Winston Hibler

Writing

Winston Hibler

Born — Died

1910-10-08 — 1976-08-08

Place of birth

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA

Known for

Writing

Credits

81 titles

Winston Hibler was an American screenwriter, film producer, director, and narrator associated with Walt Disney Studios. Educated at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, he began his career as a Broadway actor before transitioning to writing for radio, film, and television. Joining Disney in 1942, Hibler contributed as a songwriter, co-writing songs like "Following the Leader" from Peter Pan and "I Wonder" from Sleeping Beauty. He narrated several of Disney's True-Life Adventures documentaries and produced films such as Nikki, Wild Dog of the North (1961) and The Aristocats (1970). Hibler's versatile contributions significantly shaped Disney's storytelling and musical legacy.

Known for

The Aristocats poster
7.3

When Madame Adelaide Bonfamille leaves her fortune to Duchess and her children—Bonfamille’s beloved family of cats—the butler plots to steal the money and kidnaps the legatees, leaving them out on a country road. All seems lost until the wily Thomas O’Malley Cat and his jazz-playing alley cats come to the aristocats’ rescue.

The Aristocats

1970

Jungle Cat poster
7.2

This final True-Life Adventure would also appear to be one of the best, as we go into the South American jungle to observe the jaguar. Jungle Cat is more intimate than its kin, allowing individual animal characters to be developed. Central to the cast is a pair of jaguars (one ebony), whose fighting leads to love and, not long after, two babies (one resembling each parent).

Jungle Cat

1960

The Living Desert poster
7.1

Although first glance reveals little more than stones and sand, the desert is alive. Witness moving rocks, spitting mud pots, gorgeous flowers and the never-ending battle for survival between desert creatures of every shape, size and description.

The Living Desert

1953

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow poster
7.4

Washington Irving's tale of Ichabod Crane and the headless horseman is brought to life, narrated by Bing Crosby.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

1949

Perri poster
6.6

This True Life Fantasy follows and shows how the life of a female squirrel, Perri, in the forest is filled with danger and fraught with peril. When not fleeing her natural enemy, the Marten, Perri finds time to fall in love with her prince-charming male squirrel.

Perri

1957

The Island at the Top of the World poster
6.5

A Victorian gentleman hopes to find his long-lost son, who vanished while searching for a mysterious Viking community in a volcanic valley somewhere in uncharted Arctic regions. The gentleman puts together an expedition team to go on the search, but when they reach their destination they must escape from some Viking descendants who will kill to keep their existence a secret.

The Island at the Top of the World

1974

Film credits

1970s · 3 titles

1960s · 10 titles

Jungle Cat poster
7.2

This final True-Life Adventure would also appear to be one of the best, as we go into the South American jungle to observe the jaguar. Jungle Cat is more intimate than its kin, allowing individual animal characters to be developed. Central to the cast is a pair of jaguars (one ebony), whose fighting leads to love and, not long after, two babies (one resembling each parent).

Jungle Cat

1960

Pablo and the Dancing Chihuahua poster
NR

A recently orphaned boy living in Mexico has one item that would link him to family, an old letter from an uncle with an address in Tucson, AZ. He sets out across the desert and, while temporarily detained at the border, is unwillingly teamed with a runaway chihuahua who follows him as he illegally crosses the border into the United States. The two form a tight bond as they survive the journey fraught with danger.

Pablo and the Dancing Chihuahua

1968

Chico, the Misunderstood Coyote poster
NR

A witness to his mother’s death at the hand of a man, the coyote, Chico, has learned to hate and fear him. Taken into captivity and exhibited in a small desert roadside zoo, he learns much but never loses his bitterness toward his enemy: man. Chico makes his escape and bounds off for a life of adventure in the desert where he mates with Tula. He sees an eagle grab one of his pups and worries when his mate raids a chicken coop. Realizing the dangers of man, Chico decides to take his family deeper into the desert to help his family try to win the battle for survival.

Chico, the Misunderstood Coyote

1961

Flash, The Teenage Otter poster
7.0

Created for Walt Disney Presents television series then expanded by popular demand into a full feature, Flash, the Teenage Otter follows one of Disney’s most beloved animal stars as he strikes out from his home at a Wisconsin wildlife sanctuary to see the wider world with all of its wonders and perils.

Flash, The Teenage Otter

1961

Wild Burro of the West poster
NR

Dusty is a small burro living a quiet life with her elderly master, a farmer in Mexico, until two men sneak onto the farm and steal her. They use the animal to help them rustle cattle. Dusty carries their water and other supplies, but the men are cruel and mistreat the burro, allowing her little water and feed. Tired of this mistreatment, Dusty strains to break free of the hobbles used to control her. Starring Bill Keys as Andy, Bill Pace as a Rustler and Jim Burch as a Rustler.

Wild Burro of the West

1960

Islands of the Sea poster
7.0

This short covers some of the wildlife (predominently birds) on four islands-the Galapagos, Guadelupe, Falklands and an island in the Midway chain. While touching very briefly on the turtles of Galapagos and a bit more in-depth on two varieties of iguana and a species of crab, the documentary focuses primarily on birds, including several species of penguin on at least two of the islands, cormorants, frigate birds and the albatross.

Islands of the Sea

1960

Wonders of the Water Worlds poster
NR

This tracks the course of a body of water (from brook to lake to sea, etc.) and features the lives of animals that inhabit in or near it.

Wonders of the Water Worlds

1961

Ida, the Offbeat Eagle poster
9.0

After falling out of her nest, a young eagle is rescued by a rancher, and she in turn, rescues him.

Ida, the Offbeat Eagle

1965

Little Dog Lost poster
8.0

The story of Candy, a little Welsh Corgi, who's raised by his family from a little puppy. But when he's grown up, he gets lost, has adventures, and learns to herd cattle before he's reunited with his family...only that's not where he wants to be.

Little Dog Lost

1963

Joker, The Amiable Ocelot poster
NR

A desert loner adopts an ocelot he finds in an old car, but later realizes that it must be set free. The ocelot finds a mate, and so does the loner, falling for a young nurse that moves to the area.

Joker, The Amiable Ocelot

1966

1950s · 26 titles

The Living Desert poster
7.1

Although first glance reveals little more than stones and sand, the desert is alive. Witness moving rocks, spitting mud pots, gorgeous flowers and the never-ending battle for survival between desert creatures of every shape, size and description.

The Living Desert

1953

Perri poster
6.6

This True Life Fantasy follows and shows how the life of a female squirrel, Perri, in the forest is filled with danger and fraught with peril. When not fleeing her natural enemy, the Marten, Perri finds time to fall in love with her prince-charming male squirrel.

Perri

1957

Secrets of Life poster
7.3

A feature-length documentary showing the changing world of nature, the sky, the sea, the sun, planets, insects and volcanic action. A story of nature's strange and intricate designs for survival and her many methods of perpetuating life.

Secrets of Life

1956

The Vanishing Prairie poster
7.2

Story of the American Prairie as it was when vast herds of bison and elk grazed.

The Vanishing Prairie

1954

Wales poster
NR

Wales prides herself in her wealth of natural resources, foundries, mills, and factories. Beyond this modern facade lies another treasure—a rich historical background and ancient lore. The great granite fortresses still remain as reminders that from the struggle and strife was born a pure and distinctive national culture.

Wales

1958

Ama Girls poster
7.0

Oscar winning documentary short from 1958

Ama Girls

1958

Bear Country poster
7.5

Bear Country is a 1953 American short documentary film directed by James Algar. It won an Academy Award at the 26th Academy Awards in 1954 for Best Short Subject (Two-Reel).[1] The film was produced by Walt Disney as part of the True-Life Adventures series of nature documentaries.

Bear Country

1953

The Blue Men of Morocco poster
NR

The movie presents a mysterious and enigmatic world, a place where more than 40,000 — no one knows precisely how many — descendants of Arab conquerors live, the last great nomads of the world. These nomads are deemed the “Blue Men” due to their bluish complexion — not a racial characteristic, but the consequence of color from their clothing staining their skin. Each morning, they turn to Mecca and thank Allah for the blessing of their remaining liberty, that liberty which, in spite of all the pain and hardships, they would not exchange for houses, which they could not carry on their journeys, nor for radios, since the world outside does not exist for them, nor for watches, since it is not their custom to count the time.

The Blue Men of Morocco

1957

Nature's Half Acre poster
7.4

The strange and wonderful world that lies beneath our feet, under leaf, log and rock, peopled by millions of weird and fascinating creatures. Released theatrically alongside Alice In Wonderland.

Nature's Half Acre

1951

Beaver Valley poster
6.9

The film depicts a young male beaver who must defend his new family against hungry predators, mischievous river otters, and the ever-impending threat of winter.

Beaver Valley

1950

Hold That Pose poster
6.7

Goofy is tired and bored. He needs a hobby and decides to pursue photography. Wildlife is an excellent choice for photography so Goofy decides to take a grizzly bear's picture. Unfortunately, when Goofy's flash powder explodes, the bear becomes infuriated and chases Goofy through an amusement park and back to his apartment. Fortunately for Goofy, the bear is pleased with the resulting pictures and ultimately sets up a stand giving his "autographed photo" for $10.

Hold That Pose

1950

Mysteries of the Deep poster
6.8

Mysteries of the Deep is a 1959 Disney nature documentary short film. Though not an official True-Life Adventures film, it did accompany the release of The Vanishing Prairie and was included on the Walt Disney Legacy Collection's True Life Adventures releases as a bonus feature. It is narrated by Winston Hibler. The film is a panorama of animals inhabiting the sea near the coast: dolphins, sharks, whales, crabs, rays and fish of all kinds.

Mysteries of the Deep

1959

Water Birds poster
6.8

Water Birds is a 1952 short documentary film directed by Ben Sharpsteen. The film delves into the still waters of lagoons and marshes to the wild blue wilderness of the vast oceans, to experience the beauty and variety of their majestic birds, each perfectly designed for its habitat. It won the Oscar for Best Short Subject, Two-Reel.

Water Birds

1952

Sardinia poster
NR

A train ride takes the audience through the rugged countryside to see the Sardinian people of today. Their independence and self-reliance is emphasized. Sheep are tended and the treatment of their wool is depicted. A wedding and a funeral service are shown, as well as the annual “Ardia” festival with horsemen commemorating historical events.

Sardinia

1956

The African Lion poster
7.1

Part of Disney's True-Life Adventures series, this film focuses on the lives of lions in Africa.

The African Lion

1955

Seven Cities of Antarctica poster
7.5

In 1955 Operation "Deep Freeze" began. This film tells the story of its purpose - the establishment by the United States Navy of seven bases in Antarctica for scientific study and observations in connection with the International Geophysical Year. Rare motion pictures record sequences from the expeditions of the early pioneers, Mundsen and Scott, and the film becomes the story of man's instinct to understand and conquer the unknown.

Seven Cities of Antarctica

1958

Siam poster
6.5

Part of the Walt Disney "People and Places" series visiting Siam.

Siam

1954

The Olympic Elk poster
8.0

Join the majestic Olympic elk as they traverse the alpine path from their winter home in the lowland shadow of Washington's Mount Olympus, to the fertile grazing grounds of its towering peaks.

The Olympic Elk

1952

Operation Wonderland poster
7.5

1951 behind the scenes featurette of the Walt Disney animated classic.

Operation Wonderland

1951

Operation Undersea poster
2.0

No synopsis available yet.

Operation Undersea

1954

The Crisler Story/Prowlers of the Everglades poster
NR

A look at the people that shot the footage for Disney's True-Life Adventures.

The Crisler Story/Prowlers of the Everglades

1957

White Wilderness poster
4.5

A fabulous new adventure in exciting entertainment.

White Wilderness

1958

The Pre-Opening Report from Disneyland poster
7.8

With the grand opening of Disneyland just a matter of days away, Walt Disney brings us an update on the construction of the new magic kingdom. Winston Hibler narrates scenes depicting the construction on the attarctions and settings in the park as work speeds up to meet the deadline before opening day.

The Pre-Opening Report from Disneyland

1955

Samoa poster
6.2

One of Disney's "People and Places" series looking at the Polynesian kingdom of Samoa.

Samoa

1956

The Alaskan Eskimo poster
7.1

Oscar Winning short documentary

The Alaskan Eskimo

1953

Men Against the Arctic poster
6.6

This Academy Award winning short subject documentary follows the United States Coast Guard icebreaker ships Eastwind and Westwind for four months as they work to clear navigational paths for ships traversing the arctic sea.

Men Against the Arctic

1955

Behind the camera

The Aristocats poster
7.3

When Madame Adelaide Bonfamille leaves her fortune to Duchess and her children—Bonfamille’s beloved family of cats—the butler plots to steal the money and kidnaps the legatees, leaving them out on a country road. All seems lost until the wily Thomas O’Malley Cat and his jazz-playing alley cats come to the aristocats’ rescue.

The Aristocats

1970

The Living Desert poster
7.1

Although first glance reveals little more than stones and sand, the desert is alive. Witness moving rocks, spitting mud pots, gorgeous flowers and the never-ending battle for survival between desert creatures of every shape, size and description.

The Living Desert

1953

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow poster
7.4

Washington Irving's tale of Ichabod Crane and the headless horseman is brought to life, narrated by Bing Crosby.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

1949

Perri poster
6.6

This True Life Fantasy follows and shows how the life of a female squirrel, Perri, in the forest is filled with danger and fraught with peril. When not fleeing her natural enemy, the Marten, Perri finds time to fall in love with her prince-charming male squirrel.

Perri

1957

Perri poster
6.6

This True Life Fantasy follows and shows how the life of a female squirrel, Perri, in the forest is filled with danger and fraught with peril. When not fleeing her natural enemy, the Marten, Perri finds time to fall in love with her prince-charming male squirrel.

Perri

1957

The Island at the Top of the World poster
6.5

A Victorian gentleman hopes to find his long-lost son, who vanished while searching for a mysterious Viking community in a volcanic valley somewhere in uncharted Arctic regions. The gentleman puts together an expedition team to go on the search, but when they reach their destination they must escape from some Viking descendants who will kill to keep their existence a secret.

The Island at the Top of the World

1974

The Castaway Cowboy poster
6.7

A Wayward Texas cowboy washes up on the beaches of Hawaii and is taken home by an fatherless boy. He saves the family's business while romancing the single mom.

The Castaway Cowboy

1974

The Bears and I poster
6.4

When a man adopts three black bear cubs, he faces one of the hardest decisions of his life. Set in the wilderness of British Columbia, Canada, Robert Leslie struggles to keep his bears safe and maintain relations with native Americans and park rangers.

The Bears and I

1974

Charlie, the Lonesome Cougar poster
6.0

A heartwarming Disney classic in which a cougar, who was rescued as a cub and raised by a group of loggers in the Pacific Northwest, reverts back to his natural instincts, leading to hilarious (and dangerous) consequences.

Charlie, the Lonesome Cougar

1967

King of the Grizzlies poster
6.0

Moki, a Cree Indian, is made foreman of a sprawling cattle ranch owned by his former army commander. But he carries with him through life the lore of his own people. When he rescues a bear cub, Wahb, he feels a mystical connection between himself and the magnificent creature. Later, Wahb, now a 1,300-pound bear, returns from the wild to wreak havoc on the cattle ranch, and Moki must face this fearsome grizzly. This spectacular film depicts a territorial battle over a country of breathtaking beauty.

King of the Grizzlies

1970

One Little Indian poster
6.3

An Army deserter flees by camel across the desert with a caucasian boy raised by Indians.

One Little Indian

1973

Napoleon and Samantha poster
6.2

Two young children, who, rather than part with an old pet lion who was once a circus performer, go on a perilous mountain trek to stay with a recluse friend.

Napoleon and Samantha

1972

The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit poster
6.9

Frederick Bolton has to solve two problems. First, his boss has instructed him to come up with a reasonable campaign to promote a new product, a stomach pill named "Aspercel" - by tomorrow. The second problem is Fred's daugther, Helen. She is absolutely fond of horses, takes riding classes and has already had decent success in some competitions. Her biggest wish is to own a horse herself, a dream her father cannot afford at all. Now Fred tries to solve both problems at once by simply combining them: A horse named "Aspercel", ridden by his daugther should bring the name of the pill into the papers and make Helen happy, too. But there's still one more obstacle: Helen and Aspercel of course have to win a few prices to make this idea work...

The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit

1968

Monsters of the Deep poster
NR

Walt Disney takes viewers on a journey into the history and behaviors of the beasts that lie below the waves. During the show, viewers see how the giant squid from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was brought to life with assistance from Kirk Douglas and Peter Lorre, explore the prehistoric ancestors of these beasts through clips from Fantasia, and recall Pinocchio's encounter with the fearsome Monstro with narration by Cliff Edwards reprising his role of Jiminy Cricket.

Monsters of the Deep

—

Nikki, Wild Dog of the North poster
6.4

A family film about Nikki, a half-wolf, half-dog raised in the Yukon during the gold rush era. After being separated from her master, Nikki must fend for herself amidst bears, the harsh Yukon weather, and a trapper who wants her skin.

Nikki, Wild Dog of the North

1961

Nikki, Wild Dog of the North poster
6.4

A family film about Nikki, a half-wolf, half-dog raised in the Yukon during the gold rush era. After being separated from her master, Nikki must fend for herself amidst bears, the harsh Yukon weather, and a trapper who wants her skin.

Nikki, Wild Dog of the North

1961

Chico, the Misunderstood Coyote poster
NR

A witness to his mother’s death at the hand of a man, the coyote, Chico, has learned to hate and fear him. Taken into captivity and exhibited in a small desert roadside zoo, he learns much but never loses his bitterness toward his enemy: man. Chico makes his escape and bounds off for a life of adventure in the desert where he mates with Tula. He sees an eagle grab one of his pups and worries when his mate raids a chicken coop. Realizing the dangers of man, Chico decides to take his family deeper into the desert to help his family try to win the battle for survival.

Chico, the Misunderstood Coyote

1961

Music Land poster
6.0

Walt Disney animation animated cartoon musical compilation ("The BIG Parade of MIRTH and MELODY"; "Offering hits re-released from 'Make Mine Music' and 'Melody Time'"; featuring cartoons from the 1946 musical, "Make Mine Music," and the 1948 musical "Melody Time") featuring Donald Duck, Joe Carioca, and other Disney cartoon characters, and also songs by Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians, Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, Frances Langford, Roy Rogers and Trigger, The Andrews Sisters (Laverne, Maxene, and Patty Andrews), Freddy Martin and his orchestra, Sons of the Pioneers, Jerry Colonna, and Ethel Smith

Music Land

1955

Disneyland: U.S.A. poster
8.0

A tour of the Disneyland theme park.

Disneyland: U.S.A.

1956

The Blue Men of Morocco poster
NR

The movie presents a mysterious and enigmatic world, a place where more than 40,000 — no one knows precisely how many — descendants of Arab conquerors live, the last great nomads of the world. These nomads are deemed the “Blue Men” due to their bluish complexion — not a racial characteristic, but the consequence of color from their clothing staining their skin. Each morning, they turn to Mecca and thank Allah for the blessing of their remaining liberty, that liberty which, in spite of all the pain and hardships, they would not exchange for houses, which they could not carry on their journeys, nor for radios, since the world outside does not exist for them, nor for watches, since it is not their custom to count the time.

The Blue Men of Morocco

1957

Rusty and the Falcon poster
NR

Rusty is a 12-year-old boy who lives in a remote Rocky Mountain mining town. With few friends his own age, he has developed a fantasy world which manifests itself in the abandoned mine shaft where he plays every day. It is here that the boy finds an injured falcon, whom he ultimately restores to health and grooms as a hunting bird.

Rusty and the Falcon

1958

Wild Burro of the West poster
NR

Dusty is a small burro living a quiet life with her elderly master, a farmer in Mexico, until two men sneak onto the farm and steal her. They use the animal to help them rustle cattle. Dusty carries their water and other supplies, but the men are cruel and mistreat the burro, allowing her little water and feed. Tired of this mistreatment, Dusty strains to break free of the hobbles used to control her. Starring Bill Keys as Andy, Bill Pace as a Rustler and Jim Burch as a Rustler.

Wild Burro of the West

1960

Water Birds poster
6.8

Water Birds is a 1952 short documentary film directed by Ben Sharpsteen. The film delves into the still waters of lagoons and marshes to the wild blue wilderness of the vast oceans, to experience the beauty and variety of their majestic birds, each perfectly designed for its habitat. It won the Oscar for Best Short Subject, Two-Reel.

Water Birds

1952

Sancho, the Homing Steer poster
NR

A pet steer, Sancho, is awkward to keep when it is full grown at the rancho, and he almost ruins a cattle drive. Sancho heads off toward home by himself, a journey of 1,200 miles, finding many obstacles along the way.

Sancho, the Homing Steer

1962

Sardinia poster
NR

A train ride takes the audience through the rugged countryside to see the Sardinian people of today. Their independence and self-reliance is emphasized. Sheep are tended and the treatment of their wool is depicted. A wedding and a funeral service are shown, as well as the annual “Ardia” festival with horsemen commemorating historical events.

Sardinia

1956

Wonders of the Water Worlds poster
NR

This tracks the course of a body of water (from brook to lake to sea, etc.) and features the lives of animals that inhabit in or near it.

Wonders of the Water Worlds

1961

Seven Cities of Antarctica poster
7.5

In 1955 Operation "Deep Freeze" began. This film tells the story of its purpose - the establishment by the United States Navy of seven bases in Antarctica for scientific study and observations in connection with the International Geophysical Year. Rare motion pictures record sequences from the expeditions of the early pioneers, Mundsen and Scott, and the film becomes the story of man's instinct to understand and conquer the unknown.

Seven Cities of Antarctica

1958

Siam poster
6.5

Part of the Walt Disney "People and Places" series visiting Siam.

Siam

1954

The Pigeon That Worked a Miracle poster
NR

A boy, Chad, confined to a wheelchair, raises pigeons, and they are the therapy that he needs to walk again, when he forgets his own troubles to try to save his favorite pigeon.

The Pigeon That Worked a Miracle

1958

Chandar, the Black Leopard of Ceylon poster
6.5

Chandar is a black leopard who lives near the beach of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) together with his mother and his sister.

Chandar, the Black Leopard of Ceylon

1972

Lefty, the Dingaling Lynx poster
8.0

A Canadian lynx and his friend, an Irish Setter, explore the wintry mountain landscape of Washington state.

Lefty, the Dingaling Lynx

1971

The Boy Who Stole the Elephant poster
4.0

A frontier huckster, Colonel Ryder, and a young orphan, Davey, operate a travelling tent show. They are loaned an elephant by an old friend, Molly, who is also a rival circus owner. Davey trains the elephant and the two soon become inseparable. When the Colonel loses the elephant in gambling, Davey steals the elephant and begins a 20-mile search for Molly, the rightful owner.

The Boy Who Stole the Elephant

1970

The Olympic Elk poster
8.0

Join the majestic Olympic elk as they traverse the alpine path from their winter home in the lowland shadow of Washington's Mount Olympus, to the fertile grazing grounds of its towering peaks.

The Olympic Elk

1952

Operation Undersea poster
2.0

No synopsis available yet.

Operation Undersea

1954

Operation Undersea poster
2.0

No synopsis available yet.

Operation Undersea

1954

The Alaskan Eskimo poster
7.1

Oscar Winning short documentary

The Alaskan Eskimo

1953

Men Against the Arctic poster
6.6

This Academy Award winning short subject documentary follows the United States Coast Guard icebreaker ships Eastwind and Westwind for four months as they work to clear navigational paths for ships traversing the arctic sea.

Men Against the Arctic

1955

Men Against the Arctic poster
6.6

This Academy Award winning short subject documentary follows the United States Coast Guard icebreaker ships Eastwind and Westwind for four months as they work to clear navigational paths for ships traversing the arctic sea.

Men Against the Arctic

1955

The Nashville Coyote poster
NR

A surprised coyote stowaway on a freight train ends up in Nashville where he meets a friendly beagle and an aspiring songwriter. The songwriter is unable to sell his songs, so he returns to California, taking the coyote back to his desert home

The Nashville Coyote

1972