Walt's "Almost Angels" is coming on DVD!

[merlinjones]

Good news: The first Walt Disney era live-action in a year!

http://www.disneymovierewards.go.com/el ... page=1&q=a

Hope they keep 'em coming...

[Mr arrow]

Thanks for the heads up Mr Jones! I have been trying to find this movie for years...The last time I saw this was a 16 m print of the film in the early seventies... Along with walt Disneys version of the Waltz King (wonderful world of color movie) which was released theatrically overseas.

[Darby]

This is excellent news! Hopefully, more live-action titles from the vault will follow....

Darby

[Mouseketodd]

Yes, I just saw this news on the DMR site, and came here to see if anyone had seen this. This is a promising development!!

[Darby]

I don't want to get overly optimistic, but perhaps DMC Exclusive releases for the following films might be in the pipeline for 2011:

The Light in the Forest (it is currently available for sale via Disney Educational Products for $29.99, but a DMC Exclusive release for a cheaper price would be preferable)

The Prince and the Pauper (starring Sean Scully and Guy Williams)

The Sword and the Rose (starring Richard Todd and Glynis Johns)

The Sign of Zorro (a theatrical film culled from episodes from the Zorro television show)

Zorro the Avenger (a theatrical film culled from episodes from the Zorro television show)

Plus I would love to see the various series from the Disneyland anthology show (in its various incarnations) such as:

Texas John Slaughter (the complete series of 17 episodes)

Daniel Boone (the complete series of 4 episodes; starring Dewey Martin)

Elfego Baca (the complete series of 10 episodes; some episodes were released on Walt Disney Treasures: Legendary Heroes)

The Swamp Fox (the complete series of 8 episodes; some episodes were released on Walt Disney Treasures: Legendary Heroes)

The Saga of Andy Burnett (the complete series of 6 episodes)

The New Adventures of Davy Crockett (the complete series of 5 episodes; starring Tim Dunigan)

Darby

[Disney Guru]

It's about time, will definitely be ordering it. Now if they will only release The Waltz King as well released around the same time and a spectacular colorful film. I am truly a happy camper now

[merlinjones]

I'll applaud all of Darby's wonderful list - - plus plead that they don't forget Annette ("Escapade in Florence", "The Horsemasters") and Billy Mumy ("Sammy the Way-Out Seal") and Kurt Russell ("Moseby's Marauders", "Secret of Boyne Castle", "Charley and the Angel") and Moochie ("Johnny Shiloh", etc.) ... and Ludwig VonDrake and Ranger Woodlore and Jiminy and the Magic Mirror.

[gardener14]

...and Amy. Don't forget that touching film.

[Disney Guru]

Ah yes, Amy. Truly one of the most beautiful Disney Films ever made Jenny Agutter was brilliant in the title role.

[ultimatefilmfan]

So who has received their copies of "Almost Angels" and "The Sword and the Rose"?

How is the picture quality? Are they the same transfers from the video versions? Both 1.33:1 I assume......Mine are still lost in the mail somewhere.

I can't wait until the next titles are announced! There is a reason to order from the DMC again!

[Chernabog]

I have got my THE SWORD AND THE ROSE
its 1:33 (what else could it be ) but the picture quality is not very good I´m afraid. I compared to my old videotape and there the picture is more clear - funny. I wonder how that could be?
But still Im very happy to have this Richard Todd film for Disney on DVD.

[Mouseketodd]

I don't want to get overly optimistic, but perhaps DMC Exclusive releases for the following films might be in the pipeline for 2011:

The Light in the Forest (it is currently available for sale via Disney Educational Products for $29.99, but a DMC Exclusive release for a cheaper price would be preferable)

The Prince and the Pauper (starring Sean Scully and Guy Williams)

The Sword and the Rose (starring Richard Todd and Glynis Johns)

The Sign of Zorro (a theatrical film culled from episodes from the Zorro television show)

Zorro the Avenger (a theatrical film culled from episodes from the Zorro television show)

Plus I would love to see the various series from the Disneyland anthology show (in its various incarnations) such as:

Texas John Slaughter (the complete series of 17 episodes)

Daniel Boone (the complete series of 4 episodes; starring Dewey Martin)

Elfego Baca (the complete series of 10 episodes; some episodes were released on Walt Disney Treasures: Legendary Heroes)

The Swamp Fox (the complete series of 8 episodes; some episodes were released on Walt Disney Treasures: Legendary Heroes)

The Saga of Andy Burnett (the complete series of 6 episodes)

The New Adventures of Davy Crockett (the complete series of 5 episodes; starring Tim Dunigan)

Darby

And Gallegher!!

[Disney Guru]

Here is a comparison from the dvd release and a dvd-r transfer of the 80's US VHS Release.

[Darby]

Thanks for the comparison shots, Disney Guru!

Darby

[justcuttinhair]

the picture looks like some sort of cleanup was done...how does THE SWORD AND THE ROSE look? and if they took the time to clean up the prints....why not release them in OAR?

[gardener14]

^I thought they were in the original aspect ratio, but I could be wrong. My understanding is that Sword and the Rose was made before widescreen was the norm and Almost Angels was made for television. No?

[Chernabog]

^I thought they were in the original aspect ratio, but I could be wrong. My understanding is that Sword and the Rose was made before widescreen was the norm and Almost Angels was made for television. No?

Both right!

[disneyfella]

"Sword and the Rose" was made for a 1.33:1 ratio in mind. When it was released, however, Disney and RKO distributed copies of the movie in something called a 'Miracle Screen' widescreen process which was taking that original 1.33:1 projection and matting it to 1.66:1. This 'widescreen' version did not play in all theatres, however, and thus this 1.33:1 format is a correct theatrical aspect ratio for this film.




"Almost Angels" was originally made for TV, however like "Dr Syn, Alias, the Scarecrow", Disney had a tendency to film these television productions in widescreen and show them theatrically overseas. When the film was completed, Walt decided to release this film theatrically domestically. It was matted to a ratio of 1.75:1. Therefore this 1.33:1 is not the theatrical aspect ratio of "Almost Angels", however, the 1.33:1 might also not even be the full frame. Despite the remastering for this restoration, it is not in its original aspect ratio.

[Disney Guru]

Almost Angels was not originally made for television it was a Theatrical Release it was cut up into 2 pieces for a WWOD showing like most Disney Films were but originally it was a Theatrical Release Original Release Date: September 26, 1962.

And for some additional proof US Movie Poster Art for Release:

[disneyfella]

Almost Angels was actually produced for a television release. Yes, as stated above it recieved a theatrical release and was projected at a widescreen picture (see my above post), however the film was originally made to be aired in two parts on television. It was always intended to be cut into a feature length film....but this edit would air theatrically in Europe and the American release would be a two part television film. This was NOT unique (films like The Magnificent Rebel, The Waltz King, Million Dollar Collar, etc). What was unique about this film, is that Walt decided it was good enough to be released theatrically here in the U.S. as well. It wasnt' until after a theatrical run (as a double feature with a re-release of Lady and the Tramp), that the movie aired in a two part format on television.......but when the film was made it was intended to air in America that way.

Another film like this was "Run, Cougar, Run". This film was made to air on the WOnderful WOrld of Disney, but then was edited into a feature and released theatrically here in the U.S.