Disney Studios, Hollywood, California: Near the corner of Mickey avenue and Dopey lane, Walt Disney, in brown television makeup, spied a short chap with a fresh crew cut.
"My gosh, Ralphy, what have you done to your hair?"
"First time in 30 years I cut my hair off, and I get my picture taken for The Oregonian!"
The haircut under discusson belonged to Ralph Wright, a former Tillamook, Or., boy, now a top story artist in Disneyland. He's come a long way since selling his first cartoon to The Oregonian, 'way back in 1930.
"Don't be surprised at Walt as an actor," said Ralph. "He's really quite a ham!"
"In fact, I started out to be an actor." said Disney. "A boy and I had an act in high school... we wowed the kids, so thought we were great stuff. We got ourselves booked professionally, but got the hook the first night!"
Walt had looked very much at home before the lights and cameras, playing a scene for Jimmie Melton's television show. He had just finished a "take" with the attractive little English starlet, Kathryn Beaumont, who is the voice of Alice in "Alice in Wonderland." She now had rejoined other child players around a table, studying her school lessons.
Ralph Wright became a member of the Disney family in 1938. He and a partner had been operating an illustrated shopping news in Tillamook. His cartooning in that paper attracted the attention of Walt Disney, and an offer was forthcoming, which took him to Hollywood.
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