Growing up Disney

If you grew up in America, chances are you’ve had at least some exposure to Mickey Mouse and his creator, Walt Disney. It’s more likely that a larger part of your childhood, and your children’s childhoods, has been influenced by the imagination of those pioneers who were at the forefront of creating the cultural phenomenon that is the world of Disney.

On Oct. 18 at the Left Hand Grange, Niwot resident Laurie Algar will share a unique insider’s perspective on what the early days of the Magic Kingdom were like.

Algar’s father was James Algar, who enjoyed a 43-year career working with Walt Disney. She will be giving a presentation about her late father’s adventures with and contributions to the Disney family of entertainment, as well as sharing her experiences of growing up Disney.

James Algar was one of the original animators hired by Walt Disney in 1934 to work on Snow White, and later acted as director and producer for the classic Disney films Bambi, and Fantasia. He also was a director, producer and writer for Disney’s True-Life Adventure Series, a collection of documentary films produced between 1948 and 1960, and numerous Wonderful World of Color television specials.

As the films were documentaries, that meant James Algar was traveling all over the western United States while filming. Laurie recalls a childhood of summers spent in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana, watching her father and his film crew work. Her presentation will include personal anecdotes about growing up in the world of Disney, and offer an insider’s perspective of what it was like behind the scenes.

Laurie will also share numerous photos of her father’s life, giving attendees a glimpse of the vintage glamour of the early days of Hollywood.

“My father’s films won nine Academy awards,” she said, adding that one of the many visuals she’ll share is a video of him collecting Oscars from a young Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood at the 1959 Oscars.

Laurie is an artist in her own right, working primarily in mosaic. She coordinates art exhibits at Winot Coffee in Niwot, and also pet sits locally. She often travels to give talks about her father’s career and her unique childhood, sharing photos, letters and behind-the-scenes tales with civic groups and film industry members.

Laurie Algar’s presentation is free to the public at the Left Hand Grange at 195 2nd Ave. in Niwot on Thursday, Oct. 18 at 6:30 p.m.