21/04/2024
It was the spring of 1924 and twenty-three-year-old Walt Disney had his first big contract with a cartoon distributor in New York City. His little cartoon studio had moved from his Uncle Robert's garage to a rented storefront on Kingwell Avenue in the Los Feliz section of Los Angeles. Walt had hired an animator and and three ink and paint girls to help (including his future wife, Lillian Bounds), but his talents as a cartoonist were holding his cartoons back, and he knew it.
He decided to write to his old friend, Ubbe Iwerks, who was still working as an artist in Kansas City, to try to convince him to join him in Los Angeles. They actually have the letters at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, and I took photos of each page because I'm crazy! 😁🤣 The following is what Walt wrote to Ubbe (who still was not going by Ub just yet)...
"Dear Friend Ubbe...
I'll say I was surprised to hear from you and also glad to hear from you. Everything is going fine with us and am glad you have made up your mind to come out. Boy you will never regret it - this is the place for you - a real country - to work and play in - no kidding - don't change your mind - remember what old Horace Greely said 'Go West Young man - Go West' -
We have just finished our sixth comedy for M.J. Winkler and are starting tomorrow on the seventh of the first series of 12. Miss Winkler is well pleased with them and has given us some high praise - she is leaving New York for here June 1st, and I believe we will be able to start a twice a month schedule instead of our monthly schedule -
I can give you a job - as artist - cartoonist and etc. with the Disney Productions. Most of the work would be cartooning. Answer at once and let me know when you want to start and I will write more details - at the present time I have one fellow helping me on the animating and three girls that do the inking, etc. while Roy (Disney, Walt's brother) handles the business end - I have a regular cash (cache?) of kids that I use in the pictures and little Virginia (Virginia Davis, star of the Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Series) is the star -
I was talking to Mr. Davis last nite - told him you was figuring on coming out and he wants you to drive his car out - it is a seven passenger Cadillac - he will pay all expenses on the car - such as gas, Oil, and upkeep - I think it is a dandy proposition and the best way to come out - you could have a nice trip -
Mr. Davis says it is a good car - an old model but has not been driven very far. He wants you to go over to the Much More Garage 3220 Troost (under Georgia Brown's Dramatic School) and take a look at it. Just tell them you are figuring on driving it out for him - then write and let me know what you want to do, and how soon you can come out - if you can leave before the first of the month all the better -
Of course you would sell all your furniture and also your car? Wouldn't you? - I believe it would be best if you did - any ways write and let me know all the details - give my regards to everyone at the Film Ad and to the boys at the Arabian Knights - and also to your mother - as ever your old friend,
Walt
Don't hesitate - Do it now -
-P.D.Q.- (Phil here, had to look it up...Pretty Damn Quick😁)
P.S. I wouldn't live in K.C. now if you gave me the place - yep - you bet - Hooray for Hollywood-!!"
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this one!! I just thought there was something really cool about reading that exact letter the way Walt wrote it to Ub, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did! Thank you again so much for always reading these, and have an amazing Sunday!! 🙏❤🙏❤
