Animation Fun Facts for July 18, 2012 Weds

Birthdays: William Makepeace Thackeray, Chill Wills, Nelson Mandela is 94, James Brolin, Elizabeth McGovern, Screaming Jay Hawkins, Hume Cronyn, Red Skelton, Hunter H. Thompson, Clifford Odets, Paul Verhoeven, John Glenn is 91, Vin Diesel is 45. 1877- Thomas Edison recorded sound on tin foil cylinder `Mary Had a Little Lamb-' 1939-MGM tried a sneak preview of the film The Wizard of Oz. Afterwards they debated cutting the song Somewhere Over the Rainbow as slowing down the pace but finally decided to leave it in. The film debuted in August to wild success and acclaim. 1939- RKO pictures signed Orson Welles to direct movies in Hollywood. That Hollywood signed a 24 year old radio star who never directed a movie, and gave him complete freedom was an amazing deal. 1955- After the gala opening, today was the regular day people could go to Disneyland. Admission was $1.00. 1998- Pokemon the First movie released in Japan, stoking the Pokemon craze.