Dorothea Holt Redmond: Hollywood Pioneer and Imagineer

Dorothea Holt Redmond, a USC graduate who was a pioneering female motion picture illustrator, production designer, and Disney Imagineer, has passed away at the age of 98. (Click title of post for her obituary.)

Redmond worked on many Hitchcock films, including REBECCA, SHADOW OF A DOUBT, and REAR WINDOW, as well as on other Hollywood classics.

As an Imagineer, she designed the New Orleans Square apartment which was intended for Walt Disney's use. He passed away before he could stay there, and the apartment, located above Pirates of the Caribbean, was the Walt Disney Gallery until it was converted back into living space as a Disney Dream Suite. Pixar's John Lasseter and family are reported to be regular guests.

Below, a photo of the apartment's entrance when it was still the Disney Gallery:


Redmond also designed the tile murals in the walkway of Disney World's Cinderella Castle:




She was married to Harry Redmond, a special effects supervisor and producer, for 69 years and is survived by her husband, son, and grandchildren. Mr. Redmond will be 100 this fall.

Update: Here is a tribute at Disney's new D23 site. It includes a selection of old photos and newspaper clippings about Redmond's work.