Fine Tuning: Animation News, Walt Disney's Palm Springs Home, and More

Walt Disney's Palm Springs Residence

• 🏠 Walt Disney owned a second home in Palm Springs at Smoke Tree Ranch, which is now available for rent.
• 🚂 Disney's desire to build a miniature steam train in his backyard was thwarted by the homeowner's association, leading him to build a concrete track around the house for Irish mail carts instead.
• 🏡 The Bob Hope house in Palm Springs is described as a massive, UFO-like structure, a stark contrast to its desert surroundings.

Fess Parker's Davy Crockett Cameo

• 🤠 Fess Parker reprised his role as Davy Crockett in the 1959 Bob Hope western film "Alias Jesse James" despite a falling out with Disney.
• 🌟 The film featured a star-studded finale with numerous western actors from the era making cameos.
• 🎬 Bob Hope personally requested Walt Disney's permission to use Fess Parker and the Davy Crockett outfit for the scene.

Animation News and Releases

• 💥 The "Masters of the Universe: Revelation" trailer was noted for its use of Bonnie Tyler's "Holding Out for a Hero."
• 🐉 "Wish Dragon" is praised for its charming story, great design, and John Cho's humorous performance as an annoyed dragon.
• 🐱 A new "Tom and Jerry" series for HBO Max is noted, with Daryl Van Sitters directing, who previously worked on early concepts for "Who Framed Roger Rabbit."
• ⚔️ "The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim" anime film is being written by the same team behind "The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance."
• 🧸 A "Ted" TV series is in development for Peacock, though Seth MacFarlane's involvement as the voice of Ted is not yet confirmed.
• 💡 "Monsters at Work" on Disney+ follows a new character, Tyler Tuskerman, who joins Monsters, Inc. as they transition from scares to laughter.
• 🎨 "Zenimation" season 2 debuted on Disney+, showcasing animation in its raw form, stripped of music and dialogue, highlighting the artistry of Walt Disney Animation Studios.
• 💰 "The Happiest Millionaire," Walt Disney's last live-action film, is discussed as a lengthy and unengaging musical, despite its significant production budget.
• 🎨 The "Cruella" sequel is fast-tracked, with the original film being praised for its soundtrack, performances, and length compared to "The Happiest Millionaire."
• 🎬 "Luca" is highlighted as a must-see film that should be experienced on the big screen, despite its availability on Disney+.

Podcast and Future Content

• 🎙️ The "Light the Fuse" podcast network features interviews with filmmakers and discussions on Hollywood stories, including upcoming episodes on Brian De Palma and "John Wick."
• 🎧 "Disneyish" with Lenta, and upcoming "Marvel US Disney" and "Universal" podcasts are mentioned.
• ⏳ Drew Taylor had early access to the first two episodes of the Disney+ series "Loki."