INFO: Fantasia at 80: Exploring the Composers and Their Music

Fantasia (1940) celebrates its 80th anniversary on November 13, 2020, and is remembered to this day for its beautiful marriage of images to music. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences even honored conductor Leopold Stokowski and his associates with a Special Award for creating this new form of visualized music. Normally, the film music genre serves as an accompaniment to a film, but this film was created to accompany the music. Walt described it best as “seeing music and hearing pictures.”

Eight composers spanning five countries and 286 years of music history are featured in Fantasia (1940); we will be highlighting them and their music throughout the month of December. First up: Johann Sebastian Bach!

Until then, please enjoy this selection of behind-the-scene images from the production of the film and be sure to catch Fantasia streaming now on Disney+

Mary Blair sketching an alligator at the Griffith Park Zoo.

Co-story director Dick Huemer (left), story artist Joe Grant (middle), and narrator Deems Taylor (right).

Story artists Ethel Kulsar (left) and Sylvia Holland (right).

Musical director Ed Plumb (left), Walt Disney (middle), and narrator Deems Taylor (right).

Artist and sculptor Shirley Soderstrom.

Sculptor Duke Russell (left) and narrator Deems Taylor (right).

Background artists for “The Pastoral Symphony” segment.

Sculptors Wah Chang (left) and Bob Jones (right).

About the Author: DBTN - FOUNDER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF DBTN

My enthusiasm for all things Disney all started when my parents took our family to WDW for a vacation. My first trip was at age 13. Since that first time, I have made a trip to WDW almost every year from age 13. As far as I knew there was only one place to vacation! My fascination with WDW began on that first trip. I wanted to know how things at WDW operated and what made it so magical. I wanted to know details like how many people worked there and the length of the monorail track. It is that fascination that fueled my interest in WDW. Each year that my family vacationed at WDW, I learned more about WDW as they built more parks and added more attractions. I am not the average fan; I want to know all the details and I love researching the facts of WDW. I research facts through the Internet, books and DVDs. To me, the best part is to conduct research trip at WDW. After college, my father was transferred to Orlando and I moved with my parents. Seeking employment, I applied for a job at WDW. I passed the first rounds of interviews and was proud to join the Disney family as a security cast member! The job was great. It included Disney-specific training and security training before assuming four duties: driving a security vehicle, standing a post, working in a resort or walking a park or other area. Sometimes I even had special duties like working the Epcot Christmas Processional. I would escort the celebrity guests from backstage to onstage. Interestingly, every cast member is given a WDW fact book monthly to aid in answering guest questions. The pocket book contained great Disney facts that added more fuel for my thirst of Disney facts. Well, all-good things must come to end so we moved back to NJ. In the summer of 2010 I moved back to Florida I am now living in Orlando less then 15 minutes from WDW and living the dream and have fun along the way. Favorite Park – Magic Kingdom Favorite Character – Mickey Mouse Favorite restaurant – California Grill Favorite attraction – Toy Story Mania Favorite resort – Bay Lake Tower / Contempoary First time at a disney park – 1976 & have been every year since Who was on your first disney trip – My entire family Favorite disney memory – My first trip and my first trip with my kids How far do you live from disney now – 15 minutes When is your next Disney trip? – every weekend Favorite Disney Movie – Jungle Book & Toy Story