Is there ANY reason at all to keep my Disney VHSs?

[Neal]

Around New Year's 2008 I decided to collect every Disney Animated Classic and their subsequent derivative films.

I began to stockpile them through thrift stores, garage sales, and secondhand bookshops.

But recently I stopped collecting th VHSs and began to get DVDs instead.

I had bought the VHSs because they were cheap (most Disney VHSs go for $1.00 while DVD's are $13.00 at the lowest if I'm lucky).

But the problem was sustainability- DVDs may have cost way more but they weren't going to wear out.

Now I've upgraded almost all my VHSs to DVD and that begs the question - what do I do with these VHSs?

Is there ANY reason to keep them at all? Any of them have any significant ads worth keeping or parts of films that were later edited out on DVD or ratios that were correct that weren't on DVD?

I don't want to sell the VHSs if there's any reason to keep them.

So is there at all? Would you keep them?

[drfsupercenter]

Okay, that depends on the movie.

Some of them are pretty rare, like I'd suggest keeping The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast simply because those DVDs were so horribly messed up.

And Aladdin too... You don't happen to have one of those really rare first-print ones that has the "cut off your ear" line, do you? But either way, all of the VHS tapes have the "good kitty, take off" line (except the new Special Edition one that came out when the DVD did)... and it's worth keeping for that reason.

Also, um, aspect-ratio wise, films like The Jungle Book, Robin Hood, The Aristocats, etc... though all of those once had proper DVD releases.

I know some first-pressing VHSes are rare for certain movies, though I don't know which ones offhand. Partially the bumpers and previews on them... Like, if you had the 1988 Cinderella VHS with this bumper on it... then it would probably be worth keeping.
(Oh, Cinderella too, that one had some screwed up colors on DVD... as well as Peter Pan)

[Neal]

I have the special edition Beauty VHS unfortunately.

But I do have the 1988 Cindy VHS.

If I made a copy of the bumper, any reason to keep it after that?

[drfsupercenter]

Sorry to hear it at Beauty and the Beast... That one's not worth anything then

Well, I *have* that bumper (see the YouTube video), and I doubt anyone could get it higher quality for me than the laserdisc I happened to acquire on eBay.

But since the Platinum Edition DVD's colors have been criticized, I'd say it's worth keeping. The VHS (in my opinion, at least) looks better than the "restored" DVD. I only have the 1995 Masterpiece VHS, but either way...

[Escapay]

But the problem was sustainability- DVDs may have cost way more but they weren't going to wear out.

Not necessarily. While it's true that the tape does wear down gradually every time a VHS is played, it still as a remarkably long shelf life if taken care correctly. The only problem really is maintaining a VCR that will not break down.

Is there ANY reason to keep them at all?

Sentimental reasons?

That's probably the only reason we still keep our VHS tapes. Plus, even with the novelty of watching those classic bumpers on youtube, it still doesn't compare to putting a tape in the player and watching it on an actual television.

Any of them have any significant ads worth keeping

It depends on what's considered significant.

The Black Diamond VHSes have the cool opening, and a few have some previews that are different promotions than a standard trailer. The preview of Oliver & Company on the Cinderella Black Diamond VHS is different from its trailers. And the preview for The Rescuers Down Under on the Peter Pan Black Diamond VHS contains brief soundbytes from Roy E. Disney and (I think) Jeffrey Katzenberg, along with some interesting pencil animation.

Also, a few VHS tapes contain the theatrical trailer for (then) new Disney films. I remember the trailer for The Lion King being on the original VHS for The Return of Jafar, and since the TLK trailer isn't on the DVD, it's worth holding on to RoJ for that.

or parts of films that were later edited out on DVD

Well, there is the infamous topless woman in The Rescuers that creeped up in early releases of the 1998 VHS (before they were all recalled).

ratios that were correct that weren't on DVD?

Depends on what you consider correct ratio. Given that you're of the "open-matte is OAR" camp, you'll want to hold on to the VHS tapes for The Jungle Book, The Aristocats, and Robin Hood as the latest DVDs are matted (the old LI for TJB and old GC for TA and RH are unmatted).

Would you keep them?

I would. But I'm sentimental like that. Heck, I still hold on to the old Special Collector's Edition of The Ten Commandments even though I have the newer 50th Anniversary Edition (which came with the 1923 silent film, my main reason for getting it in the first place). And I still held onto my two-tape VHS of the film even when I got the DVD.

albert

[disneyfella]

I think one of the earliest VHS releases of Pete's Dragon has a different cut of the film than the current DVD and most of the recent VHS releases of it. I've been looking for it since I heard about that.

Also, I think the original Happiest Millionaire VHS release has a different cut of the film as well. There might be a few more (i.e. Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Treasure Island, etc) that have been edited or altered in some way.

All of them have the 'restored', 'extended', or 'director's cut' version released on DVD, however there is still a market for those now-obscure cuts of these films.

[Escapay]

Also, I think the original Happiest Millionaire VHS release has a different cut of the film as well.

I know when Anchor Bay released the VHS (in the 90s) it was the 144-minute theatrical version, and they also released a double-VHS of the extended version.

There might be a few more (i.e. Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Treasure Island, etc) that have been edited or altered in some way.

The original Bedknobs and Broomsticks VHS tapes was the 117-minute theatrical version, which was replaced by the 139-minute restored version in 1996. I remember watching the old VHS at the Disney Learning Center during a day off. Yeah, kinda sad...on a day off I go to the parks just to hang in the tunnels...but it was an educational day, I was comparing the VHS to the DVD to know where all the cuts were made, and making notes so that if I ever wanted to make a DVD rip of the theatrical version (this was before I knew it airs on TCM as theatrical) that I'd know what to cut out and what to move. Plus, after I finished watching the VHS I went topside and roamed around the park chatting with castmembers. Sometimes, though, I'd just stay in the tunnels and veg out watching Robin Hood for the umpteenth time. *sigh* I miss those days.

albert

[disneyfella]

Also, I think the original Happiest Millionaire VHS release has a different cut of the film as well.

I know when Anchor Bay released the VHS (in the 90s) it was the 144-minute theatrical version, and they also released a double-VHS of the extended version.

I wanna say that the first VHS release of Happiest Millionaire was like only 80 or 90 odd minutes. It was one of the shortest cuts of the film. Again, its worth is only for film geeks who are interested in editing and watching different cuts of films.

I suppose there is a market for 'nostalgic' fans too. I mean, I watched Bedknobs and Broomsticks a certain way growing up hundreds of times. Now when I put in the DVD the extra scenes are almost distracting. While I love the DVD version and think that cut of the film is superior to the VHS release, I would still like the option of every once and a while revisiting that cut of the film too.....purely for nostalgia sake.

[Escapay]

I know when Anchor Bay released the VHS (in the 90s) it was the 144-minute theatrical version, and they also released a double-VHS of the extended version.

I wanna say that the first VHS release of Happiest Millionaire was like only 80 or 90 odd minutes. It was one of the shortest cuts of the film. Again, its worth is only for film geeks who are interested in editing and watching different cuts of films.

Hmm..that must be the 1983 VHS. I know that early movies on VHS were either time-compressed or edited to fit on the tape, so it'd make sense for it to be from an early release than a later one.

(where's Disney Guru when you need him? He'd know all about the early VHS releases!)

I mean, I watched Bedknobs and Broomsticks a certain way growing up hundreds of times. Now when I put in the DVD the extra scenes are almost distracting. While I love the DVD version and think that cut of the film is superior to the VHS release, I would still like the option of every once and a while revisiting that cut of the film too.....purely for nostalgia sake.

Hehe, I know how you feel. I'd love for Disney to re-release B&B with both versions (via seamless branching). If only so I don't have to hear the horrible voice dub kid for Charlie, who completely mangles up his lines and makes me cringe whenever I hear "mango wuzzle".

albert

[Elladorine]

Unfortunately I've had to get rid most of my collection mainly because of the lack of space. One of the things that initially drew me to DVD's was the fact that they took up less space and thus having a collection would be easier to manage. Well, that and the fact that they don't wear down like VHS's do; forget the better picture quality!

I did manage to hang on to one Disney pre-record (the recalled Rescuers VHS), but the rest of my remaining tapes are all stuff recorded off of TV. Some of my older tapes have noticeably degraded over time (some of them are approaching 25 years of age!) and I'm hoping to convert the material to DVD one of these days. Funny thing is that I don't even have a VCR to watch them on anymore.

It was such a relief that Perri was finally released on DVD. I had taped it off of Disney Channel way back in '86 or so and the VHS was in pretty bad shape. It even came off the reel once and I had to take it apart to repair it! I was always afraid to play it after that.

I'm still sentimental about the tapes though, believe it or not. Heh, you should have seen me when we finally thew our very first VCR away, we had that thing nearly 20 years and it was like losing a friend. I couldn't say the same when I threw out my first DVD player, seems that electrical equipment just doesn't last anymore.

Anyway, I'd have hung on to them if I could have. To this day I'd be popping them in not only to compare colors, clarity, edits and stuff between VHS releases with DVD, but to just enjoy watching them for what they were; it's what I grew up with. Plus there's something strangely cool to me about old video formats.

And Aladdin too... You don't happen to have one of those really rare first-print ones that has the "cut off your ear" line, do you? But either way, all of the VHS tapes have the "good kitty, take off" line (except the new Special Edition one that came out when the DVD did)... and it's worth keeping for that reason.

I bought my VHS of Aladdin on the very same day it was originally released in stores, and the "cut off your ear" line was already edited. I remember how it stood out like a sore thumb to me since I was a big fan of the soundtrack.

Don't tell me that unedited VHS's exist somewhere?

[MutantEnemy]

Your Disney VHS collection, if I read it right was collected fairly recently so it may not have the same emotional gravitas as other peoples collections.

If I had the emotional fortitude I would get rid of them (my Disney VHS tapes), but it would be like getting rid of a huge piece of my childhood, and really, memories are all we have. I have had no problem getting rid of DVD's now that I'm in my 20's, but the thought of losing my Disney VHS tapes from when I was in single digits makes me want to cry, and then kick my own a** for being such a wuss. Oh screw it, I am going to go hug my "Beauty and the Beast" tape!!!

So to answer the original question, you should keep them if they hold meaning for you.

[Flanger-Hanger]

I thought the shortest Millionaire cut was 118 min (the 1968 general release version) and that there were also 144min, 164 min and 172 min cuts of the film. 90 min? What the hell does that show you? the opening and ending with nothing else?

No matter, I'll always stick with the 172 min version. For Bedknobs the 139 min version because no matter how bad "why are you so interested in that" may sound I prefer to the awkwardly edited and less Roddy McDowall version. Plus the extended/extra songs are much more enjoyable in my opinion and other random tidbits like what happened to the children's foster aunt are interesting too.

[The_Iceflash]

I think I might keep mine now after reading through this.


@Platinum Edition Colors discussion: I don't understand the issues with some of the colors on the DVDs. I thought Cinderella looked amazing!

I'll post some pics later of a couple of my Disney VHS's since I have some older ones from the very late 80s/very early 90s.

[BelleGirl]

I've exchanged most of my Disney vhs-tapes for DVD's: I still have Peter Pan, Pinocchio -soon to be replaced-, Alice in Wonderland, The Rescuers, The Fox and the Hound, Fantasia 2000 on original VHS-release only, Robin Hood, Sword in the stone, Make Mine Music I only have on tapes recorded from TV.

For a time I either gave my replaced VHs-tapes as a present to nephews and nieces, or left them at my parent's house so that they could show some to their grandchildren when they were staying there (a little problem was most were in English, for a great part without subtitles).
I cannot do this anymore. (My eldest brother threw away all the Disney-tapes I had given his children when his video-recorder broke down )

I'm also wondering what I should do with the VHS-tapes I still have: sell them? What price could I ask for them? I'm afraid it will not top the costs to deliver them through mail. Another things is that some tapes are more worn than others.

So, for now I'm just keeping them. They do have some 'historical value' because of the cover-designs and the well-known phrase announcing an upcoming feature "coming in a cinema near you"! Original trailers!

[drfsupercenter]

I bought my VHS of Aladdin on the very same day it was originally released in stores, and the "cut off your ear" line was already edited. I remember how it stood out like a sore thumb to me since I was a big fan of the soundtrack.

Don't tell me that unedited VHS's exist somewhere?

Ah, now, I don't really know.

There are several popular "urban legends"... One is that it was changed right after it left theaters, another is that it was changed while still in theaters. In both of those cases, there would not be any unedited VHSes.

But I also read that the change took place a month or so before the VHS was officially for sale... and that means they would have had to make some early copies without editing them. I haven't seen any proof that they exist, people who go "Oh, I have one of those!" on YouTube comments never have any proof to back it up.

So really, I'm not quite sure if an unedited version exists. I guess it's just up to speculation at this point.

It depends on what's considered significant.

The Black Diamond VHSes have the cool opening, and a few have some previews that are different promotions than a standard trailer. The preview of Oliver & Company on the Cinderella Black Diamond VHS is different from its trailers. And the preview for The Rescuers Down Under on the Peter Pan Black Diamond VHS contains brief soundbytes from Roy E. Disney and (I think) Jeffrey Katzenberg, along with some interesting pencil animation.

Also, a few VHS tapes contain the theatrical trailer for (then) new Disney films. I remember the trailer for The Lion King being on the original VHS for The Return of Jafar, and since the TLK trailer isn't on the DVD, it's worth holding on to RoJ for that.

Yeah, some of the newer VHSes have previews for up-and-coming movies, which are now part of the DAC canon. I don't think the 80s tapes had any previews (or they just had one), but the Walt Disney Masterpiece line has a bunch.

[blackcauldron85]

As far as the unedited Aladdin VHS tapes go, I'm extremely pretty sure that that's just a rumor. At least in the US; I don't know about in other countries.

As far as your VHS collection goes, I agree with everyone else- if you're emotionally attached to your tapes, then you should probably keep them; it would stink to sell them or give them away and then be sad that you don't have them anymore.

I only have 3 Disney VHS tapes now: 101 Dalmatians Christmas, Hercules: Zero to Hero (both of which aren't on DVD), and Snowed In At the House of Mouse, which I have yet to buy on DVD. I gave a couple away recently when I started updating my non-Disney VHS tapes away (I had since gotten Cinderella II and So Dear to My Heart on DVD and had no need for the videos, but I sold the rest to CD Warehouse years ago. DVDs are just more convenient for me to play.

Sometimes I'll sell things on eBay for my friends who don't use eBay, and my friend gave me, amongst other things, a bunch of Disney VHS tapes to sell. I haven't looked into it yet, but I'm not sure if there's much of a market anymore for the VHS tapes. She even has the original TLM tape, but that probably isn't rare, so it probably isn't worth much.

But, if you have the widescreen VHS of Lady and the Tramp, that's a rare tape, so you could either keep it, knowing that you have a rare tape, or sell it and make some money...

Some live-action films were released on VHS and haven't been released on DVD yet, and I'd advise you to keep those, obviously. Another friend recently gave me a few live-action films on VHS that her parents no longer wanted, and some of those aren't on DVD, or are OOP on DVD, like "The Castaway Cowboy" and "Beverly Hills Family Robinson".

So, it really comes down to, do you still watch the VHS tapes? Or do you think you'd be sad if you no longer had them?

The other day, I was thinking, I'm so obsessed with my DVDs being in great condition that if I ever have kids, I would rather them have the VHS tapes of the movies so they don't ruin my DVDs. Too late, I guess, and I won't be having kids anytime soon, but still...that's a thought, too.

[BelleGirl]

Forgot to mention: apart from several 'classic animated features' I have Song of the South, Darby O'Gill and the little People and several collections of Disney shorts on VHS.

[drfsupercenter]

Hey BelleGirl, is yours by chance the newishly remastered 1997 Netherlands VHS?
Or is it an older release?

I was looking around some of the fansites and the Netherlands was the newest country to get a VHS release. (Not like I'm interested in ripping one for fan restoration purposes... )

[DisneyFreak5282]

I bought my VHS of Aladdin on the very same day it was originally released in stores, and the "cut off your ear" line was already edited. I remember how it stood out like a sore thumb to me since I was a big fan of the soundtrack.

Don't tell me that unedited VHS's exist somewhere?

Where in the flim was the "cut off your ear" line?

[Goliath]

I'm also wondering what I should do with the VHS-tapes I still have: sell them? What price could I ask for them? I'm afraid it will not top the costs to deliver them through mail!

You should always let the person who buys the tape pay for the delivering. That's how I sell old VHS's. But not my Disney-tapes, for reasons mentioned already, like trailers.