Meeting Marc and Alice Davis

Most people in animation are familiar with the work of Disney legend Marc Davis, who worked both for the studio and WED (later known as Imagineering). My first encounter with Marc and his wife Alice was as a student at CalArts when they came to speak to the character animation department. Alice, a former costume designer who had met Marc at Chouinard Art Institute- the precursor to CalArts- was a memorable character with her jet black bouffant hairdo and bold patterned outfits. While Marc was pretty soft spoken, Alice was confident and formidable- a truly impressive woman.

I met them again a few years later while I was working as a show designer for Imagineering. Tokyo Disneyland was in development and I was on a business trip with my show producer Yoshi. Marc and Alice happened to be in town the same time, Marc being honored by the Japanese for his career with Disney animation and WED. Since Yoshi was a good friend of the Davises he arranged for us to have a drink one evening.

To say I was starstruck is an understatement. I basically sat there wide-eyed and silent while my show producer, Marc, and Alice chatted away about the business and dished on shared acquaintances. Until they started talking about the animated film 101 Dalmations and Marc’s creation, Cruella de Vil. I very quietly said, “Oh, she’s my favorite animated character”, which of course no one heard - except Alice. While Yoshi and Marc continued talking, Alice abruptly straightened up, dramatically swept her arm above the table to shush them and pronounced, “MARC, LISTEN TO THIS” and had me repeat it. Marc listened politely, humbly accepted my praise, and the conversation continued.

(from Andres Deja’s blog, Deja View)