-DEDICATION-
These pages are dedicated to the memory of Tom Sherman.
Tom was a model builder, expert craftsman, a kind and generous friend. The Nautilus was his favorite subject and much of his time was devoted to building models of it and promoting its use in Disney theme parks around the world. He was always ready to help friends and strangers alike and will be sorely missed by many.
Smooth sailing Tom!
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Web site by: Phil
Broad
Of all the ships created for motion pictures the Nautilus is by far one of the most recognizable. Thanks to the design genius of Art Director Harper Goff, the Disney production featured a Nautilus that was completely believable as having been built in the 1800s. Sinister and sleek, the Nautilus would go on to sail into a permanent dock in the minds and imaginations of many in the audience.
The Nautilus was planned to be a sleek and modern looking nuclear powered submarine until Mr. Goff convinced Walt Disney that it would be much better if it had the look of 19th century technology. He convinced Mr. Disney of his plan when he presented a small model to him which incorporated most of Harper's ideas about how the ship should look. After this he got the go ahead and the rest his history. The only thing which remained from the original Disney concept was the idea that the ship must be nuclear powered. This was never part of the Verne novel, originally the Nautilus was to be electric with liquid filled wet cell batteries which could simply be replenish with fresh chemicals as required. Mr Goff would also designed the "Proteus" from Fantastic Voyage about ten years later.
Tale of the Squid
At a party I once attended, Mr.
Goff (who loves to tell stories) related an incident which occurred after
the movie had premiered. Harper and Walt were longtime friends from
way back and Harper liked to kid Walt when he could. It seems that
he and some of the crew got together and planned a special surprise for
Walt at the premiere party they were all attending. They bought a
huge novelty bottle of champaign, about 4 feet high, then proceeded to
strap a whole collection of "enema tubes" around its neck, sticking up
in the air, to create the appearance of a "giant squid" (sort of).
Then they planned to present it to Walt as at the party. Things were
going fine and everyone was having a good time when they decided to give
Walt his award. The "squid" was wheeled out and presented to Walt
with lots of laughter from those gather around. He thanked them for
it and then proceeded to enjoy the rest of the party, not giving another
thought to the "squid". Years later, Harper came to Walt's office
over the Fire House in Disneyland for a meeting and to his surprise, there
was the squid-champaign bottle! Walt kept mementos in the office
and apparently the bottle was one of them. Harper turned to Walt
and demanded "Why didn't you ever open that thing Walt?" Mr. Disney
looked a little confused and told him that "it was just a prop and didn't
have anything in it". In frustration Harper explained to him "Walt!
That thing is full of champaign! Everybody at the party thought you
were cheap because you wouldn't open it!"
Please contact me if you have comments about these images or corrections to the information presented here via E-Mail.