People & Places

People & Places is a series of short subject documentary films released by Walt Disney Productions from 1953 to 1960 and was later revived in 2024. The original series (except The Alaskan Eskimo, Siam, Sardinia, and The Blue Men of Morocco) was filmed in CinemaScope in various locations around the world.

The original series received critical acclaim, including four Academy Award nominations and three wins for Best Two Reel Live Action Short.

In October 2019, Disney announced the studio would revive the series for the Disney+ streaming service, with the production company Supper Club producing the initial releases.[1] In November 2023, Disney acquired the short subject documentary film Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó by filmmaker Sean Wang. The short had premiered at the South by Southwest film festival in March 2023 and relaunched the series in February 2024;[2] Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó would start airing on Disney+ on February 9, 2024. The short received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film.

Original series

[edit]
# Title Release date Director Home release Notes
1 The Alaskan Eskimo February 18, 1953 James Algar Won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short
2 Siam December 24, 1954 Ralph Wright Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short (Two Reel)
3 Switzerland June 16, 1955 Ben Sharpsteen Released with Lady and the Tramp. Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short (Two Reel)
4 Men Against the Arctic December 21, 1955 Winston Hibler Released with both The Littlest Outlaw and The Great Locomotive Chase. Won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short
5 Sardinia February 15, 1956 Ben Sharpsteen
6 Disneyland, U.S.A. December 20, 1956 Hamilton S. Luske Walt Disney Treasures: Disneyland-Secrets, Stories and Magic Released with Westward Ho, the Wagons!.
7 Samoa December 25, 1956 Ben Sharpsteen Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short (Two Reel)
8 Blue Men of Morocco February 14, 1957 Ralph Wright Released with a Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs re-release
9 Lapland July 3, 1957 Ben Sharpsteen Released with a Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs re-release
10 Portugal December 25, 1957 Ben Sharpsteen Released with Old Yeller. Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short.
11 Wales June 10, 1958 Geoffrey Foot
12 Scotland June 11, 1958 Geoffrey Foot
13 Ama Girls July 9, 1958 Ben Sharpsteen Won the Academy Award for Best Short Subject Documentary. Released with The Light in the Forest. Later released on 16mm as Japan Harvests the Sea.
14 Seven Cities of Antarctica December 25, 1958 Winston Hibler Released with Tonka
15 Cruise of the Eagle March 19, 1959 Ben Sharpsteen Released with The Shaggy Dog
16 Japan April 6, 1960 Ben Sharpsteen
17 The Danube April 27, 1960 Ben Sharpsteen

Revival

[edit]
# Title Release date Director Home release Notes
1 Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó February 9, 2024 Sean Wang Streamed on Disney+

DVD release

[edit]

"Disneyland U.S.A." was released as part of the limited edition Disney Treasures DVD entitled "Walt Disney Treasures: Disneyland Secrets, Stories & Magic".

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Hipes, Patrick (18 October 2019). "Disney+ Revives 'People & Places', Adds Mickey Mouse And Wolfgang Puck Documentaries To Growing Nonfiction Slate". Deadline.
  2. ^ "Sean Wang's Award-Winning Documentary Short 'Năi Nai and Wài Pó' Acquired by Disney Branded Television". Disney General Entertainment Press (Press release). November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.