| “ | We now bring you Walt Disney and his beloved characters in their world television premiere. | ” |
— Announcer [Linking at the end of the opening Coca-Cola spot] | ||
One Hour in Wonderland is a 1950 television special made by Walt Disney Productions. It was first seen on Christmas Day of 1950, over NBC (4–5 pm in all time zones) for Coca-Cola and was Walt Disney's first television production. It featured Disney as host, with Bobby Driscoll, Kathryn Beaumont, Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy (who appeared on radio for Coke), and other celebrities who worked with Disney, including the Firehouse Five Plus Two jazz band. This special was actually a promotional program for Disney's upcoming theatrical feature, Alice in Wonderland. Kathryn Beaumont, who voiced Alice, was dressed like her for this television special.
Plot[]
Edgar Bergen informs Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd that Walt Disney has invited them to a tea party. Charlie is hesitant to go, but reluctantly changes his mind when he learns Kathryn Beaumontwill be there. While driving to the studio, Edgar tells the story of Alice in Wonderland, much to Charlie's dismay. When they arrive, Walt Disney tells everyone that he was able to buy the Magic Mirror from Snow White (who apparently got it from the Wicked Queen). Charlie insults the mirror, calling it a "hopped-up television set." This enrages the mirror but Walt calms him down. The Mirror then shows everybody what they wish to see. He shows Kathryn a scene from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Charlie the Mickey Mouse short Clock Cleaners (although Charlie wanted to see himself), Bobby Driscoll a Br'er Rabbit story, Mortimer a Pluto short, and Edgar, Disney’s animation studios. There, the cartoonists (played by Firehouse Five Plus Two) take advantage of Walt’s absence to have fun playing jingle bells instead of working. At the end of the song, they realize Walt is watching, and frantically finish a scene with Tweedledee and Tweedledum. The Mirror at first refuses to show the unfinished Alice in Wonderland, but changes his mind when everyone wants to see it. The Mirror then reluctantly shows a scene from the film. At the end of the special, Edgar has acquired the Magic Mirror. Charlie tries to make a deal with the mirror, but it turns out Mortimer is the new slave of the magic mirror. Charlie changes his mind and goes to sleep.
Segments[]
- "Seven Dwarves' Party for Snow White" (segment from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 1937)
- Clock Cleaners (1937)
- "Br'er Rabbit Runs Away" (segment from Song of the South, 1946)
- Bone Trouble (1940)
- "Jingle Bells" (made for the special) - performed by Firehouse Five Plus Two
- "The Mad Tea Party" scene from Alice in Wonderland
Availability[]
The special was included as a bonus feature on the 1995 Exclusive Archive Collection CAV Laserdisc of Alice in Wonderland, and later on the 2004 Masterpiece and 2010 Un-Anniversary DVD editions of said film, as well as the 2011 Blu-ray release. (Notably, the inclusion of this special on said releases are the most Disney has ever released of Song of the South on home video in the US.)