Disney Completely Bans Smoking in their Films

[darth_deetoo]

A few reactionary comments there. I actually read this on BBC News Online, and that actually stated that past films would not be edited, but there would be a public information health warning on the DVD prior to the film, so expect that to be the case with the 101 Dalmatians PE. It specifically referred to 101 Dalmatians.

[TM2-Megatron]

If Disney really thinks the average child is stupid enough to be so influenced, then whatever... personally, I usually dislike total bans on things as I find it too extreme a policy. And I certainly won't approve if they go back and meddle with past films (be they animated or live-action) to remove smoking.

Most of my childhood was spent in the last few years when television and cartoon characters were allowed to smoke; before the extreme anti-smoking, overly zealous P.C. era of today and I've never smoked so much as a single cigarette.

[Wonderlicious]

A few reactionary comments there. I actually read this on BBC News Online, and that actually stated that past films would not be edited, but there would be a public information health warning on the DVD prior to the film, so expect that to be the case with the 101 Dalmatians PE. It specifically referred to 101 Dalmatians.

Do you think they'd do one on Pinocchio too? Explaining how the donkey transformation is a metaphor for lung cancer? Who knows...

[Big Disney Fan]

A few reactionary comments there. I actually read this on BBC News Online, and that actually stated that past films would not be edited, but there would be a public information health warning on the DVD prior to the film, so expect that to be the case with the 101 Dalmatians PE. It specifically referred to 101 Dalmatians.

I hope that's how they do it, especially for movies like "Pinocchio" or "Alice In Wonderland". I envision an intro on a par with Leonard Maltin's intros about questionable shorts on the Walt Disney Treasures. Also, speaking of which, what of the Walt Disney Treasures sets? The Donald set coming out covers 1947 through 1950. One of the cartoons sure to be there is "Donald's Happy Birthday" from 1949. In that one, Donald's nephews have bought a box of cigars for his birthday. But he thinks they've taken up smoking and forces them to smoke the entire box. Will that cartoon be banned from the latest Donald set or just be put in the semi-obligatory "From the Vault" section that seems to be found on the Treasures these days? I hope it's the latter choice. At least that way the viewers can understand how things were in those days.

Most of my childhood was spent in the last few years when television and cartoon characters were allowed to smoke; before the extreme anti-smoking, overly zealous P.C. era of today and I've never smoked so much as a single cigarette.

Then I guess, in hindsight, it's a good thing they released the complete sets of Mickey, Goofy, Pluto and the Silly Symphonies on the Walt Disney Treasures when they did, isn't it?

[Prudence]

im all for it despite being socially active. but do not mess with the classics.

Completely agreed.

[Big Disney Fan]

im all for it despite being socially active. but do not mess with the classics.

Completely agreed.

Me, too. And yet I have a feeling that they'll do just that anyway.

[brotherbear]

You know, I wish Disney would follow the lead of WB with the Looney Tunes (golden collection) sets. Warners absolutely REFUSES to cut any of their LT shorts and they have far worse content then smoking (though it can be found) including several suicides, Yosemite Sam hanging, several "mammy" / black jokes, and the overall violence found in these shorts. For that, I applaude WB. I just wish Disney would take a look at WB's mentality.

The final thing I will say on the subject is that if Disney in ANY way alters the classics (I actually think it's rediculus to even put a "public health message" on these films...I mean come on!! Smoking?) then I will have lost ALL (and I MEAN all!!) faith in Disney. I will have to hunt down all of the classics that have any type of smoking/violence/race issues (one leads to the other, after all) and bascially stop buying from Disney. Hey, for me it wouldn't be that hard. The things I'm most interested in getting (as far as Disney) are the Animated Classics as well as treasures. Oh, and Studio Ghibli, but that's different since it's in the contract that Disney cannot in any way censor the films.


Well, here's to hoping....

-BB

[Big Disney Fan]

The final thing I will say on the subject is that if Disney in ANY way alters the classics (I actually think it's rediculus to even put a "public health message" on these films...I mean come on!! Smoking?) then I will have lost ALL (and I MEAN all!!) faith in Disney. I will have to hunt down all of the classics that have any type of smoking/violence/race issues (one leads to the other, after all) and bascially stop buying from Disney. Hey, for me it wouldn't be that hard. The things I'm most interested in getting (as far as Disney) are the Animated Classics as well as treasures. Oh, and Studio Ghibli, but that's different since it's in the contract that Disney cannot in any way censor the films.


Well, here's to hoping....

-BB

I have a very uneasy feeling that that's exactly what's gonna happen. I have just sent Robert Iger an email asking him if they will be altered at all. I fear that his response will be a negative one.

[UncleEd]

I think this is kind of lame. Films don't teach kids to smoke, the morality taught by their parents do. Good thing they don't own Frosty the Snowman. His corncob pipe obviouisly makes kids smoke say nothing for Davy Jones this year...

[RJKD23]

When I first read about this, I wondered how they could possibly do that... I myself am not a fan of smoking, but I never learned about it through movies (even though the media has an influence on kids). I don't think this new change will alter the classics. I think in a way, this is a good thing because people associate smoking with stress or a way to look cool. By banning smoking, they'll be able to portray other ways to deal with stress or looking cool.

[Siren]

Much of my family smokes. And most of my friends smoke. And its been that way from childhood to present. If THAT didn't influence me to EVER lift a cigarette to my lips, a Disney movie (or any movie won't). Saying movies influence kids is a scapegoat. Bad parenting is the key to bad influence. Not a movie, a song, or a book. I can't really stand the blatant attempt at killing the first Ammendment.

And if anyone says any thing against it....you're wrong.

(I sounded like Papibear there for a moment So I had to be a smartarse. )

[darth_deetoo]

I think you're all going over the top with this. They ARE apparently going to be doing just what Warner do with the Loony Tunes. Here is the BBC News report:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6916293.stm

At no point does it say that past films will be altered, it specifically states there will be an announcement on the discs.

What's the problem? I think it's commendable. Yes, parents should take responsibility, but it's a sad fact that many don't and use TV as a surrogate nanny.

[slave2moonlight]

I think you're all going over the top with this. They ARE apparently going to be doing just what Warner do with the Loony Tunes. Here is the BBC News report:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6916293.stm

At no point does it say that past films will be altered, it specifically states there will be an announcement on the discs.

What's the problem? I think it's commendable. Yes, parents should take responsibility, but it's a sad fact that many don't and use TV as a surrogate nanny.

I think the problem is that they have altered their films before. They completely butchered Pecos Bill's song to do it, too! And what's worse, we still haven't gotten uncut versions of those films they hacked up for stupid reasons like that. I think smoking is idiotic, and I'm totally fine with not seeing smoking in future films, like most folks here, but I'm still crying out for uncut versions of those others. I hate it when Disney edits its past stuff, and there's no doubt they aren't ashamed to do it. And, in addition to that, some characters are established as smokers and just wouldn't be complete without the cigar or cigarette. Cruella, of course, is one of the most noteworthy. I was just watching 101 Dalmatians 2 last night, which, by the way, is a WONDERFUL Disney animated sequel I often forget about myself. Even those who think they all stink should give that one a chance. Anyway, miraculously, that film had Cruella with her cigarette throughout. It's true that it will be silly if Disney does period pieces while trying to stick to this no smoking rule, but on top of that, if they ever use characters like Cruella again and leave out the smoking, well, it's just not going to look right. However, I maintain that the only thing I'm really concerned about is that old stuff, especially the stuff they haven't released to us on disc yet.


And now, check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntrsMAlIQWA

[darth_deetoo]

But the point is, no-one, but all of you people reacting to this, is talking about altering anything.

[slave2moonlight]

But the point is, no-one, but all of you people reacting to this, is talking about altering anything.

No, but they have a bad track record. Plus, they have unreleased material involving smoking that they might simply decide not to release. It's a legitimate concern because they have yet to make ammends for selling us an altered product that was altered for this very reason, and now they are strengthening their position on the subject.

[darth_deetoo]

For once, why don't we take a company at their word, and wait and see how this all turns out instead of picking up pitchforks and marching on their gates?

[Cierra_Dancer]

If they do edit the classics, which I doubt, and it's that big of a deal to you... Just buy the movie before they come out with the edited ones. You won't be affected. I understand being mad or dissapointed if they edited the classics, but just buy them before if it's going to bother you that much. I'm sure most of you already have these films anyways.

[slave2moonlight]

For once, why don't we take a company at their word, and wait and see how this all turns out instead of picking up pitchforks and marching on their gates?

I usually do that with Disney, and I'm not saying they are going to be editing future releases because of this, which I doubt, but again, bad track record. I like to think they've learned not to edit classic material, though it doesn't seem to be the case. Their "Small One" release on that holiday compilations DVD was still edited. They edited "The Little Mermaid," unimportant as that part was, and I doubt we'll ever hear the original version of "Arabian Nights" again in an official release. Ha, I actually only posted here to say I could understand why people would be concerned, but as I type this, I'm growing more concerned. It's actually pretty logical to expect them to do something stupid. I'm usually the one defending Disney, but they've burned me before on this sort of thing. However, as I've said, my real concern is that they will keep things in the vault. They're good at that, and there isn't always an older release to seek out. At this point, just trusting them on this particular subject would be really naive. A company's track record has to count for something. Probably nothing bad will happen, but it wouldn't surprise me if it did. And if I'M saying that about DISNEY, something is really wrong with their track record on the subject.

[slave2moonlight]

If they do edit the classics, which I doubt, and it's that big of a deal to you... Just buy the movie before they come out with the edited ones. You won't be affected. I understand being mad or dissapointed if they edited the classics, but just buy them before if it's going to bother you that much. I'm sure most of you already have these films anyways.

Not all of Disney's library has been released, let alone unedited. Like I've said, I'm more concerned with things not being released because they include smoking rather than being edited. They're likely to just keep Melody Time in the vault, for example, and that one hasn't been released unedited, so there's no buying the old one option.

[Big Disney Fan]

And now, check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntrsMAlIQWA

Well, this is kinda off topic, but...

Yeah, I've seen that before. And I've also seen Philip Morris being a sponsor for "I Love Lucy". I've seen ads for that, too. I own DVDs containing old-timey commercials and both this one on The Flintstones and the one on I Love Lucy are two examples of them. And who could ever forget those catchy little ditties that came with the tobacco ads ("Winston tastes good like a - CLAP CLAP - cigarette should").

But getting back on subject, I still can't shake the feeling that Disney will, remorselessly even, do with their past films like they've remorselessly done with Melody Time or Saludos Amigos. Like I said, I even sent Iger an email on the subject and I hope his response is a good one (fat chance).

You see, in my view, it's one thing to set an example for a healthier lifestyle, but it's another to set said lifestyle at the expense of something so dear. That's why I can't see how they can possibly edit. They may put PSAs on DVD releases of old movies, but I still can't shake the feeling that they will edit their films.