Disney's JACK DUNHAM Re: The original Mickey Mouse - Oswald the Lucky Rabbit

The late great American Animator and Producer, Jack Dunham tells us a brief bit of his history working with Walt Disney, Mickey Mouse and his original predecessor, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. I filmed this about 2 years ago in Montreal a week before Jack's 95th Birthday party at the old Pagnelli's restaurant.

Jack was a former artist, animation instructor and later a producer (unit manager) for Walt and Roy Disney. He started working for Disney in 1932. Records acquired from the US Social Security Administration show he was employed by Disney until 1947. Jack later moved to Canada in 1955 by invitation of the Canadian Government to manage Associated Screen News of Canada in Montreal.

After his mandate at ASN Jack continued to live in Canada where he mainly produced animated and live action commercials in Montreal and Toronto, Canada. He was the original artist of Montreal's famous St. Hubert BBQ Chicken cartoon character and produced their first television commercials among many others.

A week after this was filmed, Jack and his wife Dorothy were evicted from their Montreal appartment and placed against their will under Quebec Government care. Because they were now homeless and his wife was highly dependent on alcohol they were locked up indefinitely in a psych wing of an all French old age residence to prevent them from trying to escape. While in a wheelchair at 96 years old, Jack and his wife Dorothy (70yrs old) successfully planned and executed an escape to Ottawa by bus from Montreal where they were found by police in an Ottawa hotel a few days later and returned to the Montreal facility. I just received word 2 weeks ago that Jack has passed away. He was a real great and fascinating man with an incredible history spanning nearly an entire century. He never gave up hope and is finally free. RIP ol buddy.

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[shrinkingloretta]

I knew Jack personally 25 years ago or so. Jack was drawing Caricatures at a flea market on the South Shore of Montreal. He would take the bus back and forth the 30 minute drive and we'd keep each other company at the market when we weren't busy. Many of the stories I've listened to today, I remember hearing in person. Jack was a wonderful, wonderful man. I think of him often. He was definitely a man worth remembering and it was my honor that at one time, he considered me a friend. X's Jack