Jeff Heimbuch - Its Kind of a Cute Story

Copyright 2012, Rolly Crump and Jeff Heimbuch
Cover Design: Pentakis Dodecahedron
Cover Painting: Rolly Crump
Interior Layout: Amy Inouye
Editor/Fact Checker: Hugh Allison
All Rights Reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review. This book is neither authorized nor sponsored nor endorsed by the Disney Company or any of its subsidiaries. It is an unofficial and unauthorized book and not a Disney product. The mention of names and places associated with the Disney Company and its businesses are not intended in any way to infringe on any existing copyrights or registered trademarks of the Disney Company but are used in context for educational purposes. The opinions and statements expressed in the quotations and text are solely the opinions of the author or those people who are quoted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and policy of the Disney Company and its businesses nor Bamboo Forest Publishing. Although the Publishers and the Author of this book have made every effort to ensure the information was correct at the time of going to press, the Publishers and the Author do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss or damage caused by errors, omissions, misleading information, or any potential travel disruption due to labor or financial difficulty, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.
All Photos Courtesy of Rolly Crump and Jeff Heimbuch, except for the following (pages refer to print edition)
Photos Courtesy of Ken Kebow, pgs 12, 38, 48, 74, 82
Photo Courtesy of Kevin Kidney, pg 63
Photos Courtesy of Richard Harris, pgs 67, 68, 71, 73, 112, 115, 118, 119
Photos Courtesy of Jeff Lange, pgs 106-107
Photo Courtesy of Pentakis Dodecahedron, pg 128
Published by Bamboo Forest Publishing
First Printing: November, 2012
Visit us Online at: www.bambooforestpublishing.com

PRAISE FOR ITS KIND OF A CUTE STORY

The most inspired, and inspiring, artist Ive ever worked with was Rolly Crump. Period. Ive always wondered how someone could have so much experience, and still retain a genuine sense of wonder and playfulness. Well, heres his story, and I loved every word of it. Lots of people talk about Walt Disney, but Rolly Crump can demonstrate the meaning of Walt Disney.
-Jim Steinmeyer, Former Imagineer
Everyone who knew Walt Disney knew him differently, and that is why I love to read the stories of people like Rolly Crump. Rolly was never a yes man to Walt, and Walt obviously admired him for that. It is amazing to read his memoirs and realize how many of the major parts of the Disney parks were the work of this one man. He is an Imagineer Extraordinaire.
-Dave Smith, Chief Archivist Emeritus of the Walt Disney Archives
This anecdotal memoir by Disney Legend Rolly Crump shares never-before-told stories with such charm and candor that it is a must have addition for every Disney fans library.
-Jim Korkis, Disney Historian and author of The Vault of Walt
I loved stepping back in time with Rolly Crump and learning about the development of such great Disneyland attractions as the Haunted Mansion and the Enchanted Tiki Room. He also paints a vivid and personal portrait of Walt Disney that Im sure fans and admirers will savor as much as I did."
-Leonard Maltin, Disney Historian and Film Critic

ROLLYS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank a few people who have helped me over the years.
Fanny Marie Fargo, my grandmother, for passing on her artistic, creative and funky spirit.
Candice Elizabeth Ivie, my Mom, for her absolute, undying love and support.
Walt Disney, the Old Man himself, for being my mentor and allowing me to be different.
All of the fine artists in Animation in the 1950s, who unknowingly became my teachers.
Bob McLain, because without him, this book would be no more than a few handwritten yellow lined pages in a notebook turning even more yellow with age since 2004. Thank you, Bob, for allowing me to share my stories with your website audience. Special thanks for introducing me to Jeff.
Jeff, obviously there would be no book without you and your incredible talent and interest in all things Disney. Thank you for devoting the last 2 years to this project and for being so faithful to the never-ending "cute" stories that filled your recorder. You're an adopted grandson" to be proud of.
I also have to acknowledge the three things that helped me develop my imagination: the radio (for those of you that don't know, that was TV without pictures), magic and the comic strips.

JEFFS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Obviously, this book could not have happened without the help of many people who deserve to be thanked for everything they have done for me.
First off, a big thank you to my parents, Richard and Michele, and my brother, Justinn, for always being so supportive with everything I do.
Thank you to my wonderful fiance, Martina Gona and her equally wonderful son, Alex, who have loved and supported me through every step of this endeavoreven when they hated me for getting to go to Disneyland without them!
Thank you to George Taylor, for being my Disney partner-in-crime, for offering invaluable advice, and for being one of the best friends a guy could have. Now that these shenanigans are over, we can start on one of our million other project ideas.
Thank you to Leonard Kinsey, who championed this project from the very beginning, and was always a huge help to me, not just in a publishing aspect, but also by being a damn good friend.
Thanks to my ever vigilant editor, Hugh Allison, who, while a stern taskmaster, made this book a hell of a lot better!
There are a few folks who pre-read the book before it got to the editing stage, offering invaluable advice, so thanks to David Younger, Josh Spiegel, and Estelle Hallick.
Bob McLain has my eternal gratitude, because without him this project would have never fallen into my lap to begin with, so thanks for that, Bob!
Also, a big thank you to the various people who helped contribute to the book in some form or another, whether it be through extra information, photos, or a nudge in the right direction: Bob Gurr, John Horny, Richard Harris, Jim Hill, Ken Kebow, Chris Crump, Christopher Merritt, Jim Korkis, and Dave Smith.
And last, but most certainly not least, a big thank you to Rolly and Marie for welcoming me into their lives with such open arms, being two of the most wonderful people I have ever met (or ever will meet, for that matter!), and allowing me to help tell the story of Rolly's life. You guys are the best adopted grandparents that a guy could ask for!

DEDICATIONS

For Marie, whose love and support has meant more to me than I can ever put into words. R.C.
For Mom and Nana, who instilled a love of Disney in me at an early age. Love you guys! J.H.