Disney History – What Happened in 1923?

If you’re curious about how Disney became the giant it is today, 1923 is a great place to start. That year Walt and his brother Roy moved to Hollywood, set up the Disney Brothers Studio, and rolled out the first Alice Comedies. It’s a fast‑moving story that shows why vision and hustle matter.

Founding the Disney Brothers Studio

Walt had already tried his hand at animation in Kansas City, but the market there was small. He convinced Roy to join him, and together they signed a lease on a modest office on Kingswell Avenue. The studio’s first big break came when Margaret Winkler, a New York distributor, offered them a contract to produce a series of short films. Winkler was already handling popular cartoons, so getting on her roster meant instant credibility.

With that deal in hand, Walt and Roy hired a small crew, bought a few cameras, and set up a tiny drawing board. They worked long hours, often pulling all‑night sessions to meet deadlines. The studio’s early days were gritty, but the brothers’ partnership kept the creative spark alive. Roy handled the business side, leaving Walt free to experiment with storytelling.

The First Alice Comedies

The Alice series blended live‑action and animation—an uncommon mix at the time. Real‑world girl Alice, played by Virginia Davis, interacted with animated characters, creating a playful, almost magical feel. The first short, "Alice’s Day at Sea," premiered in 1923 and set the tone for the whole series.

Each episode was about six minutes, perfect for theater programs of the era. Audiences loved the novelty of seeing a real kid dance with cartoon animals. The success of the Alice shorts gave the Disney Brothers Studio enough cash flow to keep expanding, and it also caught the eye of other distributors.

Beyond the technical feats, the Alice Comedies taught Walt a valuable lesson: storytelling can cross mediums. That insight later led to the creation of Mickey Mouse, Silly Symphonies, and everything else that followed.

Fast forward to today, and the 1923 milestones still matter. If you wander through a Disney park or watch a classic cartoon, you can trace the roots back to a tiny Hollywood office and a bold idea to mix live actors with drawings. Knowing this history adds depth to the magic you see on screen.

So next time you watch a Disney film, think about the humble start in 1923. The Disney Brothers Studio’s first steps—signing the Winkler deal, hiring a crew, and rolling out the Alice Comedies—show that big dreams start small. It’s a reminder that creativity, partnership, and a bit of risk can launch a legacy that endures for a century.