Delve into Kansas City’s ties with one of the most fantastic film companies through Disney 100: The Exhibition
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - It all started with a mouse - or did it?
Everyone’s favorite mouse helped open the Bank of America Gallery at Union Station’s newest exhibit on Thursday, May 23, Disney 100: The Exhibition. Visit KC Secretary George Guastello, who is also the president and CEO of Union Station Kansas City, greeted guests with an exclusive preview.
Fans of some of the highest-grossing franchises were afforded a sneak peek at more than 250 artifacts featured in movies, musicals and more.
“The exhibition spans 100 years of The Walt Disney Company,” said Lauren Kovarna, VP of Marketing at Union Station. “So, it includes 10 imaginatively themed galleries. Across those 10 galleries, we have over 150 artifacts. So, that includes props for movies, works of art, interactives and of course lots of photo ops.”
The story starts right here, in Kansas City. Visit KC reported that in 1911 Walt Disney and his family moved to Kansas City, Missouri when he was 9 years old. Here, he took weekend classes at the Kansas City Art Institute. A short stint in the Red Cross took Walt international during World War I for a short while, however, he returned to the metro in 1919, when he turned to filmmaking.
“One thing about the exhibition here at Union Station that’s different from the exhibition that was in Philadelphia and Chicago is we have created a space that’s called local connections,’ Kovarna noted. “We have nearly 50 items that are in cases, many of which have never been on display before.”
In 1921, Disney worked for Kansas City Film Ad Co. where he began to moonlight and make silent shorts that reflected local issues which were produced in his family’s garage. This is when he dubbed the term “Laugh-O-gram” and began to experiment with live-action trick photography. In May 1922, he founded his own studio: Laug-O-gram Films, Inc. which operated for only two years. The site can still be found at 1127 E. 31st St.
While it operated for such a short time, the studio was the birthplace of Mickey Mouse, the animated character that changed film forever. Eventually, Walt left for Hollywood where he produced his series: The Alice Comedies. After he tired of this, he took his first crack at animation, only to find out he did not have the rights to the character. This is when he decided to take control over the future of his own creations.
By 1934, Disney decided to produce his first film, Snow White, which brought new breakthroughs in filmmaking. Here, the Disney film legacy was built on characters that connect across cultures and generations. All characters build on classic tales that bring elements from tradition into films like Moana, Encanto and more.
After Snow White hit theatres in 1937, student leaders at the University of Kansas City, now the University of Missouri-Kansas City, who were in search of a new mascot, took it upon themselves to Walt with a plea for help in the mascot’s design. He responded with the art of a Kangaroo based on the newly arrived Jigger, a joey at the Kansas City Zoo.
“I’m not aware of any other college that can claim the most famous animator in the world drew their mascot; UMKC is singular in that respect,” said George Guastello B.B.A. ‘82, MBA ‘84. “As a proud Kansas Citian and UMKC alumnus, it’s a thrill to have a special section, Union Station’s Hometown Connections Gallery, that honors Disney’s deep roots here in our community.”
Through the years, cult classics like Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, 101 Dalmations and more have found new breath through the power of technology. What was once unattainable for live-action films became possible. However, individuality is still a staple of the film company through new costumes, props, animatronics and more.
The Disney live-action film collection began in the 1950s with Treasure Island and has grown to include titles such as Star Wars, the Avengers, Mary Poppins and more.
Music is also a large staple to the Disney company, with musicals and film scores. From Fantasia to Beauty and The Lion King on Broadway musical adaptations can be found everywhere, including in Disney parks.
“I did the music for the gallery,” confessed Steve Mazzaro, music composer. “I’ve also done the music for a bunch of films, Boss Baby 1 and 2 just recently finished, Kung Fu Panda 4. You know, they told me kind of what it was going to be, but I didn’t really know what I was getting into. So actually, yesterday was the first time I’ve seen this - and it’s incredible.”
Comedy and cartoons are not all the Kansas City native is known for. Between 1948 and 1960, film crews from the company were sent to remote locations across the continent which resulted in the Academy Award-winning documentary series True-Life Adventures. Today, the company has built a legacy on conservation.
“From the earliest Disney years under Walt, technology was always viewed as a powerful storytelling tool,” said Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “Great storytelling still remains the bedrock of great entertainment. In the years ahead, the fusion of technology and creativity will allow us to deliver experiences once unimaginable.”
As the company celebrates its 100th anniversary, leaders said they look to the future to seek new ways to bring stories to life. As Walt always said, “I just want to leave you with this thought, that it’s just been a sort of dress rehearsal and that we’re just getting started.”
“Everybody has a memory that’s tied to Disney because everybody has those memories this exhibition is really for everyone, whether you’re 90 or 9,” Kovarna concluded.
Disney 100: The Exhibition is set to run between May 24 and Nov. 30, 2024. Tickets rates start at $10 for school groups with other rates available and can be purchased online HERE
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