Giant 'Kung Fu Panda' Balloon At Macy's

A giant panda balloon is on display at Macy's on State Street in Chicago. It is none other than Po, the star of "Kung Fu Panda" and it's upcoming sequel, "Kung Fu Panda 2". What makes this particularly interesting is that this balloon also happens to be the same used in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Therefore, you can imagine the enormous size. 42 ft. tall, 46 ft. long & 34 ft. wide to be exact!

The balloon is on display for event this Friday that they are calling "Panda-monium" to stir up excitement for the release of the new film. Along with the balloon, there will also be a costumed version of Po available for pictures. "Kung Fu Panda 2" opens in theaters nationwide on May 26.

Mickey & Macy's

While visiting the Vintage Disney Memorabilia website, I came across this post which featured these incredible looking collectibles. Below are 2 vintage books featuring Mickey Mouse and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade along with a photo of the first Mickey Mouse balloon, which debuted in 1934.

According to the post, these books were released in 1934 & 1935, ran about 144 pages and were handed out exclusively by the Macy's Toy Department Santa Claus. As for the balloon, it measured over 50 feet tall and those who guided the balloon were dressed in Mickey & Minnie costumes. They would certainly have been amazing to see first hand!


Photo that appeared in the New York Herald Tribune, December 9, 1934


This book told the story of the Pilgrims.


This book told the story of Mickey and Minnie's trip to New York City.

Source:

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Movie!

According to Hollywood Reporter, it looks like a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade film may be in the works. From the article:

Producers Scott Glassgold and Raymond Brothers of IAM Entertainment have closed a deal for rights to develop a film centering on the department store’s annual parade in New York.

“We’re aiming to make a four-quadrant, family-friendly film somewhere in that Night At The Museum, Elf sweet spot,” Glassgold says.

The duo have begun meeting with writers and are exploring various concepts, even one where the floats spring to life.

To convince the department store to bless the project, Glassgold and Brothers commissioned artist Joel Venti, who storyboarded Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian and Thor, to help with the presentation, which won over Macy’s execs.

“We are always searching for the next Miracle on 34th Street,” says Macy’s senior vp Robin Hall.

The store has appeared in many movies since the 1947 classic and will be integrated into Ben Stiller’s upcoming comedy Tower Heist. Macy’s, which would like to position itself as an entertainment brand and even helped produce a recent CBS animated special, was approached to be part of Elf, but the powers-that-be at the time declined. (The situation was remedied when Elf hit the Broadway stage.)

Hall says the company is consistently approached, mostly with projects that have nothing to do with the parade, and it usually declines to participate. But in this situation, “We thought Scott and his partner made a compelling case,” he says.

IAM Entertainment produced the Forest Whitaker basketball drama Hurricane Season and is developing with Legendary sci-fi movie Technotise.

Martin Reardon, Macy's exec vp of marketing & advertising will oversee the project with Hall.

If this be true, it remains to be seen how exactly the plot would unfold, but it sounds like there could be great potential. Looking forward to hearing about future developments!