The Un-Fantastic Four

Long before Marvel Studios began its current run of success at the box office and before it became part of The Walt Disney Company, films made from its stable of characters were more often miss than hit. The company didn't actually make the films itself so it had very little control over their content or quality.

After Batman became a huge success in 1989, studios scrambled to find comic book properties that could be optioned for feature length films. Enter the Fantastic Four!

Marvel quickly optioned The Fantastic Four, but put a clause in the contract that a film had to be produced quickly, or else the rights would revert back to Marvel. Legend has it that this came into play in the early 1990's. The production company that held the rights to the film was having issues coming up with a workable script and risked losing the rights to make a film. They then embarked on a strange plan to retain the rights by making a film that would never be seen...

Turning to Z-List producer/director Roger Corman, they budgeted $2,000,000 to make a quickie film that would technically satisfy their contract with Marvel that a film be produced by the deadline. This would let them hold onto the rights with a minimum investment. (As a comparison, the budget for the 1989 version of Batman was reportedly $49,000,000.)

Many stories surround the production; the actors claim they were told that the movie was being made as a pilot for a television show. Roger Corman denies that story and insists that he believed the movie was real and planned for it to get a release. What is known is that the film never got an actual release. (Some say the master print was destroyed by Marvel and no longer exists.) The film does live on in bootleg copies and the clips that exist show a film with hokey, bargain basement effects, bad acting and a non-sensical script.

With Disney's heavy duty home entertainment presence, the film might eventually see the light of day if it still exists. At least, that's what its ardent fans hope. It might seem far-fetched, but if the 1980's sitcom Small Wonder could get a DVD release, why not an (Un) Fantastic Four?

April Fools Week: Strange But True Disney FACTS

The World of Disney is full of strange but true facts, guest myths, and other weird tales. This week, we'll cover some unique stories from Disney's past!

Disney Quote Weekends

"The welcome mat is out today at the Golden Horseshoe Cafe!"

-Slue Foot Sue

Disney Quote Weekends

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls- in 1923 Walt Disney arrived in California to follow his dreams. Dreams which led to extraordinary achievements and wondrous adventures! Adventures where natural majesties, bustling communities and groundbreaking discoveries would all find a place in his heart. Today we invite you to explore your dreams as you experience your very own California Adventure!”

-Disney California Adventure Opening Announcement

Enchanted Tiki Room - Wondrous Show! Wondrous Food?!?!

Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room was originally supposed to be more than a show; it was also supposed to be a restaurant too. Sponsored by Stouffer's, the Tiki Room was originally planned to be dinner AND a show. They even went so far as to furnish the show floor with tables, chairs and fixtures suitable for a restaurant....

But then, several problems arose. Would guests be willing to eat under unpredictable birds? (Even though they were robotic birds?) Would they be able to clear the tables to allow new guests to enjoy the show? These issues were deemed insurmountable, so Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room opened without the restaurant and has been wowing guests since. Do any elements of the restaurant remain today? Yes! Look closely at the cabinet sitting under the central fountain; its original purpose was to store silverware, cups and coffee.

Disney Afternoon: Live at DISNEYLAND

In 1991, the area in front of the iconic "it's a small world" was transformed into Afternoon Avenue, a special place where kids could meet their favorite Disney Afternoon characters and ride attractions populated with their Disney friends like the Motorboat Cruise to Gummi Glen and the Chip 'N Dale Rescue Rangers Raceway. The attraction was only meant to last for one year, but its success paved the way for the introduction of Mickey's Toontown.

1249 Tripp Avenue

On a chilly Thursday in December of 1901, a baby was born in this house at 1249 Tripp Avenue in Chicago, IL:

Nobody could have guessed that the baby born that day would bring so much happiness and fun to the world. This was the birthplace of Walter Elias Disney.

Disney Debuts: Mickey Mouse

Mickey Mouse made his grand debut alongside Minnie Mouse in the 1928 classic Steamboat Willie.

Welcome to Holidayland!

It's considered to be the "lost" land at DISNEYLAND- Holidayland opened in 1957 and was a nine acre playground for groups. Located roughly where New Orleans Square's backstage buildings and Tortilla Jo's stand today, Holidayland was meant to be a place where groups could gather in private surroundings away from the crowds at the park.

However, park management felt that Holidayland didn't have that Disney "Magic". In addition, many groups found that their members preferred to spend their time inside Walt's Magic Kingdom and weren't interested in visiting Holidayland. The "lost" land of Holidayland quickly closed in 1961. 

An interesting fact: the tent used for the Mickey Mouse Club Circus we profiled last week was repurposed for Holidayland. After the tent's second failed life, it was exiled to Wisconsin, where it can still be seen as one of the exhibits at the Circus World Museum.

Disney Quote Weekends

"Got out my old camp T-Shirt. Still fits; kinda and I'm rarin' to go!"

-Henry from The Country Bear Vacation Hoedown