The Prince and the Pauper (Live-Action)

[Darby]

I hear rumors the show may be released on DVD, but only the foreign theatrical version, not a fully restored one with the original three shows. Disney seems to have lost their interest in anything that requires them to work on these older titles. So, at this point, if it does come out, it looks like the shortest version is the one we're most likely to get.

Bill:

As always, thank you for sharing what you have heard about a possible DVD release for The Prince and the Pauper and also for your passionate advocacy for the release of Disney's older television and film material. Zorro fans everywhere are deeply grateful for your efforts in getting the complete series released via the Walt Disney Treasures line.

While I am encouraged by any rumours of a DVD release of The Prince and the Pauper, I, too, share the disappointment of you and albert in Disney's apparent reticence in restoring and releasing the original three television episodes and instead possibly releasing the shorter foreign theatrical version. I suppose beggars can't be choosers, but considering the wonderful job they did with releasing the three television eipsodes together with the theatrical version of Dr. Syn (granted as a Walt Disney Treasures release), I would even take an unrestored (and, yes, I know it's blasphemous to say that!), barebones DMC Exclusive release of the three television episodes of The Prince and the Pauper.

Darby

[merlinjones]

I'll be happy enough to see the theatrical cut released to DVD at least -- so long as it is a reasonable quality telecine master (same goes for The Horsemasters, Escapade in Florence and Sammy the Way Out Seal - though I doubt the running times are quite so different between theatrical and TV on those two-parters).

[Cordy_Biddle]

A few years ago, I sold my PAL video copy of "Prince and the Pauper" on Ebay, and it went for a small fortune. I know it's still quite sought-after, so I wonder why it's still MIA on DVD?

[justcuttinhair]

Thank goodness!! finally a thread about my passion( the tv movies).

What I have found to be true is:

Many of the Wonderful World of Color movies that were comprised of 3 part episodes..lost several minutes when they were edited. This is true of the theatrical versions of "Willie and the Yank", "Secret of Boyne Castle", "Prince and the Pauper, "Dr Syn", and "The Tenderfoot". This is very sad because, they are ALL amazin films. "The Tenderfoot" has an amazing story and cast, and "Prince and the Pauper" has some of the best sets and costumes I've seen in a Disney production. This is why Disney needs to please release these in the format that they were originally shown. I am not a fan of these films in their VHS presentation from the 1980's. They are thrown together and shown without the introductions by Disney...that is a shame..because, I enjoy the intros and they complete the package. The two part episodes such as, "Horsemasters", and "Escapade in Florence" do not suffer so much at the hands of editing. From what I have seen of those, compared to the original episodes, is that they simply do not feature the opening intros....which...is a shame also.

[Darby]

Thank goodness!! finally a thread about my passion( the tv movies).

What I have found to be true is:

Many of the Wonderful World of Color movies that were comprised of 3 part episodes..lost several minutes when they were edited. This is true of the theatrical versions of "Willie and the Yank", "Secret of Boyne Castle", "Prince and the Pauper, "Dr Syn", and "The Tenderfoot". This is very sad because, they are ALL amazin films. "The Tenderfoot" has an amazing story and cast, and "Prince and the Pauper" has some of the best sets and costumes I've seen in a Disney production. This is why Disney needs to please release these in the format that they were originally shown. I am not a fan of these films in their VHS presentation from the 1980's. They are thrown together and shown without the introductions by Disney...that is a shame..because, I enjoy the intros and they complete the package. The two part episodes such as, "Horsemasters", and "Escapade in Florence" do not suffer so much at the hands of editing. From what I have seen of those, compared to the original episodes, is that they simply do not feature the opening intros....which...is a shame also.

It is great to see others as passionately interested in the older live-action television shows and films and thanks for the information you provided!

I, too, would love to see this material released in the format in which it was originally presented, but sadly, as Bill observed, Disney does not appear interested in giving the older material the attention it deserves and us fans of the older stuff just don't seem to possess the "market muscle" to provide the economic incentive for Disney to do so.

Darby

[Mouseketodd]

I'm not pleased to see Prince and the Pauper and other vintage titles being exclusively available as streaming purchases on Disney's web site --not when they aren't available as DVDs or on iTunes at the same time. I joined the Disney Movie Club to purchase exclusive Disney movies.

I want a disk, or at least a digital file, so that I can watch material at my convenience: my leisure time doesn't always find me with an internet connection, plus I don't want to purchase something that's strictly nebulous.

I've made iTunes purchases of a Disney movie and cartoons of which I already own as disks, so I'm not averse to double-dipping for media, but I at least want to own physical copies.

[skippy]

Mousketodd,
Call the DMC and Walt Disney Home Video and tell them what you want.

I did this last week, and they at least listened.

[Mouseketodd]

Good idea, skippy. I used to include my wish list titles when speaking to Disney.... I'll have to get back on it -- and thank them for getting the two recent movies released recently.

[bcotter]

Disney does track requests so every call does count. The more the merrier!