“Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever,” are famous words once said by Walt Disney. They are fitting, coming from someone who founded what would become one of the world’s largest and most influentialentertainmentcompanies.
In 1923, Walt Disney was working as a cartoonistin Kansas City, Missouri. He created a short film called Alice’s Wonderland, which featured a live-actiongirlinteracting withanimatedcharacters. However, he faced financial difficulties and decided to move to Hollywood, California,to pursue new opportunities.
While in Hollywood, he sold Alice’s Wonderland and signed a contract to make six more such films, which were made into the series called Alice Comedies. In October of that same year, Walt Disney and his brother Roy formed the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, which was laterrenamed the Walt Disney Company, to produce the series. After making his Alice Comedies for four years, Walt Disney decided to move on and introduced a new character named Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, which quickly gained popularity.
However, in 1928, Walt Disney lost the rights to Oswald due to a contractualdispute. This setbackpromptedhim tocreate a new character, Mickey Mouse, who made his debut in theshort film Steamboat Willie in the same year.
The immensepopularity of Mickey Mouse gave Disney the confidence to produce full- length feature films, leading to the release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937. Since then, the Walt Disney Company has consistently delivered numerous acclaimed movies, establishing itself asan entertainmentpowerhouse.
In its modern iteration, the company has expanded its influence by opening theme parks worldwide, which attract an average of58 million visitors annually. Additionally, it owns and operates ESPN, Marvel Studios, Pixar, and much more. This extensiveportfolioshowcases the enduring magic of the company’s movies and staying power in global culture.
What Did You Learn?
1. Why did Walt Disney decide to establish a company with his brother?
2. When was Disney’s first feature film released?
參考答案 ：
1. To produce the series Alice Comedies.
2. In 1937.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
fitting
a. 合適的
Mini skirts are fitting for long-legged girls.
迷你裙適合長腿女孩。
●
influential
[͵ɪnflʊˋɛnʃəl]
a. 有影響力的
The non-profit organization is very influential in forming public opinion.
這個非營利組織對輿論的形成很有影響力。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
entertainment
[͵ɛntɚˋtenmənt]
n. 娛樂，樂趣（不可數）；娛樂節目（可數）
The old man found entertainmentin reading.
這位老先生從閱讀中找到樂趣。
The food was great, but the entertainment was lousy.
食物很棒，但娛樂節目很糟。
高中 Level 4
●
financial
[faɪˋnænʃəl]
a. 金融的；財務的
London and New York are financial centers.
倫敦和紐約都是金融中心。
The business closed due to financial problems.
這個企業由於財務問題而關閉了。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
dispute
[dɪˋspjut]
vi. 爭執
.vt. & n. 爭執；質疑
I was in dispute with my roommate over money.
我跟室友因金錢起了爭執。
It is beyond dispute that there’s no free lunch.
天下沒白吃的午餐是無可爭議的。
Jack’s loyalty to the company has never been disputed.
傑克對公司的忠誠度從未被質疑過。
The two countries disputed for years about where to set the border.
這兩國對該於何處劃分疆界已爭執多年。
The two countries disputed for years over where to set the border.
這兩國對該於何處劃分疆界已爭執多年。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
setback
[ˋsɛt͵bæk]
n. . 挫折（可數）
Although Tim has suffered several setbacks in
business, he’s always managed to bounce back.
雖然提姆在事業上屢遭挫折，但他總能成功重新出發。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 6
●
debut
[dɪˋbju]
n. & vi. 初次登臺
Ryan made his debut on the big screen in 2020.
萊恩初次在大銀幕上演出是 2020 年。
The new TV drama series is going to debut at 8 p.m. tonight.
這齣新的電視連續劇將在今晚 8 點初次放映。
高中 Level 5
●
immense
[ɪˋmɛns]
adj. 巨大的
=
enormous
Your hard work has been of immense value to this company. I hereby promote you to general manager.
你的辛勤工作對本公司極有價值。所以我在此拔擢你為總經理。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
consistently
[kənˋsɪstəntlɪ]
adv. 一貫地，一向
Our school has consistently been one of the country’s best over the years.
我們學校這幾年來一直都是全國最好的學校之一。
英檢中級
●
acclaimed
[əˋklemd]
a. 受到讚揚的
Andrew’s latest album was an acclaimed masterpiece.
安德魯的最新專輯被譽為傑作。
英檢中高
●
extensive
[ɪkˋstɛnsɪv]
a. 廣泛的；大量的
=
substantial
=
comprehensive
Professor Johnson possessed extensive knowledge in the field of natural science.
強森教授在自然科學的領域擁有廣泛的知識。
The typhoon has caused extensive damage to the city.
這次的颱風對這座城市已造成極大的損害。
高中 Level 5
●
enduring
[ɪnˋdjʊrɪŋ]
a. 持久的；耐久的
The band’s music has an enduring appeal.
那個樂團的音樂擁有歷久不衰的吸引力。
英檢中級
●
popularity
[͵pɑpjəˋlærətɪ]
n. 聲望；普及，流行
=
reputation
The actor enjoyed great popularity for over twenty years.
這位演員享有很高的聲望達 20 多年之久。
The popularity of the staycation continues to grow due to the pandemic.
由於此次疫情的緣故，宅度假越來越流行。
The director gained popularity after his film was nominated for an Academy Award.
那位導演在電影被提名奧斯卡獎之後便聲名大噪。
高中 Level 4
●
prompt
[prɑmpt]
.vt. 促使
a. 立刻的
n. （演員）提詞
What prompted you to buy these flowers for me, Henry?
亨利，是什麼原因促使你買這些花給我？
I was pleased with the prompt delivery of my items.
我很高興我的東西被快速寄送。
When the actor forgot his line, one of his co-stars gave him a prompt.
那個演員忘詞時，聯合主演的另一個演員就幫他提詞。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
establish
[əˋstæblɪʃ]
vt. 建立，創立
The company was established in 1988.
這家公司於 1988 年創立。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
cartoonist
[kɑrˋtunɪst]
n. 卡通畫家
●
live-action
[ˈlɑɪvˌækʃən]
a. 真人演出的
●
contractual
[kənˋtræktʃʊəl]
a. 合約的
●
powerhouse
[ˋpaʊɚ͵haʊs]
n. 強大且具影響力的組織
●
iteration
[͵ɪtəˋreʃən]
n. 反覆（通常為了做出改善而重複做某事）
●
portfolio
[pɔrtˋfolɪ͵o]
n. 公事包；（藝術家的）作品集；投資組合
Janet put her artwork in a portfolio and carried it with her to the job interview.
珍妮特把她的藝術作品放進公事包裡，帶著它去工作面試。
The photographer’s portfolio contained photos from all over the world, including the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan.
這名攝影師的作品集裡含有在世界各地拍攝的照片，包括伊拉克和阿富汗的戰區。
The financial advisor told his client to make sure to include some energy stocks in his portfolio.
該理財顧問告訴他的客戶務必在他的投資組合中包含一些能源股。
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
Practical Phrases
●
interact with
與……互動
Tom interacts well with other kids at school.
湯姆在學校和其他的小朋友互動良好。
●
gain (in) popularity
漸受歡迎；開始流行
The director gained popularity after his film was nominated for an Academy Award.
那位導演在電影被提名奧斯卡獎之後便聲名大噪。
●
prompt sb to
促使某人做⋯⋯
A recent study prompted thousands of people to stop using the drug.
最近的一項研究促使數以千計的人停止使用該藥。
●
establish oneself as
建立／確立自己⋯⋯的名聲／地位等
Tony has established himself as one of the greatest photographers of our time.
東尼為自己樹立當今最優秀攝影師的地位。
●
an average of + 數字
平均為若干……
The workaholic works an average of 16 hours a day.
這個工作狂每天平均工作 16 小時。
