Disney Returns to TCM in December 2014

[Mickeyfan1990]

This is so bizarre, seeing The Three Caballeros on a Time Warner channel.

I felt the same way when Who Framed Roger Rabbit aired on Cartoon Network (just wrong IMO).

Odd we don't feel the same way when a Warner film airs on a Disney network.

Incidentally, and IAD (Internet Animation Database) member informed that the TCM showing of Darby o Gill aired with the 1970's redubbed soundtrack (I didn't realize until tonight the film was redubbed!).

[Darby]

I noticed that the broadcast of Darby O'Gill was the dubbed version right away, most noticeably with Darby (Albert Sharpe), King Brian (Jimmy O'Dea), and the other leprechauns. The dubbed version not only dramatically softens the Irish brogue but the Gaelic words and phrases are completely replaced with English translations. I find it strange that TCM would air this version. I own both the VHS and DVD versions (which both have the original dialogue and voices) so this was the first time I heard the dubbed version and I have to admit, being such a huge fan of the film, that it was painful to hear.

Darby

[Avaitor]

I don't think it was an intentional decision by TCM. I hear that they get what Disney sends them, and Disney doesn't seem to budge in regards. That also explains why the broadcast of "Santa's Workshop" in December was the edited version.

[Mickeyfan1990]

Perhaps Disney wanted people to understand the film better.

[Jules]

This is so bizarre, seeing The Three Caballeros on a Time Warner channel.

The one package feature that comes closest to reading as a cohesive whole, it shows how even though wartime economics prevented Disney from doing full-length narratives at the time, the animators were still able to make the most out of a limited situation.

What was the AV quality like? Disney please release this on Blu-ray so I can gladly throw away my old, soft, dirty, speckled, moiréed, otherwise disastrous-looking DVD in the bin (or sell it.)

Agreed on the animation quality in Caballeros. The film is a technical wonder.

[Mickeyfan1990]

What was the AV quality like?

It appeared to be the same print used for the 2-Movie collection, probably an upscale.

UPDATE: I checked with the version on TCM on Demand and compared with the 2-Movie collection, I think I take it back, TCM DID show a new print!

[carolinakid]

I am in the midst of watching Walt and El Grupo on my DVR. It's a little slow going but I'm enjoying it more than I thought I would. Walt was quite an attractive man as he was entering middle age (39). Love all the photos of Mary Blair!

[Escapay]

This is so bizarre, seeing The Three Caballeros on a Time Warner channel.

The one package feature that comes closest to reading as a cohesive whole, it shows how even though wartime economics prevented Disney from doing full-length narratives at the time, the animators were still able to make the most out of a limited situation.

What was the AV quality like? Disney please release this on Blu-ray so I can gladly throw away my old, soft, dirty, speckled, moiréed, otherwise disastrous-looking DVD in the bin (or sell it.)

Agreed on the animation quality in Caballeros. The film is a technical wonder.

It looked marvelous as it was a new restoration. Absolutely stunning in every way. It's most apparent when you compare the rear-projection shots in "Os Quindins De Yayá" as it's like night and day between the LaserDisc/DVD and the TCM broadcast. The 2008 DVD was simply a hairline-better transfer of the 2000 DVD (itself based on the 1995 LD), so it's image quality already left much to be desired. The TCM HD broadcast made the film look pristine and new without sacrificing the quality of the line art, very much like the recent restorations of One Hundred and One Dalmatians or The Jungle Book.

I don't know why Disney isn't announcing it for Blu-Ray yet. They could easily bundle up Saludos Amigos, South of the Border with Disney, The Three Caballeros, and Walt & El Grupo into one set, throw in the EAC LaserDisc extras (trailers, newsreels, behind-the-scenes footage, "Caxanga" & "Laughing Gauchito" reconstructions, etc.), and Latin-inspired Disney shorts, get Ted Thomas & J.B. Kaufman to record a commentary for Caballeros, and it'll be the best catalogue Blu-Ray this year.

Albert

[Avaitor]

Wow, I really regret passing out and missing Three Caballeros and Walt & El Grupo now.

[Mickeyfan1990]

I don't know why Disney isn't announcing it for Blu-Ray yet. They could easily bundle up Saludos Amigos, South of the Border with Disney, The Three Caballeros, and Walt & El Grupo into one set, throw in the EAC LaserDisc extras (trailers, newsreels, behind-the-scenes footage, "Caxanga" & "Laughing Gauchito" reconstructions, etc.), and Latin-inspired Disney shorts, get Ted Thomas & J.B. Kaufman to record a commentary for Caballeros, and it'll be the best catalogue Blu-Ray this year.

Albert

So long as both Uncut Theatrical and Censored Family Versions for Saludos Amigos are included.

[Escapay]

I don't know why Disney isn't announcing it for Blu-Ray yet. They could easily bundle up Saludos Amigos, South of the Border with Disney, The Three Caballeros, and Walt & El Grupo into one set, throw in the EAC LaserDisc extras (trailers, newsreels, behind-the-scenes footage, "Caxanga" & "Laughing Gauchito" reconstructions, etc.), and Latin-inspired Disney shorts, get Ted Thomas & J.B. Kaufman to record a commentary for Caballeros, and it'll be the best catalogue Blu-Ray this year.

Albert

So long as both Uncut Theatrical and Censored Family Versions for Saludos Amigos are included.

No, thank you. I don't need unnecessary censorship.

I tolerate it on Fantasia because that's the only version Disney has commercially release. But since they've included the uncensored version on Walt & El Grupo, they have no reason to include a censored version ever again, not even for "completist" reasons.

Albert

[Mickeyfan1990]

Well, the censored version would be there for family viewing only and that way there'll be not hissy fit from parents.

Though you do make a very valid point.

[JustOneBite87]

But since they've included the uncensored version on Walt & El Grupo, they have no reason to include a censored version ever again, not even for "completist" reasons.

Walt & El Grupo is aimed at the same adult crowd that the Vault Disney and Treasures sets were aimed towards. The Uncensored version was a marvelous inclusion but I would be shocked if it finds its way onto the general family-oriented release, even as a bonus feature.

Has anyone purchased the digital copy through DMA/itunes/vudu? I'm assuming it's the censored cut but does it utilize the new restoration?

[Escapay]

Well, the censored version would be there for family viewing only and that way there'll be not hissy fit from parents.

Walt & El Grupo is aimed at the same adult crowd that the Vault Disney and Treasures sets were aimed towards. The Uncensored version was a marvelous inclusion but I would be shocked if it finds its way onto the general family-oriented release, even as a bonus feature.

With the scene in question, editing it for "Family viewing" is more of a joke at this point, and even shows an odd double standard. Apparently it's okay to edit out 8 seconds of Goofy smoking a cigarette, but they can retain nearly every shot of Joe Carioca relentlessly holding his cigar. Why exactly would a family be offended by Goofy smoking for a few frames, but not Joe Carioca for an entire film?

The censored version (mild it may be) need no longer see the light of day, family viewing or not. More considerate parents would already know to tell their children about the dangers of smoking than to demand a major company do it for them simply by modifying a propoganda curio from history.

Albert

[JeanGreyForever]

Treasures from the Disney Vault is returning October 15. One of the films being screened is Bedknobs and Broomsticks and I was wondering if anybody knows if this is the abridged theatrical version or the mostly-restored version with the bad dubbing.

[Escapay]

Treasures from the Disney Vault is returning October 15. One of the films being screened is Bedknobs and Broomsticks and I was wondering if anybody knows if this is the abridged theatrical version or the mostly-restored version with the bad dubbing.

Ever since 2008, TCM has only ever shown the 117-minute theatrical version, never the 139-minute reconstruction. The timeslot posted for October 2018 is 8:00 to 10:15, which is already four minutes short of the extended version. And it'll be shared with "Magician Mickey" and the intros/outros with Maltin.

Albert

[JeanGreyForever]

Ever since 2008, TCM has only ever shown the 117-minute theatrical version, never the 139-minute reconstruction. The timeslot posted for October 2018 is 8:00 to 10:15, which is already four minutes short of the extended version. And it'll be shared with "Magician Mickey" and the intros/outros with Maltin.

Albert

Thanks for the information. I should have realized from looking at the time slot, as well as at TCM's entry for Bedknobs and Broomsticks on their webpage. If I'm correct, Lasseter was against extended editions for most Disney films when he came on board so not surprised that Bedknobs is only available in the theatrical version on Blu-Ray, streaming, and on TCM.

[Disney's Divinity]

Why in the world would he be “against” something like extended editions? I am so glad he’s gone.

This is why I haven’t bought B&B on Blu-ray, even though I enjoy the movie. Hopefully it'll be re-released properly at some point complete like on the DVD from years back.

[JeanGreyForever]

This is what I've heard from these forums (or maybe it was the Blu-ray.com forums). This is the reason that Pocahontas, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, The Muppet Christmas Carol, and The Lion King all were released without their extended scenes/songs. I think that was a decision for the best pertaining to The Lion King, but there's no excuse whatsoever for removing scenes from the other films.

Beauty and the Beast, oddly enough, is the only film that retained its additional scene/song. Twice in fact, since it's been released two times under Lasseter's regime on Blu-Ray. Not sure why BATB got special treatment here.

My personal hope for Bedknobs is that for the 20th Anniversary, Disney will surprise everybody and reveal that they found the lost song "A Step in the Right Direction" and reinsert that into the film. If they could fix some of the more egregious dubbing errors that would be nice as well, but I'm not sure which hope of mine is more of a pipe dream. Probably just the fact that Disney would acknowledge this film for its anniversary.

[Disney's Divinity]

My personal hope for Bedknobs is that for the 20th Anniversary, Disney will surprise everybody and reveal that they found the lost song "A Step in the Right Direction" and reinsert that into the film. If they could fix some of the more egregious dubbing errors that would be nice as well, but I'm not sure which hope of mine is more of a pipe dream. Probably just the fact that Disney would acknowledge this film for its anniversary.

I would love that; it's a great song. That said, I would just be satisfied to have an upgrade of the old version with "Nobody's Problems" and the rest, if nothing else. Hard to expect much of anything from Disney.