We are sorry to report that the iconic and acclaimed Disney Legend, Alice Davis, has passed away. She left an indelable mark on Disneyland and has become a celebrated figure in Disney history.
I was able to get to know her and her late husband, Legendary Disney animator & Imagineer Marc Davis, and both of them were important pieces in how Disneyland came to be. This short anecdote is my tribute to honor and remember the beloved Alice Davis.
I was a newlywed, visiting Los Angeles on my honeymoon when theme park historian Jim Hill (my husband at the time) and I visited the Disney Archives to do some research. Disney Archivist Dave Smith invited us to Marc and Alice Davis’ home for an interview.
They couldn’t have been nicer. Alice greeted us and took us down to Marc’s studio in the house next door, which they also owned, and told us to have a seat. Marc was working on a piece for The Disney Gallery in Tokyo that featured some of his “greatest hits.” After we’d made our introductions and gotten settled, Marc turned a wry grin to Jim: “That’s the chair where Walt always sat.” Jim, flustered, jumped out of the chair. “He loves doing that.” chuckled Alice.
He showed us artwork from Alice in Wonderland and, of course, Maleficent and the dragon from Sleeping Beauty. He then took us up to the dining room and supplied us with his own signature Manhattans while he gave us an interview, including the secret behind a Marc Davis Manhattan and a promise to not reveal it to anyone.
As we staggered back to the rental car, I told Jim, “If we ever have a daughter, I want to name her Alice.” A year and a half later, I kept my promise. Marc and Alice even agreed to be her Godparents. I am especially blessed to have known them.
Alice May Estes was born in Escalon, CA in 1929 to a very progressive set of parents, who believed that they should eat plain yogurt every day for breakfast. She wanted to be an artist and showed great promise, so she was able to enter the Chouinard School of Arts. The school wouldn’t let her be an animator as that was considered men’s work at the time, so the next best thing was costume design. Marc taught one of the art classes, and Alice’s job was to bring fresh chalk for Mr. Davis.
Alice became a successful costume designer, designing lingerie for women of all types of figures, and while she was working, she got a call from her old teacher, Mr. Davis. He needed some costumes designed for the film he was working on, Sleeping Beauty. Disney would photograph or film the scenes in live-action for the animators to study. They began a courtship and got married at City Hall one afternoon in July, 1956. A month later, Marc asked Alice to please stop calling him Mr. Davis.
Alice designed the costume for the live-action film Toby Tyler, then was asked to collaborate with Marc and Alice’s best friend, Mary Blair. Mary remained close with Alice until Mary’s death. It was called “it’s a small world” and Alice designed all of the costumes for over 150 figures. It was here that Mary’s artistic influence on Alice really started to show.
Alice later developed costumes for Pirates of the Caribbean, based on Marc’s art. She was commissioned to do two sets of clothing per figure, but she didn’t think it was enough, so she made three. A fire broke out and burned the two sets of clothing, but because she had the third set aside, the ride was able to open on schedule due to Alice’s foresight.
After this came Flight to the Moon and Carousel of Progress. Alice was kneeling in front of the father figure in the 1920s scene, strapping on his outfit in back of the figure with her arms around his waist, when suddenly, the lights came on and father said, “Whew! Hottest summer we’ve had in years!” She turned around and there was Walt and a couple of GE executives. Her cheeks burning, she finished fastening father’s pants and quickly walked offstage.
Marc and Alice shared a deep love for a little over 44 years until Marc’s death in 2000. Alice remained devoted to Marc’s memory until her death today, November 4, 2022. Marc and Alice bought a few acres next to Redwoods National Park and planned to combine their ashes in a wine magnum and spread them under the Redwoods they so loved.
All of us at MiceChat are heartbroken by this loss but celebrate her life and the incredible legacy of this vivacious lady. Over the years, MiceChat has featured Alice at dozens of events, articles, and multiple times at our booth at the D23 Expo. She became a wonderful friend and a valued storyteller of Disney Days gone by.
The legacy of Alice and Marc Davis proudly remains at Disneyland in the form of their Disney Legend windows on Main Street. Their two windows are placed side by side, offering guests a little look into their impact at Disneyland.
Please join us in celebrating the great Alice Davis. Share your favorite stories, works, and memories of a legendary lady.
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