Bambi, a Life in the Woods the novel has since been translated and published in over 30 languages around the world. Salten published a sequel, "Bambis Kinder, eine Familie im Walde" ("Bambi's Children"), in 1939. The novel was well received by critics and is considered a classic, as well as one of the first environmental novels. It was adapted into a theatrical animated film, "Bambi", by Walt Disney Productions in 1942, two Russian live-action adaptations in 1985 and 1986, and a stage production in 1998. A ballet adaptation was written by an Oregon troupe, but never premiered. Janet Schulman published a children's picture book adaptation in
Walt Disney Television (production company) Walt Disney Telefilms, was a TV film production company and a division of Walt Disney Television. The division provided movies for "The Wonderful World of Disney". With the purchase of Capital Cities/ABC, Disney CEO Michael Eisner wanted to relaunch "The Wonderful World of Disney" on ABC in 1996 with a movie franchise. Walt Disney Telefilms was formed to produce films for the anthology TV series by 1995. Leah Keith was transferred from Walt Disney Pictures that year to the telefilms division. Hollywood Pictures executive vice president Charles Hirschhorn oversaw Walt Disney Telefilms as president in June 1996, reporting to Dean