DIZGRUNTLED A Play by Daniel Rover Singer © 2020 Daniel Singer Fantasy and reality clash when a movie director, hired to helm a documentary about how cartoons are made, finds himself at the world’s most famous animation studio in the middle of a polarizing labor strike. Suggested by real events at the Walt Disney Studio in 1941. NOTICE! Your use of this script acknowledges that you agree, under penalty of prosecution, that it shall remain confidential and proprietary, and shall not be shared, duplicated or distributed in any manner. This play shall not be performed, filmed, interpreted, translated, published or used in any manner without the written permission of the author, and in most cases, payment of a royalty. For further information, contact the playwright at
[email protected]. CHARACTERS (Minimum 6 men, 1 woman playing multiple roles) ALFRED WERKER, 45, a freelance film director WALT DISNEY, 30-45, producer of animated cartoons NORM FERGUSON, 28-38, animator of “Pluto” ART BABBITT, 34, animator of “Goofy” MRS. BENCHLEY, 50, a fictitious wife HELEN BLUME, 30, an artist COMMIE RABBLE-ROUSER STUDIO GUARD HUMPHREY, 25, an uptight studio page ARTISTS/STRIKERS CAMERA OP/SOUND TECH HUAC CHAIRMAN The action takes place at the Disney Studio in Burbank, California in 1941 (additional scenes span 1931-1947). Simplistic set units slide on and off quickly so that the action is continuous. Settings: Walt’s Office, A Living Room, Animator’s Office, Studio Campus, Soundstage, Screening Room, Café. “DIZGRUNTLED” © 2020 Daniel Singer Draft 2/15/21 2 PROLOGUE (AL WERKER, an enthusiastic, midwestern man of 45, enters and addresses the audience.