The 1973 two-record set that helped celebrate “50 Happy Years” of The Walt Disney Company also turned to be a tribute to Disney’s in-house record company.
50 HAPPY YEARS OF DISNEY FAVORITES
Disneyland Records STER-3513 (Two 12” 33 1/3 RPM LP’s / Stereo / 1973)
Executive Producer: Jimmy Johnson. Original Producer: Tutti Camarata. Editor/Engineer: Larry Blakely. Compiled and Mastered at Sunset Sound, Hollywood. Running Time: 65 minutes.
Selections:
Three Little Pigs (1933 Film): “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?” – Gloria Wood, Jimmy Macdonald (1958 Recording)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 Film): “Whistle While You Work,” “Heigh-Ho” – Mary Martin (1958 Recordings)
Pinocchio (1940 Film): “When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Give a Little Whistle” – Cliff Edwards (Soundtracks)
Dumbo (1941 Film): “Casey, Jr.” – Disney Studio Chorus (Soundtrack)
Bambi (1942 Film): “Love is a Song” – Camarata Chorus & Orchestra (1957 Recording); “Little April Shower” – Disney Studio Chorus (Soundtrack)
Saludos Amigos (1943 Film): “Saludos Amigos” – Chorus Conducted by Leo Pirachi (1958 Recording)
Song of the South (1946 Film): “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah)” – James Baskett (Soundtrack)
So Dear to My Heart (1949 Film): “Lavender Blue (Dilly Dilly)” – Burl Ives (1964 Recording)
Cinderella (1950 Film): “The Work Song” – Jimmy Macdonald & Mouse Chorus; “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo” – Verna Felton; “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” – Ilene Woods (Soundtrack)
Alice in Wonderland (1951 Film): “Alice in Wonderland” – Camarata Chorus & Orchestra (1957 Recording)
Peter Pan (1953 Film): “The Second Star to the Right” – Disney Studio Chorus (Soundtrack)
Lady and the Tramp (1955 Film): “Bella Notte” – Bob Grabeau (1962 Recording)
Mickey Mouse Club (1955 TV Series): “Mickey Mouse March” – The Mellomen & Mouseketeers (1955 Recording)
Sleeping Beauty (1959 Film): “Bluebird/I Wonder” – Mary Costa; “Once Upon a Dream (Finale)” – Disney Studio Chorus (Soundtracks)
it’s a small world (1964 Attraction): “It’s a Small World” – Disneyland Boys’ Choir (1965 Recording)
Mary Poppins (1964 Film): “Chim Chim Cheree” – Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Karen Dotrice, Matthew Garber (Soundtrack)
Winnie the Pooh and The Honey Tree (1966 Film): “Winnie the Pooh” – The Jack Halloran Singers (1965 Recording)
The Jungle Book (1967 Film): “The Bare Necessities” – Phil Harris, Bruce Reitherman, Sebastian Cabot (Soundtrack)
Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971 Film): “The Age of Not Believing” – Angela Lansbury (Soundtrack)
Disneyland Records had produced several Disney music compilations since its inception in 1956. Among those explored on Spin were the documentary-like Music Cavalcade , the 1966 memorial LP, The Music of Walt Disney and two albums for Gulf Oil Company.
50 Happy Years of Disney Favorites is similar to the Gulf albums in that it emphasizes celebrities like Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Mary Martin, Louis Prima, Burl Ives, Phil Harris and the like. But the cumulative effect of hearing both records has an additional effect beyond celebrating the mammoth accomplishments of the company that Walt and Roy built. What also emerges is an overview of the plucky young in-house record company that was ignited by Jimmy Johnson and Tutti Camarata, a microcosm of Roy and Walt–the business whiz and creative genius.
Full Panorama cover – Click to enlarge
Even when the music on this album did not flow from Camarata’s baton but from original soundtracks, he was nonetheless the producer of all the records that presented them, every song bears his influence. All of these Disney songs were housed at Camarata’s Sunset Sound studios during this period, so they could be more easily accessed for compilations. Engineer Larry Blakely, who also was responsible for editing feature-length dialogue tracks down for story albums, worked on the compilations.
50 Happy Years is also a testament to Jimmy Johnson’s business and promotion acumen. He was the primary writer of promotional material for the music company, also contributing most of the Storyteller scripts of the ’60s and early ’70s. This is the only album in which the enclosed book lists awards for each film. There are a total of 25 songs representing 11 features, two shorts, one attraction and one TV series.
ABOVE: Sample pages (click to enlarge)
Disneyland albums based on such films Saludos Amigos and So Dear to My Heart were out of print by 1973. They are not in the book. All the Disney projects that are represented also boasted corresponding records that were available for sale at the time. Sharp-eyed Disney record collectors will notice that even the title designs for each film match the corresponding Storyteller and/or read-along records (except Song of the South, the records for which used the more familiar Uncle Remus or Brer Rabbit character names).
A few of the tracks were originally recorded in stereo but, for whatever reason, their mono versions were used. This compilation album is unique among the others because all the mono tracks were given a slight “enhanced for stereo” boost with added bass tone and reverb to widen them out. It’s not terribly excessive, but it does sound odd when it’s added on top of tracks that already had echo, like “Little April Shower.” At any rate, this is the only compilation on which the mono songs have this unique effect.
Independently of Disneyland Records and this album, there was a “50 Happy Years” song, perhaps created for promotions or theme park entertainment (it sounds like the Character parade music of the ’70s):
“It’s a Small World” – Disneyland Boys Choir
The only Theme Park attraction song on the album comes not from the soundtrack, but from a Camarata-produced album with an amazing history. First of all, the cover art is by Disney Legend Mary Blair, the designer of the attraction.
Second, the “Disneyland Boys Choir” were actually youngsters from North Hollywood’s Saint Charles Borromeo Church, which was Tutti’s family church. They are heard on numerous film and TV soundtrack as well as the adult choir, which numbers among their credits the theme to “I Married Joan” and albums by The Roger Wagner Chorale. The choir director, Paul Salamunovich, is honored with a huge plaque in the lobby of the church, which is minutes from the Walt Disney Studios on the corner of Lankershim and Moorpark. Grown up who sang on this album still sing at the church.
On this video, you can hear this version at 5:17 after our beloved Robie Lester’s read-along story.
GREG EHRBAR is a freelance writer/producer for television, advertising, books, theme parks and stage. Greg has worked on content for such studios as Disney, Warner and Universal, with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. His numerous books include Mouse Tracks: The Story of Walt Disney Records (with Tim Hollis). Visit 
Nitpicking maybe but the title should be “When Disneyland Records Saluted Walt Disney Productions” as the name “The Walt Disney Company” was adopted in 1986
1973 was a banner year for Disney fans. The celebration lasted all year and extended to pretty nearly every Disney product issued. The logo played at the start of the theatrical movies, it appeared on the covers of comic books–and on every issue of “Walt Disney Comics Digest” published that year. There was a “Wonderful World of Disney” tribute to the 50 Happy Years that played early in the year and was repeated toward the end of the year in the fall season.There isn’t much on the Internet now that indicates what a spectacular celebration this was–but take my word for it. As a Disney fan, I was loving life during that year.
I received this album as a gift for Easter 1973 and I couldn’t wait to get home from church so I could listen to it. This became one of my go-to albums for Disney stuff for years. I still have it and it is still in good condition. The only song I didn’t recognize or know anything about was “Saludos Amigos.” Of course, years later I learned about Disney’s Latin American films.
I wish they had included the “50 Happy Years” song on the album. It’s a delightful piece. If you want to know its origins, check out the “Disneyland 10th Anniversary” show on “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color.” The lyrics originally were “10 years of happiness, 10 years of fun…” etc. I suspect the song was written by the Sherman Brothers and re-purposed by them for the 50th anniversary. It bears a strong resemblance to “Substitutiary Locomotion.”
Thanks for posting on this, Greg! This is one of the best Disney albums I ever owned! And thanks for the recording of the “50 Happy Years” song. It’s great to hear it again!
I was born the same year that Disney turned 50, and only days before the official formation of the Disney Brothers Studio. Which means when Disney turns 100, I will be turning 50 😛 – Always loved this album. I had it as a kid. It is a classic!
Enjoyed this article Greg. Thank you for writing and putting it out.
I LOVE the Camarata version of Love is a Song included on this album! I still have it, but we played it so much over the years that the audio quality is now quite scratchy and poor.
I keep hoping the Camarata version of Love is a Song will eventually see a digital release, so I can hear it again as it was meant to be heard!
Is it available on CD?
I remember at the Oscars that year they had a salute to Disney with a parade of characters (looked like the walk around costumes from Disneyland) and the 50 Happy Years song.
Hi. Im trying to fnd a collection of Disney LP and books. I can remember Uncle Remus, Its a Small World, The Jungle Bookbut there were more in this collection
Thanks,Kelly
My mother bought this album for my sister and I when I was a child. It came with the booklet inside and the 33 RPM records and a poster that I am looking for …
Any idea on how I can find it?