"Now on Videocassette!" Fun with Commercials

[Flanger-Hanger]

Don't know if a topic like this exists, but I find it fun to go through older videocassette commericals to see how things used to be marketed. Some of these I had never seen before:

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

Go to 2:35 to see the 1986 Sleeping Beauty video release. "Now you can own Disney, forever" was the key message delivered by some guy with a knife creeping up behind you. Gotta love how they don't shy away from the whole "pan and scan" thing. And just $29.95! That's about $64 today, but in those days for a "sell-though" title, was common.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH7wREaCaTA

I also like this Sleeping Beauty commerical from 1997. No princess crap here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GmPFecf7e0

Not the best quality, but a fun variation for Cinderella. Now we're at $27 for a copy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HayVvqh8ARw

Peter Pan for $20!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra4Ugrd9E7w

And "the best" Robin Hood of 1991. What a shock this one was released that year.

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

And now an entire video on how to sell Pinocchio to your clients! With the help of Cheers! From 1985.

[kidglov3s]

Great topic! I love this kind of stuff too. One interesting thing I found last week was home video from VSDA shows, where Disney often had a big presence. Here is one I remember from the top of my head, huge Disney display headlined by the upcoming release of Snow White on VHS in 1994, starts at 4:13.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6vijhs2n60#t=253

[MeerkatKombat]

I recently made a Disney VHS opening playlist on youtube. Just the UK tapes however for now. I love the VHS commercials.
I find it amazing a VHS used to be nearly 30dollars/pounds. That's technology I suppose.
I just wish I could find them easier. I paid £4 for the original BatB VHS which was probably too much after paying through the nose for the platinum and BD because I got them after they went oop.

[Avaitor]

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

And now an entire video on how to sell Pinocchio to your clients! With the help of Cheers! From 1985.

Aww, I was hoping that the Cheers cast would talk about Pinocchio. I'll just have to settle for Mickey wooing Rebecca from 60th anniversary special, then.

[Mach Full Force]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FIy_GNN2Pc[/youtube]

Even if this was already posted, I thought it would be appropriate. Makes me wonder if there's anyone out there skilled enough to make fan VHS trailers for other modern Disney features. Imagine how The Princess and the Frog would look like in VHS quality.

And a few little somethings from Brazil:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc4qtVhn9hs[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzU7wIWUM-A[/youtube]

[Vlad]

Wow, that Frozen VHS-type trailer was awesome! That was an interesting choice of music. '90s trailers were really great, they had something special and different. For me, it was the guy who narrated them (I have no clue what his name was); whenver I hear his voice, I'm instantly transported back to my childhood.

[Mach Full Force]

Tthe guy who narrated them (I have no clue what his name was)

Apparently his name is Mark Elliott.