After 35 years, Walt Disney takes my advice and makes a Narnia movie
By 1969 I had read all of C.S. Lewis' Narnia books, and loved them. I thought they were great adventure stories, despite the occasional glaring inconsistencies, such as fauns moping about not getting Christmas in a world that obviously never had a historical Christ in it. I was also a big fan of an TV show that mixed live actors and animated characters called " The New Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." At some point during the TV show's one-year run I was struck by the idea that the technique of using live actors in animated environments would be a perfect way to bring the world of Narnia to the screen. Once I'd had that epiphany, it was obvious who should make the movie: Walt Disney. So I sent them a letter. I introduced myself and asked if they were aware of the Narnia books. I explained my concept for how the movies should be made, and suggested that since I'd read all the books, I would be happy to serve as an advisor on the project, should they be in need of an expert on the subject matter. The letter was mailed, and I had largely forgotten about it when I received the following letter:
WALT DISNEY PRODUCTIONS
500 So. Buena Vista St. • Burbank, California 91503 • Cable Address: Disney
February 25, 1970 Dear Hilary, We appreciate your recent letter suggesting Disney film projects based on the books written by C. S. Lewis. As a matter of fact, we are aware of his work but since our production schedule is established already for quite some time ahead, it is not possible to consider additional material at present. With sincere good wishes and thank you for thinking of us,
Cordially yours, 
Talk about making a kid's day! I was, of course, disappointed that they weren't going to hire me to help them make a movie, but the letter was really cool—especially the red Mickey on the letterhead. At any rate, I'm glad they took their time in following my advice. The technology for combining live actors with animation has advanced greatly since I first proposed applying the technique to Narnia, and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe movie that they have finally made is vastly superior to anything they might have done back in 1969. Oh, and by the way...Since I first posted this, I've learned that one of my best friends at the time that I wrote the letter (Tom Lynnes—still a close friend today), had a hand in the digital effects for the movie. These days Tom's a visual effects whiz at Sony Pictures, and he put the magic in the queen's wand when she turns the fox to stone, animated parts of the collapsing ice dam, etc. I'm tickled that even though I never got to work on the movie, my friend did. Funny how things turn out. |
