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.
Mary Blair was a prominent animator and color designer for the Walt Disney Company. She got her start in 1940, and made an immediate and excellent impression on Walt. Even after resigning from the company as a full-time employee, Walt kept bringing her back to work on projects for his company. Here is her story.
Eric Larson was a Disney animator, and later became a Disney Legend. Yet, Eric did not want to work at the Disney Company in the beginning. He ended up there by chance, wanted to quit, was talked into staying, and became the company’s longest-serving employee at the time of his retirement. This is Eric’s intriguing story from reluctant employee to beloved Disney treasure.
WWII was an interesting time for Walt Disney and his company. The war affected the company’s revenues in worldwide box office receipts, and debt was an issue. However, Walt also jumped in to the war effort, using his company to undertake a number of projects for the government. He also became more politically involved. Here is the story.
