Annette Funicello

Walt Disney Treasures: Wave VIII The Mickey Mouse Club Presents Annette (1957-1958 Season) Available on DVD (For a Limited Time) During a Burbank, California ballet recital in 1955 that found the twelve year old Italian-American ballerina Annette Funicello performing Swan Lake , Walt Disney became enchanted by the young girl and global history was made. "I'd like to meet the little dark-haired girl. Bring her to the studio," Walt requested following the show and thus began the adorable Annette's induction as one of the original members of his popular television series, The Mickey Mouse Club . The only Mouseketeer handpicked by the studio head ... Read Full Story

The original Mickey Mouse Club aired in 1955. How sweet the little mice were, but in reality it was big show business and the kids were forced to grow up in a hurry. It was the second television series by Disney and helped finance and promote the building of Disneyland. When the producers started casting for the roles, Disney specifically instructed them not to hire professional types. He didn't want the Shirley Temple look, he wanted real kids. The lucky ones who made the final cut were required to sign contracts for a year for a weekly salary of 185.00. That was to be ... Read Full Story

This is the book, "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes- My Story" by Annette Funicello with Patricia Romanowski. When I look back at the original "Mickey Mouse Club", I know this: I loved every single one of those Mouseketeers, and I know that Walt Disney did, too. However, there is one that stood out above them all: Annette Funicello. She was pretty, that was true- but she had this sweetness, innocence and inner beauty that was so special, it's not surprising that she was Walt's favorite- nor surprising that she got more fan mail than all the other Mouseketeers. This book chronicles ... Read Full Story

PITTSBURG : The 25 members of Phi Kappa Chapter, Phi Tau Omega sorority, will host a rummage sale Friday and Saturday at the home of Julie Story, 1011 Cedar Lane. No sales will be made before 8 a.m. All proceeds from the sale will go toward the sorority’s philanthropic activities. Read Full Story

Annette Funicello who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1987, is seen outside in a wheelchair with her nurse. She was Disney's most popular Mousketeer and went on to appear in a series of beach movies. She is the reason behind the Annette Funicello Fund For Neurological Disorders . She first noticed signs of what would be diagnosed as multiple sclerosis while working on the 1987 film " Back to the Beach". In 1992, she made her diagnosis public, saying "I think you only have two choices in this kind of situation. Either you give in to it or you fight it. I intend ... Read Full Story