Win a copy of Disney's fabulous documentary Walt & El Grupo signed by director Ted Thomas, son of Frank Thomas- one of Disney's famous Nine Old Men animators, who also attended the South American expedition.
Released to the general public on November 30th..
The cultural exchange that Disney and the US had with South America at the darkest time in history... Wiki Leaks ??..none here..
The competition rules are simple...
It will run until Sunday at Midnight the 12/12/2010
Tell us about your favorite South American guitar player and why..maybe include a video link from YouTube or what not
or ...
Film yourself playing a lick of your favorite Spanish tune using the TG busking section..
I will pick a winner (and weight them equally) at the end of the competition, and Disney will then ship that DVD to you directly...
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An Untold Chapter of History Revealed Through Rare Footage of
Walt Disney and His Group of Studio Artists in South America
Walt & El Grupo
On DVD November 30
Special Collectible Historical Timeline Included With Every DVD Burbank, Calif., October 26, 2010 -- Walt & El Grupo: The Untold Adventures -- the insightful documentary from Walt Disney Family Foundation Films chronicling a 1941 South American expedition led by Walt Disney and a team of animators, affectionately dubbed “El Grupo” -- debuts on DVD November 30 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Featuring rare candid accounts from the studio’s head and his artists, the documentary illustrates the impact the trip had on American and global culture and brings new perspective to the Disney heritage that continues to inspire the world.
In 1941, when the world’s attention was fixed on the growing war, Walt Disney was called upon by the U.S. government to use a film research trip as a way of generating goodwill in South America, a continent the Roosevelt administration was wary of being influenced by Fascism and the Nazis. Walt personally led the expedition, absorbing the culture, befriending local artists and ultimately leading to the production of the classic films Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros.
The film is directed by Theodore Thomas, whose father Frank Thomas was one the “El Grupo” animators that accompanied Walt on the trip. Rich bonus features include 16mm Kodachrome footage intended as reference material, interviews with family members and historians as well as discussions of the personal and political importance of the artists’ contributions. Saludos Amigos, one of the films inspired by the group’s trip is also included.
Each DVD is packaged with a historic timeline created by the filmmakers, that parallels key events occurring during World War II and the development of The Walt Disney Studios from 1937 through 1942.
Bonus Features
Audio Commentary -- With director Theodore Thomas and historian J.B. Kaufman.
Photos in Motion -- A demonstration showing the technical process of how rare photos from the original trip shared in Walt & El Grupo transcended time and literally came to life for a unique viewing experience.
From the Director’s Cut
Home Movies for the Big Screen— The 16mm Kodachrome footage shot by El Grupo was originally intended to be reference material. With the making of Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros after the trip, these “home movies” took on unexpected importance.
My Father’s Generation— The return voyage from South America on the SS Santa Clara is the setting to understand some of the remarkable qualities of the Disney group and their generation. Cecilia Acle, daughter of a Chilean passenger, and Cindy Garcia, daughter of Disney story man Ted Sears, tell the story.
Artists and Politicians— In a return to the Urca Casino, conductor and music historian Roberto Gnattali reflects on the golden age of the samba and the Brazilian government at the time.
ALUDOS AMIGOS —The original release from 1942 is one of the films inspired by Walt & ElGrupo’s trip.
Original Theatrical Trailers
Saludos Amigos
The Three Caballeros

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