Jim Hill on Disney

Jim Hill's blog is one I've been greatly enjoying for the past few months. He writes about Disney, and often about Walt Disney Feature Animation (WDFA). I haven't posted links to any of his posts to date because every time I think about doing so an even more interesting post comes along. For instance, did you know:

Disney tried to make a 'Beauty and the Beast' movie in 1954

In a 1965 interview with columnist Peter Bart, Disney actually said that he'd "never again" allow WDFA to make an animated film that was based on a well-known children's classic or fairy tale.

There are plans for a live action, martial arts 'Snow White' movie

Walt Disney Pictures is looking to put a martial arts spin on the studio's animated masterpiece, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs with the studio's 2008 release, Snow and the Seven. This live action feature (Which the studio hopes to shoot on-location in China) is set in the 1880s, when an reluctant English princess suddenly finds herself in need of protection while traveling overseas. And who then comes to her aid? Seven Shaolin monks.

John Lasseter helped 'fix' Meet The Robinsons

So we gave him a lot of notes, some really strong notes. We were very honest with him about the movie, but then I gave it back to him. I said, Steve, make the movie you want to make. Tell your story.

The Frog Princess will feature the first-ever African-American Disney Princess

Randy Newman and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band played "Down in New Orleans" (i.e. one of the many songs that Newman has written for The Frog Princess)

And those are just a few of the interesting gems Jim Hill reveals about Disney's past, present and future.