Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" released 1959

Sleeping Beauty, released by Walt Disney Productions January 29, 1959, is based on a 1697 fairy tale by Charles Perrault.  The movie tells the story of Princess Aurora, who was cursed by the evil Maleficent to die on her 16th birthday by pricking her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel. She is saved by three good fairies and a handsome prince.

It opened to mixed reviews.  Some critics praised its art direction and musical score, but bashed the plot and characters.  The plot?  It's a two-hundred and fifty year old story!  Jeez.

Although it was a box office bomb upon its release it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Scoring of a Musical Picture.  

Since then, following re-releases, it has become one of Disney's most beloved films and has been selected for preservation in the United States Library of Congress' National Film Registry.

Walt Disney's "101 Dalmatians" released 1961

Walt Disney's animated classic 101 Dalmatians premiered January 25, 1961, was the highest-grossing movie in the U.S. that year.  It helped the company get back on track after Sleeping Beauty first failed. (After the re-releases, Sleeping Beauty became one of the highest-grossing films of 1959.)

It introduced the world to one of the greatest villainessess of all time, Cruella de Vil.

Rod Taylor, voice of Pongo, was one of the first actors hired.