Disclosure- I was invited by Disney to attend this all expense paid press trip but all opinions are 100% my own.
The beloved classic movie, Bambi, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. In honor of this special anniversary it joined Walt Disney’s Signature Collection today on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere. It will be released on Blu-ray, DVD, and On-Demand on June 6th. The collection release will include a variety of bonus features and I will be reviewing it in an upcoming post. There is also a special deal going on right now. Disney Movie Rewards is offering a beautiful tank top featuring Paul Felix art inspired by BAMBI, for only $9.99 with every digital purchase/redemption of BAMBI. Learn more about the tank top promotion here.
Did you ever wonder what it was like to work with Walt Disney? Or what it was like to be a part of a classic Disney movie? During our trip to Los Angeles last week we had the unique opportunity last week to interview with 2 of the original voices from the movie. Disney Archivist Becky Cline moderated as interviewed Donald “Donnie” Dunagan (young voice of “Bambi”) and Peter Behn (young voice of “Thumper”). We also interviewed Paul Felix, Visual Development Artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios who was inspired by Tyrus Wong (animator on Bambi).
Here are the top things we learned:
~Hand-drawn Artwork and Attention to Detail
Photo credit- BAMBI Disney archive image
Bambi was released in 1942 during World War II. It took over 5 years to make due to its exquisite hand-drawn artwork and attention to detail. Paul Felix told us how the studio went on strike and moved during the time Bambi was being made which also delayed the project. It was supposed to come out after Snow White but ended up coming after Pinocchio and Fantasia. They had to cut some of the movie out and only do what they could afford at the time. Paul also told us that one important thing that Disney animators of the time had to learn to do was learn how to create animals with faces that could emote dialog. A good example of this is comparing how lifelike and realistic the deer in Bambi are compared to the deer in Snow White that are stiff and don’t have much life to them.
~The Zen of Bambi
Paul Felix shared with us how he feels Bambi is special because the themes are so broad. It deals with the reality of the world and has a zen-like simplicity that is profound. He also went on to talk about how the movie is so powerful even today because it shows how the connection between mother and child is so primal and relatable.
~There Were No Auditions For Thumper
Photo credit- BAMBI Disney archive image
Peter Behn’s father was a screenwriter in the 1920’s. He knew Walt Disney and brought Peter in to audition for the voice of Bambi but Donnie beat him out. They didn’t think his voice was right for Bambi but they thought his voice was right for “the rabbit” character. They never held auditions for Thumper, as they knew Peter was right for the part. He was only 4 years old at the time and the tender age of 5 when he voiced his character.
~Donnie Dunagan Knew What He Wanted As a Boy
Photo credit- BAMBI Disney archive image
Donnie Dunagan grew up dirt poor and his family entered him in a talent contest when he was 4 years old. In the contest he danced with a paper bag hat and a stick from a tree to the song, A Tisket A Tasket. He won and caught the eye of a talent scout! He went on to be a child actor at the age of 5 years old. He did lots of films as a child, 7 before the age of 5 1/2 years old, but when is agent told him not to take the role of Bambi he fired his agent. Talk about a boy who knew what he wanted!
~Peter Behn Only Saw Bambi Once In His Youth
Photo credit- BAMBI Disney archive image
Peter Behn saw Bambi at the premiere and then didn’t see it again for a long time. I hadn’t thought about it before but back in those days they didn’t have DVDs, VHS tapes, or Netflix so movies were just seen in theaters when they came out.
~Commanding Officer Bambi
Photo credit- BAMBI Disney archive image
Donnie went on to become a commanding officer in the Marine Corp but he didn’t tell anyone about his role in Bambi. He was afraid they would tease him- “My commanding officer is Bambi!” He didn’t even tell his wife about his role in Bambi when they were first married. It took her finding an old box of memorabilia and fan letters for Donnie to tell his wife all about his Disney past.
~A True Leader
When asked about what it was like to work with Walt Disney Donnie said that Walt was very helpful, a true leader. He was not a feared boss but instead a very hands on leader who was approachable and helped everyone.
~Recording The Voices
The voices were recorded first and then the artwork was created based on the recordings. The audio was transcribed with a needle on a plastic device because they didn’t have the digital technology like they do today.
~”Your Mother Is In Trouble”
Photo credit- BAMBI Disney archive image
To get Peter to say his lines the director would read the lines and Peter would mimic him with inflection because he was too young to read the lines well. When Donnie was recording the scene where Bambi’s mother dies the director thought that Donnie sounded too happy and not sad enough. He told Donnie to pretend “Your mother is in trouble. Call your mother!”
~Bambi’s Legacy Lives On Today
Photo credit- BAMBI Disney archive image
Peter shared with us how Walt Disney was ahead of his time in protecting the environment as shown in Bambi. This speaks to his forward thinking and awareness of environmental issues. The legacy of Bambi still lives on today.
~Bambi is Forever
Photo credit- BAMBI Disney archive image
The most touching part of our interview was when Donnie shared with us, with a quivering voice and tears in his eyes, that Bambi is forever. He showed us the letters he still receives from children from all over the world.
~Advice For Aspiring Animators
While Paul Felix is known for designing settings over characters he said anyone interested in becoming an animator should draw from life, draw both buildings and people. Try painting with watercolors and create a mood with colors. Don’t limit yourself. Learn art history to ground yourself in art and design.
Photo credit- Louise Bishop Momstart.com
Make sure to check out the 75th anniversary Walt Disney Signature Collection Bambi on Digital HD May 23rd and Blu-ray June 6th!
Last week I had the amazing opportunity to attend the Los Angeles premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man Tell No Tales. The movie was amazing, the best one in the franchise yet in my opinion. I’ll tell you more in a bit but first let’s talk 
I have attended several red carpet premieres with Disney in the last few years but they have all be at the El Capitan Theater. This one was different because it was at the Dolby Theatre- where the Oscars take place. Yes, I was in the same theatre where all the stars gather for the Oscars! Of course it was so much fun getting to dress up. I even had on my black pearls in honor of The Black Pearl. 😉
The night started with walking down the teal carpet and of course taking lots of pictures. Walking the carpet was lots of fun with tons of pirates, stilt walkers, jugglers, and plenty of photo opps. It was a festive atmosphere with pirate themed music and everyone was having a jolly good time.
Here I am posing with a juggler as he tossed pins right next to me.
There was lots for guests to do. My friends and I had fun walking around and taking it all in. They had a make your own treasure chest station, several photobooths, and even airbrush tattoo stations. My favorite activity was the makeup station where they had makeup artists touch up our makeup. Thank you LORAC!
Thanks, 
From left to right- Gilles Marini (Brothers and Sisters/Sex and the City), John Voight (Mission Impossible/Transformers), Adam Brown (Pirates of the Caribbean) and Martin Klebba (Pirates of the Caribbean)
When the party was over we made our way to our seats to watch the movie. To our surprise some of the cast and directors came out on stage right before the movie started. Look how close I was to the stars of the movie when they took the stage. That’s me in the 3rd row. I was breathing the same air as Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom. Swoon!!!!
Are you excited to see Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales? I really loved the movie and can’t wait to take my family to see it this weekend. It comes out May 26th just in time for Memorial Day weekend. In this 5th installment Captain Jack Sparrow is being hunted by villain Captain Salazar who is seeking revenge on Jack for taking everything from him years earlier. We get to see a young Jack in a flashback and it is amazing how the special effects team made Johnny Depp look so young.
While in Los Angeles we will be interviewing Javier Bardem (“Captain Salazar”), Geoffrey Rush (“Barbossa”), Brenton Thwaites (“Henry”), Kaya Scodelario (“Carina Smyth”). We will also be interviewing Directors Joachim Ronning & Espen Sandberg and (OMG!!!) Producer Jerry Bruckheimer!! Have you seen the list of movies and shows that he’s worked on? Have any questions you want me to ask any of them? Let me know!
One of the highlights of our trip will be walking the red carpet at The Dolby Theatre for the Pirates of the Caribbean premiere and then of course getting to see the movie. This is my first red carpet event since I lost 80 pounds so I am excited to show off my new body in a beautiful new dress. If you didn’t know The Dolby Theatre is where the Oscars take place. I’ve been on the steps of The Dolby Theatre before but this is my first time actually inside. We’ll be rubbing elbows with stars. I wonder who we’ll see. Johnny Depp perhaps? SWOON!!! I recently found out that Paul McCartney has a part in the movie, too. I would probably faint if I met him. Make sure to follow #PiratesLifeEvent for all the up to the minute details and pictures. I’ll be sharing on 
Awwww, how adorable are these animals?!?!? I love Disney Nature movies. They’re educational but entertaining for the whole family.
BORN IN CHINA is rated G and opens in theatres everywhere 
Narrated by John Krasinski (“13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi,” NBC’s “The Office,” “Amazon’s “Jack Ryan”), Disneynature’s new True Life Adventure film “Born In China” takes an epic journey into the wilds of China where few people have ever ventured. Following the stories of three animal families, the film transports audiences to some of the most extreme environments on Earth to witness some of the most intimate moments ever captured in a nature film. A doting panda bear mother guides her growing baby as she begins to explore and seek independence. A two-year-old golden monkey who feels displaced by his new baby sister joins up with a group of free-spirited outcasts. And a mother snow leopard—an elusive animal rarely caught on camera—faces the very real drama of raising her two cubs in one of the harshest and most unforgiving environments on the planet. Featuring stunning, never-before-seen imagery, the film navigates China’s vast terrain—from the frigid mountains to the heart of the bamboo forest—on the wings of red-crowned cranes, seamlessly tying the extraordinary tales together. Opening in U.S. theaters on Earth Day 2017, “Born in China” is directed by accomplished Chinese filmmaker Lu Chuan, and produced by Disney’s Roy Conli and renowned nature filmmakers Brian Leith and Phil Chapman.
Check out the new trailer for THOR: RAGNAROK. I love Chris Hemsworth so of course I can’t wait for this movie to come out. Are you as excited as I am?
Check out the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES extended look:
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES opens in theaters everywhere 
If you’re a Marvel fan then you’ll love this. Marvel Studio’s GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 is coming to theaters May 5th! Check out this extended look:
Chris Pratt recently debuted a brand new trailer for Marvel Studios’ GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Check it out here: 
Awwwww, these pandas are so adorable! In honor of the occasion and with BORN IN CHINA opening in theatres everywhere next month, April 21st, here’s a panda clip and fun facts! So cute!!!
Have you seen Beauty and the Beast yet? OMG it is AMAZING! My whole family loved it. If you haven’t seen it yet, GO NOW! It’s even better than the original. Here are a few clips to show you just how awesome it is:
