Disney In-Between: The Lost Years 1966-1986

by Stephen Anderson

Embark on an enthralling journey with Disney Inbetween , spanning the transformative era from Walt Disney's 1966 passing to the studio's triumphant resurgence in the vibrant mid-80s, under the visionary stewardship of Roy E. Disney, Michael Eisner, Frank Wells, and Jeffrey Katzenberg.


Uncover the riveting tale of how this once-independent, family-driven movie powerhouse, renowned for its innovation and forward-thinking, faltered amidst seismic disruptions. Through exclusive interviews with the brilliant minds behind cinematic gems like The Rescuers, Pete' s Dragon, Freaky Friday, The Black Hole, The Fox and the Hound, Tron, Never Cry Wolf, and The Black Cauldron, gain unprecedented insight into a studio shackled by tradition, veering away from Walt Disney's legacy of innovation.


But the story doesn't end there. Disney The Lost Years 1966-1986 illuminates the rise of a new generation of filmmakers and leaders, fueled by a profound love for Disney's enchantment yet unencumbered by its history. Together, they shattered boundaries, paving the way for a future defined by growth and unparalleled success. In Disney Inbetween , a saga of transformation, resilience, and unwavering passion for storytelling emerges, reminding us that even amidst challenges, the enduring magic of Disney prevails.
 

614 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 10, 2024

Reviews

[Courtney Kern]

Book of the Mouse Club Podcast September Selection. Follow wherever you listen to podcasts for our interview with author Stephen Anderson. This book is a well-researched and well-told narrative of the years between Walt’s death and the animation renaissance of the Disney studio. I appreciated its in-depth look at not just the animated films of this 20 year span but also the live action outputs as well. Stephen thoroughly contextualizes each year and seamlessly integrates a wide variety of firsthand accounts.

[Jim Castine]

Phenomenal book jam packed with information and personal anecdotes from anyone that meant anything to the company from 66-86.
The five star rating is actually rounded up from a 4.5. my only qualms is at times, especially in the beginning, it reads like a list. This person, this person and this person did that, that, and this.
It gets better as it goes and again, the amount of knowledge crammed into 500 pages is astounding.
Great book for those who thought they were Disney fans, but little did they know ...

[Margaret]

This needed a good copy editor, but there's lots of interesting stuff about a period in Disney history that's rarely written about.

[Mandy Weinman]

A great read for Disney History Buffs

The writing in this book was great and the message at the end was spot on and enlightening. The only downside for me was there were a LOT of names to remember, and, with the constant position changes, it was sometimes hard to keep track of who was who. Having a list of key players at the beginning or end might have been helpful. Overall, it read fairly easily, despite some jumps in storylines. A nice read for anyone interested in period in Disney history after Walt.

[Emily Frances]

I read this book as the September 2024 selection for my podcast, Book of the Mouse Club (a book club podcast dedicated to Disney themed books). You can find the show wherever you get your podcasts. Listen to episode #106 for an interview with the author.

Anderson expertly tells the 20 year story between Walt Disney’s death and the Disney Renaissance of the 1990s. A lot happens in between the extremes. That’s where conflict, growth, and change occurs before something new is realized. Disney Animation and the Walt Disney Live Action Studios needed to undergo a metamorphosis after Walt’s passing and that struggle laid the foundation for what was to come. This time period often only gets a few chapters in most Disney history books, but Anderson rightly gives it its own book. These two decades are rich with stories that deserve to be told and appreciated for what they contributed to Disney films. You will truly learn a lot from this book.

[andrea]

Alot of info...HUNDREDS of names...which just eventually became one big muddled mess. It was an interesting enough read, but honestly I'm not sure i would recommend it to anyone but the most die-hard Disney fan, which I in full disclosure am not.
I am of the age that most of these years covered in this book, were my primary Disney viewing years so it was fun to be reminded of movies and shows that had been long shoved to the very back corners of my mind, and it did make me go straight to my Disney channel queue and add a bunch of movies and shows to my watchlist (while simultaneously discovering many of the great-to me-made for Sunday nite Disney TV show are inexplicably and sadly not part of their catalog).
However, the fun of reminiscing wasn't really worth the 7 or so hours I spent reading.

[Glenn Welch]

“Disney In-Between: The Lost Years 1966-1986” is a fascinating and meticulously researched look into a pivotal yet often overlooked era in Disney history. The book dives deep into the challenges and changes that shaped the company after Walt Disney’s death, offering a unique perspective on the years leading up to the animation renaissance. It’s refreshing to see this period given the attention it deserves, as it bridges the gap between the legacy of Walt and the innovations of the modern Disney era. Whether you’re a Disney fan or a history buff, this book is a must-read for its insights into the decisions, struggles, and creativity that defined these two decades. A truly engaging read!

[Brian Niemiec]

Fascinating book about the 20 years after Walt died. Some of it gets bogged down in details and too many names, but the overall story of a studio stuck between the traditions of the past and the innovations of the future offers a lesson for anyone about the importance of change and moving forward.

[LobsterQuadrille]

I'm glad to see some attention given in-depth to a period neglected by most Disney historians. Disney In-Between conveys the rather chaotic state of the studio well, but it's so heavy on office politics that it becomes a bit of a slog in the last third.