Walt Disney's Treasures DVD Series

[disneygal]

About a year ago, Disney started these "Treasures" series of DVD's. There aren't that many, but there is one on DL. Just wondering if anyone else has seen it. I have one just wanted to hear anyone else's reaction to it.

[atriv_21]

I have it and liked it alot, it's just the first few Walt Disney presents, and then an anniversary special. But it was pretty cool. If you're looking for it I've seen it at Best Buy recently and I'm sure you can find it on ebay...

[DisneyFan25863]

It's a GREAT DVD! I highly recommend it. IMHO, the most interesting thing is the entire opening day broadcast that is on it!

[getbak]

I bought it just last week. I got it on eBay - unopened package, factory sealed, reasonable price.

It has four shows from/about Disneyland all hosted by Walt himself.

The first is from 1954 and is the first episode of "Disneyland" the tv series. Walt introduces the idea of Disneyland and explains what the different areas of the park represent and how they will be represented on the show.

The second is the grand opening special that aired live in July 1955. When they showed the sea of cars in the parking lot, I said "look, it's California Adventure" - I'm funny.

The third show is called "Disneyland After Dark" and is from 1962. It features different performances from around the park - Annette (before she had a last name) Funicello and Bobby Rydell in Tomorrowland, Louis Armstrong aboard the Mark Twain, some Polynesian dancers in Adventureland, and some other group in Fantasyland. It also shows a bit of the fireworks show.

The fourth show is the Disneyland 10th Anniversary Special from 1965. In it, Walt is joined by "Miss Disneyland Tencennial" and he shows her some of the things that they are working on for the park - including Pirates and the Haunted Mansion.


I found it really interesting to see Disneyland in that historic context, and to see how much things have changed, and how some others are exactly the same as they were on opening day.

Be warned that it is, as advertised, "uncensored" and some things that are shown and said aren't necessarily politically correct and would probably never air today. For example, Fess Parker and Buddy Epsen talk about shooting "Injuns". There is also a short clip from Song of the South - which I think is the only place in North America where you'll find anything from that film on any DVD.

One thing I found funny was during the Polynesian Fire Dance in the "After Dark" show, they added a line on the screen that says "Professional stunt person. Do not try this at home." I'm pretty sure that was added just for the DVD release by Disney's lawyers - "uncensored" indeed.


As a tv guy, I was amused by the poor production values present in the shows. Some parts of the shows look amateurish by today's standards - like the fireworks in the "After Dark" show and weird camera moves and framing at times.

The Grand Opening show is full of mistakes and screw ups, including Walt stopping halfway through his dedication of Tomorrowland turning to someone off camera and saying "I thought I was given a signal" and then starting over. Art Linkletter spends a couple of minutes running around outside Mr. Toad's looking for a Microphone. Also, Linkletter and Danny Thomas talk for a few minutes outside of Mission to the Moon while all we hear is the audio from the ride. Seeing the whole show gives you a good idea why they usually only show a few select clips whenever the Grand Opening is shown. In 1955, it was a very ambitious undertaking, and for the most part, done well.


I would highly recommend picking it up if you have any interest in the "historic" Disneyland.



EDIT - D'oh! I'm stupid. I just re-read the first post and I see you already own it, so you weren't looking for advice on whether or not to buy it. Anyway, my review/advice still stands for anyone who doesn't have it.

[mickeyjca]

I love this DVD set! Even though most of the shows are things I've seen before (or even taped from the Disney Channel way back when), it's great to have them preserved on DVD.

I think it would be great if they could release a Volume II set that included "Disneyland Showtime" with The Osmonds! And wasn't there a show that featured the grand opening of Pirates with a "real" pirate battle on the River? That would be a hoot!

[mickeyjca]

Originally posted by mickeyjca
I think it would be great if they could release a Volume II set...

They could also release more of the anniversary shows (especially the 35th Anniversary with the cast of Cheers) and other shows that were shot inside Disneyland, like "Magic in the Magic Kingdom".

[disneygal]

I was cruisin' through yesterland.com and came across the Mary Blair Murals that used to be in Tomorrowland and were covered up when renovated a while ago. If youl watch the 10th Anniversary part of DVD 2 you will see her (Julie is introduced to her) as she show the models of Small World. Just a little tidbit...and Julie Rheim is the first Disneyland Ambassador of DL.

[YellowMan]

Originally posted by mickeyjca
I think it would be great if they could release a Volume II set that included "Disneyland Showtime" with The Osmonds!

I really, really hope they do this, as I have been looking everywhere for a copy of this special. I'd like it if they released more of the Disneyland specials, as they never do any more new ones anymore on TV and they never show the old ones on the Disney channel like they used to.

The Grand Opening show is full of mistakes and screw ups, including Walt stopping halfway through his dedication of Tomorrowland turning to someone off camera and saying "I thought I was given a signal" and then starting over. Art Linkletter spends a couple of minutes running around outside Mr. Toad's looking for a Microphone. Also, Linkletter and Danny Thomas talk for a few minutes outside of Mission to the Moon while all we hear is the audio from the ride. Seeing the whole show gives you a good idea why they usually only show a few select clips whenever the Grand Opening is shown. In 1955, it was a very ambitious undertaking, and for the most part, done well.

Art Linkletter says a small disclaimer at the beginning of the special about how it's live TV and if they accidently cut away to the wrong place or something to not worry, it's no big deal and all in the fun of live TV.

[disneyfreak62]

Originally posted by mickeyjca
"Disneyland Showtime" with The Osmonds!

Is that the one done for the opening of The Haunted Mansion, where they sing "Proud Mary" while riding the Omnibus down Main Street???!!! Talk about your mixed emotions!

[mickeyjca]

Originally posted by disneyfreak62
Is that the one done for the opening of The Haunted Mansion, where they sing "Proud Mary" while riding the Omnibus down Main Street???!!! Talk about your mixed emotions!

Actually, I think the song is "Down on the Corner" or something like that. And don't forget E. J. Peaker and her groovy 60's dance moves!