"Dear Mr. Disney"

Previously, we've posted artwork that lil' Al Wiseman drew as a boy showing how he was influenced by a certain Walter Elias Disney, founder of the "Walt Disney Studios" (a little known animation company which flourished for a time during Al's childhood).


Here we present a letter twelve-year-old Al (then using his step-father's last name) sent to Mr. Disney requesting a job. So what happened next? History is somewhat unclear on this matter.

What I'd like to believe is that Walter Disney immediately jumped at the chance to have talented young Al employed at his studio. But quick-thinking Al had a change of heart. Why would he want to become just another faceless cog-in-the-machine and take on projects to which he could never sign his name? No, that would never do.

So Alvin went back to his schoolwork and continued plotting ways to make a name for himself in the cartooning world.

Well, at least that's what I'd like to believe...



A special thanks to Teresa Tersol-Wiseman for the scan of Al's letter!

Al's Childhood Drawings:
Part 1/Part 2/Part 3