In the early 1950s, Walt Disney had an idea. He was to build a magical place where entire families could have fun together. His idea would eventually become the Happiest Place on Earth: Disneyland. However, Walt did not go it alone. He surrounded himself with some of the greatest creative minds of all time: The Original Imagineers. These greats joined a company called WED Enterprises, a new division of the Disney Company. One of these originals was Marc Davis, character extraordinaire. Davis’ characters still delight fans around the world in Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, and it’s a small world. Read on to discover Marc Davis’ phenomenal life.
The Animator
Davis’ Favorite Inspiration
Image: Andy Reago, Flickr (license)
Marc Davis was born in Bakersfield, California on March 30th, 1913. Davis attended the Kansas City Art Institute, the California School of Fine Arts and the Otis Art Institute. Davis was drawn to zoos, where he would spend entire days wandering the enclosures and drawing the animals. Davis was a creator at heart, and he was poised to join the greatest creating company of the era.
Davis first join Disney in 1935 at the tender age of 23. Beginning as an apprentice animator on the landmark film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Davis quickly ascended the ranks. His character studies for Bambi are often considered the “finest studies of animal characters ever created at the Disney studio” (D23.com). Davis went on to create some of the greatest characters of all time in Disney features from Cinderella to Alice in Wonderland. He is often known for his designs on some of the most iconic Disney women: Cruella De Vil, Maleficent, and Tinker Bell. In the early 1950s, Walt Disney knew he needed someone to populate Disneyland with new, fresh characters. He turned to Marc Davis
The Imagineer
Haunted Mansion Graves
Image: c-lemon, Flickr (license)
Davis’ character driven creations first helped Disney in preparing the original Fantasyland dark rides. While Davis was not heavily involved in the storylines or production of these original rides, he contributed landmark concept art that would drive the tone of the land. After proving his worth in the development of not only film, but 3-D attractions as well, Davis took on larger roles in Disney’s upcoming project.
When Walt Disney wanted to populate an attraction with a choir of singing birds, he immediately turned to his animal-animator specialist: Marc Davis. Davis’ first landmark success where his designs for Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. Davis crafted the unique personalities of our four hosts as well as the carousel of birdies and the exuberant expressions of the many tiki drummers and chanters. Davis’ little birdies keep guests coming back every day.
Drink Up Me Hearties Yo Ho
Image: Chris Murray, Flickr (license)
Having gotten the knack of designing Audio-Animatronic figures, Davis was given a weighty task in Disney’s next project. Disney wanted to design a pirate attraction, but how does one take these criminals and turn them into a family friendly attraction? You make them sing! Partnering with the great designer turned songwriter X. Atencio, Davis created a world where pirates sing and dead men tell no tales. Even more magical, Davis’ wife Alice helped design the costumes that Marc’s characters still don today!
When plans for the “Haunted House” ride had stalled over and over again, Marc Davis was brought on board to bring life back to the project. However, Marc’s whimsical characters directly conflicted with another imagineer’s plans for a more brooding, seriously scary Mansion. In the end, Davis created the character driven second half of the attraction, while the other imagineer crafted the foreboding opening. Davis’ characters populate the famous ballroom scene and all his creepy creeps have materialized in the graveyard for a swinging wake.
Marc Davis wasn’t done yet! When Disney’s famous Jungle Cruise was in need a a small refresh, Davis crafted some of today’s most iconic sequences. Davis took the whimsy of the Jungle Cruise skippers and translated it into physical sequence that reinforce the wacky world of the Jungle Cruise. His famous Lost Safari (caught by a rhino) scene is often a huge rumble of laughter.
Retirement
Image: tsukikageyuu, Flickr (license)
Marc Davis retired from the Walt Disney Company in 1978 after 43 years of service. While he was no longer an active employee, Marc Davis also contributed to the development of Walt’s great dream: Epcot Center. Davis was also a significant advisor on Tokyo Disneyland. Marc Davis passed away on January 12, 2000 in his home in Glendale, California. Even though the man has left, his character lives on in the millions of lives his creations have impacted. So the next time you’re quoting the auctioneer or jumping from a hitchhiking ghost, think back to the man whose characters started it all: Marc Davis.
