Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life | DISNEY THIS DAY

Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life | DISNEY THIS DAY | April 26, 1981

April 26, 2026

On this day in 1981, the ‘Disney’s Wonderful World’ television series aired “Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life.” Haley Mills hosted the behind-the-scenes look at the process of animation at Walt Disney Studios. The program mirrored the book of the same name by veteran animators Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston. It included clips from 33 Disney shorts and features, as well as appearances by Pearl Bailey, The Andrews Sisters, and a host of animators. The show contained the first announcement of 1985’s ‘The Black Cauldron.’ [45 years ago in 2026]

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