Next wave of Walt Disney Treasures? Update: Future In Doubt

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

I can't believe they're doing this, but then I can. I just thought this kind of stupid move by Disney was gone now that Eisner was gone. Boy was I wrong.

Just because Eisner was in control, doesn't mean he's responsible for everything. Same goes to Iger who's currently in control.

FYI: Disney is like most big companies as they have a whole board of directors and tons of different people working on different aspects of Disney. Example: such as the same people who makes the movies are differen than the ones who make the DVDs. In other words, it's not in Iger's control/fault what gets released, he probably doesn't know what has been released recently, same goes to Eisner.

With the exception of a very select few titles over the past years, Disney's been releasing crap... both theatrically and directly to video/DVD!

Well considering this year Disney took the top 2 spots at domestic box office with Pirates and Cars and 8 of their DVD's got into the top 20 most sold DVDs of 2006, I think it's safe to say you're in the minority in thinking they've only released crap.

Anyway, in regards to Walt Disney Treasures going extinct, well... we all(or should've) KNEW it was happening or going to happen. There were so many hints from the low amount of sets produced for Wave 6, the start of a home video franchise similar to the Treasures(Legacy Collection) with much more promotion than Wave 6 of the Treasures and having content more people were excited for than the content of Wave 6, the doulbe-dipped content on "Your Host Walt Disney", as well as the general fact so much has been released on DVD and with new formats as Blu-Ray and HD-DVD, like Leonard, I'm thankful the Treasures have lasted this long.

But at the same time, I am a little disappointed, mainly as I was a relative new comer to collecting them and only have 5 so far. Like Escapay, I feel rushed to get any treasure I can find. But I actually am not worried about what the will happen to the unreleased material. Considering the Oswald shorts and the long waited Disneyland: Secrets, Stories and Magic is coming through the Legacy Collection, I'm sure they'll find a way to released the last 2 Donald Volumes, the Educational Shorts, Song of the South and any others with material not yet released.

And finally, I have to agree with the petitions being pointless. The fact is, Disney is really going to ignore it. I mean, afterall, we still don't have our "Song of the South: 60th Anniversary Edition". And it's not just Disney, but most companies ignore these types of petitions. So what's the point?

R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures
December 4, 2001- January 10, 2007
A simple, yet extrodanary series of items that made our lives more exciting.

[MK Sharp]

My point is, the WDT is dead, you might as well get that into your head and NOTHING will change their minds, not phone calls, not e-mails, not postal letters, not nothing! JUST GIVE UP!!

Methinks someone needs to go and watch So Dear To My Heart again...

[Maerj]

Want to see the cartoons so badly? Then just spend the cash and buy the other DVDs they're on, even if they do have some cartoons already on the WDT.

Donald Cartoons not available on any Disney DVD (OOP or in print):

Clown of the Jungle (1947)
Bootle Beetle (1947)
Wide Open Spaces (1947)
Drip Dippy Donald (1948)
Daddy Duck (1948)
The Trial of Donald Duck (1948)
Tea for Two Hundred (1948)
Donald's Happy Birthday (1949)
Winter Storage (1949) - also includes Chip 'n Dale
Honey Harvester (1949)
All in a Nutshell (1949) - also includes Chip 'n Dale
The Greener Yard (1949)
Slide, Donald, Slide (1949)
Hook, Lion and Sinker (1950)
Dude Duck (1951)
Test Pilot Donald (1951) - also includes Chip 'n Dale
Bee on Guard (1951)
Let's Stick Together (1952)
Uncle Donald's Ants (1952)
The New Neighbor (1953)
Rugged Bear (1953) - also includes Humphrey the Bear
Canvas Back Duck (1953)
Spare the Rod (1954)
Grin and Bear It (1954) - also includes Humphrey the Bear and J. Audobon Woodlore
Flying Squirrel (1954)
No Hunting (1955)
Bearly Asleep (1955) - also includes Humphrey the Bear and J. Audobon Woodlore
Beezy Bear (1955) - also includes Humphrey the Bear
Up a Tree (1955) - also includes Chip 'n Dale
Chips Ahoy (1956) - also includes Chip 'n Dale
How to Have an Accident in the Home (1956)
Donald in Mathmagic Land (1959)
How to Have an Accident at Work (1959)
Steel and America (1965) (commercial)
Donald's Fire Survival Plan (1966)


Escapay

That's enough to warrant at least one more set. Perhaps even emailing Leonarld Maltin might help? If there is enough fan support, maybe we could get just one more set?

I plan on contacting Disney to let them know that I would really like to see a final Treasures set to complete the Donald cartoon series.

Maybe it could be in a special gold colored tin?

[darth_deetoo]

I e-mailed Leonard Maltin myself last night and have just received the following reply:-

Hi...

Thanks for your kind words about the Walt Disney Treasures; as you know they've been a labor of love for me from Day One, when I originally pitched the idea seven years ago.

The folks at Walt Disney Home Video have told me that the series will not continue. Naturally, I share your questions about leaving unfinished business behind, but that doesn't seem to be a factor in their decision.

I take satisfaction in having had a great six-year run and getting to work with such wonderful material... but now it's out of my hands.

Thanks again for your support and enthusiasm.

cheers,

Leonard Maltin

Very disappointing news, let's hope the remaining Donald's at least find some outlet. Looks like I'm going to have to start collecting the cheaper short collections, which I would imagine are probably more profitable for Disney.

[thomashton]

With the exception of a very select few titles over the past years, Disney's been releasing crap... both theatrically and directly to video/DVD!

Well considering this year Disney took the top 2 spots at domestic box office with Pirates and Cars and 8 of their DVD's got into the top 20 most sold DVDs of 2006, I think it's safe to say you're in the minority in thinking they've only released crap.

I don't necessarily agree with this becaus:

#1 Pirates was hyped beyond belief and everyone wanted to see it because of the success of the first one. Most agree it is far inferior to COTBP. It would have done well even if Davy Jones and Jack played smack bottom for 2.5 hours.

#2 You can't use Cars in your arguement. That is 100% Pixar.

#3 The actual quote you dismissed said, "With the exception of a very select few titles . . ." I agree Pirates is good and should be on that short list, but Megatron was being generous by saying "a very select FEW [have been good]". I can't think of many more. Can you?

#4 How many of those 8 DVDs in the top 20 are older, rereleased content that is good? We are talking NEW crap.

I just haven't been buying Disney lately like I did in 2001-04 or so. Granted some of that has to do with me having a lot of what I want, but of NEW titles, not much. What have they really put out in terms of quality that is NEW.

And finally, I have to agree with the petitions being pointless. The fact is, Disney is really going to ignore it. I mean, afterall, we still don't have our "Song of the South: 60th Anniversary Edition". And it's not just Disney, but most companies ignore these types of petitions. So what's the point?

This is crazy, communist, defeatist talk! It's always worth trying! I own too many of them (all but MMC, El Fuego/Swamp Fox, Spin/Marty, Hardy Boys) to give up on completing Donald.

[Big Disney Fan]

My point is, the WDT is dead, you might as well get that into your head and NOTHING will change their minds, not phone calls, not e-mails, not postal letters, not nothing! JUST GIVE UP!!

Methinks someone needs to go and watch So Dear To My Heart again...

Didn't you read what Timon/Pumbaa Fan wrote?! Excuse me, but I'm not the one who should watch So Dear.... It's those Home Video people behind the WDT. They're over, I told you so! Now all the petitions in the world won't save them, they're gone! But maybe, just maybe, they could release the remaining Donald shorts through the Legacy line...

[Big Disney Fan]

Very disappointing news, let's hope the remaining Donald's at least find some outlet. Looks like I'm going to have to start collecting the cheaper short collections, which I would imagine are probably more profitable for Disney.

Maybe, just maybe, mind you, they will release the remaining Donald toons on the Legacy line. 'Course, they'd have to rerelease all the other Donald toons that have been released as well. However, as with the TLA DVDs, perhaps they could release all the Donald toons at once. And who knows; maybe they will release the toons between 1942 and '46 (the non-war toons, of course) in the more improved quality that they did NOT receive on the WDT.

Oh well, the WDT line was great while it lasted. It could've been much worse; they could've left the Pluto and Symphonies series half-done. We should consider ourselves lucky.

I was considering the Jiminy Cricket toons (i.e., I'm No Fool) as well. But now that the WDT is finished, maybe they could release a handful of these toons on the upcoming Pinocchio PE...

[TM2-Megatron]

Very disappointing news, let's hope the remaining Donald's at least find some outlet. Looks like I'm going to have to start collecting the cheaper short collections, which I would imagine are probably more profitable for Disney.

Maybe, just maybe, mind you, they will release the remaining Donald toons on the Legacy line. 'Course, they'd have to rerelease all the other Donald toons that have been released as well. However, as with the TLA DVDs, perhaps they could release all the Donald toons at once. And who knows; maybe they will release the toons between 1942 and '46 (the non-war toons, of course) in the more improved quality that they did NOT receive on the WDT.

Oh well, the WDT line was great while it lasted. It could've been much worse; they could've left the Pluto and Symphonies series half-done. We should consider ourselves lucky.

Pretty pessimistic outlook. I say it's not over 'til it's over, and this isn't over yet. We shouldn't be taking anything the Disney Home Video people say through Mr. Maltin as absolute fact, yet. I mean, come on... Wave 6 was just released; and there are people above the BVHE department who have more authority to make these decisions. Not to mention that just ending the line so suddenly after a recent release in that line feels too soon to have been a well though-out business decision.

I'm sure Leonard Maltin will let Disney know that the fans want them to complete Donald and the other assorted/educational shorts... and we can supplement that with emails, letters and phone calls.

Sure, they could release the Donald shorts using the Legacy line, but it would actually probably take more money to do that at this point than to just finish off the Treasures line with one more wave. As people have already said, if Disney released the remaining Donald shorts to the Legacy Series, they'd also probably have to release the shorts that were included in the Vol 1 and 2 Treasures, as well; which would mean more expense than necessary. Also, the packaging really wouldn't match up well if half the Donald sets were Treasures and the other Legacy.

[Big Disney Fan]

Maybe, just maybe, mind you, they will release the remaining Donald toons on the Legacy line. 'Course, they'd have to rerelease all the other Donald toons that have been released as well. However, as with the TLA DVDs, perhaps they could release all the Donald toons at once. And who knows; maybe they will release the toons between 1942 and '46 (the non-war toons, of course) in the more improved quality that they did NOT receive on the WDT.

Oh well, the WDT line was great while it lasted. It could've been much worse; they could've left the Pluto and Symphonies series half-done. We should consider ourselves lucky.

Pretty pessimistic outlook. I say it's not over 'til it's over, and this isn't over yet. We shouldn't be taking anything the Disney Home Video people say through Mr. Maltin as absolute fact, yet. I mean, come on... Wave 6 was just released; and there are people above the BVHE department who have more authority to make these decisions. Not to mention that just ending the line so suddenly after a recent release in that line feels too soon to have been a well though-out business decision.

I'm sure Leonard Maltin will let Disney know that the fans want them to complete Donald and the other assorted/educational shorts... and we can supplement that with emails, letters and phone calls.

Sure, they could release the Donald shorts using the Legacy line, but it would actually probably take more money to do that at this point than to just finish off the Treasures line with one more wave. As people have already said, if Disney released the remaining Donald shorts to the Legacy Series, they'd also probably have to release the shorts that were included in the Vol 1 and 2 Treasures, as well; which would mean more expense than necessary. Also, the packaging really wouldn't match up well if half the Donald sets were Treasures and the other Legacy.

I hate to burst your bubble, but I'm afraid the Donald shorts on the WDT won't happen. I have this letter from Mr. Maltin himself to prove it:

Hi...

Thanks for your kind words about the Walt Disney Treasures; as you know they've been a labor of love for me from Day One, when I originally pitched the idea seven years ago.

The folks at Walt Disney Home Video have told me that the series will not continue. Naturally, I share your questions about leaving unfinished business behind, but that doesn't seem to be a factor in their decision.

I take satisfaction in having had a great six-year run and getting to work with such wonderful material... but now it's out of my hands.

Thanks again for your support and enthusiasm.

cheers,

Leonard Maltin

So, according to Maltin himself, the Treasures are over, ended, through, finished, washed up, game over, do not pass go. I could go on and on, but I've made my point.

But as for Donald, I'm just saying that if they released the Donald shorts from Part Two in the Treasures line on the Legacy line, they could get the more decent improved quality they didn't get on the Treasures for some mysterious reason. Besides, financial considerations aside, some people may not have been able to attain Donald 1 or 2. If they were to release them to the Legacy line, this could be a good second chance.

[TM2-Megatron]

Pretty pessimistic outlook. I say it's not over 'til it's over, and this isn't over yet. We shouldn't be taking anything the Disney Home Video people say through Mr. Maltin as absolute fact, yet. I mean, come on... Wave 6 was just released; and there are people above the BVHE department who have more authority to make these decisions. Not to mention that just ending the line so suddenly after a recent release in that line feels too soon to have been a well though-out business decision.

I'm sure Leonard Maltin will let Disney know that the fans want them to complete Donald and the other assorted/educational shorts... and we can supplement that with emails, letters and phone calls.

Sure, they could release the Donald shorts using the Legacy line, but it would actually probably take more money to do that at this point than to just finish off the Treasures line with one more wave. As people have already said, if Disney released the remaining Donald shorts to the Legacy Series, they'd also probably have to release the shorts that were included in the Vol 1 and 2 Treasures, as well; which would mean more expense than necessary. Also, the packaging really wouldn't match up well if half the Donald sets were Treasures and the other Legacy.

I hate to burst your bubble, but I'm afraid the Donald shorts on the WDT won't happen. I have this letter from Mr. Maltin himself to prove it:

Hi...

Thanks for your kind words about the Walt Disney Treasures; as you know they've been a labor of love for me from Day One, when I originally pitched the idea seven years ago.

The folks at Walt Disney Home Video have told me that the series will not continue. Naturally, I share your questions about leaving unfinished business behind, but that doesn't seem to be a factor in their decision.

I take satisfaction in having had a great six-year run and getting to work with such wonderful material... but now it's out of my hands.

Thanks again for your support and enthusiasm.

cheers,

Leonard Maltin

So, according to Maltin himself, the Treasures are over, ended, through, finished, washed up, game over, do not pass go. I could go on and on, but I've made my point.

But as for Donald, I'm just saying that if they released the Donald shorts from Part Two in the Treasures line on the Legacy line, they could get the more decent improved quality they didn't get on the Treasures for some mysterious reason. Besides, financial considerations aside, some people may not have been able to attain Donald 1 or 2. If they were to release them to the Legacy line, this could be a good second chance.

As much respect as I have for Mr. Maltin, he doesn't work for Disney. Also, I don't have any respect at all for the idiots currently running BVHE. As I said, we shouldn' yet take anything they might say as absolutely true. BVHE is hardly the highest authority at Disney, and ultimately the fate of WDT will be up to somebody above BVHE.

And really, deciding to end a line mere weeks after releasing something into that line seems incredibly rushed, IMO. What kind of halfwit would do that? Certainly not a competent business-person. I say we should wait and see for another couple months, and subject Disney to more phone calls, emails and letters than ever before in the interim.

[Big Disney Fan]

As much respect as I have for Mr. Maltin, he doesn't work for Disney. Also, I don't have any respect at all for the idiots currently running BVHE. As I said, we shouldn' yet take anything they might say as absolutely true. BVHE is hardly the highest authority at Disney, and ultimately the fate of WDT will be up to somebody above BVHE.

And really, deciding to end a line mere weeks after releasing something into that line seems incredibly rushed, IMO. What kind of halfwit would do that? Certainly not a competent business-person. I say we should wait and see for another couple months, and subject Disney to more phone calls, emails and letters than ever before in the interim.

Next time, don't just keep quoting before responding. It wastes space. I used to that, too, before I was told not to do so again. I now pass that knowledge onto you.

Anyway, how do you know what they gonna do? I mean, Maltin himself said they're done. Perhaps those "halfwits" as you call them ARE the "competent" business-persons. As for the phone calls, emails and letters, give those up, they'll just ignore or dismiss them.

Sorry if I'm sounding pessimistic here, but to me, sometimes pessimistic is just another way of saying practical. I know how you feel, and I share your sympathy, but Maltin himself said they won't happen again, so I think the only practical thing to do is just accept their death.

[Escapay]

That's enough to warrant at least one more set.

Yeah, but the problem is, those 33 shorts (I forgot to remove "Daddy Duck" and "Canvas Back Duck" from the original 35) aren't available anywhere on DVD, so if it were released, it meant that the following 28 shorts and 5 segments (of other films) available on non-Treasures DVDs wouldn't be part of a chronological line-up, and consumers would need to buy roughly 10-15 other DVD titles in order to have the complete-complete Donald:

Straight Shooters (1947)
Sleepy Time Donald (1947)
Donald's Dilemma (1947)
Crazy with the Heat (1947)
Chip an' Dale (1947)
Daddy Duck (1948)
Donald's Dream Voice (1948)
Inferior Decorator (1948)
Soup's On (1948)
Three for Breakfast (1948)
Sea Salts (1949)
Toy Tinkers (1949)
Crazy Over Daisy (1950)
Trailer Horn (1950)
Bee at the Beach (1950)
Out on a Limb (1950)
Corn Chips (1951)
Lucky Number (1951)
Out of Scale (1951)
Donald Applecore (1952)
Trick or Treat (1952)
Pluto’s Christmas Tree (1952)
Canvas Back Duck (1953)
Don's Fountain of Youth (1953)
Working for Peanuts (1953)
Donald's Diary (1954)
Dragon Around (1954)
Grand Canyonscope (1954)

Fun and Fancy Free (Mickey and the Beanstalk) (1947)
Lake Titicaca (Saludos Amigos) (1943)
Blame it on the Samba (Melody Time) (1948)
Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
The Prince and the Pauper (1990)
Fantasia/2000 (2000)

Also, I just have to add that I think some people are taking this much more harder than they should be. I mean, yes, the official line is dead. But it does not hurt for some devotees to put their own time and effort in petitions and letter-writing campaigns. And if you ask me, knocking down those people who are putting their time to constructive use is more of a "waste of time" than doing the petitions. Admitting there's defeat is fine, but not if it comes off as seriously negative, especially towards people who are willing to stand up to it, no matter what the odds are of success.

Besides, there's nothing wrong with finishing up a Chronological Donald set (or any other set) in a Legacy collection or a non-Treasures release. It's the material that matters, not the brand label or fancy packaging that it comes in. Disney is too stupid to withhold 38 Donald Duck shorts from DVD when they know that there's some type of consumer demand out there, however small.

All this is happening too quickly and too many people are jumping the gun on a lot of things. A couple months ago, most of us were ecstatic at the fact that we'd get two new collectible DVD series's: Legacy Collection and Treasures. Now we get unofficial word (Maltin is Maltin, not the Walt Disney Company) that the Treasures are kaput, and everyone's suddenly nasty to each other and taking vicious sides of "Give it up!" or "Don't give up!"

Everyone should take a breather, step away from the computer for a couple days, and at least think about why Disney would end the series, and the prospect of how they'll release the unreleased materials. Remember, we were expecting True-Live Adventures to be part of the Treasures series, and they were continually no-shows until a couople months ago. We'll see everything else soon enough. Just let Disney do their thing.

Escapay

[Big Disney Fan]

That's enough to warrant at least one more set.

Yeah, but the problem is, those 33 shorts (I forgot to remove "Daddy Duck" and "Canvas Back Duck" from the original 35) aren't available anywhere on DVD, so if it were released, it meant that the following 28 shorts and 5 segments (of other films) available on non-Treasures DVDs wouldn't be part of a chronological line-up, and consumers would need to buy roughly 10-15 other DVD titles in order to have the complete-complete Donald:

Straight Shooters (1947)
Sleepy Time Donald (1947)
Donald's Dilemma (1947)
Crazy with the Heat (1947)
Chip an' Dale (1947)
Daddy Duck (1948)
Donald's Dream Voice (1948)
Inferior Decorator (1948)
Soup's On (1948)
Three for Breakfast (1948)
Sea Salts (1949)
Toy Tinkers (1949)
Crazy Over Daisy (1950)
Trailer Horn (1950)
Bee at the Beach (1950)
Out on a Limb (1950)
Corn Chips (1951)
Lucky Number (1951)
Out of Scale (1951)
Donald Applecore (1952)
Trick or Treat (1952)
Pluto’s Christmas Tree (1952)
Canvas Back Duck (1953)
Don's Fountain of Youth (1953)
Working for Peanuts (1953)
Donald's Diary (1954)
Dragon Around (1954)
Grand Canyonscope (1954)

Fun and Fancy Free (Mickey and the Beanstalk) (1947)
Lake Titicaca (Saludos Amigos) (1943)
Blame it on the Samba (Melody Time) (1948)
Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
The Prince and the Pauper (1990)
Fantasia/2000 (2000)

Escapay

Actually, all the movies in which Donald are all available separately on DVDs.

[Escapay]

Actually, all the movies in which Donald are all available separately on DVDs.

Which is why I said...

it meant that the following 28 shorts and 5 segments (of other films) available on non-Treasures DVDs wouldn't be part of a chronological line-up, and consumers would need to buy roughly 10-15 other DVD titles in order to have the complete-complete Donald:

My point was that if there was one more Treasures set simply containing the completely unreleased shorts (33 of them), then there would still be 28 shorts and 5 segments of other films that would have to be collected in other DVDs, which would really piss off some consumers who probably didn't see the need to pick up Classic Cartoon Favorites or Funny Factory because they expected them to be released in a Treasures set downt hte line.

Escapay

[I am the Doctor]

Mailing a letter, calling Disney or sending an e-mail asking for them to complete Donald and other assorted animated shorts I still consider to be a good idea. It doesn't cost a lost, and even if it's ignored, who does it hurt? After all, the worst outcome is that Disney ignores the petitions, letters, etc. and the final Donald/animated volumes are never released.

However, arguing amongst ourselves as to whether such an effort is a good idea solves nothing. If you don't believe in supporting an effort to finish off the animated shorts, that is certainly your right.

But I also don't think it solves anything to argue or discourage those of us who may feel that such a petition, letter, etc. might be of benefit.

[Big Disney Fan]

My point was that if there was one more Treasures set simply containing the completely unreleased shorts (33 of them), then there would still be 28 shorts and 5 segments of other films that would have to be collected in other DVDs, which would really piss off some consumers who probably didn't see the need to pick up Classic Cartoon Favorites or Funny Factory because they expected them to be released in a Treasures set downt hte line.

Escapay

Don't forget "Small World"...

[Escapay]

My point was that if there was one more Treasures set simply containing the completely unreleased shorts (33 of them), then there would still be 28 shorts and 5 segments of other films that would have to be collected in other DVDs, which would really piss off some consumers who probably didn't see the need to pick up Classic Cartoon Favorites or Funny Factory because they expected them to be released in a Treasures set downt hte line.

Escapay

Don't forget "Small World"...

I didn't forget it, I just didn't bother mentioning it since CCF and FF really are more broad in terms of shorts that get released under the banner, and character shorts are more likely to get released from CCF and FF than from Small World of Fun (which, I believe, was a planned series of only 4 DVDs, with the final two volumes coming this February).

Escapay

[kyler28]

I think what saddens me more than anything is this:

If you walk into a BestBuy store's TV series/boxed sets section, you'll see older, obscure, minor, even C-level later edition TV shows with full season releases and boxed sets, i.e., "Dukes of Hazzard Season Five" or "The Doris Day Show."

Yet films made by Walt Disney himself, arguably the 20th century's most beloved genius from the entertainment world, are virtually NOWHERE to be found, save a few Treasures sets that they'll stock every December. Why no Season Seven or Season 12 of "The Wonderful World of Disney," a show so highly rated that it ran for 29 YEARS?!?!?

Moreover, Turner Classic Movies or the Fox Movie Channel will play beloved classics from their libraries on their own vintage-themed cable channels, such as "Gone with the Wind" or "MASH," but then they also screen the lesser-known works of Bette Davis or obscure B-films shown largely for historical interest - if you like Ginger and Rogers' big hits, you can see their minor films, too.

But on TV, WHERE you can see Disney films, most of which performed better at the box office and drew more interest because of the Disney name? Who shows Academy Award winners such as "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"? Where will you see one of the biggest box office hits of 1960, "The Absent-Minded Professor"? When TCM devotes a day to the films of Brandon de Wilde, they HAVE to leave out "Those Calloways," because it's a Disney film, but where else will this critically lauded Disney drama be shown? Or when a day is devoted to Glenn Ford, "Smith" is omitted, but it's never shown by Disney, never released to DVD by Disney.

Universal released big horror hits such as "Dracula" and "Frankenstein," but then they also released minor B-horror films from the same vein, even though they're not as well remembered, but for completists and historical value, they're of interest to SOMEBODY.

But the Walt Disney Company, with a stable of films that consistently were top box office draws, NEGLECTS its library. When these films are forgotten and become obscure, how can Disney EVER expect to obtain future revenue from them? If Fox can release a largely forgotten Lucille Ball film, "The Dark Corner" as part of its Film Noir series, does Disney expect me to believe THAT movie will sell more copies than Disney would sell if they only released "So Dear to My Heart"??? And WHY is that film available in Europe but not here, where it was produced and intended for American audiences, with its Americana theme?

Finally, how does Turner's "Flintstones Season Five" merit a release, but Donald Duck Treasures Volume 3 or 4 NOT deserve a release?

At this rate, I fully expect to see on the shelves a complete season of "My Mother the Car" or "Cop Rock" before we'll ever see a full season of "Zorro" released to the general public (and a vanity-run, exclusive Disney Movie Club colorized release doesn't count in my book).

So, call me disillusioned, but as a Disney fan, I've been consistently let down, first with the Disney Channel morphing into Nickelodeon Lite, then Vault Disney being relegated to 1 a.m. and then gone altogether. ESPECIALLY when Nickelodeon's primetime fare proved so popular that the company started TVLand to show other vintage classic shows. "Wonderful World of Disney" beat "Green Acres" in the ratings - why does "Green Acres" get to be seen, but not the Disney anthology series?

Disney executives, especially from the home video division, will NEVER, EVER address ANY of these complaints. To be a "good, loyal" Disney fan, I used to buy everything, but the last few years, I've stopped buying the crappy "Cinderella II: Electric Boogaloos" and "Fox and the Hound 4's" and so on, lest my purchases be misconstrued as a vote of support for that kind of fare. Instead of keeping BVHE profitable enough to subsidize releases of releases that I actually WANT to see - the original "Incredible Journey," for example - evidently my thinking was misguided and in vain.

I'd like to see less Disney apologetics on this board - yes I'm appreciative that SOME things got released - but why should they expect ANY brand loyalty from us? WB or Fox doesn't have people who LOVE WB or Fox the way people love Disney, so WHAT gives???

[Big Disney Fan]

Mailing a letter, calling Disney or sending an e-mail asking for them to complete Donald and other assorted animated shorts I still consider to be a good idea. It doesn't cost a lost, and even if it's ignored, who does it hurt? After all, the worst outcome is that Disney ignores the petitions, letters, etc. and the final Donald/animated volumes are never released.

However, arguing amongst ourselves as to whether such an effort is a good idea solves nothing. If you don't believe in supporting an effort to finish off the animated shorts, that is certainly your right.

But I also don't think it solves anything to argue or discourage those of us who may feel that such a petition, letter, etc. might be of benefit.

Maybe arguing with each other doesn't solve anything, but having seen my share of pointless petitions, I'm just trying to save you time. Besides, I think arguing amongst ourselves costs nothing but time, whereas mailing letters requires the cost of money for a stamp and paper (this costs us all a tree, don't forget!), to say nothing of the formalities of folding the paper properly. Once I wrote a letter to the Disney Archives and before I could send, I was forced to constantly rewrite the letter as if it was a school essay.

Tell you what, why don't you go ahead and write a letter. If (and I do mean IF) they respond positively (or just plain respond), then please put it up online and maybe I'll be the first to say that maybe I have been a little prematurely critical, but I still think Maltin's words seem pretty legitimate.

[Escapay]

Tell you what, why don't you go ahead and write a letter. If (and I do mean IF) they respond positively (or just plain respond), then please put it up online

To Whom it May Concern,

Thank you for writing to us about our ridiculous decision to end the Treasures series. We still expect you to buy "The Rescuers: Up North By Scandinavia" and "Hercules: The Lost City of Gold". After all, it's got our Disney name on it, so it must be good! In the meantime, we'll keep waving in your face the prospect of releasing vintage titles through the Legacy Collection, where we'll see a wonderful retrospective multi-disc release focusing on that classic television series, "That's So Raven". Have a magical day!

Gracie Lou Freebush,
Buena Vista Home Entertainment



Escapay