I think we may need to save the Treasures series

[Disney Guru]

Didn't you hear Scaps? There is a new wave of Treasures.

"Walt Disney Treasures: The Disney Essence Collection"

This tin is limited to 250,000 copies and contains multiple shorts that all share the Disney Essence in common and highlight the most Essenced shorts out of Walt's line up.

Special features include "That's What Disney Would Do!" where psychics predict accurately what Walt would have done and thought about Disney today and how he would have treated CGI, Restorations and the Disney Channel.


"Walt Disney Tresures: The Disney Change"

This highlights only the changes that are Disney that have happened in Disney's long history limited to 240, 000 tins.

- A feature length Documentary called "Disney Change: What is it?" narrated and explained by Disney Change expert 'Offma R. Ocker'

- A slipcover that is not only shiny, but embossed, opens like a book and is 3D. But wait, there's more! It also plays 'When You Wish Upon A Star' while the book portion is open!

"Walt Disney Treasures: The Colors of the Disney Wind"

This special 250, 000 tin tackles controversy of the highest degree. The skimpiest of the three sets, Colors of the Disney Wind tackles the issue of Color Restoration in Disney films and the cleaning up of grain and other various odds and ends. Special features include:

- A documentary called "Color in Disney. What are the originals?"

- An all new short that educates people on Color and Restoration, as narrated by extreme fanboys.

- A color wheel for each film so we can hold it up and make exact comparisons of the original colors on the wheel, to the badly redone restorations and see for ourselves!

I don't get it. I thought Escapay said there were NO more Treasures waiting.

And to be perfectly honest, I figured the set could only have so much. I had a feeling that, Jiminy Cricket and Ludwig Von Drake notwithstanding, the Walt-era inventory was starting to run a little low. Maybe that's why the Treasures quietly came to an end.

Then again, they could take a page out of the re-release format for animated features and re-release the Treasures series on Blu-Ray (not forgetting to improve on it in the process), since they're trying to foist that format onto us anyway. Just think of it, they could potentially have only at least two sets each, if not one each, for Mickey and Donald instead of four and the Pluto and Silly Symphonies serieses could also be merged into one each this way. Think of the possibilities!

Chernabog_Rocks was joking, I must admit I for one fell for it a sec until I read through it and realized it was a very nicely done humorous press release.

Re: The subject at hand. As has been said the era of the Walt Disney Treasures series has passed, I for one was one of those who was always heavy into the whole SaveDisney.com campaign that was started by Roy Disney. "Goodbye Eisner, Hello Roy" etc. etc. etc. Even got a bumper sticker. But unfortunately it later proved that Eisner was really doing a great job it was under his reign that so many classic Disney films were released to the mainstream market. Granted a few have since made it to Blu-Ray, but the majority of other new Classic Disney Live Action releases since Eisner's departure are merely repackaging of former releases. Thank heavens for The Disney Movie Club Exclusive line. Also that they are available from the Disney Store website. And can be purchased from eBay direct from their eBay store: http://stores.ebay.com/disneymovieshop/

But besides that it seems the era of more old favorites being released via their mainstream routes are gone. They had the shortlived Walt Disney Generations Collection line through Amazon's MOD program, but any new releases don't seem to be coming out via that line.

I miss the days of the Vault Disney DVDS, the Special Editions, the Treasures collections stock full of special features but unfortunately I think that those releases are gone for good.

[milojthatch]

I've shared this before, but I'll do it again. Thanks to my work at Open Vault Disney, I've had the chance to talk privately with a former member of the Disney Home Entertainment team and have learned a lot about the current mindsets over at DHE.

The subject at hand. As has been said the era of the Walt Disney Treasures series has passed, I for one was one of those who was always heavy into the whole SaveDisney.com campaign that was started by Roy Disney. "Goodbye Eisner, Hello Roy" etc. etc. etc. Even got a bumper sticker. But unfortunately it later proved that Eisner was really doing a great job it was under his reign that so many classic Disney films were released to the mainstream market. Granted a few have since made it to Blu-Ray, but the majority of other new Classic Disney Live Action releases since Eisner's departure are merely repackaging of former releases. Thank heavens for The Disney Movie Club Exclusive line. Also that they are available from the Disney Store website. And can be purchased from eBay direct from their eBay store: http://stores.ebay.com/disneymovieshop/

Yes, I'll admit, I too used to Eisner bash. As much as I was not (and still am not) a fan of his, the fact is that while under him, there were some choices (like modern Disney Channel) that are still in place today that I don't really agree with, he also hired people that held a better respect for vintage Disney, like Dick Cook. I don't feel that a "Disney Treasures-like" collection would even be created under the current powers that be. According to my old contact, Bob Iger doesn't really care about what the studio has made so much as what they are yet to make. And to a point, I can understand that logic. However, I feel it is a mistake to fully or nearly fully abandon the past for the future. It seems to me Walt Disney had a foot in both realities.

But besides that it seems the era of more old favorites being released via their mainstream routes are gone. They had the shortlived Walt Disney Generations Collection line through Amazon's MOD program, but any new releases don't seem to be coming out via that line.

Being as my old contact was on the MOD team and the whole reason he was moved out of DHE was because they ended the MOD program, yes, I'd say it's not looking good for Disney DVD-on-Demand. Personally, I don't feel DIsney wanted it to do well or gave it a very fair shake. When Is see the amazing work the guys over at Warner Bros. are doing with the Archive Collection, I can't help but wonder why Disney has had so many problems with it. I really feel that MOD release are the future or vintage titles making it to DVD, and really feel that Disney is short changing their fans by not adopting the format better.

I miss the days of the Vault Disney DVDS, the Special Editions, the Treasures collections stock full of special features but unfortunately I think that those releases are gone for good.

Sadly, I was told that the budget for new extra features for vintage titles is gone. So yes, I think bare bones release are all we have to look forward to so far as vintage titles go.

[Big Disney Fan]

Sadly, I was told that the budget for new extra features for vintage titles is gone. So yes, I think bare bones release are all we have to look forward to so far as vintage titles go.

Well, in all fairness, there was a time, not too long ago, when we had films on VHS, and they just had the movie in question on them and nothing else (beyond a preview of other titles before the movie started).

[milojthatch]

Sadly, I was told that the budget for new extra features for vintage titles is gone. So yes, I think bare bones release are all we have to look forward to so far as vintage titles go.

Well, in all fairness, there was a time, not too long ago, when we had films on VHS, and they just had the movie in question on them and nothing else (beyond a preview of other titles before the movie started).

I think that is exactly where the industry is heading back to: The VHS era but with discs and digital streaming.

[Big Disney Fan]

I think that is exactly where the industry is heading back to: The VHS era but with discs and digital streaming.

Well, it's not like it hasn't been like that before. I believe there was a time when DVDs were barebones when starting out.

[ajmrowland]

But the whole reason many people adopted DVDs and later BDs was/is bonus material.

[Guitarman]

I have a few questions/comments regarding bonus material:
1. You state that your source told you that the budget for bonus material for vintage titles is gone. What qualifies as “vintage titles”? I ask because Disney did make a lot of new bonus material for the Diamond Edition releases of “Snow White” and “Beauty and the Beast”. Does vintage titles mean old Disney films that aren’t as renowned as the animated classics, and the more famous live-action film (“Mary Poppins”, “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea”, etc.)? I know that there are a lot of vintage Disney titles that have been released, at least as part of the “Disney Movie Club Exclusives” line, though I don’t think any of these have bonus material, and from what I’ve read, some of the transfers are pretty shoddy.
2. Do you think that Disney will carry over the bonus material from the DVD editions to the Blu-Ray releases? Some old titles (like “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea”) were pretty packed as far as supplemental material goes, and, as long as Disney made all that content available on the Blu-Ray, I don’t think they’d have to make new material. On the other hand, even some titles that received deluxe “Special Edition” treatment could stand some new bonus material (“The Parent Trap” comes to mind).
3. I guess it would be too much to expect Disney to make new material for some old titles, since they may not be famous enough to warrant any kind of deluxe treatment. But even for more obscure titles, I think Disney should include material that already exists that would be relevant. Things like trailers, TV ads, Walt Disney’s introduction to the material if it aired on the anthology series. Is it really that hard to dig that material out of the vaults, and put it on a DVD. One other thing I’d like to add is that when/if Disney releases older theatrical material, it is presented in the proper aspect ratio, and that all widescreen material be enhanced for widescreen TV. Again, is this too much to ask?

Your thoughts and input would be appreciated. Cheers.

[milojthatch]

I have a few questions/comments regarding bonus material:
1. You state that your source told you that the budget for bonus material for vintage titles is gone. What qualifies as “vintage titles”? I ask because Disney did make a lot of new bonus material for the Diamond Edition releases of “Snow White” and “Beauty and the Beast”. Does vintage titles mean old Disney films that aren’t as renowned as the animated classics, and the more famous live-action film (“Mary Poppins”, “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea”, etc.)? I know that there are a lot of vintage Disney titles that have been released, at least as part of the “Disney Movie Club Exclusives” line, though I don’t think any of these have bonus material, and from what I’ve read, some of the transfers are pretty shoddy.
2. Do you think that Disney will carry over the bonus material from the DVD editions to the Blu-Ray releases? Some old titles (like “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea”) were pretty packed as far as supplemental material goes, and, as long as Disney made all that content available on the Blu-Ray, I don’t think they’d have to make new material. On the other hand, even some titles that received deluxe “Special Edition” treatment could stand some new bonus material (“The Parent Trap” comes to mind).
3. I guess it would be too much to expect Disney to make new material for some old titles, since they may not be famous enough to warrant any kind of deluxe treatment. But even for more obscure titles, I think Disney should include material that already exists that would be relevant. Things like trailers, TV ads, Walt Disney’s introduction to the material if it aired on the anthology series. Is it really that hard to dig that material out of the vaults, and put it on a DVD. One other thing I’d like to add is that when/if Disney releases older theatrical material, it is presented in the proper aspect ratio, and that all widescreen material be enhanced for widescreen TV. Again, is this too much to ask?

Your thoughts and input would be appreciated. Cheers.

1.) "Vintage" meaning older than 10 years and not A-List titles. Films like "Snow White" or "Mary Poppins," while vintage, are also A-List titles. These are the titles that are basically 100% sure to end up on whatever new format comes out as long as it lasts any serious amount of time, and get re-releases over and over again. What I'm talking about would be things like "The Prince and the Pauper" from the 1960's starring Guy Williams, or The Mr. Boogedy films. If/when they get DVD releases, there won't be extras with them.

2.) I have no idea, but from what I can tell, it's hit or miss so far.

3.) I'm going to say don't hold your breath, but I agree with you. I brought up the correct aspect ratio issue as was never given an answer. In fact I was ignored on that issue. Personally, I think a "barebones" DVD should be the film in correct aspect ratio, subtitles and original trailers, but oh well.

[carolinakid]

I want most of what's been mentioned but I also want more historic programming about Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

[ianwahlers]

I believe there was a time when DVDs were barebones when starting out.

Don't forget, Disney's earliest DVDs had "full color artwork on disc" as a bonus feature.

[FigmentJedi]

I believe there was a time when DVDs were barebones when starting out.

Don't forget, Disney's earliest DVDs had "full color artwork on disc" as a bonus feature.

As were "Interactive Menus"

[Big Disney Fan]

Don't forget, Disney's earliest DVDs had "full color artwork on disc" as a bonus feature.

As were "Interactive Menus"

I don't bother with those.

[milojthatch]

Don't forget, Disney's earliest DVDs had "full color artwork on disc" as a bonus feature.

As were "Interactive Menus"

Kind of silly thinking of those as extra, huh?

[Heil Donald Duck]

I don't rely care any more about DVD line of Treasures series, I did want them to re do the whole thing over on Blu-ray.

[disneyboy20022]

I believe there was a time when DVDs were barebones when starting out.

Don't forget, Disney's earliest DVDs had "full color artwork on disc" as a bonus feature.

Apparently artwork on the discs was a bonus feature due to now they are grey and blue

[milojthatch]

Please join us in fighting for more Walt-era titles this Friday!

1.) On Friday, November 1, 2013, please visit the Disney Movie Club's official Facebook page. Link below:

https://www.facebook.com/DisneyMovieClub

2.) Then, please write a short comment asking for no more than 3 “Walt-era” or "Classic Disney Channel-era" titles you’d like to see them release. It is VERY important you limited it to just 3 titles this time as long lists won’t be taken as seriously and probably won’t be looked at as closely. Don’t worry, we’ll do this again.

3.) Make sure you mention that Open Vault Disney sent you. Please be nice in the comment and maybe even say thanks again for the Disney Afternoon DVD we received this year.

4.) And that it is! For extra, please share this event with friends and family. If it does well enough, we'll do this again soon.

[zackisthewalrus]

This video may be of interest here.

Leonard Maltin Answering Your Questions Part 1
http://youtu.be/U-8MW9VnrCI