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For this first in a new blog series dedicated to taking "a closer look" at Annette Funicello related merchandise and memorabilia, we're going to compare three different editions of the Walt Disney's Zorro: The Spaniard's Secret comic book; the United State's release, the Australian release and the Mexican release. While all three versions contain the same 26-page story that combines the three consecutive episodes Annette guest-starred in on the Zorro television series ( The Missing Father, Please Believe Me and The Brooch ), there are notable differences in their presentation and method of release. Lets take a closer look... * Click on images to view larger You may recall the story of how Walt Disney presented Annette with a script to appear in the popular Zorro series opposite her crush Guy Williams for her sixteenth birthday. Walt Disney's Zorro: The Spaniard's Secret is a retelling of those three episodes that Annette guest...

Readers thumbing through the pages of a popular celebrity magazine during the 1962 holiday season would have found this advertisement peddling a selection of gift ideas sure to bring a smile and Christmas delight to anyone on their gift-giving list.  Annette is prominently pictured at the top of the ad holding Max Factor products. We believe Annette first started promoting Max Factor the previous holiday season in a similar ad, published during promotions for  Walt Disney's Babes in Toyland .  Lets take a closer look at the products, as presented to potential Christmas shoppers fifty-six years ago in this rare "Annette" ad...  Annette, star of Disney's Wonderful World of Color ends her holiday wrapping with Max Factor's Hypnotique, Spray Mist, regular size and purse size. $5. Also available in their Primitive scent. Smaller, lightweight Polaroid Electric Eye Camera will sell for less than $75.  Makes 2 1/4 x 3 1/2 pix in 10 seconds....

It was 25 years ago today that family, friends and fans gathered adjacent the legendary El Capitan Theater on Hollywood Boulevard to witness the unveiling of Annette's "Star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.   The ceremony was held  on Tuesday, September 14, 1993 at 11:30am.  Johnny Grant, the Honorary Mayor of Hollywood and Chairman of the Walk of Fame Selection Committee, served as master of ceremonies.  Heartfelt...and at times humorous; speeches were given by Annette's lifelong friends and co-stars Shelley Fabares and Frankie Avalon.  At one point, Johnny Grant shared he had recently met the lawyer who wrote Annette's first contract in 1955.  The lawyer told him, "It's so great you're honoring Annette Funicello.  I've written contracts for a lot of young people but Annette was the only one who wanted to be sure she had some money to give to her church."  When it came time to unveil her "Star", Annette gasped in delight ...

We were honored to recently hear from the family of Annette's good friend , Arnold Dover.  Their friendship was formed in 1959 when Arnold was selected to serve as the official Master of Ceremonies for the "Caravan of Stars" rock n' roll tour. After the spectacular success of the Dick Clark tribute at the Hollywood Bowl in August, 1959, Clark personally selected Arnold Dover to serve as M.C. during the tour as Clark's daily appearances on "American Bandstand" limited his own availability to host six weeks of concerts in a new city every day (sometimes for two shows). In the decades before leading the "Caravan", Arnold Dover had become a popular comic in nightclubs throughout the country.  As such, he was already familiar with many of the rising stars in the music world, making him the perfect choice to introduce the acts that would appear on stage with the "Caravan of Stars." Paul Anka, Duane Eddy, Bobby Rydell, Lloyd P...

Giving us a feel for the reception The Shaggy Dog received upon its initial release, here is an excerpt from the article, "Walt Disney's 'The Shaggy Dog' Wins April Blue Ribbon Award"; published in the May 18, 1959 issue of the popular industry magazine, BOXOFFICE. Walt Disney and Buena Vista have a winner in "The Shaggy Dog," live-action fantasy starring Fred MacMurray, Jean Hagen, Tommy Kirk, Annette Funicello, Tim Considine, and Kevin "Moochie" Corcoran with that come-to-life Disney character, the mop-pawed, hairy-eyed English sheep dog, Shaggy.  In an unprecedented - at least in recent months - vote, members of the National Screen Council went all-out in their praise of this, at-long-last, "really-truly." family picture.  Bestowing the Blue Ribbon Award with an accolade-like gesture, a whopping majority has been chalked up for this entry in the April sweepstakes. Prophetic of the large percentages recorded in Baromet...

It's hard to imagine, but Jimmie Dodd, head Mouseketeer of Walt Disney's "Mickey Mouse Club" would have turned 108 years old today.  In honor of Jimmie - who was remembered so fondly by Annette... and all the other Mouseketeers - we're posting an excerpt from a magazine article published in June, 1958 that tells a little more about the man behind the friendly smile and Mouseguitar.  Enjoy! Jimmie wears a big smile as he waves from the group of little Mouseketeers and again as he steps from his mobile dressing room.  The dressing room and the Mouseketeers are two big enthusiasms of his. He's not only a young man of many talents; songwriter, singer, musician, dancer and actor, he's also and always, a happy young man. That he enjoys every minute of his work is evident in everything he does.  His irrepressible spirit spreads to all around him.   "I just like life and people," says Jimmie.  "I'd be unhappy if I wasn't...

A few weeks ago, on February 22nd, there was a special premier at The Hollywood Museum in Los Angeles, California to celebrate the opening of a new exhibit honoring our very own Annette Funicello. "Annette: America's Girl Next Door and the Queen of Teen" features a collection of photographs, wardrobe and memorabilia, that highlight many of Annette's greatest personal and career accomplishments.  The display is comprised of items from the personal collections of long-time fans Stacey Ash, Jill Hickey and Steve Kelso. Scheduled to be open throughout 2018, we encourage you to visit The Hollywood Museum to see this very special tribute for yourself!  Until then, you can preview a few highlights in the photos below. Among the celebrity guests at the premier were Annette's friends and co-stars (left to right) Paul Peterson, Johnny Crawford and Tommy Cole. Many treasures to be found within these cases of memorabilia! In this case one ca...