520 - Walt Disney Studios: 'Liberty in America Series' Research Binder (c. 1956)

Walt Disney Studios: 'Liberty in America Series' Research Binder (c. 1956) Original circa 1956 Walt Disney Productions studio research and executive memoranda binder kept by production staff member Gerda Robison, opening with an inter-office memo addressed "To: Walt Disney, From: Bill Anderson," dated August 7, 1956, on a "Citizenship Series." In full: "Our contract with the Department of Defense has been signed and the following is a list of suggested subjects to be developed: 1. Why We Serve, 2. Our Fighting Fathers, 3. The Declaration Of Independence, 4. The Constitution, 5. Our Freedoms, 6. Our Responsibilities, 7. Our Government, 8. Your Role As A Citizen, 9. Freedom Vs. Communism, 10. A Summary. Under the contract we can develop as many of the ten as we desire and our development can be either a storyboard treatment or a written script. Each subject should be developed into approximately a 15-minute film. Now that the contract has been signed I expect to hear shortly from Col. Mack as to our activity." The material goes on to outline the proposed "Liberty in America" series, with research on presidents, states, and notable American historical figures. In fine condition, with wear to the binder. From the collection of Gerda Robison, who worked as a story researcher and stenographer for Disney in the 1940s and 50s. She authored the book Dark Lady, and later served as Cecil Beaton's assistant on My Fair Lady.