Category Archives: 1941: The Disney Strike

Margaret Thatcher and Labo(u)r Strikes

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Art Babbitt

Yesterday’s news that Margaret Thatcher passed away left me with recollections of the musical “Billy Elliot.”  Did you manage to catch this show while it was on Broadway?  Its backdrop is the tumultuous UK coal miners’ strike in the 1980s, … Continue reading →

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Dennis the Union Menace

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Art Babbitt

I recently got a hold of the autobiography of Hank Ketcham, creator of the comic strip Dennis the Menace, aptly called The Merchant of Dennis.  The book is filled with photos and illustrations on every page, and reminds me a … Continue reading →

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SAG and the Disney Strike – June 1941

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Art Babbitt

In the early days of the Disney strike, (probably within two days of the first picket,) chairman of the Screen Cartoonists Guild Art Babbitt, with Disney striker John McLeish, contacted the Screen Actors Guild and petitioned the SAG executive board … Continue reading →

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Disney Subversives: Ward Kimball and Walt Kelly

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Art Babbitt

Of all the real-life characters in Disney history, Ward Kimball (b. 3/4/14) is one of the most fascinating.  Among the “Nine Old Men” of Disney animation, i.e. the company loyalists, Kimball was the only one who unequivocally felt that the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1932-1941: Disney Glory Days, 1941: The Disney Strike, Animation, Disney, Illustration, music, politics | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Donald Duck says Disney is Unfair

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Art Babbitt

You’ve got to admit, the Disney strikers of ’41 knew how to design a flyer.

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Aldous Huxley on New Years Day

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Art Babbitt

To give you an idea of the scope of Babbitt’s celebrity while working at the Disney Studios, at age 34 he was invited to Aldous Huxley’s home for New Years.  A quote from Babbitt’s journal on Jan 1, 1942: Rang … Continue reading →

Posted in 1932-1941: Disney Glory Days, 1941: The Disney Strike, Alice in Wonderland, Animation, California, Disney, Dumbo, Fantasia, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hi Rez Disney Strike Protest Sign

Posted on October 7, 2012 by Art Babbitt

Tomorrow is Art Babbitt’s birthday.  In the meantime, enjoy this:  a hi-rez image of my favorite protest sign from the 1941 Disney strike.

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Happy Anniversary Disney Union and Occupy Movement

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Art Babbitt

Just about a week ago, we had 2 labor milestones: The one-year anniverary of the Occupy Movement (starting in Wall Street, New York) and the completion of the 70th full year of Disney’s company union (on Sept 21). Ok, it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941: The Disney Strike, Animation, California, Disney, FDR, Film, Labor, miscellaneous, OWS, politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Occupy Disney

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Art Babbitt

People protesting, all day, every day, demanding fair wages from the one percent, for they were the ninety-nine percent. Singing songs and carrying signs.  Dressing in costume.  Marching and chanting.  Camping on the neighboring grass.  A tent city in a … Continue reading →

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The Babbitt Diary: “The Reluctant Dragon”

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Art Babbitt

As posted previously, Art Babbitt, the leader of the 1941 Disney Strike (though not the organizer – but more on that later), led the picket at the premiere of Walt Disney’s 5th feature film, The Reluctant Dragon. Have you seen … Continue reading →

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