Screenwriter Don DaGradi always called himself a “misplaced cartoonist” at heart. He began his career painting backgrounds for Disney animated films and ultimately, went on to co-script such memorable films as the Academy Award® winning “Mary Poppins.” Yet it was Don’s skill as an artist and love of visual gags that enhanced the fun and fantasy in Disney’s live-action films.
Songwriters Richard and Robert Sherman described Don, in their book, “Walt’s Time: From Before to Beyond,” as "the sort of guy who wrote with a sketch pad and a charcoal pencil. He could visualize the sequences right there on paper and you could actually see them come to life. Almost everything you see (in “Mary Poppins”) – the entire “Jolly Holiday” sequence, people floating through the air and flying up the chimney – these visions were created by Don DaGradi. Our praise for Don is endless."
Born to an Italian father and British mother in New York City, in 1911, Don grew up in San Francisco, California… read more
Screenwriter Don DaGradi always called himself a “misplaced cartoonist” at heart. He began his career painting backgrounds for Disney animated films and ultimately, went on to co-script such memorable films as the Academy Award® winning “Mary Poppins.” Yet it was Don’s skill as an artist and love of visual gags that enhanced the fun and fantasy in Disney’s live-action films.
Songwriters Richard and Robert Sherman described Don, in their book, “Walt’s Time: From Before to Beyond,” as "the sort of guy who wrote with a sketch pad and a charcoal pencil. He could visualize the sequences right there on paper and you could actually see them come to life. Almost everything you see (in “Mary Poppins”) – the entire “Jolly Holiday” sequence, people floating through the air and flying up the chimney – these visions were created by Don DaGradi. Our praise for Don is endless."
Born to an Italian father and British mother in New York City, in 1911, Don grew up in San Francisco, California. He later moved to Los Angeles to study painting at Chouinard Art Institute, and like many of his fellow students, joined The Walt Disney Studios at the height of the depression in the mid-1930s.
Before long, the multi-talented artist moved from painting backgrounds to the Story Department, where he wrote for the animated shorts. He went on to serve as art director on such films as “Dumbo,” and to design layouts for “The Three Caballeros,” “Make Mine Music,” “Fun and Fancy Free” and “Melody Time.” Don also developed color and styling for such Disney animated classics as “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad,” “Cinderella,” “Alice in Wonderland” and “Peter Pan,” and later worked on story for “Lady and the Tramp” and production design for “Sleeping Beauty.”
In 1959, Don broke into live-action film production when Walt asked him to design the underground cavern sequences for “Darby O’Gill and the Little People.” He later developed story sketches for “Kidnapped” and served as sequence consultant on “Pollyanna,” “The Absent-Minded Professor,” and “The Parent Trap.”
In 1962, he collaborated with fellow Disney Legend Bill Walsh on the live-action screenplay, “Son of Flubber,” followed by “Mary Poppins.” Their eye-poppin’ success led Don and Bill to write additional screenplays, including “Lt. Robin Crusoe, USN,” “Blackbeard’s Ghost,” “Scandalous John,” “Bedknobs and Broomsticks,” “The Love Bug,” and more.
Amidst Don’s many contributions to film, Walt also tapped his artistic genius to design costumes, including band uniforms, for Disneyland cast members, and exteriors for attractions including Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. After 34 years with the company, Don retired in 1970.
Don DaGradi died August 4, 1991, in Friday Harbor, Washington. —Disney Legends
