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Walt Disney Treasures - The Complete Pluto, Volume Two (1947)
Unlike the other animal characters in Disney’s cartoon repertory company who served as substitute humans, Pluto remained a dog. Although he began as Mickey Mouse’s companion, he was soon given films of his own: Mickey and Minnie appear in only a few of these cartoons from the late ’40s and early ’50s. Most of the stories follow the pattern animator Norm Ferguson set in “Playful Pluto” (1934). The hectored hound has to cope with either a recalcitrant object or an adorable but problematic animal: a little bird in “Pluto’s Fledgling,” the embarrassing pink sweater Minnie knits in “Pluto’s Sweater,” Chip an’ Dale in “Food for Feudin’.” The animation in these shorts is polished and subtle: the animators capture the nuances of a change in expression as skillfully as the rhythm of a run. But the humor feels very tame. While director Charles Nichols and his staff made beautiful, amusing films, the artists at Warner Bros. and MGM were pioneering a brasher, faster-paced style of cartoon that was much funnier. The extras are generally interesting but some of the choices are odd: Pluto doesn’t appear in some cartoons. Animator Andreas Deja offers an interesting commentary on “Hawaiian Holiday” (1937), but the film isn’t shown in its entirety. Similarly, the pencil test from “Pluto’s Judgment Day” (1935) provides a rare look at the animators’ drawing, but the finished film isn’t included. The Complete Pluto, Volume Two is well worth having, but it’s not likely to provide many belly laughs. (Rated G, suitable for ages 5 and older: cartoon violence, minor ethnic stereotypes) –Charles Solomon
Mickey’s best pal Pluto continues to light up the screen as leading dog in more of his adventure-filled cartoons. Putting the spotlight on his comical antics from 1947 through 1951, this volume includes the inspired “Bone Bandit” of 1948 and the 1951 classic “Plutopia.” The treats continue with three rarely seen shorts featuring Pluto’s feline nemesis Figaro, and a revealing exploration of a classic Pluto short. Plus, contemporary Disney master animators discuss their favorite Pluto moments and the art and craft behind them. It’s no wonder Mickey’s faithful pup became top dog around the world. Featuring exclusive introductions by film historian Leonard Maltin, this is a timeless collection from generations past for generations to come.
Walt Disney Treasures - The Complete Pluto, Volume One
Mickey’s pal Pluto developed from the pair of bloodhounds in “The Chain Gang” (1930). Walt Disney liked animator Norm Ferguson’s handling of the dogs’ expressions, so the artists continued to work with the character. Ferguson’s breakthrough animation of the flypaper sequence in “Playful Pluto” (1934), available on Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Black and White, Vol. 2, showed that the cartoon character could think and react to a situation through pantomime. Many cartoons follow the pattern of “Playful Pluto”: the ochre dog tries to cope with either a recalcitrant object–skates in “On Ice,” an inflatable rubber horse in “Beach Picnic”–or a cute but troublesome animal: a seal in “Pluto’s Playmate,” a gopher in “Canine Caddy” and the title character in “Pluto and the Armadillo.” Pluto’s quick temper and willingness to rush in where pedigrees fear to tread made him a popular subject for cartoons (and military insignias) during World War II. In “First Aiders,” Pluto serves as a reluctant subject when Minnie practices splinting and bandaging. Eager to do his bit, he serves as a military watch dog in “Private Pluto,” “Dog Watch,” and “Canine Patrol.” In several of these cartoons, Mickey is reduced to playing straight man to Pluto, who gets the laughs. Pluto is pitted against a black housekeeper, reminiscent of Mammy Two-Shoes in the Tom and Jerry cartoons in “Pantry Pirate”–a rare example of ethnic stereotyping in a Disney short. (Unrated, suitable for ages 5 and older: cartoon violence, occasional ethnic stereotypes) –Charles Solomon
Mickey’s faithful friend Pluto is unleashed in this first volume of the celebrated canine’s cartoon capers. Spanning the years 1930 to 1947, these 29 classic shorts include Pluto’s 1930 debut in “The Chain Gang” — which was actually his first and second appearance playing unnamed, identical bloodhounds — and the 1941 Academy Award(R)-winning short “Lend A Paw.” The tales continue with a special “dogumentary” focusing on the birth and evolution of everybody’s best friend, an excerpt from the TV program “A Story Of Dogs,” a look back at the life of Pluto’s father, animator Norman “Fergy” Ferguson, and more. It’s no wonder Pluto’s star rose faster than his temper.
Disney Princess Stories - Beauty Shines From Within (Volume 3) (2005)
~Your little girl is just wishes away from a unique experience that combines all the wonder of storytelling with the magic of make believe. In DISNEY PRINCESS STORIES VOLUME THREE: BEAUTY SHINES FROM WITHIN, “happily ever afters” start with a dash of imagination and a heaping helping of “once upon a time.” The secret ingredient is a special kind of enchantment that is only found in the kingdom of Disney Princesses. Three charmed tales about being true to yourself will amaze and amuse your child again and again! Join Jasmine and Ariel as they discover that what really matters is confidence in yourself and the love in your heart. Watch as Cinderella tells, in her own words, the remarkable story of how she first became a princess. With each exciting flight of fancy, your little girl will meet her favorite Disney Princesses, share in their spellbinding adventures, and discover that real beauty shines from within.~
Walt Disney Treasures - The Chronological Donald, Volume Two (1942 - 1946) (1942)
As the number of cartoons in The Chronological Donald series indicates, Donald Duck was Walt Disney’s biggest star during the ’40s and ’50s. Between 1941 and 1965, the studio made 106 Donald shorts, but only 49 Goofys and 14 Mickeys. With his flashpan temper, Donald was well suited to the more aggressive humor of wartime America. Donald’s plump derrière got kicked, stung, swatted, or stuck in things with predictably pyrotechnic results. No character had to deal with less cooperative tools, and no character threw bigger tantrums when his equipment failed to work properly. The Disney shorts of this era offer beautiful animation, lavish special effects, and elegantly painted backgrounds. But by 1942, Walt Disney’s interests had shifted away from short films to features and war work. The artists at Warner Bros. and MGM were pushing the boundaries to make cartoons that were faster, brasher, and funnier. Compared to the work of Chuck Jones, Tex Avery, Bob Clampett, and Friz Freleng, the wartime Donald shorts feel tame. The mystery spoof “Duck Pimples” is one of the nuttiest shorts the Disney Studio ever released, but it can’t match the take-no-prisoners insanity of Avery’s “Red” cartoons, its obvious model. Any serious Disneyphile or student of animation will want The Chronological Donald, as it’s been impossible to see many of the cartoons for decades. The extras include “A Day in the Life of Donald Duck,” a 1956 episode of “Disneyland” that features Donald arguing with Clarence Nash, the actor who provided his voice; and a conversation between host Leonard Maltin and Tony Anselmo, Donald’s current voice. (Unrated, suitable for all ages: cartoon violence, tobacco use, ethnic stereotypes) –Charles Solomon
The adventures of the world’s favorite fiery-tempered duck continue as we follow his solo-starring efforts from 1942 through 1946. This period was filled with an abundance of comic exploits as Donald shows his huge audience what he’s made of, short fuse and all. Among Donald’s featured escapades is the Academy Award(R)-nominated Best Short, “Donald’s Crime,” from 1945. Also showcased is an interview with the current-day voice of Donald Duck, Tony Anselmo, and a profile of the legendary comic book artist Carl Barks — including a look at the not-often-seen work he did in Disney’s animation department.
Walt Disney Treasures - Mickey Mouse in Black and White, Volume Two
By the time “The Barn Dance” (1928), the fourth Mickey Mouse short and the oldest film on this collection, was released, Mickey was well on his way to cartoon stardom. The viewer can see how quickly the Disney animators improved between “The Barn Dance” and “Mickey’s Kangaroo” (1935, his last black-and-white film). The characters are so rubbery in “Barn Dance,” that when Mickey steps on Minnie’s foot, her leg stretches out on the floor. Mickey and Minnie look noticeably more solid by “Mickey’s Mechanical Man” (1933). “Playful Pluto” (1934) offers the landmark sequence of Pluto trying to escape from sheet of fly paper: one of the first instances where an animated character actually seemed to think and react to his environment believably. But it’s Pluto who gets the laughs–Mickey is already turning into the straight man he eventually became. The Disney shorts also improved as films during this period. The direction becomes surer, with increasingly imaginative camerawork. If some cartoons look backward, recycling gags from “Steamboat Willie,” “The Barnyard Concert” (1929) anticipates “The Band Concert” (1935). In both films, Mickey conducts a group of ragtag musicians in Zampa’s “The Poet and the Peasant” Overture, and “Barnyard Concert” feels like a rough sketch for the brilliant “Band Concert,” Mickey’s first color short. A few of these films include ethnic imagery that was considered good taste in the early ’30s, but is no longer acceptable, as host Leonard Maltin cautions. (Unrated, suitable for ages 6 and older: cartoon violence, tobacco use, ethnic stereotypes) –Charles Solomon
In this final volume, the homage to Mickey’s early career is completed with these shorts. From 1928’s “The Barn Dance” to his very last black-and-white short, 1935’s “Mickey’s Kangaroo,” his colorful antics in a black-and-white world propelled him to super-stardom. The Mickey craze touched everybody and everything. In this volume, hear Leonard Maltin and Disney Legend John Hench talk about Mickey’s official birthday portraits. Visit an unbelievable collection of Mickey collectibles and rare artifacts. Enjoy period photos, publicity, and animation art from the archives. It’s all here plus more in this celebration of the mouse who became a global icon.
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