Walt Disney Treasures: Wave 7 DVDs Press Release

[MK Sharp]

It'll be very interesting to see what they've come up with for the Oswald set - if it's going to be a 2-disc set I'd say there'd have to be more than just 11, or even 15, Oswald shorts. Miracles...?

Don't forget there's The Hand Behind The Mouse, the 90 min documentary on Ub Iwerks (produced by his granddaughter Leslie Iwerks) which will presumably form the bulk of Disc 2.

MK - When they were originally talking about the set as part of the Legacy series I thought I remembered seeing where some of the Lantz and Mintz cartoons would be included.

I recall a lot of speculation about the Mintz and Lantz titles and whether they had also been part of the deal (and whether they might end up on a Treasure), but as I recall the deal only included the rights to the 26 films produced by the Disney Studio in 1927/8 and the rights to merchandise the character.

I assume Universal owned and still owns the rights to 26 Mintz shorts; and it looks like they still own the Lantz Oswalds, as evidenced by them putting a few out on the recent Woody Woodpecker DVD. (Bless them)

(Offhand I can't recall how many Mintz Oswalds survive, but I've a feeling it's something piffling like 5 or 6 out of 26.)

Oh, and you can call me Matthew if you like...

[Chernabog_Rocks]

At first I was going to wait for Christmas to see if I get them, but I'd rather not chance it and will be buying all three as soon as they're released. One thing I thought would be neat is if the Donald tin recieved another piece of collectible art since the Oswald and Disneyland ones have the Button and Vintage Tickets included. However I do have one question, how big are the collectible arts that are included in the tins? I've been meaning to get mine put in frames, but am not sure what size to get.

[Billy Moon]

It'll be very interesting to see what they've come up with for the Oswald set - if it's going to be a 2-disc set I'd say there'd have to be more than just 11, or even 15, Oswald shorts. Miracles...?

Don't forget there's The Hand Behind The Mouse, the 90 min documentary on Ub Iwerks (produced by his granddaughter Leslie Iwerks) which will presumably form the bulk of Disc 2.

But even the shorts and the documentary together could probably fit on one disc. I mean there's still lots of room for other extras. I'd love if there'd be some other Disney silent cartoons included as well. (Laugh-o-grams, perhaps?)

[MK Sharp]

Amazon.com is listing the total duration as 234 minutes. So with 90 mins for the doco and 11 x 6 mins (approx) for the known surviving shorts, that leaves us with over an hour of content unaccounted for.

Exciting, isn't it?

[Mr. Toad]

Oh, and you can call me Matthew if you like...

Actually I knew that from the animation history board where I still go by JimmyJackJunior.

[Anders M Olsson]

AxelMusic has posted studio descriptions for this year's wave of Disney Treasures:

http://www.axelmusic.com/productDetails/786936740806
http://www.axelmusic.com/productDetails/786936716344
http://www.axelmusic.com/productDetails/786936702057

No big surprises, but I find the following information about The Chronological Donald vol 3 a bit strange:

And, for the first time on DVD, Donald's CinemaScope cartoons are presented in their original widescreen format.

This volume is supposed to contain cartoons from 1947 through 1950. Why would the scope cartoons be included? They were produced much later. It would make much more sense to save them for volume four.

[2099net]

And isn't one of them on one of the Vault Disney titles?

I'm disappointed with the featurette on Donald's movie career. I always expected these segments to be on the final treasure, just like the Mickey one had the Mickey and the Beanstalk section from Fun and Fancy Free.

[ichabod]

Jesus, one of the bonus features on the Disneyland set is a trivia game?

Shoot me now.

Are you happy all you princess lovin', cruddy music video remake lovin', trivia game lovin', freaks! I suppose it had to happen, but like an STD and a bunch of teen stars, Disney have allowed the 'crap bonus features disease' to spread.

I said those Disney Princess DVDs would bring us nothing but trouble.

dagnabbit!

[2099net]

Deep breaths 'Bod. Deep slow breaths. Think of happy thoughts. French and Saunders is on tonight. See, isn't the world better now?

[Mr. Toad]

\
This volume is supposed to contain cartoons from 1947 through 1950. Why would the scope cartoons be included? They were produced much later. It would make much more sense to save them for volume four.

1954 I believe had the first scope cartoons.

[Mr. Toad]

I always believed that not all 26 Oswald cartoons made by Disney survived and that some were considered lost. If this information is true, this would be great news! Even more considering that Julie mentions at the beginning of the review that there are 26 Oswald cartoons made by Disney.

Something just occured to me. Perhaps, Disney was less than forthcoming about how many they actually had in their vaults due to the fact Universal owned the character. Maybe they did not want to tell Universal they had a full or close to full set. If their long term goal was to reacquire the character, as it would seem it was, wouldnt having all of the cartoons add value to the character and increase the price?

[Big Disney Fan]

That Movie Star bonus on the Donald set should have been included in Donald Part 2, because then (given the year range of this set) it would have had an interesting context. Two movies starring Donald were released in this timeframe: one was Saludos Amigos and the other was The Three Caballeros. Oh, well, at least they committed to it, just as I'd hoped they'd commit to an interview with Tony Anselmo (which they did).

I think some of the other bonuses they should include are A) another TV episode (preferably "This Is Your Life, Donald Duck"), and B) something called "The Two Jacks", which would be a look at two of Donald's main cartoon directors, who were both named Jack. One was named Jack King and the other was Jack Hannah. Hannah received a Disney Legend award, by the way.

[MK Sharp]

Something just occured to me. Perhaps, Disney was less than forthcoming about how many they actually had in their vaults due to the fact Universal owned the character. Maybe they did not want to tell Universal they had a full or close to full set.

It's an interesting theory, but I doubt it's true. Walt In Wonderland was written in 1992. If Disney *was* doing a cover-up on their Oswald holdings, it would have had to have been in place then. I can't see the Disney administration of 15-20 years ago caring a jot about Oswald, certainly not to the extent of creating a very long game plan of public misinformation.

If their long term goal was to reacquire the character, as it would seem it was, wouldnt having all of the cartoons add value to the character and increase the price?

To my mind, the value to Disney in having the rights to Oswald is primarily for creating merchanise other than the films. You only have to look at Ms Neal's comments about the films no longer having any entertainment value - an undoubtedly widespread opinion - to know that there's scant value in a bunch of b/w silent cartoons. Heck, it's hard enough getting even animation buffs to care about silent cartoons!

Every day, as I walk from the train station to my office, I pass a newsagency with a huge window display full of Betty Boop merchandise. But can you actually buy a DVD of Betty Boop cartoons anywhere? Not on your nellie! Thank goodness Disney are at least releasing the films before going the full exploit on their newly recovered property.

[DL-Craze]

So after this wave is done with, all the Disney animated shorts that would remain are:

Donald Duck Shorts
Dude Duck
Corn Chips
Test Pilot Donald
Lucky Numbers
Out of Scale
Bee on Guard
Donald’s Applecore
Let’s Stick Together
Uncle Donald’s Ants
Trick or Treat
Don’s Fountain of Youth
The New Neighbor
Rugged Bear
Working for Peanuts
Canvas Back Duck
Spare the Rod
Donald’s Diary
Dragon Around
Grin and Bear It
The Flying Squirrel
Grand Canyonscope
No Hunting
Bearly Asleep
Beezy Bear
Up a Tree
Chips Ahoy

Chip n' Dale Shorts (if not included in 3rd Donald installment)
Chicken in the Rough
Two Chips and a Miss
The Lone Chipmunks

Rarities
The Hot Choc-late Soldiers (included in MGM Picture's "Hollywood Party")
Casey Bats Again
Susie the Little Blue Coupe

Educational Miscallaneous
Scrooge McDuck and Money
Freewayphobia
Goofy's Freeway Trouble
It's Tough to be a Bird
Various Jiminey Cricket "Im No Fool" and "You and You're" Shorts


Donald Duck Educational Shorts:
How to Have an Accident at Home
How to Have an Accident at Work
The Litterbug
Donal in Mathmagic Land
Steel and America
Donald's Survival Plan
Donald and the Wheel

Pre Mickey Shorts
Undiscovered Oslwald and Alice Shorts
Laugh O' Grams

I think that's about right.

[Mr. Toad]

Thats about right. There were several Alice Comedies in Disney's vaults that were not on Rarities Volume 1.

I would think we are going to see Volume 8 end this series with

Donald Volume 4
Rarities Volume 2 and
Peopla and Places

[DL-Craze]

What would a Rarities Volume 2 be compromised of?

[bambi_nl]

Something just occured to me. Perhaps, Disney was less than forthcoming about how many they actually had in their vaults due to the fact Universal owned the character. Maybe they did not want to tell Universal they had a full or close to full set. If their long term goal was to reacquire the character, as it would seem it was, wouldnt having all of the cartoons add value to the character and increase the price?

I had been thinking about that possibility too.... Disney is known for having things in their vaults and keeping it away from the audience.... Think about "Song of the South" for instance

[jebsdad]

I would think we are going to see Volume 8 end this series with

Donald Volume 4
Rarities Volume 2 and
Peopla and Places

I very much HOPE that there will be a "Wave 8" of the Treasures series. However, I'm less certain about that release since "Wave 7" was canceled for some time before the two planned Legacy titles (Oswald & Disneyland) were added to Donald Vol. 3 to this December's "Wave 7".

After all, we are not getting whatever sets were originally planned for the Treasures Wave 7 in additon to the Donald set.

Although I want MORE, MORE, MORE - I would be satisfied if at least the last Donald Duck Volume 4 set gets released in some formot - Treasures or otherwise.

NOTHING LIKE WORRYING OVER A YEAR IN ADVANCE!!!

[UrsushH.Bear]

I don't know. I hope that People and Places will see DVD light with something like the Legacy collection- available all at once, rather than a scratching here and there with waffling treasure waves- don't get me wrong. I'm happy to see the Treasures back, and hope to see more (as I'm buying what I can!) There was just something special about the true lifes being all there, and all available and beautifully restored. Marketing-wise, it seemed a little forthright, but it was nice to take the bait and get the hook, line, and sinker.

[Mr. Toad]

Lets answer three questions at once

Rarities Vol 2 - the Remaining Alice cartoons, the two remaining Specials(I dont believe Disney has the rights to Hot Choclate Soldiers, MGM owns it, so we are going to have to rely on them. Given their total lack of interest in releasing their own cartoon properties it may be an issue. The Education shorts you mentioned less the Jiminy Cricket ones whcih are in fact true educational cartoons versus the others which are theatrically released cartoons. They could even include the laugh o grams. Disney has a habbit of putting anything in production that Ray Pointer and Inkwell Images produces that is in the public domain.

Urush - I was thinking that they would all fit. There are 18 of them. They seem to run 25-27 minutes which would put them just over 2 discs without special features. Anybody for a three disc treasure?

I think there will be a wave 8. I think Disney learned their lesson. What we have here was essentially the Legacy wave. I dont think the series was ever cancelled, just rebranded as the Legacy series. This enabled Roy Disney to take over as host from Leonard Maltin. There was also a big outcry over Donald going missing.