Ward was a neighbor of mine and he lived on Ardendale Street in San Gabriel. As a kid I'd go over and visit. He was a wild guy in real life - just like a cartoon character. As a kid, he and the "Five" would drive through the neighborhood at XMAS, playing Xmas songs while riding on Ward's Maxwell fire truck.
This was originally a segment from Walt Disney's first TV special, "One Hour In Wonderland" [December 25, 1950]. The "Firehouse Five Plus Two" began as a lunchtime diversion for Ward Kimball and his fellow animators at the Disney studio- then, they got together professionally and produced some great jazz records, toured a bit and appeared frequently at Disneyland after 1955....
rw:the funny thing is i actually saw this style before in Walt Disney's Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas after Mickey was playing his Harmonica to a crowd (for a toy drive) then suddenly someone was playing a trumbone then suddenly someone else blew a clarinet at mickeys face then would you believe it it was the Fire House 5 +2 Band and it was sure a smoking musical band going on after they put out the flames at Crazy Petes 10 ft christmas trees.
Kimball animated SEVERAL characters for "Alice In Wonderland" (the feature in development here), not just Tweedledee and Tweedledum (as seen at the end of this video), but also the Mad Hatter, the March Hare and the Cheshire Cat.
I'm at Ward after he retired never really knew what he did until later in life I knew him collection it's great to see one of the many things he did in life. Thank you
I was happy to find this video. My dad was the clarinette player. Talented!! I think I have saved all videos with him. Cant wait to show to rest of our family. Thanks
I,we heard almost all of the best dixieland bands you can find, but nobody, and I mean nobody is even close to Firehouse Five Plus Two. They were the richest, funniest, and the most raw jazz band in the world. Guy on trombone is god.
I really like those guys. They're very cool! Firehouse 5 plus 2 are the the greatest band in the world! I like the trombone player and the clarinet player, they're awesome!
Wow! I had know idea. That was great. I grew up in Anaheim, just down the street from Disneyland. I always thought that was a magic place! Thanks for posting the videos.
Can somebody please tell me what kind of musical instruments that Monte Mountjoy, Frank Thomas, Clarke Mallery, Danny Alguire, Ward Kimball, Erdman Penner, and Harper Goff @ 0:24-3:00 are playing?
Ward was a neighbor of mine and he lived on Ardendale Street in San Gabriel.
As a kid I'd go over and visit. He was a wild guy in real life - just like a cartoon character.
As a kid, he and the "Five" would drive through the neighborhood at XMAS, playing Xmas songs while riding on Ward's Maxwell fire truck.
Robert Hill , and I looked behind them a block and a half away
Chris Jensen Geez you guys were lucky
My dad is Clarke M. is the clarinette player. He was so talented...we are so greatful that you posted these...thank you!
Questanne Smith cool! Your dad rocks!
Cool Fact
I own a few of the firehouse five plus two’s 78s and your father played fantastically :)
Love these guys!
that's your dad?! He's so awesome!!!!
This was originally a segment from Walt Disney's first TV special, "One Hour In Wonderland" [December 25, 1950]. The "Firehouse Five Plus Two" began as a lunchtime diversion for Ward Kimball and his fellow animators at the Disney studio- then, they got together professionally and produced some great jazz records, toured a bit and appeared frequently at Disneyland after 1955....
rw:the funny thing is i actually saw this style before in Walt Disney's Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas after Mickey was playing his Harmonica to a crowd (for a toy drive) then suddenly someone was playing a trumbone then suddenly someone else blew a clarinet at mickeys face then would you believe it it was the Fire House 5 +2 Band and it was sure a smoking musical band going on after they put out the flames at Crazy Petes 10 ft christmas trees.
Kimball animated SEVERAL characters for "Alice In Wonderland" (the feature in development here), not just Tweedledee and Tweedledum (as seen at the end of this video), but also the Mad Hatter, the March Hare and the Cheshire Cat.
I'm at Ward after he retired never really knew what he did until later in life I knew him collection it's great to see one of the many things he did in life. Thank you
I believe Frank Thomas was playing the piano.
rw:he kinda reminded me of Harold Ramis (A.K.A.Egon Spengler) from the Ghostbuster movies and video games.
yes he was
I love the Firehouse 5+2! I would so want to join them. I love the Jingle Bells song they play here.
I was happy to find this video. My dad was the clarinette player. Talented!!
I think I have saved all videos with him.
Cant wait to show to rest of our family.
Thanks
True renaissance men through and through! We need more cats like these in the world.
I,we heard almost all of the best dixieland bands you can find, but nobody, and I mean nobody is even close to Firehouse Five Plus Two. They were the richest, funniest, and the most raw jazz band in the world. Guy on trombone is god.
Those Disney animators were sure talented!
I so love to see comments even these many years later of those who enjoyed their music.
Look, this is just BRILLIANT STUFF !! Anyone with a good ear for music has just gotta adore this stuff
rw:you got that right my bro and i love it.
RW:its funny how they put the Fire House 5 band(minus the other 2)in Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas as a cameo refs appearance in the movie.
I really like those guys. They're very cool!
Firehouse 5 plus 2 are the the greatest band in the world!
I like the trombone player and the clarinet player, they're awesome!
I got to know Danny (the coronet player) in his later years and became great friends. I miss him a lot. Thanks for the great videos!
rw:i actually even saw this from behind the scenes of Alice in Wonderland on the dvd before too.
RW:who knew they were so talented in animation and music.😁🎤🎶🎵🎼🎻🎹🎷🎺🎸
LOL. XD. Never underestimate with Walt's 'visions!'
If Walt is king Arthur so are this guys his knights of round table
What's the little piano that Frank Thomas is playing, called?
Celesta.
It's a zither with an add on keyboard. Pretty amazing.
my father will love this! thank you.
Reminds me of Spike Jones and the City Slickers! Great stuff!
Wow! I had know idea. That was great. I grew up in Anaheim, just down the street from Disneyland. I always thought that was a magic place! Thanks for posting the videos.
Super!
That was a cool rendition of Jingle Bells:)!
the best one.
Can somebody please tell me what kind of musical instruments that Monte Mountjoy, Frank Thomas, Clarke Mallery, Danny Alguire, Ward Kimball, Erdman Penner, and Harper Goff @ 0:24-3:00 are playing?
Nice!
Very good!
Anyone know what that piano like instrument is that the guy is playing at the beginning? 0:32
that an autoharp hes playin?