Edle [Bakke]'s Story
Since 1945 one member or another of my biological family has been employed at Walt Disney Productions. That's a 60-year run, and we're all very proud to be a part of it. Through the years the term “family” began to represent not only our genetic inheritance, but also our mutual association with a magical creative entity, the world of Walt Disney. […]
Lucile [Bosché]'s Story
In October 1945 Edle's boss, Grace Bailey, interviewed and hired me as an inker, a job that required skill, patience, concentration and a good eye. From the moment I began working at Disney I knew I was where I belonged. It took months of intensive training to become an inker, and when I was deemed ready to work on production I became a member of Betty Ann Guenther's “inking corridor.” […]
Bill [Bosché]'s Story
At the young age of 13 “Billy” Bosche' confidently announced, “Mama, when I grow up I'm going to be an artist for Walt Disney!” In 1936 he earned a scholarship to the Broadmoore Art Academy in Colorado Springs. Disney was recruiting animators and although Bill was too young at the time he decided then and there that someday he would work for Walt. Although it was a dream for many youngsters in the 1930s, for Bill it became a dream-come-true. Throughout his childhood and teen years Bill was never without his pencil and sketchpad. […]
Jim [Collins]'s Story
My aunt Edle arranged an interview for me with Ken Sieling, and on February 20, 1959 I started working for Pat Patterson in the mailroom, also known as “Traffic.” I had just turned 18 and graduated from Hollywood High, and I was excited about starting my first real job. The traffic boys rode around the lot on a fleet of old bicycles outfitted with large wire baskets, and on the various routes we would carry all the mail and interoffice correspondence in big leather pouches. […]
Lanny [Collins]'s Story
It was June 1964 and I had just turned 18 when my uncle Bill took me in to an interview with Ken Sieling for a job in Traffic. But there were no openings during summer vacation since kids of Studio employees came first, so I went back to my job at Bud Ekins Motorcycles in Studio City where I had been working since graduating from high school a year earlier. […]
