The Wonderful World of Disney
Season 19
Walt Disney, one of Hollywood's most ambitious producers, was first approached to do television in 1950, when The Coca-Cola Company offered him a one-hour special. The one hour special, "One Hour in Wonderland," aired December 25, 1950 on NBC and garnered 90% of the television viewing audience. A second special, "The Walt Disney Christmas Special," aired December 25, 1951 on CBS. When Walt had drawn up plans for a theme park, known as Disneyland, he found a hard time obtaining funding; critics, including Walt's brother Roy, thought that it was unfeasible and that it would be a fiasco. At the same time, the ABC television network offered him a deal for a television anthology series. Walt wouldn't agree to it unless they put up partial financing for Disneyland (a term that had kept CBS and NBC from signing with him). ABC agreed, and also paid him $50,000 per program, an exorbitant sum for the time. The show, titled Disneyland, premiered on October 27, 1954 and was an immediate success. The program showcased original works from the Disney Studios. Cartoons, documentaries, educational shorts, all were shown to a captive worldwide audience. Variety was the key to its success, as it kept most of what it did fresh, multi-cultural and constantly changing its entertainment.
Where to Watch The Wonderful World of Disney • Season 19
20 Episodes
- Call it CourageE20
Call it CourageThe natives of the island of Hikueru in the South Pacific ocean tell the legend of a boy named Mafatu and his dog, Tambu. Mafatu's father was lost at sea, causing him to fear the ocean and suffer from nightmares. Realizing that he will someday be chief of their tribe, he must conquer his fear. He and Tambu set sail in a small canoe. His fears prove to be real when a storm forces him ashore on an island claimed by a savage tribe.