Hyperion Historical Alliance Press

06/16/2026

When Tom Sawyer Island was dedicated on June 16, 1956, Walt Disney was given a copy of “Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn” by two young residents of Mark Twain’s hometown in Hannibal, Missouri. Chris Winkler portrayed Tom and Perva Lou Smith played Becky Thatcher.

Walt was photographed holding two packages, one of which was the classic book, illustrated by his acquaintance, Norman Rockwell. The young residents of Hannibal presented the book to Walt as a gift from the Becky Thatcher Book Shop, complete with a dedicated inscription and the store’s bookplate.

Walt gave this book to Imagineer Herb Ryman in appreciation for his help with the original concept map for Tom Sawyer Island after Walt originally dreamed up the attraction.

In later years, this estate book was sold and has been preserved through the years by two different members of our HHA Board for its significance to Disney history!

06/16/2026

Seventy-five years ago this week, Walt Disney appeared on the “Ford Festival,” an early NBC TV show hosted by singer James Melton. The appearance promoted the upcoming release of “Alice in Wonderland” (1951), but this publicity photo gives us a nice look at Melton getting a first-hand look at Walt’s famous scale model train.

06/15/2026

Congratulations to author, historian, and scholar Mindy Johnson, HHA Vice President, on the recent opening of a new exhibition at the Muskegon Museum of Art in Michigan. Mindy curated a 10-galley exhibit chronicling the contributions of pioneering women in animation to run through September 27. She also has a new book coming out soon and has written other books and articles on this important topic, including for our HHA Annual.

06/14/2026

In her third and final film for Walt Disney, actress Dorothy McGuire wore these elegant costumes in her first and last scenes of “Summer Magic” (1963). Designed by Academy Award winner Bill Thomas, both pieces convey Edwardian aesthetics seen in the early 1900s. The second gown was even reused in Disney’s “The Happiest Millionaire” (1967).

Both costumes have been preserved over the last decade by one of our Hyperion Historical Alliance Press authors, as many of our members actively work to locate and preserve historic Disney material in private collections.

Born June 14, 1916, Dorothy McGuire will feature prominently in our upcoming publication about the making of “Swiss Family Robinson” (1960) by Kevin Kidney, Jody Daily, and Aaron Willcott.

If you like this kind of Disney content, follow along and share with others who appreciate our organization’s dedication to the independent study and preservation of Disney history!

06/12/2026

Born June 12, 1928, Disney Legend Richard Sherman made a lasting impact, not only through his music, but also by the encouragement he gave to so many in his lifetime, including Hayley Mills and Eddie Hodges, seen here during the making of Walt Disney’s “Summer Magic” (1963).

06/12/2026

With the passing of Margaret Kerry, we remember the live-action reference modeling she provided for artists as they created Tinker Bell for Walt Disney’s “Peter Pan” (1953). She was proud of her contributions to Disney history and was appreciated by Disney fans for her zest and enthusiasm in sharing her experiences.

06/11/2026

Disney Legend Yale Gracey has long fascinated fans of his effects work on the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean attractions. Here’s a photo from earlier in his career as a layout artist when The Walt Disney Studios partnered with the U.S. Navy on World War II training films. Gracey is seen showing artwork to Lt. J.C. Hutchinson in 1942, decades before publicity photos of Gracey’s work with the Hatbox Ghost made him a familiar face to fans.

06/10/2026

Congratulations to Disney Legend and animator Floyd Norman on being selected to receive a special Academy Award!

Presenting this year’s Governors Awards honorees!

Honorary Awards:
Glenn Close
Floyd Norman
Ridley Scott

Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award:
Christine Vachon & Pamela Koffler

Oscar statuettes will be presented at the Academy’s 17th Governors Awards on November 15, 2026, in partnership with Rolex. These awards honor extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement in cinema and exceptional contributions to the motion picture arts and sciences.

06/10/2026

“Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color” TV show featured many two-part episodes of such high quality that they were released theatrically abroad and as features on 16mm and home video in America. Starring Disney Legend Kevin “Moochie” Corcoran, “The Mooncussers” focused on a brave boy who uncovers a band of pirates working in darkness. Here’s the cover of the pressbook used to publicize the film’s theatrical release in England.