This wonderful letter (dated 10th December 2001) to the Daily Mail newspaper by the actor Richard Todd (1919-2009), was sent to me by our regular contributor Neil. It shows the strong bond between Walt Disney and the British actor had lasted long after he had completed his series of live-action movies for the legendary film producer. Unfortunately, I do not have the letter from Glenys Roberts that angered Richard Todd enough to make him pick up his pen. But this does show the affection that ‘Uncle Walt’ had for Toddy and his family:
Daily Mail 10th December 2001.
"I do not recognise the Walt Disney described by Glenys
Roberts (Mail). He was a close friend from 1952 to 1966, when my wife, our
children and I enjoyed the kindness and good humour of a remarkable man.
Walt’s avuncular benevolence seemed to be inculcated into
his entire workforce. He seemed to know the names of everyone there, whatever
their position.
Walt was at his most relaxed in his own home, but his real
heart was to be found in the garden: the well-groomed lawns, beds and the barn
which he brought from his boyhood home in Kansas and re-erected in his garden
as his model railway workshop.
My eldest son, Peter, was born soon after I finished working
on my first Disney film Robin Hood and his Merrie Men, and within weeks he
received a large hamper of gifts. Thereafter at each Christmas for the next 14
years, Peter received a large box of presents, each one relevant to his age and
with a gift label signed with love from Uncle Walt. When our daughter Fiona arrived
four years later, she had the same sort of gifts from Uncle Walt.
In 1966, the container arrived usual by ship, but this time
I had to tell the children there would be no need for a letter of thanks from
them. Uncle Walt had died just after these gifts had been despatched.
This was the man I knew.
Richard Todd
Grantham
Lincolnshire."
