#midgets

Disney’s Pinocchio Premiere: A Whimsical Dream Turned Rooftop Ruckus

When Walt Disney released Pinocchio in 1940, he wasn’t just unveiling a film—he was orchestrating a spectacle. The New York premiere at the Center Theater was designed to be magical, brimming with charm and childlike wonder. But what unfolded on the marquee became one of the most bizarre and unforgettable publicity stunts in Hollywood history.

The Plan: Eleven Pinocchios, One Marquee

To bring the wooden boy to life, Disney’s team hired eleven little people to dress as Pinocchio and wave to passersby from the theater’s rooftop marquee. The idea was simple: a living tableau of the beloved character, charming crowds and drawing attention to the premiere. The performers were provided with food, wine, and costumes designed to mimic Pinocchio’s iconic look.

It was supposed to be whimsical. It was supposed to be heartwarming. It was anything but.

The Heat, The Wine, The Unraveling

As the day wore on, the costumes—made of heavy fabric and layered accessories—became unbearably hot. The performers, left to their own devices with ample wine and little supervision, began to shed their outfits. By mid-afternoon, the rooftop scene had transformed from fairy tale to farce.

Eyewitnesses reported that the Pinocchios were now shirtless, drunk, and shouting obscenities at pedestrians below. What was meant to be a charming display of Disney magic had devolved into a rooftop riot.

Curtain Call: Police Intervention

Eventually, the chaos reached a tipping point. Police were called to the scene to restore order and escort the performers off the marquee. The premiere continued inside the theater, but the rooftop antics stole the spotlight—and cemented the event as one of the most surreal moments in Disney’s promotional history.

A Legacy of Theatrical Mayhem

Ecstatic to report that I am finally realizing my long-cherished goal of doing a book event at Atomic Books in Baltimore this October 26, 2024, at 7pm. I first visited that cool emporium about 15 years ago, drawn by the fact that I was in town and the good friend I was staying with mentioned that she had discovered my book No Applause on its shelves shortly after it was released. The book I’ll be…