Walter Knott created Knott’s Berry Farm, and Walt Disney created Disneyland. Both parks were near each other, but instead of competing, the two Walters became good friends. In fact, they were friends long before Disneyland was built. This is the story of their friendship.
John Lounsbery was one of the famous Nine Old Men of the Walt Disney Company. He was a prolific and talented animator, and his hand touched most of the early work of the company. Art teachers noticed his talent early, and one of them sent him to interview with the Walt Disney Company—an interview that would change John’s life for the better. This is John Lounsbery’s story.
Cruella de Vil is the villain of the Disney cartoon 101 Dalmatians and the novel upon which it is based. She is an innately villainous character, seemingly born that way, with no motive other than to get what she wants, and no empathy. A classic narcissistic sociopath, Cruella is an iconic villain in modern fiction. Read more about this Disney villain here.
Darlene Gillespie is one of the original Mouseketeers on The Mickey Mouse Club. The most popular cast member in the first season, her popularity was usurped by Annette Funicello in the second season and thereafter. Darlene enjoyed a career in medicine, before becoming a petty criminal, and even did some jail time, before retiring to a respectable life. This is her intriguing tale.
