-fashioned Disney showmanship (14). Beyond all of the ins and outs of establishing this production, how the company itself has presented Walt Disney on the world stage in such an anticipated movie, that is likely to have been carefully scrutinised, is fundamental in giving us an insight to the truth, as well as what the founder means to them and what they want people to believe about him.

One of the shining stars of the film . . . is Tom Hanks performance as Walt Disney. (4)
*Quotes and details from Saving Mr. Banks (source 15) are notes from a second viewing of the film and have not been verified.

IS WALT DISNEYS REPUTATION JUSTIFIED?

As a story following the influences of Mary Poppins, the plot alternates between P.L. Travers childhood in Australia and experiences with Disney in 1961. Whilst this limits the quantity of useful scenes to my project, I was expecting its suitability to be further depleted by featuring many scenes of Travers by herself. Of course these scenes of reflection and experience are crucial to the storyline, yet, to my surprise, are also some of the most revealing about Walt Disney. This is because the studios are forced to portray a character highly critical of their founder and his creations, pushing them towards the myths and rumours about Disneys dark side. A trickster, a fraudster, a sneak are not the words you would expect the Disney Studios themselves to describe their iconic founder. Amazingly, Disneyland is acknowledged as a dollarprinting machine with an inappropriate message; the animation is referred to as silly cartoons with characters no more than a duck and dog needing to learn the art of subtlety; Walt, above the existing accusations, is associated with hyperactive behaviour and deficiency in concentration. The enlightening character P.L. Travers speaks all of these quotes, placing her, as far as I have researched, as the greatest, of admittedly very few, anti-Disney publicised by the conglomerate in the history of The Walt Disney Company. We could expect, conventional of a Disney film, the reality would be twisted to secure a happy, almost inspirational, ending, resulting in Disney as the hero. His sympathy for the Sherman Brothers is not reflected to everyone however, with Disney appearing to use his experience I know it only too well to manipulate Travers into giving in to him. A light conflict between these characters could present Disney as a bully, for example his demand Get on the horse, Pamela when in Disneyland. A Disney biopic would not have allowed these negative characteristics and faults to be shown. As with many aspects of the film, this new presentation of Disney is altering the whole neutral perspective put out by the company over the last 50 years.

Franois Duhamel/Disney Enterprises, Inc.

"I was fearful that the folks at Disney would come and say, 'No drinking, no smoking, no cursing - we like Walt better as a god than a human being,'" admits director John Lee Hancock. (7)
As previously discussed, in a pre-release interview director John Lee Hancock admitted I was fearful that the folks at Disney would come and say . . . . we like Walt better as a god than a human being (7). Initially seeming a comical comment on the famously boasted reputation of Mr Disney, there are suggestions in the film that Walt was not afraid to admit he saw himself as a legend. Besides Travers stating I took you at your word and Ralph almost shocked to see him as a real person (Wow, there he is, living and breathing, oh boy!), whilst strolling down Main Street USA in Disneyland the innovator directly questions Who said only God could make a tree?, instantly after discussing the tree he has built himself, thus emphasising an equal ability he has to God. Subtle hints at this state of mind feature Disney justifying his decisions with because I asked for it and later admitting to Pamela he pretty much always gets what he wants. Though in contrast to the typical Disneyfied presentation of Walt, typically anyone self-centred enough to consider himself on par with god is not considered a modest human being, unlikely to therefore deserve an honourable reputation on a personal level. It in fact implies he was not a pleasant character at all if it is true he ensured his authority was consistently asserted over others - even senior members of the Poppins production team, like Don DaGradi, obey the selfproclaimed God without hesitation (absolutely Walt). (However, maybe Walt was right about himself, Walt Disney World being the third most visited place on the planet, only behind the undeniably godly Mecca and Vatican locations (16)).

IS WALT DISNEYS REPUTATION JUSTIFIED?

Currently adopting a critical view, I must not underestimate how highly this film refers to Disney. There is a great suspense to his onscreen arrival, building through the early references to him, an uplifting soundtrack and not even revealing him all in one shot due to his overwhelming presence. His dedication to keep his promises and comical wager with the boys are characteristics of the true American dream. Even more so, his inspiring lines upon the films climax are ingenious and heartfelt, describing a life that isnt dictated by the past, by the troubled 8 year old boy, but one of rejoice through imagination as storytellers. The character, or the man, is presented as a legend in his own right, knowing the perfect words to solve every problem and how to win everyone over to his side, not losing sight of his aims. His witty intelligence is not comparable to anyone else in the account of the story, everybody unquestionably working for him happy to do so. From the extensive research I am aware Hanks completed, there is no reason to doubt that Disney was this optimistic, light-hearted innovator in life. In some scenes the film allows for an understanding of the certified view of Walts past. During an emotional scene Disney opens up about his early struggles with Pat Powers and the rights to Mickey Mouse, expressing the mouse is family. Whilst this offers little additional information, it encourages faith in external (not from Disney) sources, many of which highlight these forgotten events. Tom Hanks also connects deeply when describing Disneys childhood, particularly the relationship with his father. Differently to the tone offered by the family foundation in their documentary or museum, the actor suggests beyond the love, Elias used Walt when he was just 8 years old. For a single moment Walt is portrayed as the victim, his father threatening to show you the buckle

end of his belt. This also puts trust in the more controversial sources, as the family have been avoiding difficult questions, and rumoured beliefs, like anti-Semitism, are claimed to have originated from his fathers influence. Of course, this also gives justification to Walt wanting to create an ideal world, establishing a life that isnt dictated by the past, in his characters words. Admitting his struggles enhances the acceptance of Disney as the ideal example of the American Dream, triumphing over his issues whilst doing so. Saving Mr. Banks is a satisfyingly realistic film. For the first time, the Disney Company has crossed boundaries to show the world the man behind the mouse house. The striking divide in opinions on Disney, largely between the company and family against the critics and politics, has been irradiated in a combination of the positives and negatives of Disney. Even details like his regularly-forgotten distinctive smokers cough are included, preparing even to push the boundaries of Walt Disney Pictures no smoking, or cigarette, policy to ensure the film is as close to reality as possible. The thorough research, particularly on the studio sets and Hanks character, immerse the audience in such a convincing decade that they would largely believe anything. Thankfully the script was developed independently and the company authorities have sensibly yet strategically approached the project, so the magic of Disney prevails through a touching and educational behind-the-scenes journey. From what I can devise from the production of the film, the presentation, good and bad, of Walt and the additional facts, this film of firsts has changed the course of my current research by abolishing the extreme diversity of the Disney-fied Disney and the rumoured dark Disney.

IS WALT DISNEYS REPUTATION JUSTIFIED?

Sources: (1) - Mary Poppins 50th Anniversary Edition Trailer (2) - Film Critic Leonard Maltin (3) - http://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/apr/11/tom-hanks-walt-disney-marypoppins (4) http://www.hypable.com/2013/12/30/saving-mr-banks-doesnt-quite-save-disney/ (5) http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/tom-hanks-becomes-first-actor-play-walt-disney212800793.html (6) https://d23.com/ask-dave-051513-061613/ (7) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25087275 (8) - http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/disney/savingmrbanks/ (9) - http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/aarp-film-festival-include-august-651175 (10) - http://www.thewrap.com/saving-mr-banks-walt-disney-studio-resistance (11) - http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/making-saving-mr-banks-bringing665733 (12) - http://www.thewrap.com/Saving-Mr-Banks-Tom-Hanks-Emma-Thompson-John-LeeHancock (13) - http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/film/saving-mr-banks--film-review8972099.html (14) - http://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/film-review-saving-mr-banks-1200745274/ (15) Saving Mr. Banks, Walt Disney Productions (16) -http://www.cardus.ca/convivium/article/3075/