Growing up in Disneyland by Ron DeFore

Publisher: Waldorf Publishing (July 15, 2019)
Category: Memoir, Disneyland, Entertainer Biographies, Coming of Age
Tour dates: Oct-Nov, 2019
ISBN: 1643166263
Available in Print and ebook, 348 pages

Description Growing up in Disneyland by Ron DeFore

Part biography about TV and movie star, Don DeFore, and his son’s accounts of life in a celebrity family and beyond. Don DeFore made more than 35 movies in the ‘40s through the ‘60s and co-starred in more than a dozen. He is best known for his role as “Thorny” the first next-door-neighbor on “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” and “Mr.B” in the 1960s TV sitcom, “Hazel.” The book includes much of Don’s unpublished autobiography, ‘Hollywood-DeFore ‘n After.’

‘Growing up in Disneyland’ is a metaphor for Ron’s life growing up in a celebrity family filled with Fantasyland adventures he equates to a Forest Gump type life, from meeting the Beatles, Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, and other celebrities as Associate Director of the Steve Allen Show. His nearly 20 careers include a mid-life crisis as the Flying DJ at an L.A. discotheque to political positions within the Reagan Presidential Administration to establishing his own company. ‘Growing up in Disneyland’ is also to be taken literally, as Ron spent much of his youth in Disneyland where his father owned “Don DeFore’s Silver Banjo Barbecue” restaurant in Frontierland. Ron and his brother, Dave, have given presentations to various Disneyland interest groups after which many attendees suggested, you should write a book.

‘Growing up in Disneyland’ will be enjoyed by any age group from baby-boomers that remember Don DeFore’s many beloved acting roles to those that don’t but are curious how life was in the good-old-days, especially growing up in a Hollywood celebrity family. Ron has had so many careers and adventures along the way that readers will have much to keep them from putting the book down.

Praise Growing up in Disneyland by Ron DeFore

“I enjoyed the flow of the book and how the author kept the momentum going, allowed the reader to adjust and then took them on a journey where they experienced the larger than life personality of Don DeFore. The language was simple yet encouraging. Ron DeFore draws the reader in and once they have entered the colorful world of the DeFore family, they won’t want to leave. Incredibly vivid and entertaining!” – Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite

“I found the life and works of both author Ron DeFore and his father Don to be a truly fascinating tale of legacy, the surreal nature of fame and the bubble-like existence which that kind of family life brings with it. Ron writes with a candid nature and kind words, recalling many adventures with a nostalgic tone that is sure to hit the hearts of those who were living during the time of the Beatles and the Beach Boys, to name but a few. For me, it was a glimpse into a past I’d no experience of, and the recollections by both Don and Ron brought everything to life with fascinating detail and authentic voices. I learned an awful lot during this heartfelt tale, and I would certainly recommend ‘Growing Up in Disneyland’ to readers who remember the fifties, but also those who would like a true portrait of Hollywood lives at the time.”-K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

“A must Read Biography of a Film Star and Television Icon. A fascinating read to hear his story from the viewpoint of his son, Ron who experienced every kid’s dream/ a wonderful childhood who had a golden pass to Disneyland”-Rick Lertzman, Amazon Review

About Ron DeFore

Ron DeFore is the second son of movie, television and Broadway star, Don DeFore. He has one brother, David and three sisters, Penny, Dawn, and Autumn.

He has had nearly 20 careers from TV and film production, real estate, Disc Jockey, senior executive in the Reagan Administration, to forming his own successful public relations firm in Washington, D.C.

Ron has since retired from his firm and continues to consult and write, “Growing up in Disneyland” being his major project since 2018. Ron is married to Laurie Gambino

Website: https://growingupindisneyland.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrowingUpinDisneyland
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Moviestarson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonofmoviestar/

Actor Don DeFore Fan Club

Website: https://www.defore.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonDeFore/members/

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Growing Up in Disneyland

By Ron DeFore

EXCERPT

Note to readers: “Growing Up in Disneyland” is part biography and autobiography. The first part of the book is mostly written by my father, TV/movie star, Don DeFore, about his career in various productions like the 1960s TV series, “Hazel.” It is sprinkled with some commentary from me to put things in to proper perspective. Additionally, the later half of the book is my story of living in a celebrity family and beyond. The title of the book is a both a metaphor for my life and is also to be taken literal as Dad was the only person to own a concession in Disneyland bearing the name of a living person. Following is an excerpt, and good example of the combination of my narrative and my Dad’s own accounts.
Excerpt:

It’s been debated within the family how much Dad’s politics may have affected his career, if at all. He did a lot of campaigning for Republican candidates: the California Gubernatorial races of Ronald Reagan and Pete Wilson as well as Wilson’s bid for senator, and Nixon and Reagan for president. Dad’s support of Reagan went back to the 1950s. In 1961 Dad produced and was master of ceremonies for one of Regan’s first political speeches. It was sponsored by the Men’s Club of the Santa Monica Methodist Church and held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. I have a poster advertising the event with Reagan’s and Dad’s autographs. Dad was a prolific letter writer, so part of my collection of his political memorabilia is a five-inch-thick binder of letters responding to him including every U.S. President from Truman to President H. W. Bush. The most precious is a hand-written letter (including the envelope) from Ronald Reagan. Here’s Dad’s recollection of the event he produced at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.
Don DeFore:
Throughout my career, I’ve received invitations, requests, and petitions to assist in person, or financially, with various worthwhile endeavors, many of which have been from churches—Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish. Subject to my career schedule, I’ve always responded affirmatively. With the success of our “Hazel” TV series, once again requests came in for my participation in those worthwhile endeavors. And despite the fact that even though “Hazel” was an ongoing weekly filmed series, each segment requiring study and memory work, I was able to accept the yearly invitation from Walter Knott, of Knott’s Berry Farm fame, and a great American, to serve annually as master of ceremonies at his Independence Day weekend family programs.
On two such occasions, our main speaker was Ronald Reagan who at the time was speaking about the country for his sponsor, G.E. So, too, I was honored when a representative of the church we attended asked if I would accept the presidency of the men’s club. I asked for time to think it over. I did, and felt if the weekly and monthly business of the club could be handled by others, and if the club’s officers would allow me to stage some money-making benefits for them at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, I would accept, and they agreed. My reasoning for feeling this arrangement could work was of the high caliber of men on the board, like Marshall Hickson, National President of the Red Cross, and I accepted the presidency.
As the first order of business as president, I asked the officers to attend a meeting at our home, and of course, included the newly appointed minister. I’d prepared a list of prominent show business personalities that I knew for the board to consider as the speaker at our first Santa Monica Auditorium program. Heading that list was Charlton Heston, who at the time was speaking at various churches and religious gatherings and reading from the Bible, in conjunction with his excellent portrayal of Moses in “The Ten Commandments.” After considerable study, the new pastor pointed out a name in the middle of the list and asked, “Do you think we could get Ronald Reagan?” The others shared the same enthusiastic inquiry. “I’m certain I could arrange for Reagan to speak, depending on a satisfactory date for him. And is this the choice of the rest of you?” All agreed it was. The next order of business was a date. I felt after hearing his tremendous patriotic speech on behalf of Senator Goldwater, that May 30th, Memorial Day, would be appropriate. The date was unanimously approved. The following day I phoned Reagan, who lived on the high ridge overlooking our home on Mandeville Canyon. “Yes, Don,” he said, “I’d like to speak for your group, and the Memorial Day date fits into my schedule.” Immediately, I contacted the Civic Auditorium manager and firmed up the date.
With officers supervising and selecting the various committees, I went about on my own and paid for two hundred posters announcing the event, and with the help of the event coordinator, Dan Barlow, his sons, my two sons, and myself, we distributed them in store windows, on telephone poles, wherever, throughout Westwood, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu. Later, I took out newspaper ads explaining what, who, where, by whom! Our Memorial Day program opened with several patriotic numbers by a fine Masonic chorus arranged and directed by one of the club members and a loyal member of the church. Obviously, the printed signs our six-man publicity committee had distributed throughout the various communities had paid off. There were twelve hundred in attendance, including many members of the church. And Reagan’s patriotic speech titled “Business, Ballots, Bureau” was excellent, receiving much applause!
Starting with Reagan’s excellent leadership during his several consecutive terms as president of our Screen Actors’ Guild and the subsequent many civic programs, at which I either served as M.C. or was a member of the dais when Ronald Reagan was the main speaker, there was never doubt in my mind that he could, and very well should, test his feet in the political waters. And I made it known I would be willing to lend my name toward his support. However, little did I realize that my Reagan speaking program at the Santa Monica Auditorium would revive my peripheral involvement in politics!

Growing Up in Disneyland by Ron DeFore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

I am a student of old Hollywood, having read biographies and autobiographies of the legendary greats from the time I was in elementary school. Most of those are filled with stories of infidelity, drug addiction, suicide, depression, and ill tempers. This book was a refreshing departure from all that. While Ron does not paint an absolutely perfect childhood and family life, I would say it is as close to idyllic as one could hope for in this flawed world of ours. How refreshing to read about a marriage that lasted in Hollywood, five kids that didn’t turn out too badly, and loving tributes to both parents from a doting son. Yes, there were a few milder sorts of expletives thrown here or there, but for the most part, those were direct quotes and did not stand out as offensive. And the fact that Ron chose to publish much of his father’s autobiography in this memoir…I could not be more thrilled!

I considered giving this a four-star rating only because there was so much in it, and maybe mainstream audiences wouldn’t be interested. But as I continued to read, I was far too captivated with the anecdotes and the values depicted within this book are just too good not to be acknowledged. While not everyone may find this story intriguing and endearing, I certainly did, and I highly recommend it!

View all my reviews

Giveaway Growing up in Disneyland by Ron DeFore

This giveaway is for the winner’s choice of one print or ebook copy of the book. Print is open to the U.S. only and ebook is available worldwide. There will be 3 winners. This giveaway ends November 1, 2019, midnight pacific time.

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