Disney is one of America’s true giants in the entertainment business and now the company is making is history available to fans through a series of collectible DVD’s. All three sets feature commentary and introductions by film critic and historian Leonard Maltin, who is well versed on the history and social significance of Walt Disney and his beloved characters.

Disneyland: Secrets, Stories & Magic

This set is a nostalgic and informative look at Walt Disney and his dream to build an entertainment complex for children of all ages. This two disc set features several programs on the creation of Disneyland and a look at historical promotional material chronicling the theme park’s history.

The feature documentary includes interviews with dozens of Disney employees and imagineers. They discuss how the park was created and give special insight to popular attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion and It’s a Small World. Some hardcore Disney fans have complained that the documentary is a lot of fluff, but if you’re a casual fan like most people, you’ll find a lot to like and learn with this excellent documentary.

Bonus Features:

People & Places: Disneyland U.S.A. is a fantastic Technicolor/CinemaScope 40 minute film released in 1956, one year after the park opened. It features beautiful helicopter camera shots of Disneyland as well as intimate looks at your favorite rides and attractions. This vintage film will instill a sense of nostalgia in anyone who has been to a Disney park and I dare you to watch this film and not get the urge to immediate book your next trip.

The Golden Horseshoe Revue – An hour long presentation of the fantastic stage show that ran for over 30 years; it features Disney legends Betty Taylor and Wally Boag. This wild west musical/comedy revue is good wholesome fun for the whole family. When I go to a theme park I’m all about the rides, but seeing this film makes me wish we had taken time to see this highly entertaining show.

Disneyland Goes To the World’s Fair- A look at Disney’s preparation work for the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. It includes the creation of the company’s audio-animatronics and a detailed look at It’s a Small World.

Disneyland Around the Seasons – A look at several park attractions and the Christmas parade.

Operation Disneyland – A look at the preparations made for the television broadcast of Disneyland’s opening day

The set also includes a trivia game, photo galleries and a time lapse look at the park’s construction.

The DVD itself comes in a collectible tin and includes a numbered certificate of authenticity and a replica admission ticket.

Conclusion

This DVD set is a great look at the history of Walt Disney’s original theme park and its famous rides. It’s chock full of collectible material and the vintage films and broadcast material make this a must buy for any Disney fan or serious collector. It’ll put a smile on your face and make you start planning for your next vacation.

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit

If you’re like me, then you probably never knew Walt Disney was famous before he created Mickey Mouse. Along with legendary animator Ub Iwerks, Disney created Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and made him a star in the 1920’s. Unfortunately, a bad business deal took the rights to this character away from Disney. The rights to Oswald sat with NBC/Universal for 80 years. On February 9, 2006, ESPN (owned by Disney) allowed sportscaster Al Michaels to leave the network for a position with NBC/Universal. Part of the condition for the release was that the rights to Oswald return to Disney; quite an amazing story.

To celebrate the return, Disney offers a two-DVD set featuring 13 Oswald films. Since these shorts were made in the 1920’s, they will probably seem somewhat crude by today’s standards and may not hold much appeal for today’s children. Nevertheless they remain an interesting look into Walt Disney’s history and a look into animation’s infancy.

Bonus Features:

Oswald Comes Home – a short look at the unusual way the Oswald character came back to the Disney family

Works of Ub Iwerks – Before Oswald - Three short films with the Alice character (an early blend of animation and live action)

After Oswald – a tribute to animator Ub Iwerks and his work on Plane Crazy, Steamboat Willie and Skeleton Dance

The Hand Behind the Mouse – feature length documentary on Ub Iwerks, the prolific animator who served as Disney’s right hand during the formative years

The DVD set comes in a tin case, includes a numbered certificate of authenticity, and contains a replica animation sample as well as a collectible pin.

Conclusion

I’m not sure how much appeal Oswald the Lucky Rabbit will have for today’s children, but I get the sense that these new collectible DVD’s are really meant for older people. With several interesting documentaries and a few nice goodies, this set is a great item for anyone who enjoys vintage animation or considers themselves a Disney completist.

The Chronological Donald: Vol. 3 1947-1950

Even though Mickey Mouse is the flagship character for Disney, many fans and people within the company consider Donald Duck the most popular character. This grouchy, uptight bird is the focus of his own DVD series and this holiday season sees the release of his third set.

This edition features 25 of his short films from the post World War II years and includes adventures with popular cohorts Daisy Duck, Chip and Dale and Huey, Dewey and Luey. The short cartoons have all been beautifully restored and are sure to entertain.

Bonus Features:

From the Vault – Five cartoons with a special introduction by Maltin. These shorts come with a warning as they may be considered slightly offensive by today’s standards. They feature mild violence (involving guns), smoking and racial stereotypes.

The Many Faces of Donald Duck – This documentary looks at Disney’s busiest star and discusses his personality and popularity.

Sculpting Donald Duck – Looks at how Donald is drawn and how three-dimensional maquettes are made

Easter Eggs – Hidden on the two discs are ten special introductions to the Mickey Mouse Club television show

Photo Galleries

Again, this set comes in a special tin case and comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity and small replica movie poster

Conclusion

A careful look at Donald’s history and a beautiful presentation makes this a fantastic DVD set, providing ample entertainment for kids and thoughtful perspective for adults.