Walt Disney: A Life in Films

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Mel Giedroyc steps into the magical world of Walt Disney.

Mel Giedroyc steps into the magical world of Walt Disney, exploring his extraordinary life through the stories of ten of the much mythologised genius's best-loved works.

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Walt Disney: A Life in Films: 8. Disneyland

8. Disneyland

BBC Radio 4 - Walt Disney: A Life in Films, 8. Disneyland

Mel Giedroyc explores Walt Disney’s very own magic kingdom - Disneyland.

Mel Giedroyc explores Walt Disney’s very own magic kingdom - Disneyland, an innovation that would revolutionise the idea of the American amusement park.

Through the stories of ten of his greatest works, Mel Giedroyc examines the life of Walt Disney, a much mythologised genius. A man to whom storytelling was an escape from an oppressive father and a respite from periods of depression.

His name is truly iconic, but how much do we really know about this titan of the entertainment industry? Who was the real Walt and why did a man who moulded Western pop culture in his image end up on his deathbed, afraid that he’d be forgotten?

In this episode, Mel tells the tale of Walt’s most outlandish project to date, a project that would see his magic leap off the screens. This is the story of Disneyland, one of Walt’s most personal triumphs.

During the construction phase, Walt applied a “spare no expense” approach, determined to create a magical kingdom that was truly extraordinary. A building project like no other, Disneyland would revolutionise the idea of the American amusement park, make the Disney company financially viable at last and allow fans from all over the world to engage with and celebrate Walt’s creations. 

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Walt Disney: A Life in Films

8. Disneyland

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