The mysterious note Walt Disney left behind before he died

山东枣庄市第十二中学 韩 梅

images/BZ_39_196_961_2003_1119.png

海词积累

1.franchise/'fræntʃaɪz/n.特别经营权；特许经销权

2.escalation/,eskə'leɪʃn/n.增加；升级

3.archivist/'ɑːkɪvɪst/n.档案管理员

4.awe/ɔː/n.敬畏；惊叹

5.launch/lɔːntʃ/v.发动；发射

6.fanatic/fə'nætɪk/n.狂热分子

When he died,Walt Disney left behind a multi-million dollarfranchise,which changed everything.There’s no question that Walt Disney’s life changed the world.As the mastermind behind Mickey Mouse and the entire Disney enterprise, his life’s work has inspired children and adults alike for decades.And when he passed away due to lung cancer in 1966,the world truly lost one of the greats.

However,Disney made an impact in another way,as well. “Legend has it that he wrote one last message before being hospitalized prior to his death,”said Disney historian Jim Korkis.Titled “TV Projects In Production:Ready for Production or Possible forEscalationand Story”,the note listed four names:Ron Miller,2 Way Down Cellar,Kurt Russell,and CIA-Mobley. Still, the note’s true meaning remained a mystery for decades.What did Disney’s last message to the world intend to convey?

According to former DisneyarchivistDave Smith, who found the note,Disney was listing possible future projects for his franchise.And one name stood out:Kurt Russell.

Disney had expressed hisaweof the 15-year-old’s talent before, praising him on television and personally ensuring that the boy received a studio contract.In October 1966,just months before his death,Disney even predicted“a great acting future” for Russell.But finally,it was Disney’s last words thatlaunchedRussell’s career as an actor.And that’s not the only time Disney’s words proved life-changing—these timeless Walt Disney quotes continue to inspire people around the world.

Russell confirmed this suspicion in a 2013 episode ofThe View.“I assume that he was talking about some movie that he was thinking about having me in...I don’t know what to make of it other than that,”Russell said.

The young actor went on to star in dozens of Disney films,includingThe One and Only,Genuine,Original Family Band.So in the end,we have Disney to thank for one of the most memorable talents on screen.Of course,Disneyfanaticsmay already be familiar with this story,but you may not know these mind-blowing facts you never knew about Disneyland.

Reading Check

True(T)or false(F)

（ ）1.Walt Disney died of cancer in 1966.

（ ）2.The note listed three mysterious names,which remained a mystery.

（ ）3.Disney thought highly of Russell’s talent.

（ ）4.It was Russell’s effort that launched his career as an actor.

（ ）5.Disney fanatics may not be familiar with this story either.

Language Study

Sentences for writing

1.毫无疑问，华特·迪士尼的一生改变了整个世界。

There’s __________Walt Disney’s life changed the world.

2.但是到最后，正是迪士尼留下的最后几个单词使得罗素的演员生涯得以开启。

But finally, __________was Disney’s last words __________launched Russell’s career as an actor.