This is an amazing correspondence by a young Wendy from March, 1964. Seems she was a huge fan of Woody Woodpecker but gots his creator mixed up. She thought Walt was behind the mischevious bird when it is in fact Walter Lantz. Lucky for Wendy, Disney knows people in high places and was able to forward the message along.
It’s awesome to see that her letter got to that right person and that he was able to respond.
[source]
Letter One
March 7, 1964
Dear Walt Disney,
I watch Woodywood Pecker every week and see you on it. I like it very much and so do my younger sisters. Would you please send me a picture of you and some of the characters. Thank-you very much. Well, I guess I’ll go and watch Bugs Bunny.
From one of your true fans,
Wendy
Letter Two
WALT DISNEY
April 6, 1964
Dear Wendy -
Even though Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Ludwig Von Drake and the rest of our characters aren’t related to Woody Woodpecker, I’m glad to know you like him because he belongs to my good friend Walter Lantz. And I know Mr. Lantz will appreciate knowing you are a fan of Woody Woodpecker.
I am enclosing the autographed picture of me and a couple of my friends which you asked for….and I’m sending your note on to Woody Woodpecker. Perhaps you will get a picture from him, too.
Many thanks for your letter…and all best wishes.
Sincerely,
(Signed, ‘Walt’)
Letter Three
WALT DISNEY
April 6, 1964
Dear Walter -
As you can see by the enclosed….I get blamed for everything that happens in Hollywood!
However, this time it’s obvious this little girl has her Walters crossed — although I don’t know how the hell Bugs Bunny got in the act.
All best -
(Signed, ‘Walt’)
Mr. Walter Lantz
Walter Lantz Productions Inc
861 Seward
Hollywood, California
Letter Four
Walter Lantz
PRODUCTIONS INC
8 April 1964
DEAR WENDY:
WALT DISNEY, A PERSONAL FRIEND OF MINE, SENT ME YOUR LETTER REQUESTING A PHOTO OF OF WOODY.
IT’S NICE TO KNOW THAT YOU LIKE WOODY WOODPECKER AND YOU ARE ENJOYING OUR TELEVISION SHOW.
SINCERELY,
Walter Lantz
This was back when celebrities actually answered their fans. This is so cool!
HEY THAT'S A COOL STORY…NAWWWT!!!
DULL:
TLDR;
GIRL MAILS WALT DISNEY, THINKS HE'S WOODY THE WOODPECKER, HE'S NOT, DISNEY GETS WOODY THE WOODPECKER TO MAIL HER A PICTURE. BORING
OK this makes a lot of sense to me dude.
Lou
http://www.be-anonymous.se.tc
"From one of your true fans,"
should be
"From one of your t.v. fans,"
A nice move by a celebrity that supported his competitor, something you don't see enough of today. As for the comment from "boring", maybe if you learn to use a keyboard and let up on the caps, someone will care about your opinion.
"Boring", you're just proving that caps lock is cruise control for retards. This is a nice, lighthearted story, which is a welcome change from all of the depressing news everywhere else.
Boring is an asshole.
And a retard.
Walter Lantz signature looks a HELL-OF-A-LOT like Walt Disney's logo!
From the desk of Walt Disney:
Dear Wendy,
In your letter you failed to mention your religious heritage. As everyone knows I don't like Jews and wanted to be sure I didn't do anything nice for you if you're… you know, dirty.
Also, please enclose a photo of yourself to provide verification of your skin tone, I hates me some darkies too.
KKK Forever, yours truly,
Uncle Walt
pretty cool and a great way to touch a little person life in a positive way. people cared more then and now it is always about me…like the guy who said it was boring, not interesting to him I guess so give it a bad label. make something today about somebody else and see what happens.
It's interesting -and a testament to their character- that there wasn't bad blood between Lantz and Disney. When Charles Mintz took Oswald The Lucky Rabbit (and most of the production staff) away from Disney in 1927, it was Lantz at Universal who was then given the task of creating new cartoons featuring Disney's stolen hare.
Very cool, but how and where in the world did you find these letters?
So, my website doesn't even get a mention? You know, the website where you found the pictures and transcripts, that I typed out?
Nice to see that common courtesy is alive and well.
It's funny how "boring" said tldr; then went on to describe what the article was about, indicating that they read it.
It was nice to see the friendship between two competitors as well as the courtesy to write back to the girl. Most celebrities these days would look down severely on the girl for the mistake and be rude about it.
Walt would be upset if he discovered his Disney has been hijacked by overly feminized preteen males.
Luckily Walt didn't know the girl was Jewish.
I don't think it's boring at all, (if true) it's a testament to Walt's integrity. If more business men were like Walt, the world would truly be a warmer place. This is the man I'm talking about, not what his company has become. Rest in Peace Walt, you've been a great inspiration to me.
"although I don’t know how the hell Bugs Bunny got in the act." Made me chuckle.
So my comment – you know, the one about giving credit to your sources – patiently sits 'awaiting moderation' as other, later comments breeze past the queue? Classy.
You could actually learn a thing or two from Mr. Disney and respond to people, particularly when they have a valid reason for getting in touch.
damn you wont see famous people like this anymore kinda makes me sad to think of that but society has changed and not for the better all the time :/
Woody Woodpecker's cooler than any Disney character.
He's also cooler than any Looney Tunes character.
Ok, I love that. This is a great great great read.
LOl walter and walt corresponding.
AMAZING find.
Passing on to my Facebook friends. Thanks.
HMM who would win in a fight? bugs or woody ?