Duckman's Inside Report: Michael, the theme of next year's event is "A Disney Blast to the Past" and you have created two, all-new sculptures exclusively for the event that really represent Disney in the 50s and early 60s.

Michael Young: Yes, the first sculpture I would like to unveil for your readers is based on the wildly successful 50s TV hit "Davy Crockett." The story was presented in three different installments on the "Disneyland" TV series beginning in December of 1954, making 2004 the 50th anniversary of the show.

"Davy Crockett" is perhaps the most popular TV production Walt Disney ever produced. It caused a sensation and was a TV and cultural phenomenon, producing a hit song ("The Ballad of Davy Crockett") and a run on coonskin caps and "Davy Crockett" related merchandise across the country. The shows catapulted Fess Parker to stardom and led to two theatrical feature films ("Davy Crockett - King of the Wild Frontier" and "Davy Crockett and the River Pirates").

Therefore, it seemed only right that since we are celebrating Disney in the 50s (and early 60s) that "Davy Crockett" should be the subject of one of our sculpts. Kent Melton has done an outstanding job of lifting a pose straight off of the movie poster with a tremendous likeness to Fess Parker.

Speaking of Fess, we're delighted that he has agreed to join us next May. He is a true Disney Legend and was officially inducted in to the prestigious Disney Legends circle in 1991. Besides his role as Davy Crockett, Fess contributed his considerable acting talents to such classic Disney films and TV productions as "Old Yeller," "Westward Ho The Wagons," "The Great Locomotive Chase" and "A Light in the Forest." He also starred in the live TV broadcast of the opening day of Disneyland.

We could not be more delighted to have had Kent create such an outstanding sculpture and to have Fess be our guest next year. It's just terrific.

Duckman's Inside Report: Well, you're right, "Davy Crockett" is emblematic of Disney in the 50s and it's a great sculpture. The sculpture is also reminiscent of Fess Parker's role in the 1960s when he starred in the "Daniel Boone" TV series on NBC. Now, what do you have to represent the early 60s?

Michael Young: Somehow I knew you were going to ask that!

Well, there is truly only one revolutionary Disney feature animated film of the 1960s, that would be "One Hundred and One Dalmatians", and there is no better character to represent that film than Cruella De Vil herself.

Created by Dusty Horner, this incredible sculpture is a wickedly funny capture of Cruella at her most humorously wicked. I've shown this sculpt to many people here at the office and they just laugh at the depiction of Cruella, truly being a maniac behind the wheel.

I believe that this is the first time that we have offered a sculpture of Cruella De Vil in a non-Society member exclusive format. In the past I believe all sculpts of Cruella were Members-Only pieces. Additionally, I kind of like to think of this sculpture as a quiet salute to our beloved Marc Davis, who, along with his dear wife Alice, attended our very first event in 1999. I just love this piece!

Duckman's Inside Report: Well you certainly kept everyone guessing on the discussion boards and I don't think you could have picked two better sculpts to represent the era of "A Disney Blast to the Past" - - they're great! Any more surprises you would like to spring on us?

Michael Young: I think I better keep a few surprises for the event itself.

In the meantime, however, I would like to say that the same team that brought you last year's amazing cruise and all of our previous conventions (Tim O'Day, Wendy Eike, Craig Hodgkins, Mark Haberman, yours truly, etc.) are all working on the 2004 event. No pun intended, but it really is going to be a "Blast" (OK, yes, that pun was intended).

We're inviting everyone back as returning students to Medfield College (featured in "The Absent-Minded Professor," "Son of Flubber" and later, "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes").

It's the "College of Disney Knowledge," so everyone had better brush up on their Disney studies and be sure to wear your finest poodle skirts, leather jackets and letterman sweaters to our rockin' Graduation Sock Hop on Saturday night.

Also, registration just opened to the general public on Wednesday (10/15) and reservations are going fast. We have always met our attendance projections so I would encourage anyone interested in attending our "Blast to the Past" not to take too long to decide. If your readers have any questions they should call Walt Disney Special Events at (407) 827-7600.

Well, I have to go now. I have to pick-up my buckskins and coonskin cap at the dry cleaners and get my roadster out of the repair shop!

Duckman's Inside Report: Our many thanks to Michael Young for giving our readers the very first glimpse at two new, terrific sculptures from the Walt Disney Classics Collection, coming soon to collectors who attend next year's "Disney Blast to the Past!"

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