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.
Tim Collins, Jenna Day, and Stan Deneroff recording Recapturing Hollywood at Coffee Fix in Studio City.
From Stan’s Personal Collection
Signed photo of Stan Deneroff with Angela Lansbury.
Stan Deneroff posing next to Buzz Lightyear.
Signed photo with Adriana Caselotti and Stan Deneroff.
Personal letter from Snow White voice actress Adriana Caselotti.
Personal thank you letter from Snow White voice actress to Adriana Caselotti to Stan Deneroff.
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.
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.
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.
