Author: Tim Collins

  • Disney’s Behind The Scenes Hero — Stan Deneroff

    Disney’s Behind The Scenes Hero — Stan Deneroff

    Recapturing Hollywood
    Recapturing Hollywood
    Disney’s Behind The Scenes Hero — Stan Deneroff
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    The Dawn of Enchantment

    In 1937 Walt Disney cast an enchantment upon mankind with the debut of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Its bright colors and moving music, imaginative characters and fanciful designs, and its emotional intelligence captivated the world. In 1953, Walt Disney Studios released its 18th animated feature film, Peter Pan, and changed our guest’s life forever.

    Stan Deneroff is a self-described “life-long Disney fan”. In some ways his fandom connects him to the millions of other lovers of Disney, but in other ways his fandom is completely unique. After following his passion and attending animation graduate school in Los Angeles, Stan dedicated himself to one very specific goal.

    The Dream Job

    For over two decades, Stan served as the head of special features for LaserDisc and DVD at Disney. He was given exclusive access to the Disney Archives, developed a close working relationship with Roy Disney, met every actress who ever voiced a Disney princess, and much much more.

    This episode is a special one, and a fun one. Join actress Jenna Day and editor Tim Collins at Coffee Fix in Studio City as we chat with Stan Deneroff to find out what it was like coming face to face with Disney history.

    From Stan’s Personal Collection

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    Credits

  • Recapturing Hollywood Podcast – Subscribe On Major Platforms

    Recapturing Hollywood Podcast – Subscribe On Major Platforms

    Ready to dive into rarefied Hollywood stories? The Recapturing Hollywood podcast is now live and available for subscription on your preferred platform.

    Don’t see your preferred platform above? Send me an email and let me know: tim@recapturinghollywood.com

    Share the Recapturing Hollywood Podcast with your friends who love Hollywood history!

    What Makes Recapturing Hollywood Podcast Different

    Hollywood has never stopped changing, adapting, and evolving. Most of what was once famous is no longer famous. This podcast exists to preserve these forgotten stories and bring them back into the spotlight where they belong.

    On Recapturing Hollywood, we ask the right questions and we listen carefully to the answers. Our mission is to recapture amazing feats, legendary performances, monumental social changes, and remarkable facts that have long since passed out of the limelight. This isn’t just another entertainment podcast – it’s a historical preservation project told through the voices of the people who lived it.

    Authentic Hollywood Stories From Industry Insiders

    What sets the Recapturing Hollywood podcast apart is our commitment to first-hand accounts. We sit down with editors, cinematographers, actors, producers, designers, assistants, and countless other Hollywood professionals who have witnessed history in the making. These aren’t secondhand stories or Wikipedia summaries – these are personal experiences shared by the people who were actually there.

    Our guests bring decades of experience and untold stories that you simply won’t hear anywhere else. From behind-the-scenes moments on legendary film sets to personal anecdotes about working with Hollywood icons, the Recapturing Hollywood podcast offers an intimate look at the industry’s hidden history.

    Expand Your Hollywood Zeitgeist

    The entertainment industry moves fast, always chasing the next big thing. But in that rush toward the future, we often lose sight of the incredible stories and achievements that built the foundation of modern Hollywood. The Recapturing Hollywood podcast serves as a bridge between then and now, helping listeners expand their zeitgeist by understanding the rich history that shaped today’s entertainment landscape.

    Each episode of Recapturing Hollywood builds upon this foundation, connecting past innovations and personalities to present-day Hollywood. You’ll discover how techniques developed decades ago still influence modern filmmaking, and how the personalities and relationships of yesteryear continue to echo through the industry today.

    Our Debut Episode: Legacy of the Black Lagoon

    The Recapturing Hollywood podcast launched with a compelling episode featuring Mitchell Danton A.C.E., an accomplished editor whose family history is deeply intertwined with Hollywood’s golden age. We joined Mitchell at Coffee Fix in Studio City, California, for an intimate conversation about his parents, Julie Adams and Ray Danton, both of whom graced the silver screen as working actors during the 1950s and 60s.

    Julie Adams holds a unique place in film history as the actress who was kidnapped by the iconic Creature from the Black Lagoon. This episode of Recapturing Hollywood explores not just the making of this classic monster movie, but also what it was like to grow up in a Hollywood family during this transformative period in film history. Mitchell’s perspective as both an industry professional and the son of actors provides insights that you won’t find in film history books.

    Why Subscribe to Recapturing Hollywood Podcast

    By subscribing to the Recapturing Hollywood podcast, you’re not just adding another show to your playlist – you’re joining a community of people who treasure Hollywood’s history. Every episode brings you closer to understanding the complex web of relationships, innovations, and creative decisions that built the entertainment industry we know today.

    The stories we share are more than just entertainment; they’re cultural artifacts that help us understand how we got to where we are today. From the technical innovations that revolutionized filmmaking to the social movements that changed who gets to tell stories on screen, these conversations illuminate the forces that continue to shape Hollywood today.

    Join the Conversation

    The Recapturing Hollywood podcast is just getting started, and we have many more fascinating conversations lined up with industry veterans who have incredible stories to share. Each episode will take you deeper into Hollywood’s hidden history, revealing the people and moments that deserve to be remembered.

    Don’t see your preferred podcast platform in our list? We’re always working to expand our reach. Send me an email at tim@recapturinghollywood.com and let me know where you’d like to listen. We’ll do our best to make it available on your platform of choice.

    Share the Recapturing Hollywood podcast with your friends who love Hollywood history! Help us build a community of people who appreciate the stories and achievements that built the entertainment industry we love today.

  • Legacy of the Black Lagoon – Mitchell Danton A.C.E.

    Legacy of the Black Lagoon – Mitchell Danton A.C.E.

    Recapturing Hollywood
    Recapturing Hollywood
    Legacy of the Black Lagoon – Mitchell Danton A.C.E.
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    What was it really like to be the woman who captivated audiences as the beautiful victim of cinema’s most iconic aquatic monster? On this episode of Recapturing Hollywood, we sit down with Mitchell Danton A.C.E. to explore the Julie Adams Creature Black Lagoon legacy through the eyes of someone who knew her best – her son.

    Head shot of actress Julie Adams
    Julie Adams, Actress

    A Hollywood Legacy Runs in the Family

    Mitchell Danton isn’t just talking about old Hollywood from the outside looking in. As an accomplished film editor and member of the American Cinema Editors, he brings both professional insight and deeply personal perspective to our conversation. But it’s his family history that makes this episode truly special.

    His mother, Julie Adams, earned her place in film history when she was memorably kidnapped by the Creature from the Black Lagoon in the 1954 Universal classic. His father, Ray Danton, was equally accomplished as a working actor throughout the 1950s and 60s. Growing up in this Hollywood household gave Mitchell a front-row seat to an era of filmmaking that’s now considered the industry’s golden age.

    Tim Collins, Michael Kinberg, and Mitch Danton recording Recapturing Hollywood at Coffee Fix in Studio City, CA.

    Behind the Scenes of the Julie Adams Creature Black Lagoon Era

    The 1950s were a transformative time for Hollywood, and the Julie Adams Creature Black Lagoon film represents more than just monster movie entertainment. It was part of Universal’s strategy to create a new generation of classic monsters, and Julie Adams became the definitive “scream queen” of her generation.

    But what was Julie Adams really like off-camera? How did growing up with parents who worked regularly in 1950s Hollywood shape Mitchell’s own career in the film industry? And what stories from that era have never been told publicly until now?

    More Than Just Monster Movie History

    While the Julie Adams Creature Black Lagoon connection is what initially draws many listeners in, this conversation goes much deeper. We explore the reality of being a working actor in Hollywood’s studio system, the tight-knit community of professionals who built the industry we know today, and how the lessons learned on those classic film sets continue to influence modern filmmaking.

    Mitchell also discusses his own career as an editor and how growing up around the craft influenced his approach to storytelling. His book “Cutting It in Hollywood: Top Film Editors Share Their Journeys” draws on decades of experience both behind the camera and growing up in a family that understood the business from the inside.

    Exclusive Hollywood Stories You Won’t Hear Elsewhere

    This intimate conversation, recorded at Coffee Fix in Studio City, reveals stories that you simply won’t find in any film history book. These are personal memories, family anecdotes, and professional insights that connect the Julie Adams Creature Black Lagoon era directly to today’s Hollywood.

    From the technical challenges of filming underwater sequences to the social dynamics of 1950s film sets, this episode of Recapturing Hollywood offers a perspective that’s both historically significant and personally meaningful.

    This episode of Recapturing Hollywood is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

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