Ward Kimball

Ward Kimball

While Kimball was a brilliant draftsman, he preferred to work on comical characters rather than realistic human designs. Animating came easily to him and he was constantly looking to do things differently. Because of this, Walt Disney called Ward a genius in the book The Story Of Walt Disney. While there were many talented animators at Disney, Ward's efforts stand out as especially unique.Kimball created several classic Disney characters including the Crows in Dumbo; Tweedledum and Tweedledee, the Mad Hatter and the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland; the Mice and Lucifer the Cat from Cinderella; and Jiminy Cricket fromPinocchio. He also animated the famous "Three Caballeros" musical number from the Disney film of the same name.In 1953, Kimball became a director and was responsible for the Academy Award-winning short Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom, and three Disney television shows about outer space that put the United States into the space program. He received anAcademy Award for the short animated cartoon It's Tough to Be a Bird.Ward Kimball was profiled by the Academy Award-winning producer Jerry Fairbanks in his Paramount Pictures film short series Unusual Occupations. This 35mm Magnacolor film short was released theatrically in 1944 and focused on Kimball's backyard railroad and full sized locomotive.Kimball was also a jazz trombonist. He founded and led the seven-piece Dixieland band Firehouse Five Plus Two, in which he played trombone. The band made at least 13 LP records and toured clubs, college campuses and jazz festivals from the 1940s to early 1970s. Kimball once said that Walt Disney permitted the second career as long as it did not interfere with his animation work.Kimball continued to work at Disney up until the early 1970s, working on the Disney anthology television series, being one of the writers for Babes in Toyland, creating animation for Mary Poppins, directing the animation for Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and working on titles for feature films such as The Adventures Of Bullwhip Griffin and Million Dollar Duck. His last staff work for Disney was producing and directing the Disney TV show The Mouse Factory. He continued to do various projects on his own, even returning to Disney to do some publicity tours. Additionally, Kimball worked on an attraction for Disney's EPCOT Center called The World Of Motion.

  • Title: Ward Kimball
  • Popularity: 2.438
  • Known For: Visual Effects
  • Birthday: 1914-03-04
  • Place of Birth: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
  • Homepage:
  • Also Known As: Ward Walrath Kimball
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Ward Kimball Movies

  • 1941
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    The Reluctant Dragon

    The Reluctant Dragon

    6.6 1941 HD

    Humorist Robert Benchley attempts to find Walt Disney to ask him to adapt a short story about a gentle dragon who would rather recite poetry than be...

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  • 1988
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    Roger Rabbit and the Secrets of Toon Town

    Roger Rabbit and the Secrets of Toon Town

    6.2 1988 HD

    A behind-the-scenes documentary hosted by Joanna Cassidy on the making of Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

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  • 2007
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    The Pixar Story

    The Pixar Story

    7.5 2007 HD

    A look at the first years of Pixar Animation Studios - from the success of "Toy Story" and Pixar's promotion of talented people, to the building of...

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  • 2009
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    Waking Sleeping Beauty

    Waking Sleeping Beauty

    7.2 2009 HD

    By the mid-1980s, the fabled animation studios of Walt Disney had fallen on hard times. The artists were polarized between newcomers hungry to...

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  • 1989
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    The Wizard of Speed and Time

    The Wizard of Speed and Time

    6.2 1989 HD

    A Hollywood filmmaker (Mike Jittlov) makes a short for an evil film studio. Unbeknownst to him, the producer has placed a bet of $25,000 that he...

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  • 1997
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    The Story Behind Walt Disney's 'Fun and Fancy Free'

    The Story Behind Walt Disney's 'Fun and Fancy Free'

    7 1997 HD

    From all the cartoons Walt Disney and his team create a full length feature film fun and fancy free . Learn the story of how ww2 Changed bongo and...

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  • 1989
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    It All Started with a Mouse: The Disney Story

    It All Started with a Mouse: The Disney Story

    1 1989 HD

    The story of Walt Disney and the company he built.

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  • 1993
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    Pinocchio: The Making of a Masterpiece

    Pinocchio: The Making of a Masterpiece

    1 1993 HD

    The making of the Disney classic hosted by Robby Benson.

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  • 2009
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    The Making of 'Pinocchio': No Strings Attached

    The Making of 'Pinocchio': No Strings Attached

    1 2009 HD

    Documentary focusing on the making-of the 1940n adaptation of Pinocchio by the Disney studio, often considered the artistic pinnacle of the Disney...

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  • 2019
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    Apollo: Missions to the Moon

    Apollo: Missions to the Moon

    7.3 2019 HD

    National Geographic's riveting effort recounts all 12 crewed missions using only archival footage, photos and audio.

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  • 2005
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    The Cinderella That Almost Was

    The Cinderella That Almost Was

    1 2005 HD

    Documentary about other potential concepts floated for Disney's Cinderella.

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  • 2005
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    From Walt's Table: A Tribute to Disney's Nine Old Men

    From Walt's Table: A Tribute to Disney's Nine Old Men

    1 2005 HD

    Film critic Joel Siegel gets together with a group of animators, directors and producers to discuss and pay tribute to their mentors and Walt...

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  • 2022
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    Mickey: The Story of a Mouse

    Mickey: The Story of a Mouse

    7 2022 HD

    Mickey Mouse is one of the most enduring symbols in our history. Those three simple circles take on meaning for virtually everyone on the planet. So...

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  • 2000
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    A Wish Came True: The Making of 'Pinocchio'

    A Wish Came True: The Making of 'Pinocchio'

    1 2000 HD

    This documentary showcases the making of "Pinocchio".

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  • 1969
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    It's Tough to Be a Bird

    It's Tough to Be a Bird

    6 1969 HD

    Part cartoon and part documentary, this film offers a humorous look at birds and the ways people perceive them.

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  • 1981
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    Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life

    Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life

    1 1981 HD

    Former Disney child star Hayley Mills returns to the Walt Disney Studio for a look at the techniques of animated film production, with various...

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  • 1950
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    One Hour in Wonderland

    One Hour in Wonderland

    7 1950 HD

    Airing on Christmas Day, 1950, this holiday special was the first Disney TV production. It features Edgar Bergen with Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer...

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  • 1956
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    Walt Disney's Where Do the Stories Come From?

    Walt Disney's Where Do the Stories Come From?

    1 1956 HD

    Walt answers the often-asked question of just where the stories for his studio's cartoons come from, which is from practically anywhere.

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  • 2004
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    Walt Disney's Fables - Vol.6

    Walt Disney's Fables - Vol.6

    8.8 2004 HD

    Two classic animated shorts from the Disney studios. In 'The Reluctant Dragon' (1941), a young boy and a famous dragon fighter team up to teach a...

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  • 2000
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    The Fantasia Legacy: The Concert Feature

    The Fantasia Legacy: The Concert Feature

    8 2000 HD

    Documentary on the making of Walt Disney’s Fantasia.

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  • 1941
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    The Nifty Nineties

    The Nifty Nineties

    5.9 1941 HD

    Mickey courts Minnie in the Gay Nineties: they take in a vaudeville show and go for a drive in his horseless carriage, to the strains of "While...

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  • 1951
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    Operation Wonderland

    Operation Wonderland

    7.3 1951 HD

    1951 behind the scenes featurette of the Walt Disney animated classic.

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  • 1959
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    Disneyland '59

    Disneyland '59

    6.5 1959 HD

    Walt Disney and Art Linkletter co-host a live celebration of Disneyland's 1959 expansion that consisted of the debuts of Matterhorn Bobsleds, the...

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  • 1954
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    The Disneyland Story

    The Disneyland Story

    7.5 1954 HD

    Walt Disney presents a preview for both his upcoming park called Disneyland and several episodes of the show to come. Then the show focuses primarily...

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  • 2005
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    From Rags to Riches: The Making of Cinderella

    From Rags to Riches: The Making of Cinderella

    10 2005 HD

    The making of Cinderella (1950).

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  • 1961
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    Babes in Toyland

    Babes in Toyland

    5.9 1961 HD

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  • 1953
    imgMovies

    Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom

    Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom

    6.6 1953 HD

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  • 1953
    imgMovies

    Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom

    Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom

    6.6 1953 HD

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  • 1943
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    Education for Death: The Making of the Nazi

    Education for Death: The Making of the Nazi

    6.8 1943 HD

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  • 1943
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    Chicken Little

    Chicken Little

    7 1943 HD

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  • 1943
    imgMovies

    Reason and Emotion

    Reason and Emotion

    6.2 1943 HD

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  • 1943
    imgMovies

    The Spirit of '43

    The Spirit of '43

    4.9 1943 HD

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  • 1943
    imgMovies

    Victory Vehicles

    Victory Vehicles

    6.5 1943 HD

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  • 1946
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    Willie the Operatic Whale

    Willie the Operatic Whale

    6 1946 HD

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  • 1938
    imgMovies

    Ferdinand the Bull

    Ferdinand the Bull

    6.5 1938 HD

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  • 1968
    imgMovies

    Pacifically Peeking

    Pacifically Peeking

    1 1968 HD

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  • 1938
    imgMovies

    Mother Goose Goes Hollywood

    Mother Goose Goes Hollywood

    5.4 1938 HD

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  • 1936
    imgMovies

    More Kittens

    More Kittens

    5.5 1936 HD

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  • 1941
    imgMovies

    The Nifty Nineties

    The Nifty Nineties

    5.9 1941 HD

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  • 1941
    imgMovies

    The Little Whirlwind

    The Little Whirlwind

    6.4 1941 HD

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  • 1963
    imgMovies

    Fly With Von Drake

    Fly With Von Drake

    1 1963 HD

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  • 1953
    imgMovies

    Melody

    Melody

    5.733 1953 HD

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  • 1953
    imgMovies

    Melody

    Melody

    5.733 1953 HD

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  • 1939
    imgMovies

    The Autograph Hound

    The Autograph Hound

    6.6 1939 HD

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  • 1944
    imgMovies

    The Pelican and the Snipe

    The Pelican and the Snipe

    5.8 1944 HD

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  • 1934
    imgMovies

    The Wise Little Hen

    The Wise Little Hen

    6.5 1934 HD

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  • 1969
    imgMovies

    It's Tough to Be a Bird

    It's Tough to Be a Bird

    6 1969 HD

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  • 1969
    imgMovies

    It's Tough to Be a Bird

    It's Tough to Be a Bird

    6 1969 HD

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  • 1955
    imgMovies

    Man in Space

    Man in Space

    6.6 1955 HD

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  • 1959
    imgMovies

    Eyes in Outer Space

    Eyes in Outer Space

    7 1959 HD

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  • 1970
    imgMovies

    Dad... Can I Borrow the Car?

    Dad... Can I Borrow the Car?

    8.2 1970 HD

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  • 1947
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    Fun and Fancy Free

    Fun and Fancy Free

    6.3 1947 HD

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  • 1934
    imgMovies

    Mickey Plays Papa

    Mickey Plays Papa

    5.5 1934 HD

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  • 1934
    imgMovies

    Orphan's Benefit

    Orphan's Benefit

    5.9 1934 HD

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  • 1934
    imgMovies

    The Hot Choc-late Soldiers

    The Hot Choc-late Soldiers

    5.4 1934 HD

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  • 1936
    imgMovies

    Elmer Elephant

    Elmer Elephant

    6.1 1936 HD

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  • 1937
    imgMovies

    Woodland Café

    Woodland Café

    6.2 1937 HD

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  • 1935
    imgMovies

    Pluto's Judgement Day

    Pluto's Judgement Day

    6.5 1935 HD

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  • 1935
    imgMovies

    The Tortoise and the Hare

    The Tortoise and the Hare

    6.6 1935 HD

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  • 1936
    imgMovies

    Toby Tortoise Returns

    Toby Tortoise Returns

    6.1 1936 HD

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  • 1957
    imgMovies

    Disneyland: Mars and Beyond

    Disneyland: Mars and Beyond

    10 1957 HD

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  • 1968
    imgMovies

    Escalation

    Escalation

    1 1968 HD

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  • 1941
    imgMovies

    The Reluctant Dragon

    The Reluctant Dragon

    6.6 1941 HD

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  • 1940
    imgMovies

    Fantasia

    Fantasia

    7.4 1940 HD

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  • 1941
    imgMovies

    Dumbo

    Dumbo

    7 1941 HD

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  • 1946
    imgMovies

    Peter and the Wolf

    Peter and the Wolf

    6.7 1946 HD

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  • 1938
    imgMovies

    Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

    Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

    7.122 1938 HD

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  • 1940
    imgMovies

    Pinocchio

    Pinocchio

    7.1 1940 HD

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  • 1971
    imgMovies

    Bedknobs and Broomsticks

    Bedknobs and Broomsticks

    7 1971 HD

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  • 1951
    imgMovies

    Alice in Wonderland

    Alice in Wonderland

    7.196 1951 HD

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  • 1934
    imgMovies

    The Goddess of Spring

    The Goddess of Spring

    6.2 1934 HD

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  • 1948
    imgMovies

    Pecos Bill

    Pecos Bill

    5.9 1948 HD

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  • 1948
    imgMovies

    Melody Time

    Melody Time

    6.2 1948 HD

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  • 1949
    imgMovies

    The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

    The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

    6.5 1949 HD

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  • 1953
    imgMovies

    Peter Pan

    Peter Pan

    7.2 1953 HD

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  • 1944
    imgMovies

    The Three Caballeros

    The Three Caballeros

    6.3 1944 HD

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  • 1953
    imgMovies

    Peter Pan

    Peter Pan

    7.2 1953 HD

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  • 1969
    imgMovies

    It's Tough to Be a Bird

    It's Tough to Be a Bird

    6 1969 HD

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  • 1942
    imgMovies

    How to Play Baseball

    How to Play Baseball

    6.9 1942 HD

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  • 1945
    imgMovies

    Hockey Homicide

    Hockey Homicide

    6.7 1945 HD

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  • 1940
    imgMovies

    Pinocchio

    Pinocchio

    7.1 1940 HD

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  • 1949
    imgMovies

    The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

    The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

    6.5 1949 HD

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  • 1955
    imgMovies

    Man and the Moon

    Man and the Moon

    1 1955 HD

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  • 1955
    imgMovies

    Man and the Moon

    Man and the Moon

    1 1955 HD

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  • 1955
    imgMovies

    Man and the Moon

    Man and the Moon

    1 1955 HD

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  • 1950
    imgMovies

    Cinderella

    Cinderella

    7 1950 HD

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  • 1964
    imgMovies

    Mary Poppins

    Mary Poppins

    7.6 1964 HD

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  • 1968
    imgMovies

    The Mickey Mouse Anniversary Show

    The Mickey Mouse Anniversary Show

    1 1968 HD

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  • 1970
    imgMovies

    Dad... Can I Borrow the Car?

    Dad... Can I Borrow the Car?

    8.2 1970 HD

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  • 1955
    imgMovies

    Man in Space

    Man in Space

    6.6 1955 HD

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  • 1955
    imgMovies

    Man in Space

    Man in Space

    6.6 1955 HD

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  • 1958
    imgMovies

    Magic Highway U.S.A.

    Magic Highway U.S.A.

    1 1958 HD

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  • 1963
    imgMovies

    Inside Outer Space

    Inside Outer Space

    1 1963 HD

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  • 1968
    imgMovies

    Nature's Charter Tours

    Nature's Charter Tours

    1 1968 HD

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  • 1969
    imgMovies

    Nature's Better Built Homes

    Nature's Better Built Homes

    1 1969 HD

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  • 1967
    imgMovies

    A Salute to Alaska

    A Salute to Alaska

    1 1967 HD

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  • 1959
    imgMovies

    Eyes in Outer Space

    Eyes in Outer Space

    7 1959 HD

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  • 1959
    imgMovies

    Eyes in Outer Space

    Eyes in Outer Space

    7 1959 HD

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  • 1962
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    The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

    The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

    7.4 1962 HD

    The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992. It originally...

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  • 1970
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    The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

    The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

    7.6 1970 HD

    Walt Disney Productions has produced an anthology television series under several different titles since 1954. The original version of the series...

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  • 1970
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    The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

    The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

    8.5 1970 HD

    The Mouse Factory is an American syndicated television series produced by Walt Disney Productions and created by Ward Kimball, that ran from 1972 to...

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