FOR THE MONTH OF MAY THE WALT DISNEY FAMILY MUSEUMSHOWCASES
The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men

Also Opening Special Exhibition in the Museum’s Theater Gallery
Heinrich Kley: From Fantasy to Fantasia
May 11 to September 17, 2012

San Francisco, CA – April 6, 2012—Before they were the classic Disney films we know and love, fairytales were tales as old as time with quite different storylines. Explore what Walt saw in these stories and how he gave each film their own “Disney Treatment.” Among these classic tales was The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men.

In honor of its 60th Anniversary, the film will be screened daily at 1 and 4 p.m.  in The Walt Disney Family Museum’s state-of-the-art digital theater throughout the month of May.

At the end of World War II, Walt Disney wanted to reboot The Walt Disney Studios so that all his “eggs weren’t in the cartoon basket.” He and his brother Roy met the challenges of the postwar years by diversifying their production and expanding beyond the animation industry—and, more than 20 years after his arrival in Hollywood—Walt finally realized his dream of becoming a producer of live-action.

Originally released 1952, The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men was the Disney Studios second feature-length live action film after the 1950 release of Treasure Island. With the success of these two films combined, the Studios gained the confidence and funds to test out new techniques with the next—and arguably the most successful and technologically advanced—live action film, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

Heinrich Kley: From Fantasy to Fantasia
The Walt Disney Family Museum is also pleased to present the special exhibition Heinrich Kley: From Fantasy to Fantasia featuring drawings by Heinrich Kley—Walt Disney’s most admired European illustrator—paired with art from Disney’s famed animated film Fantasia (1940). On view from May 11 to September 17, 2012, this exhibition features 29 drawings by Kley and alongside more than 25 sketches, concept art, and maquettes from the Walt Disney classic film. Also on view are four of Kley’s sketchbooks which feature some 50 pages of intricate drawings. The Kley artworks are from Walt Disney’s personal collection and are on view for the first time as a collection in the United States.

SPECIAL EXHIBITION
Heinrich Kley: From Fantasy to Fantasia
May 11 to September 17, 2012 | Theater Gallery
This special exhibition is free with Museum admission.

FILM SCREENINGS
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men(1952)
Screens daily at 1 and 4 p.m. (except Tuesdays and May 5, 19, and 20)
Admission to the film is $7 general; $5 under 17

SPECIAL PROGRAMS
The Disney Treatment: Walt’s Versions of Classic Stories
Pixar Director, Brad Bird
Saturday, May 19 at 3 p.m.
$12 general; $9 under 17

Pixar Director (The Iron Giant, Mission: Impossible/Ghost Protocol) and two-time Academy Award®-winner (The Incredibles, Ratatouille) Brad Bird will discuss how Walt adapted well-known and even previously-filmed stories and created what are widely regarded as “definitive,” versions. From Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men; Treasure Island to Swiss Family Robinson, Bird will explore the appeal of these tales to Walt—and how his individual and personal viewpoint made them enduring classics.    

Look Closer: The Work of Heinrich Kley: Bizarre, Imaginative, and Inspirational
Friday, May 25; Saturday, May 26; and Sunday, May 27
11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. | Theater Gallery
Free with Museum admission.
Get a more detailed view and background of our special exhibition located in our Theater Gallery.

CLASSES + ACTIVITIES
Saturday, May 12 and Sunday, May 13
Disney Discoveries!
1–3 p.m. (drop-in program) | Learning Center Art Studio
Attention all young merry men and women! Come ye, come all to our Disney Discovery celebrating the 60th anniversary of Walt Disney’s live action film, The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men. For this activity, we will be creating Robin Hood hats and Maid Marian tiaras.
Free with Museum admission.

Saturday, May 19
Voice-over: Basic Acting & Character/Voice Development
Class 1: 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Learning Center Media Studio
Class 2: 2 p.m.–5 p.m. | Learning Center Media Studio
These classes—taught by Disney voice-over artist Ned Lott—will focus on performance for different applications in the art of voice-over acting. You will receive training on how to develop your acting for creative character voices.
 Space is limited. Registration and additional fee required. Contact: education@wdfmuseum.org

Saturday, May 26
Teen Animation 1.0
10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Learning Center
Learn the classical art form of hand-drawn animation. This class will prepare you with the techniques needed to begin your own animated scene. Using the latest technology, you will get to test your animation and receive critical feedback to improve your sills.
Space is limited. Registration and additional fee required. Contact: education@wdfmuseum.org

Tickets for all films and programs are available at the Walt Disney Family Museum Member Services and Reception Desk or online at waltdisney.org.

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ABOUT THE MUSEUM
The Walt Disney Family Museum presents the fascinating story and achievements of Walt Disney, the man who raised animation to an art, transformed the film industry, tirelessly pursued innovation, and created a global and distinctively American legacy. Opened in October 2009, the 40,000 square foot facility features the newest technology and historic materials and artifacts to bring Disney’s achievements to life, with interactive galleries that include early drawings and animation, movies, music, listening stations, a spectacular model of Disneyland and much more.

Hours:                  10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesdays through Monday; closed on Tuesdays and the following public holidays: New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Tickets:                $20 adults, $15 seniors and students, and $12 children ages 6 to 17;
Admission is free for members.

Where:                104 Montgomery Street, The Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94129
                                415-345-6800

Website:            
www.waltdisney.org                     
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