1964 Opening to "Walt Disney's The Wonderful World of Color"

[libertador14]

no estara en español???

[fromthesidelines]

Eventually, Walt focused more on "outdoor" adventures (featuring animals "on their own", or interacting with human lives), with occasional "Ludwig Von Drake" animated 'lectures', mixing new footage with "classic" Disney animation, and an attempt to create another "series within a series" (Roger Mobley's "Gallagher", in the mid-'60s)....and, of course, the ongoing "promotional" documentaries concerning Disneyland and upcoming feature films.

[fromthesidelines]

Thanks, Lorene. When Disney moved his weekly series from ABC to NBC in the fall of '61, he felt "liberated"; that is, unlike ABC, NBC didn't tell him WHAT to program, so long as it reflected the network's ongoing challenge to get more people to watch the program in color (their parent company, RCA {the leading manufacturer of color sets} was also his co-sponsor [with Eastman Kodak], so there were plenty of opportunites for each to "help" the other, in terms of advertising and promotion)....

[LoreneFaith]

@fromthesidelines Very interesting information. Thanks again.

[fromthesidelines]

Disney and NBC were made for each other in those days, as NBC was virtually the ONLY network to regularly schedule color shows in the early '60s [ABC only carried two or three weekly prime-time color series- including "THE FLINTSTONES"- from 1962 through '65; CBS- NONE, until the fall of '65]. Walt liked the idea that his studio's product was promoting color TV for the masses- which he couldn't do at ABC, which insisted he mostly feature Westerns and "early American" adventures by the late '50s.

[LoreneFaith]

@fromthesidelines Thank you for posting this very interesting piece of television history.

[IaoGawd]

Walt Disney Presents Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color.

Hehehe. I love it when Stephen Colbert does it, too.

[jsrosa1282]

@LoreneFaith Do you remember NBC's Sunday night schedule from the late '60s/early '70s? The Walt Disney program was on first at 7:30, followed by whatever sitcom they had at 8:30, and then the top-rated Bonanza at 9:00. Did you ever watch the Cartwrights and the Ponderosa?

[LoreneFaith]

@jsrosa1282 Yes I do remember. It was all so exciting because you had to be there to see it. No watching later. I did watch Bonanza and I really liked Gunsmoke too.

[jehobden]

@jsrosa1282 Those 8:30 sitcoms included Car 54 (1961-63), Grindl (1963-64), Bill Dana (1964-Jan 65), Branded (a western) (Jan 65-66), Hey Landlord (1966-67), The Mothers-in-Law (1967-69), Bill Cosby (1969-71), and Jimmy Stewart (1971-72). Fall 1972 NBC moved Bonanza to Tuesday night, where it got cancelled Jan 73, to move the NBC Mystery Movie to 8:30.

[jonfromncl]

They should have a whole network. "Disney Classics" or something. Only pre-90s stuff allowed.

[LoreneFaith]

@jonfromncl Wonderful idea! Disney, when will you listen to what your fans want!

[mattjnor98]

@jonfromncl There already is a whole network with Disney classics, it's called Disney Cinemagic. All they need to do is bring that channel to the US and I'll be happy.

[xxhappyheartsxx]

I wish they'd show us all of these great shows again, I seriously miss it.

My family loves disney. We grew up with it <3

I will forever be a disney baby :") <3

[LoreneFaith]

@xxhappyheartsxx I will forever be one too! You are right, Disney needs to bring back these great old Disney shows for the new and old generations to enjoy!

[MisterVideoGuy]

It actually sounds like 30s music, thanks to the high quality.

Do you, by chance, have the actual movie?

[LoreneFaith]

@MisterVideoGuy What movie are you looking for?

[MisterVideoGuy]

The Wonderful World of Music.

[LoreneFaith]

@MisterVideoGuy I am sorry but I don't have any information on the wonderful world of music. You might try goggling it.

[midnightcaller200]

@MisterVideoGuy are you thinking of the Sound of Music?

[Childist2]

Believe it or not, I'm 13 and watching this. I envy those of you that got to watch this stuff back in the day and really wish that Disney would go back to these kinds of programs. I am very depressed in this mad world I am forced to live in. If it weren't for this magic that thankfully my parents showed me as a kid being on YouTube, my life would be much less. I am very thankful for people like LoreneFaith for uploading these wonderful programs.

[LoreneFaith]

@Childist2 Thank you for your very kind message. You have really touched my heart. I too long for the days when the world seemed so much simpler. I may be a lot older than you but I too am feeling the difficulties of our society now. I just finished going back to school and now cannot find a job. I am so thankful for the classic Disney and all the things that create an escape from the madness. I love YouTube too. I love being able to share my video clips and meet wonderful people like you.

[trafficwarrior]

That must have been pre- land occupation of central Florida! LOL!

[superpeace321]

this is beautiful and very cute!!! I LOVE IT!

[WWEChampion16]

When Disney came in color in the 1960's people thought this is a wonderful miracle.

[LoreneFaith]

@WWEChampion16 It was a wonderful miracle. We were there to see it happen. It was so exciting.

[EricBBrandon1]

@WWEChampion16 slicker than snot on a door knob!

[AvatarRoku]

i love that they actually put this at the very beginning of the water show. it gives it a whole old-timey, "back in the day" feel. im sure it gave the older generation a flashback of their childhoods. its probably one of my most favorite parts of the show despite it being only a few seconds long.

[arturohernandez20]

When Disney... WAS DISNEY!

[WDI2008]

Isnt this what inspired the World of Color water show at Disney California Adventure ?

[LoreneFaith]

@WDI2008 Yes, this is exactly where the World of Color idea came from.

[blueman100]

i'm crying now

[LoreneFaith]

@blueman100 I understand. It really does bring back wonderful memories, doesn't it.

[blueman100]

@LoreneFaith you got it Lorene! thanks for sharing this video.

[fictionalfigment]

Benstudio13@ I totally agree with you. Phineas and Ferb is awesome!

[OldMrMemories]

I heard they froze Walt Disney after he croaked and his body is kept in that Castle at the entrance of Disneyland. Geez! You'd think the family would have given him a common burial.

[LoreneFaith]

@OldMrMemories I don't think that is true.

[LoreneFaith]

@OldMrMemories That is not true. Walt is buried in the same cemetery as Michael Jackson and several other very famous people.

[Benstudio13]

Does anyone else agree the only thing good on Disney Channel right now is Phineas and Ferb?

[herasfolly]

Oh gosh.. I remember this on Sunday nights.And anticipating something good and wonderful..Oh those days..

I feel sorry for children of today who have to grow up with multi choice rot that is on Disney now.

There really should be a classic Disney Channel...I know I would watch it!

[LoreneFaith]

@herasfolly I totally agree! It was so special and exciting back then cause we did not have DVDs etc....There does need to be a classic Disney channel. Disney is neglected a big population of fans!

[MIKEYPOOHBEARJACKSON]

such an classic intro

[Waterskisweetie85]

i miss the old disney channel.....I'm sure Walt is pissed right now with all the teen bop shit going on in the channel and not soo much of Mickey and the gang

[LoreneFaith]

@Waterskisweetie85 I totally agree! Disney needs to have a classic Disney channel and quite neglecting their fans of all ages.

[phuckizlam]

I remember we had black and white, and when TV shows came on, the announcer would say "In living color!" I was sure wishing I could see it. My uncle had a fancy color TV and it was remote control at that. The control had those big bottons that clicked, and the TV knobs would go in and out and the tuning dial would turn. I was fascinated. That was around 1969.

[LoreneFaith]

@phuckizlam Those are great memories. It was all so exciting back then.

[NP4Mayans]

Color was awesome in the 60s for a kid who only saw it in a store or up the street at someone else's house.

[LoreneFaith]

@NP4Mayans It was so exciting to be a kid when color television came out. I remember how excited we all were :)

[hebneh]

The whole purpose in renaming the weekly Disney TV show "The Wonderful World of Color" was to promote the sales of color televisions. They make very sure you knew this program was in color and that you were missing out if you still just had a b&w TV!

We got a color TV for Christmas 1963 and it was a very big deal. I remember this song, and this opening, very well.

[PlantainHurricane]

There's a longer and more, um, "upbeat" version of this theme that I saw in the Sci-Fi Dine-In Cafe in Disney World. Anyone know where I can find that version?

[CajunGypsy]

Hard to believe now what a big deal programs in color were back then. These days we take color TV for granted, but I am just about old enough to remember when it was a selling point for TV shows and networks. Thanks for the memories.

[LoreneFaith]

@CajunGypsy I remember the day that my Dad brought home our color television. He got one as soon as they were available so we were lucky enough to watch "The Wonderful World of Color" in color :) It was all so exciting!

[OohcoolProductions]

@CajunGypsy Nowadays 3D-tv is a big deal :P

[1952kid]

We had a b/w TV, so it wasnt so wonderful.

[soseztheleadr]

Beautiful.  ^^

[LoreneFaith]

@soseztheleadr It is beautiful and they have just opened the new "Wonderful World of Color" water fountain show at California adventure park. I can't wait to see it!

[NP4Mayans]

This was the very first show I saw on a color TV. It was 1962 and my parents took me to a wealthy family's house with an RCA color TV set. It blew me away to see a show that I had already seen in Black & White at home. A year or two later I saw The Wizard of Oz in color. My parents finally got a tabletop color TV in 1970. For the first week we would watch just about anything if it were in color.

[LoreneFaith]

@NP4Mayans I remember that time too! It was so exciting the day that my Father brought home our color television. We were glued to the t.v. It was just mesmerizing.

[Aussiemarco]

We never had this in Australia .. they took bits of this opening and edited it into a title called 'Walt Disney's Disneyland'. I think it was because Australia didn't get colour TV until 1975, so the 'Wonderful World of Color' shown in B&W would have been a bit strange.

[LoreneFaith]

@Aussiemarco Very true. It would have been frustrating I would think.

[Julian9ehp]

I'm trying to find a long version of the opening: "The hopes and the fears, the joys and the tears of people like you and like me."

[abacab987]

this was one of the first variety sponsored shows in color. The old indian head and cross patterns had been replaced with the peacock and other icons. The content of these shows was a mix of nature presentations with a charming narrator, classic donald duck or other cartoons specifically made for this show, and adverts featuring five minutes of description and clips from upcoming disney features. It was quite well produced. I was a kid then, and did not know the realities that I do today.

[LoreneFaith]

I am so glad that we were kids when this wonderful stuff was on television. It is still wonderful to see now even though we cannot look at it the same way that we did when we were a child.

[SBDisneyMagic]

This is the first Wonderful World of Disney opening theme that I can remember (and I was only 4 years old). In the world we now live in, it's so good to still have Disney to keep that inner child of mine going!

[LoreneFaith]

I feel the same way and that's why I post these videos just for people like you :)

[PDS1990]

It's about high-time that ABC re-amps the Disney Anthology Series... 54 seasons... wow.

[LoreneFaith]

Yes please! I would soooo LOVE that. They really need a classic Disney channel. We don't want no Hannah Montana.

[Mouseterminds]

As far as I've heard, this will be the opening music to the Wonderful World of Color show in April 2010.

[LoreneFaith]

If the show has that title then this music would be the only right one. Is this going to be at Disneyland?  Do you know what it is going to be like and how long it will be there?

[alaine93]

It'll be in California Adventure. It's a show in the lake involving fountains, lights, projections, and fire. They've been working on it for years so I bet it will be there for a long time

[LoreneFaith]

Do you know when it will open? Is this part of the California Adventure parks reopening in 2011?

[alaine93]

Spring 2010

They're working on major projects in the park (such as Silly Symphony Swings, Carsland, Little Mermaid Ride). Everything will be done by 2012

[LoreneFaith]

Oh Gosh, it sounds so fun. I am really excited about the Little Mermaid Ride!

[alaine93]

me too! they've barely started working on it though :/

[LoreneFaith]

Keep me posted :)

[alaine93]

I'm pretty sure it is. And they have a remake of the song for the finale

[trollheimer]

-sigh- Now that Roy Disney's gone, there won't be anyone making sure it's about the magic, not the money.

[LoreneFaith]

It is very sad news that Roy Disney has passed away. The last of the true Disney foundation.

[LoreneFaith]

I hate to think about that but I am sure that you are right. He kept things going the way Walt would have wanted it.

[dugger80]

I would love to have that too- sitting in front of the T.V. on sunday night... But I am afraid it's all about money now that Walt has been gone, at least that's how I see it.

[LoreneFaith]

I agree. It seems that the Disney corporation is all about money and not want the people want (kind of like the government). If they really wanted to please the Disney fans they would bring back Disney Vault and/or have a CLASSIC Disney channel.

[AllRequired]

He must be puking in his grave.

Money for the sake of money.

If it weren't at the expense of the classics, this wouldn't be so bad. But it is.

[LoreneFaith]

I agree.

[kryptonianpowers]

@AllRequired I really hate to break it to you, but Disney was not buried. He was cremated.

[AllRequired]

And with Roy out of the picture, no one's going to uphold the big guy's vision or philosophy.

Disney 2010: no heart, no soul, just greenbacks.

[alaine93]

that's not true at all

When was the last time you went to one of the parks? There's lots of people who truly care about Disney

[LoreneFaith]

I think that is true too so lets hope for the best :)

[jessicaalbalover]

I really Miss this show, why can't they bring back Vault Disney so I can watch show's like this and The Mickey Mouse Club and Zorro.

[LoreneFaith]

I really wish they would too! Can't they do something for all of us Disney fans who love the older Disney stuff.

[CubicalGirl]

I remember they used to show these late at night on the Disney Channel....i miss those days....now late at night they have the same crap they show during the day over and over again....I mean REALLY do Hanna Montana n Suit Life have to be on 5 times a day AND night?!!

[LoreneFaith]

ARE YOU LISTENING DISNEY!!!

[JestersJon]

they're bringing the wonderful world of color to disneyland's california's adventure in 2010 of spring. YAY!

[LoreneFaith]

Really? Is it going to be a ride? Is that when the renovation is going to be done on the California adventure park? I can't wait to go back there! There is suppose to be a "Little Mermaid" ride as well.

[TwilightLink77]

Its going to be a night time show.

[LoreneFaith]

That sounds great. I can't wait till they finish. I will have to make a visit to Disneyland again in 2010 :)

[68lincoln]

This is the 1960s opening that I remember. This and Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. Great Sundays!

[LoreneFaith]

Those were the days my friend, we thought they'd never end...

[aeatoc]

Alguien suba la version en español

[Basketbuddy101]

I've searched for this song for ages, unfortunately I could never find it :(

[imabeatlelover]

WoW....where do you find clips like this? These bring back so many memories! Is there a place to buy these?

[LoreneFaith]

I have gotten them mostly from the movies themselves. I have not been able to find a good source for the old television shows but wish that they would make them available on DVD, The Walt Disney Presents and Wonderful World of Disney, etc...

[bdsdwb]

I probably have a couple of hundred of these episodes on tape, maybe even more. They are on VHS and I would imagine not recorded in the greatest recording speed. I especially like the ones that had Disneyland themes and I have all of those.

[LoreneFaith]

Wow, I am jealous of that to be sure!

[dsneybuf]

It's sad; most of the times when they make DVDs of the anthology show, they only make a few thousand copies of it for the Treasures collection.

[waverly2468]

I enjoy watching 60's tv shows that have been released on DVD such as "The Invaders", "Love American Style","Mannix" etc. There is a lot of color in those shows (such as when an actress will be wearing a bright red or pink dress for no particular reason). Probably they were trying to take advantage of the new color tv sets that people were buying. Maybe that's why the women on Star Trek TOS wear such incredible costumes.

[oohcool]

When I was little, they used to show classic disney stuff like this late at night. I used to sneak and stay up to watch.

That's probably why I'm such an old movie lover now.

[LoreneFaith]

The classic Disney stuff is worth staying up late for, even now. I am glad that you are an old movie lover, so am I :)

[oohcool]

Do they even show the old stuff anymore?

[LoreneFaith]

I am sorry to say that they don't show the old classic Disney anymore, at least not on the Disney channels. TCM has been showing some of the live action movies this month (Dec. 2008) on Sundays. Disney really needs to create a "Classic" Disney channel. This would make so many Disney fans happy.

[oohcool]

Yes, it very much would!

Not only will younger fans be introduced to Disney's roots, but everyone else can go back to their childhood.

[catchersmitt0]

Yes.. I would LOVE to watch the old Disney shows. I don't know what they are waiting for. In a decade or two, the baby boomers who grew up with it will all be gone and no one will care anymore.

[chrisman737]

I remember when we got our first color television set. It was so incredible -- all the colors so bright and leaped out at you. I thought, "Who could ask for anything more." We could get a total of about 5 broadcast stations, all in color, and so we thought we were set for life!

[LoreneFaith]

We really appreciated the new technology back then and when a special movie would come on like "The Sound of Music" or "The Wizard of Oz" on a Sunday night or on a holiday it was such a big deal cause we couldn't just go and buy them and watch them whenever we wanted to.

[usabritcouple]

After that, I want to watch the episode! Love, love, love the Walt Disney era (as opposed to "Disney/Pixar"). Wish I had been alive at that time!

[LoreneFaith]

Thank God for film and for DVD's cause you can enjoy all of them now :)

[squally53]

What a pleasure!!! My brother and I would watch this every Sunday night from the porch looking into my neighbor's home because they had a COLOR TV!!!!!

[LoreneFaith]

What a great memory :)

[chickenstink]

hahaha

[ninelivecat]

I wonder how many people had colour TV sets They where expensive in 1964 Did they show these before movies in the cinema

[LoreneFaith]

No this was shown before the hour long show, "Walt Disney Presents" which was on every Sunday night. Walt Disney himself would appear after the opening to talk about the program to be shown that evening. It was something we would all be looking forward to watching every week and made Sunday nights special.

[ninelivecat]

Did you watch it in Color/Colour or Black and White/Monochrome on your set ? I can't

imagine many people having colour sets at that time even in America.

[frankftw]

In 1963 about 3% of American homes had color TV, 10% by 1966, 25% by 1968 and 50% by 1972.

[DNLARS145]

One of the few good things that I show some strong affection for.

[LoreneFaith]

I also still have a very strong feeling for the classic Disney stuff. It can make me very emotional in fact. I love Disney and Disneyland.