Walt Disney: One Man's Dream (1981)

This rarely seen TV special from 1981 is a celebration of Walt Disney's life and career while looking ahead to the future. It's hosted by Michael Landon. At this time Landon was starring in the popular TV historical drama Little House on the Prairie.

This special features appearances by several stars of the day such as Dick Van Dyke, Marie Osmond, Ben Vereen, Carl Reiner. Mac Davis, and others. There's also a selection of notable figures of the time like Walter Cronkite, Andy Warhol, and more. There's song sequences and we also get to see several montages of Walt Disney history clips. There's even a few clips of Mickey Mouse being a rascal snappining Minnie's underwear and spanking his own rear end!

The highlight of this broadcast is a preview of the still then under construction EPCOT Center. It would open the following year. Just like Disneyland and Walt Disney World before this, there had been previews of the construction of those parks but this was the most extensive on EPCOT Center.

This was one of the last major specials like this to be produced by Walt Disney Productions. The Eisner regime would take over a few years later and while they at times continued to do such specials, they moved away from them as time went on.

All content from the original broadcast has been included into this TV special.

Original airdate December 12, 1981

Posted for historical purposes. This channel is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company.