Own a Piece of Disney
Musical History
Never Before Have You Been Able To Buy the Royalties to a Classic Disney Song
Fans can bid on the opportunity to own a percentage and share in the royalties of the complete catalog of Frank Churchill, who was instrumental in Disney’s incorporation of music into their first feature films. The seller is a family member of the husband of Frank’s ex-wife.
In December 1930, Frank joined The Walt Disney Studios where he scored nearly 65 animated shorts, including "Mickey's Gala Premiere," "Funny Little Bunnies," and "Who Killed Cock Robin?" He also wrote music for the famous Pluto and the sticky flypaper sequence featured in "Playful Pluto."
In 1933, Churchill composed "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" for the Three Little Pigs short (with additional lyrics by Ann Ronell). The song struck a chord in the midst of the Great Depression, and became the Disney company's first hit.
Churchill was next paired with lyricist Larry Morey to work on music for Disney's first full-length feature, 1937's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; Disney's stipulation was that, much like the Silly Symphonies, the songs were not simply to be showcased -- they had to stem naturally from the characters, or be integrated into the story. Churchill and Morey's groundbreaking work included the classics "Heigh Ho," "Whistle While You Work," "Someday My Prince Will Come," and "I'm Wishing".
For Dumbo Churchill received two Academy Award® nominations, Best Song for "Baby Mine," co-written with fellow Legend Ned Washington and he won the Oscar for Best Score co-written with Oliver Wallace. A fan favorite from the movie is "Pink Elephants on Parade”.
A year later, Churchill reteamed with Larry Morey for 1942's acclaimed Bambi, which featured "Little April Shower" and the Oscar-nominated "Love Is a Song," among others; plus, his score with Edward Plumb earned yet another Oscar nomination.
Sadly, after completing work on Bambi, Churchill committed suicide in Castaic, CA, on May 14, 1942.
Auction Ends May 7th at 3:00 pm Eastern Time
Items at Auction:
- 10% of the sellers royalties of the complete catalog of Frank Churchill
- Each 10% Lot has an average yearly royalty revenue of $692
- 5% of the sellers royalties of the complete catalog of Frank Churchill
- Each 5% Lot has an average yearly royalty revenue of $346
- 1% of the sellers royalties of the complete catalog of Frank Churchill
- Each 1% Lot has an average yearly royalty revenue of $69
- This is a no reserve auction at $700 so bid early to lock in this price
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