"Annette Funicello" Replacement Disney Treasure

[ultimatefilmfan]

I just received an e-mail from Leonard Maltin who has confirmed that a replacement title is planned to take the place of Destino in Wave 8 of the Disney Treasures series.

In short Mr. Maltin stated "We have added a wonderful disc on Annette Funicello to replace Destino."

In other great news Mr. Maltin was also quite hopeful for the future of the Disney Treasure line with a desire of releasing a Zorro set next November. In his words he stated "Zorro should be coming next November, 2009."

This is wonderful news for Annette fans and even greater news for those wishing for more Walt Disney Treasure titles in the future. Hopefully WDHE keeps up their end of the bargin.

[blackcauldron85]

I wonder what will be on the set! Some serials from Mickey Mouse Club, hopefully. and maybe some footage of her performing some of her songs.

As bummed as I am about Destino, I'm glad that Disney is going to put out an Annette set.

(lol, that rhymes!)

[TM2-Megatron]

That's a pretty poor substitute, IMO. I guess I'll only be buying Donald this wave.

[Darby]

"Zorro Set" eh? I wonder what that means?

Since the complete season 1 colorized set is currently available as a DMC exclusive and the complete season 2 colorized set is now available in France (I wonder if this is an omen that the complete season 2 colorized set will be available as a DMC exclusive in the not too distant future?), here are some possibilities for the "Zorro Set" mentioned by Mr. Maltin:

1. Complete Season 1 in B/W [nice thought but probably wishful thinking]
2. Complete Season 2 in B/W [nice thought but probably wishful thinking]
3. A Zorro Highlight Set of Selected Episodes or Zorro appearances on the Disneyland TV Show [a distinct possiblity given the WDT' traditional 2-disc format]
4. Complete Season 3 Set (a.k.a. the 4 Hour-Long Epsiodes) [a distinct possibility given WDT's traditional 2-disc format]

I would hate to see it show up as another incomplete "Elfego Barca/The Swap Fox" fiasco....

Thoughts, anyone?

Darby

[buffalobill]

I was only going to buy Donald & Syn. Now, I'll probably buy the whole Wave 8.

[WilbyDaniels]

This is great news! Annette on disc. I can't wait for the official press release of this.I hope it includes Escapade in Florence and the Horsemasters!!! Time will tell!

[merlinjones]

Wow! I dearly love Annette and that is great news. There is SO much Annette material that is unavailable. I hope someone chooses wisely. Lots of musical numbers culled from films, variety shows and TV specials I hope... The Annette Disney Family album... The Annette serial... Annette on Zorro... Escapade in Florence, The Horsemasters.... The DanceAnnette "videos."

And PLEASE... textless title sequences for Merlin Jones and The Monkey's Uncle!!!

[disneyfella]

My guess is, pulling from Mr. Maltin's Micky Mouse Club enthusiasm, that we will get:

"Annette" - entire serial from The Mickey Mouse Club
Documentary on Annette's life
Various musical numbers/clips

possibly one of the following:
The Horsemasters
Escapade in Florence

possibly some of the following:
theatrical trailers for Merlin Jones/Monkey's Uncle
theatrical trailers for Babes in Toyland

repeat anthology episodes:
The Babes in Toyland episode
The one where Tommy and Annette sing the parent trap song

restrospective from the Sherman Brothers or something along the lines of ALL of the songs they wrote for Annette




Overall, it IS wonderful news that they are NOT abandoning such a worthwhile series. Also, it is good news that they are replacing Destino instead of merely dropping it.

[merlinjones]

Sounds great.

But if "Backstage Party" is repeated, it should be a better/improved print!

Truly, the "Merlin Jones" and "Monkey Uncle" title sequences MUST be included, sans titles - - both exist, from the 'textless' negative used for foreign versions and from the "Wonderful World of Color" airings!

(Next year, in addition to Zorro, I would also hope for Ludwig VonDrake, Jiminy Cricket, Ranger Woodlore and Magic Mirror volumes)

[Barbossa]

I think I would've preferred a Hardy Boys Volume 2.

[carolinakid]

YES!!! The MMC Annette Serial has been on my "most wanted" list for years!

jon

[my chicken is infected]

Why aren't they releasing Destino? And was it supposed to be a disc in some other set or its own set, cause I don't get how you could make an entire set off one animated short.

[msh1975]

well its good to hear that disney is replaceing destino with annette HOWEVER!!! i really think they should have completed the elfaga baca and the swamp fox series first and save annette for next year. its been 3 years now since the swampfox was released BUT we need episodes 4-8 to complete it and it is LONG OVER DUE!!!!! disney needs to complete what they started and stop delaying these films. everyone spends money on these movies expecting disney to complete the series and yet they have not. if disney keeps this up they will loose more customers and dvd sales will plumit again dureing the 4th quarter like last year when they lost 9% in dvd sales. DISNEY NEEDS TO WAKE THE HELL UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE.
release the swampfox!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[merlinjones]

>>well its good to hear that disney is replaceing destino with annette HOWEVER!!! i really think they should have completed the elfaga baca and the swamp fox series first<<

I think a better solution for Swamp Fox is a do-over with ALL of the Swamp Fox episodes (and only Swamp Fox episodes) in one set.

I don't want Elfego Baca, personally. And that was a strange marketing choice.

[a-net-fan]

WOW, WDHE has listened and is FINALLY tipping their hat (or EARS) to the companies first teen sensation Annette Funicello. Annette has been strangely overlooked by the company in recent years when it came to DVD/ movie releases and its so nice to hear that some of her work will be released and available to enjoy again. Americas Sweetheart certainly deserves to be honored with a volume in the Treasure Series, as she herself is as much a part of Walts legacy as anything else. I will be anxious to see what will be included in this volume but im sure Leonard will do a fine job of putting together a nice volume to showcase some of her work.

This is a VERY SMART replacement for Destino...as Destino really isnt a direct product of Walt Disney Himself....therefor imo was a odd choice to be included in this series.

SO to Leonard and all at WDHE who helped make this release possible I THANK YOU!!!

[ohmahaaha]

What a nice, unexpected surprise this was!! This Annette set sounds great, and I'm especially glad to see talk of continuation of the Treasures series ... maybe we'll get more Hardy Boys next year??

Thank you Leonard Maltin and Walt Disney Home Video!!

[Cordy_Biddle]

Thank goodness Disney is finally giving Ms Funicello (and her legion of fans) her due! I hope this set includes THE HORSE-MASTERS (which is also a great title for fans of Janet Munro), or ESCAPADE IN FLORENCE, which I've never seen but always heard great things about.

Aside from BABES IN TOYLAND and MISADVENTURES OF MERLIN JONES, Annette has been sadly neglected on Disney DVD, a real shame because she was one of the studio's first major live-action stars.

BTW, does anyone know how Ms Funicello is doing lately? My thoughts and best wishes are always with her.

[merlinjones]

>>ESCAPADE IN FLORENCE, which I've never seen but always heard great things about.<<

Escapade in Florence is a real treat. Not only do we get to see Annette and Tommy scoot around Florence on a Vespa, but Annette has TWO great Sherman Bros. musical numbers - - "Dream Boy" and "Bella Bella Florence" plus another Italian opera number. And she looks HOT!

[a-net-fan]

Thank goodness Disney is finally giving Ms Funicello (and her legion of fans) her due! I hope this set includes THE HORSE-MASTERS (which is also a great title for fans of Janet Munro), or ESCAPADE IN FLORENCE, which I've never seen but always heard great things about.

Aside from BABES IN TOYLAND and MISADVENTURES OF MERLIN JONES, Annette has been sadly neglected on Disney DVD, a real shame because she was one of the studio's first major live-action stars.

BTW, does anyone know how Ms Funicello is doing lately? My thoughts and best wishes are always with her.

I have a feeling that the volume will either have both those movies... each on a disc or its going to be the Annette serial from the MMC.

As for Annette, please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

[Mouseketodd]

This is GREAT NEWS!!!!

I'd think the feature of an Annette Funicello WDT volume would be her MMC 'Annette' serial. I don't know how many episodes made up this series -- for some reason, my impression is that there weren't many. Can anyone shed light on this?

And, if the episode count is on the short side, what else might fill out the 2-disc set? Unless the number of episodes is REALLY slim, I don't see how Disney could fit a feature-length movie on the set. Maybe 'Adventures in Dairyland' could fit.

THANKS, Disney and Leonard Maltin!!

= = = = = = =

News of 'Zorro' being treated to a 2009 WDT volume is quite heartening, too. Perhaps other MMC serials will be offered, too: the balance of 'Spin & Marty,' 'The Hardy Boys,' plus 'Corky and the White Shadow,' and 'Clint and Mac,' etc.

Anyone who thinks Disney won't release 'Corky' because of Darlene's past should realize that some of her Disney songs are currently available on iTunes, so she is certain to be receiving royalties on these and on sales of Mickey Mouse Club DVDs.

= = = = = = =

Agreed, the balance of 'Swamp Fox' should offered as a future WDT. AND, the rest of 'Elfego Baca' ought to be released, too. I had been familiar with SF in the past, but had never heard of EB before the WDT volume. I REALLY enjoyed the EB episodes on the Treasure, and welcome the rest of the series.

Of course, it would be nice to have 'Texas John Slaughter,' 'Gallegher,' 'Daniel Boone,' and 'The Saga of Andy Burnett.'