Walt Disney Treasures - Disneyland - Secrets, Stories & Magic (Collector's Tin) (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)I generally enjoy Disney's "Treasures" releases, due to their wealth of insiders knowledge and vintage film and shows that appear in these special collector's packages. I do own Walt Disney Treasures - Disneyland USA, and watch it from time to time, fascinated by the many selections offered. I was so happy to learn that Disney was releasing a new set of videos, "Disneyland- Secrets, Stories and Magic".
This two-disc set offers a small variety of shorts, clips, and films that were used to promote Disneyland in it's earliest stages. The first disk contains a recent documentary on the creation and development of Disneyland, with many, many interviews by Disneyland insiders still living, which provides a fascinating look at how Walt built the park. This doc tends to concentrate on the early years, instead of a broader fifty year view of the park.
The treasure on this disk, however, can be found in the "People and Places" documentary filmed in a new technology at the time, "Cinemascope". Filmed in all four lands, this film shows Disneyland in it's true infancy, with stage coach rides, the trip to the moon, and a park without New Orleans Square. Despite it's occasional un-PC tone (you audibly groan as the narrator talks about Native Americans), it's a fascinating look inside the park early on. I watched it once, then immediately watched it with the insightful commentary track by Leonard Maltin and Tony Baxter. Wheeeee!
Disc two is a bit more disappointing. There is an unexplicable boring "Operation Disneyland" made for TV stations showing the technological nightmare of bringing the live opening day Disneyland broadcast to the public. I stopped it three minutes in for fear I'd fall asleep. Fortunately, "Disneyland through the Seasons" makes up for this faux pas. I loved watching it, despite the hint of sadness, realizing Walt had died just prior to its broadcast.
I gave this set, which in my opinion is sold VERY cheaply, four stars, only because I want more. As a true Disney fan, who loved Disneyland ever since he was six years old, it's hard to satisfy my hunger for Disney information. This is a great, great appetizer, though!

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On July 17 1955 Walt Disney opened the gates to Disneyland(R) the beloved American icon that has become a cherished destination for generations. It was also the day Walt\'s sixteen-year dream came true. The centerpiece of this volume is a captivating and nostalgic film that takes you inside that dream. Rare archival footage new interviews with key people and Walt\'s own words reveal how his innovative vision became a reality. Then discover more Disneyland(R) secrets with a fun-filled trivia game and relive the magic of the recently restored PEOPLE AND PLACES: DISNEYLAND U.S.A. presented in CinemaScope with a new 5.1 audio mix. Featuring exclusive introductions by film historian Leonard Maltin this is a timeless collection from generations past for generations to come.System Requirements:Running Time: 332 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre:CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating:NR UPC:786936702057

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Davy Crockett -Two Movie Set (2004) Review

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(More customer reviews)Story books tell they wuz all cut low,
Truth of it is, it jest ain't so.
Their spirits'll live
an' their legends grow
as long as we remember
the Al-a-mo!
Davy, Davy Crockett,
fightin' fer lib-er-ty!
This compilation brings together the two feature films edited from the two Crockett series runs from the mid-1950s, the original 3-part mini-series ("Davy Crockett, Indian Fighter","Davy Crockett Goes to Congress", and "Davy Crockett At the Alamo") and the 2-part second series ("Davy Crockett's Keelboat Race" and "Davy Crockett & the River Pirates"). It is a great transfer of all the materials and something to kick back and utterly enjoy, both as nostalgia and as good cinematic storytelling.
While some of the historicity here is arguable ( there was, for instance, no Creek war chief named "Red Stick"...the "Red Sticks" were a warrior clan WITHIN the Creek nation...and led by a WHITE man) , the depiction of Crockett's character and personality as interpreted by Fess Parker, seem just about dead-on . And the verve and spirit of the thing, enlivened by Tom Blackburn's jaunty balladry, is just a feast for the soul. And what more is there to say about the performances of Buddy Ebsen as George Russell and Jeff York as the irrepressable Mike Fink except "Bravo" (and let's not overlook Kenneth Tobey, who played
Jim Bowie in the "Alamo" episode, only to turn around just a year later to appear as Mike Fink's "Gullywhumper" first mate, "Jocko").
An earlier reviewer "Richard Ceourdelion" (I hope Robin Hood got him safely returned to his throne) complained about not liking these compilations as much as the "real t.v. show". Like another reviewer, I would ask "Why don't you have both?". The complete t.v. series...with hosted commentary by Leonard Maltin and with all the Walt Disney introductions, commercials, credits, etc., intact, has been out for several years now as part of the "Disney Treasures" Collection (comes packaged in an aluminum 'tin' that replicates a film cannister). I have one and watch it often. This is the only place you can hear the COMPLETE "Ballad of Davy Crockett", as well as see all the wonderful line drawings that used to frame each episode. And you will also discover something you never before realized...that the episodes you saw as a child of the fifties on a black & white t.v. were juxtapositions of SOME scenes shot in technicolor and SOME scenes done in black and white. Strikes you odd now when you see it today...this switching back and forth...but it worked fine on b & w television "way back then".
Of course for the theatrical release compilations---what you see in the versions specifically under review HERE---all the black & white shots have been dropped and only the Technicolor footage retained.
The "movie" versions reviewed here are just fine for all of us who just want to see it through. You get the "meat" of the thing without all the extras. But if you want to see the entire
series AS IT WAS BROADCAST, track down the Disney Treasures edition.
Now, if only they will bring out "The Story of Robin Hood & His Merrie Men" (Richard Todd, Peter Finch), the SECOND best Robin Hood film after Errol Flynn's, THIS boomer will be a happy camper indeed (since "Darby O'Gill" IS out now, with "The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh" (Patrick McGoohan), reputedly in DVD preparation).
Happy days !

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Fess Parker captured the hearts of millions with his strong, confident portrayal of the legendary king of the wild frontier. Climb aboard for two rip-roaring adventures with Davy Crockett (Fess Parker) and his trusty companion George (Buddy Ebsen) as they encounter dangerous rapids, treacherous river pirates, a tomahawk duel, and excitement at every turn.

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