I found a Top 100 Disney song countdown on UltimateDisney.com, an invaluable Web site to anyone wanting to know anything Disney related, including release dates, upcoming movies, cast lists, dvd special features, etc. I thought it would be fun to share. They asked site visitors to vote on 129 songs from live-action and animated Disney features and then compiled a list of the Top 100. Here are the results. Agree? Disagree? Anything Missing?
100) "Rumbly In My Tumbly" (The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh)
99) "The Three Caballeros" (The Three Caballeros)
98) "Painting the Roses Red" (Alice in Wonderland)
97) "Great Spirits" (Brother Bear)
96) "A Star is Born" (Hercules)
95) "Sing, Sweet Nightingale" (Cinderella)
94) "Best of Friends" (The Fox and the Hound)
92) (tie) "Forget About Love" (The Return of Jafar)
92) (tie) "Look Through My Eyes" (Brother Bear)
91) "The Age of Not Believing" (Bedknobs and Broomsticks)
90) "Pink Elephants on Parade" (Dumbo)
89) "I Will Go Sailing No More" (Toy Story)
88) "Little Black Rain Cloud" (The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh)
87) "Once Upon a Time in New York City" (Oliver & Company)
86) "Little Patch of Heaven" (Home on the Range)
85) "I've Got No Strings" (Pinocchio)
84) "Love" (Robin Hood)
83) "Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee (An Actor's Life for Me)" (Pinocchio)
82) "Strange Things" (Toy Story)
81) "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" (Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier)
80) "The Wonderful Thing about Tiggers" (The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh)
79) "He's a Tramp" (Lady and the Tramp)
78) "He Mele No Lilo" (Lilo & Stitch)
77) "I'm Wishing" (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
76) "Cinderella" (Cinderella)
75) "Give a Little Whistle" (Pinocchio)
74) "He Lives in You" (The Lion King II: Simba's Pride)
73) "All in the Golden Afternoon" (Alice in Wonderland)
72) "Son of Man" (Tarzan)
71) "Gaston" (Beauty and the Beast)
70) "True to Your Heart" (Mulan)
69) "Candle on the Water" (Pete's Dragon)
68) "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride" (Lilo & Stitch)
67) "The Unbirthday Song" (Alice in Wonderland)
66) "Honor to Us All" (Mulan)
65) “Let’s Get Together” (The Parent Trap)
64) "I'm Still Here" (Treasure Planet)
63) "Portobello Road" (Bedknobs and Broomsticks)
62) “Strangers Like Me” (Tarzan)
61) “Zero to Hero” (Hercules)
60) “On My Way” (Brother Bear)
59) “Ev’rybody Wants to Be a Cat” (The Aristocats)
58) “Substituatiary Locomotion” (Bedknobs and Broomsticks)
57) “Bella Note” (Lady and the Tramp)
56) “Be Prepared” (The Lion King)
55) “In a World of My Own” (Alice in Wonderland)
54) “Winnie the Pooh” (The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh)
53) “Why Should I Worry” (Oliver & Company)
52) “Poor Unfortunate Souls” (The Little Mermaid)
51) “Whistle While You Work” (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
50) "So This is Love" (Cinderella)
49) "Two Worlds" (Tarzan)
47) (tie) "Baby Mine" (Dumbo)
47) (tie) "Arabian Nights" (Aladdin)
46) "I Wonder" (Sleeping Beauty)
45) "What's This?" (The Nightmare Before Christmas)
44) "The Second Star to the Right" (Peter Pan)
43) "Out There" (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)
42) "Just Around the Riverbend" (Pocahontas)
41) "Let's Go Fly a Kite" (Mary Poppins)
40) "God Help the Outcasts" (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)
39) "You've Got a Friend in Me" (Toy Story)
38) "When She Loved Me" (Toy Story 2)
37) "If I Never Knew You" (Pocahontas)
36) "I'll Make a Man Out of You" (Mulan)
35) "Cruella De Vil" (101 Dalmatians)
34) "One Jump Ahead" (Aladdin)
33) "Something There" (Beauty and the Beast)
32) "Prince Ali" (Aladdin)
31) "The Bells of Notre Dame" (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)
30) “Friend Like Me” (Aladdin)
29) “You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly!” (Peter Pan)
28) “Go the Distance” (Hercules)
27) “I Wan’na Be Like You” (The Jungle Book)
26) “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)” (Hercules)
25) "Heigh Ho" (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
24) "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" (The Lion King)
23) "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" (Mary Poppins)
22) "The Bare Necessities" (The Jungle Book)
21) "A Spoonful of Sugar" (Mary Poppins)
20) "Belle" (Beauty and the Beast)
19) "Feed the Birds (Tuppence a Bag)" (Mary Poppins)
18) "Chim Chim Cher-ee" (Mary Poppins)
17) "Hakuna Matata" (The Lion King)
16) "Someday My Prince Will Come" (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
15) "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" (Cinderella)
14) "Reflection" (Mulan)
13) "You'll Be in My Heart" (Tarzan)
12) "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" (Song of the South)
11) "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" (The Lion King)
10) "Kiss the Girl" (The Little Mermaid)
9) "Colors of the Wind" (Pocahontas)
8) "Be Our Guest" (Beauty and the Beast)
7) "Once Upon a Dream" (Sleeping Beauty)
6) "Under the Sea" (The Little Mermaid)
5) "Part of Your World" (The Little Mermaid)
3) (tie) "When You Wish Upon a Star" (Pinocchio)
3) (tie) "Circle of Life" (The Lion King)
2) "Beauty and the Beast" (Beauty and the Beast)
1) "A Whole New World" (Aladdin)
If you made it through the whole list - I'm impressed! Notice anything about the top-25? Very heavy on the 'Fab 4' - Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin. Those were the best!
March 29, 2009
Upcoming Disney Releases
The following is the scheduled DVD release dates of the next few Disney movies:
March 2009: Pinocchio
March 2009: Bolt
March 2009: Lilo and Stitch
May 2009: A Bug's Life
June 2009: Black Cauldron
October 2009: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
March 2010: Fantasia
March 2010: Fantasia 2000
October 2010: Beauty and the Beast
Disney on Broadway: Current Shows
The Little MermaidDisney Theatrical produced its newest musical, "The Little Mermaid," based on the 1989 animated feature, in 2007. The show performed its pre-Broadway tryout in Denver in the summer and opened for previews in New York in November 2007. The show officially opened in January 2008. The show starred Sierra Boggess as Ariel, Eric Palmer as Prince Eric and Sherie Rene Scott as Ursula. The set and costume design attempts to create an underwater world, which is assisted by the cast's wearing of roller skates. As they roll across stage, it appears as if they are gliding or swimming.
The stage version features the same songs as in the movie, with a score by Alan Menken and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman. However, new songs were added with lyrics by Glenn Slater including "Human Stuff" performed by Scuttle, "Her Voice" performed by Prince Eric, and "The World Above" performed by Ariel. The show has had success over the last year and a half and shows no signs of closing within the short future. To watch part of the show, click the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RdrQy0j39E&feature=related
The Lion King
"The Lion King" based on the 1994 animated Disney feature opened on Broadway in November 1997 and has had critical and public success in the 12 years since. It has since opened in London and Toronto and has had several national tours, and is currently the ninth longest-running show on Broadway. "The Lion King" won six Tony awards: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design
, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Choreography and Best Director.
, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Choreography and Best Director. Elton John and Tim Rice wrote the score and lyrics for the stage version and animated version, adding new songs to the stage version, including "They Live in You," "The Morning Report," and "Shadowland." The role of Rafiki (the baboon) was changed to a female character in the stage version to provide a leading female character.
Many of the cast portraying animals in the production use extra 'tools' to move their costumes. For example, the giraffes are portrayed by actors carefully walking on stilts. The Lions use mechanical headpieces that can be raised and lowered to create illusions of cat-like behavior. Other characters, such as the hyenas, Zazu, Timon, and Pumbaa, are portrayed by actors in life-sized puppets or costumes.
"The Lion King" is probably the most successful Disney musical to date. To watch collage of scenes from the production click on the link below.
"The Lion King" is probably the most successful Disney musical to date. To watch collage of scenes from the production click on the link below.
March 18, 2009
Let's Get the Facts Straight
In honor of the recent release of the 70th anniversary edition of "Pinocchio" are the following fun facts about the film. If you like this type of post, let me know what other movies you'd like to know some trivia about.- When Pinocchio is changed into a real boy, his hands are transformed from three-fingered and white-gloved "Mickey Mouse" hands into four-fingered (plus thumb) human hands sans gloves. Wood-carver/dad Geppetto sports a full compliment of gnarly digits throughout this 1940 classic.
- Lampwick, the red-headed boy whom Pinocchio befriends at Pleasure Island is a caricature of Disney animator Fred Moore.
- The song from Pinocchio, "When You Wish Upon A Star" was ranked #7 in the 2004 American Film Institute's List of the "Top Movie Songs of All Time", the highest ranking song on the list among Disney animated films.
- As of June 2008, "Pinocchio" is ranked #2 on the American Film Institute's list of the 10 greatest films in the genre "Animation".
- On its first release, this movie was billed on posters as being filmed in "Multiplane Technicolor".
- "Pinocchio" gets its story from Carlo Collodi, who was really Carlo Lorenzini, a journalist who wrote children's stories. When he originally published "Pinocchio" in the form of a magazine serial, Lorenzini's intention was to kill Pinocchio by having him hang himself. At the suggestion of his editor, Lorenzini added chapters sixteen to thirty-two, giving the story a happy ending and creating the character of the Blue Fairy.
- The Blue Fairy in Pinocchio (as well as the prince in Snow White) was created by using the rotoscope technique.
- This was the first Disney feature available on DVD.
- The August 1993 issue of Playboy cited 43 instances of violence and other unfavorable behavior in this film, including 23 instances of battery, nine acts of property damage, three slang uses of the term "jackass", three acts of violence involving animals, two shots of male nudity, and one instance of implied death.
- The pool hall at Pleasure Island is in the shape of a giant eight ball with a tall cue-shaped structure standing nearby. This is a neat takeoff on the Trylon and the Perisphere at the 1939 New York World's Fair.
- Due to the war, the movie was not released in either Germany or Japan before the 1950s.
- During the musical number "When You Wish Upon A Star", when it shows a spotlight on Jiminy Cricket, you are able to see two books to the left of the screen. The names of the books are Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland. Walt Disney would come to create these stories for the big screen in the future.
Thanks to imdb.com for the trivia!
Rapunzel, Rapunzel Let Down Your Hair
It's official. Disney's continuing with the fairy tale. After releasing "The Princess and the Frog" this December, a film adapted from the fairy tale, "The Frog Prince," Disney will continue with an animated verison of the Grimm's fairy tale, "Rapunzel." Although presented in CGI animation, Rapunzel will attempt to resemble hand-drawn animation. How they do that, I don't know - why not hand-draw it so it actually looks like it's hand-drawn.
Originally, "Rapunzel" was to be directed by Glen Keane, an acclaimed animator responsible for much of the animation sequences in "Aladdin," "Little Mermaid," and "Tarzan." However, in October 2008, Keane announced he was stepping down and the directors of "Bolt" would be taking over (hopefully not taking over his vision of having the film not look like computer animation). Voices include Broadway talent Kristin Chenoweth as Rapunzel, Dan Fogler as Prince Bastion and David Schwimmer (from Friends) as Father Sam/Mr. Sunton. The film is expecting a Christmas 2010 release date.
Disney on Broadway: Past Shows
Beauty and the Beast
In March 1994, Walt Disney Theatrical Productions, took its adaptation of the animated feature "Beaut
y and the Beast" to Broadway. The musical, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice ran for 5, 464 performances, closing in 2007 as Broadway's sixth-longest running production. The musical's rights have recently been released, making this Disney musical a hit with high schools and community theater groups.
y and the Beast" to Broadway. The musical, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice ran for 5, 464 performances, closing in 2007 as Broadway's sixth-longest running production. The musical's rights have recently been released, making this Disney musical a hit with high schools and community theater groups. While the story closely follows the animated hit, new songs were added, including "Home," "If I Can't Love Her," and "A Change in Me." Some notable Belle stars included: Susan Egan as the original Belle (Egan was also the voice of Meg in Disney's animated "Hercules"), Toni Braxton, Christy Carlson Romano, and Kerry Butler.
To watch excerpts from the Broadway production follow the links below:
Tarzan
The Broadway production of the Disney's "Tarzan" opened on May 10, 2006. Featuring music by Phil Collins, Tarzan never really did well at the box office, and closed a year later in
July 2007 after 486 performances. The show was nominated for a Tony award for Best Lighting Design in a Musical and had fantastic special effects, but audiences didn't take to it the way they had other Broadway Disney productions. No real notable names appeared in the production and although other productions of "Tarzan" have appeared in countries such as Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands, a tour has yet to appear in the United States.
July 2007 after 486 performances. The show was nominated for a Tony award for Best Lighting Design in a Musical and had fantastic special effects, but audiences didn't take to it the way they had other Broadway Disney productions. No real notable names appeared in the production and although other productions of "Tarzan" have appeared in countries such as Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands, a tour has yet to appear in the United States. I know people made fun of this production, but I saw it and I must say I enjoyed it. Of course, I like Phil Collins songs and didn't expect too much from a script written for 5 year olds. However, the special effects, set design, costume design, and scenic design were absolutely phenomenal, making up for a lacking story and acting. Below is a link featuring snippets from the show. Check it out:
March 7, 2009
Where have all the parents gone?
I’ve always thought it was weird that most Disney main characters either have only one parent or no parents. Or, if they have parents, something happens where they are taken away from them or a parent dies. Is this the result of some complex Walt Disney had? Here are some of the ones I can think of. If I’m missing some, let me know!
ORPHANED
Snow White – no parents, lives with evil step-mother
Aladdin – street rat, no parents (although technically he finds his dad in “Aladdin and the King of Thieves” but never knew him growing up)
Cinderella – parents dead, forced to live with step-mother and step-sisters
Arthur (The Sword and the Stone) – orphaned
Mowgli – orphan, raised by wolves
Penny (The Rescuers) – orphan
Tod (The Fox and the Hound) – orphan
Tarzan – no parents, both die while he’s a baby
Oliver – orphaned kitten
Lewis (Meet the Robinsons) – orphan, but adopted at the end of the movie
Lilo, Nani – mother dies, leaves them orphaned
Bambi – mother dies, leaves him orphaned, as his dad is never around
Quasimodo – mother is killed, leaves him orphaned
Peter Pan - no parents
JUST A MOM
Dumbo – had a mom, but taken away from her
Aristocats – just a mom
Andy (Toy Story) – no dad
Roo (Winnie the Pooh) – just a mom
JUST A DAD
Pinocchio - no mom, Gepetto becomes his dad
Belle – no mom, just ‘crazy ol’ Maurice’
Jasmine – no mom, only Sultan father
Olivia (The Great Mouse Detective) – no mom
Pocahontas – no mom, chief dad
Ariel – no mom, just King Triton dad
Nemo – no mom, just a dad
Jane (Tarzan) – just a dad
PARENT DIES LEAVING ONE PARENT
Simba – dad dies, mom still alive
TAKEN FROM PARENTS
Sleeping Beauty – taken from parents, raised by fairies
Dalmations – have two parents but are stolen from them
FULL PARENTAGE
Hercules – has two real parents and two adoptive parents
Lady – two owners (Jim Dear and Darling)
Wendy, John, Michael (Peter Pan) – two parents
Mulan – two parents
ORPHANED
Snow White – no parents, lives with evil step-mother
Aladdin – street rat, no parents (although technically he finds his dad in “Aladdin and the King of Thieves” but never knew him growing up)
Cinderella – parents dead, forced to live with step-mother and step-sisters
Arthur (The Sword and the Stone) – orphaned
Mowgli – orphan, raised by wolves
Penny (The Rescuers) – orphan
Tod (The Fox and the Hound) – orphan
Tarzan – no parents, both die while he’s a baby
Oliver – orphaned kitten
Lewis (Meet the Robinsons) – orphan, but adopted at the end of the movie
Lilo, Nani – mother dies, leaves them orphaned
Bambi – mother dies, leaves him orphaned, as his dad is never around
Quasimodo – mother is killed, leaves him orphaned
Peter Pan - no parents
JUST A MOM
Dumbo – had a mom, but taken away from her
Aristocats – just a mom
Andy (Toy Story) – no dad
Roo (Winnie the Pooh) – just a mom
JUST A DAD
Pinocchio - no mom, Gepetto becomes his dad
Belle – no mom, just ‘crazy ol’ Maurice’
Jasmine – no mom, only Sultan father
Olivia (The Great Mouse Detective) – no mom
Pocahontas – no mom, chief dad
Ariel – no mom, just King Triton dad
Nemo – no mom, just a dad
Jane (Tarzan) – just a dad
PARENT DIES LEAVING ONE PARENT
Simba – dad dies, mom still alive
TAKEN FROM PARENTS
Sleeping Beauty – taken from parents, raised by fairies
Dalmations – have two parents but are stolen from them
FULL PARENTAGE
Hercules – has two real parents and two adoptive parents
Lady – two owners (Jim Dear and Darling)
Wendy, John, Michael (Peter Pan) – two parents
Mulan – two parents
Sequels and Prequels
Disney just can't get enough of their favorite characters, and so to squeeze as much money out of their audiences as possible, Disney has produced a large number of sequels or prequels to their main animated features. Most of these films are direct-to-video and do not count in the numbered animated feature list. Sometimes these movies use the same character voices and are pretty good (Toy Story 2, Aladdin 3), but most times they are just bad. In fact, I've actually only seen a few and they were pretty much terrible. Previews might make you think that you have to know what happened to Ariel after she married Prince Eric or what if there was a 'twist in time' for Cinderella, but don't waste your time (or money). Nothing beats the real thing. The animation obviously doesn't have the same budget and talent, the story lines are terrible, and you can tell the songs were written in one afternoon. Here's a list of wannabes you might want to look out for:
The Return of Jafar (1994)
Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996)
Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin (1997)
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997)
Belle's Magical World (1998)
Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (1998)
The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998)
Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving (1999)
The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000)
Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure (2001)
Cinderella II: Dreams Come True (2002)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame II (2002)
Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year (2002)
101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure (2003)
Atlantis: Milo's Return (2003)
Stitch! The Movie (2003)
The Lion King 1½ (2004)
Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo (2004)
Mulan II (2005)
Tarzan II (2005)
Kronk's New Groove (2005)
Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch (2005)
Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie (2005)
Leroy & Stitch (2006)
Brother Bear 2 (2006)
Bambi II (2006)
The Fox and the Hound 2 (2006)
Cinderella III: A Twist in Time (2007)
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning (2008)
Tinker Bell (2008)
Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996)
Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin (1997)
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997)
Belle's Magical World (1998)
Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (1998)
The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998)
Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving (1999)
The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000)
Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure (2001)
Cinderella II: Dreams Come True (2002)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame II (2002)
Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year (2002)
101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure (2003)
Atlantis: Milo's Return (2003)
Stitch! The Movie (2003)
The Lion King 1½ (2004)
Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo (2004)
Mulan II (2005)
Tarzan II (2005)
Kronk's New Groove (2005)
Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch (2005)
Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie (2005)
Leroy & Stitch (2006)
Brother Bear 2 (2006)
Bambi II (2006)
The Fox and the Hound 2 (2006)
Cinderella III: A Twist in Time (2007)
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning (2008)
Tinker Bell (2008)
Disney Pixar's "Up" in Theatres May, 2009
Disney Pixar will release their next feature "Up" on May 29, 2009, and will be shown in Digital Disney 3D in select theatres. "Up" is the story of Carl Fredricksen, a 78-year-old man who wants to fulfill his promise to his late wife Ellie, who always dreamed of exploring the mountains but died too soon. When Carl is threatened to be moved into an assisted living home by developers, he ties a huge amount of balloons to his house to make the house fly. However, an eight-year-old Wilderness Explorer boy named Russell happens to be on Carl's porch. The two end up on a thrilling as they encounter a number of unexpected characters on their adventure.
Voices include Edward Asner as Carl, Jordan Nagai as Russell, Christopher Plumer as Charles Muntz, an adventurer, and the ever-present Pixar voice of John Ratzenberger. The film is directed by Pete Docter, the director of "Monsters, Inc."
Disney Trivia Quiz Answers
I posted the answers to the Disney quiz in the comments section of the quiz. Good job to those who took it!
March 1, 2009
Disney Trivia Quiz
Think you know your Disney stuff? Take the following ten-question trivia quiz and leave your answers in the 'comments' section. I will post the answers within the week and see who got the most questions correct. No cheating! Close those Internet browsers!
1) What Disney movie was the first full-length animated feature to be produced in the United States?
A: Pinocchio
B: Steamboat Willie
C: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
D: Bambi
2) Some scenes of woodland creatures and the forest fire in Bambi are actually unused footage from what other Disney movie?
A: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
B: Pinocchio
C: Fantasia
D: Peter and the Wolf
3) What was the only character in Disney's Alice in Wonderland that did not appear in Lewis Carroll's books?
A: The Doorknob
B: Dormouse
C: Queen of Hearts
D: Alice's sister
4) What Disney movie was the first full-length animated feature to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture?
A: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
B: Bambi
C: Beauty and the Beast
D: The Lion King
5) In Sleeping Beauty, the cookies that the fairies eat with tea are shaped like what?
A: a spinning wheel
B: a pentagram
C: a castle
D: Mickey Mouse
6) What is the only Disney animated feature film that has a title character who doesn't speak?
A: Lilo & Stitch
B: Lady and the Tramp
C: Dumbo
D: The Fox and the Hound
7) What was the last film personally overseen by Walt Disney?
A: Lady and the Tramp
B: The Jungle Book
C: The Sword in the Stone
D: The Little Mermaid
8) What are Cinderella’s step-sisters names?
A: Ginny and Eleanor
B: Drizella and Anastasia
C: Lucille and Calypso
D: Rhoda and Verna
9) What is the name of Maleficent’s pet raven?
A: Arpel
B: Bastille
C: Diablo
D: Arthus
10) What is Donald Duck’s full name?
A: Donald Chauncy Duck
B: Donald Gilderoy Duck
C: Donald Charles Duck
D: Donald Fauntleroy Duck
Good luck!
1) What Disney movie was the first full-length animated feature to be produced in the United States?
A: Pinocchio
B: Steamboat Willie
C: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
D: Bambi
2) Some scenes of woodland creatures and the forest fire in Bambi are actually unused footage from what other Disney movie?
A: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
B: Pinocchio
C: Fantasia
D: Peter and the Wolf
3) What was the only character in Disney's Alice in Wonderland that did not appear in Lewis Carroll's books?
A: The Doorknob
B: Dormouse
C: Queen of Hearts
D: Alice's sister
4) What Disney movie was the first full-length animated feature to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture?
A: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
B: Bambi
C: Beauty and the Beast
D: The Lion King
5) In Sleeping Beauty, the cookies that the fairies eat with tea are shaped like what?
A: a spinning wheel
B: a pentagram
C: a castle
D: Mickey Mouse
6) What is the only Disney animated feature film that has a title character who doesn't speak?
A: Lilo & Stitch
B: Lady and the Tramp
C: Dumbo
D: The Fox and the Hound
7) What was the last film personally overseen by Walt Disney?
A: Lady and the Tramp
B: The Jungle Book
C: The Sword in the Stone
D: The Little Mermaid
8) What are Cinderella’s step-sisters names?
A: Ginny and Eleanor
B: Drizella and Anastasia
C: Lucille and Calypso
D: Rhoda and Verna
9) What is the name of Maleficent’s pet raven?
A: Arpel
B: Bastille
C: Diablo
D: Arthus
10) What is Donald Duck’s full name?
A: Donald Chauncy Duck
B: Donald Gilderoy Duck
C: Donald Charles Duck
D: Donald Fauntleroy Duck
Good luck!
Disney & Pixar
In 1979, the CGI animation production studio, Graphics Group, began under a division of LucasFilm. In 1986, Steve Jobs (co-founder of Apple) bought the company and changed the name to Pixar, now a house-hold name for its innovative CGI process. Pixar's first movie, "Toy Story" was released in 1995 and became a huge hit, starring big-time actors Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. Since then, Pixar has had commercial and critical success for its next eight movies, earning four academy awards. These movies are as follows:
1995 - Toy Story
1998 - A Bug's Life
1999 - Toy Story 2
2001 - Monster's Inc. (nominated for Academy Award)
2003 - Finding Nemo (won Academy Award)
2004 - The Incredibles (won Academy Award)
2006 - Cars (nominated for Academy Award)
2007 - Ratatouille (won Academy Award)
2008 - Wall-E (won Academy Award)
Disney and Pixar began as partners back in 1991. Originally, Pixar was in charge of creation and production, while Disney handled the marketing and distribution of the films. After the success of "Toy Story," disagreements began between Steve Jobs and Disney CEO Michael Eisner about the partnership and the money involved, as Disney owned all sequel and distribution rights. A new agreement was in the works in 2004 that would give more rights to Pixar, but the deal fell through in mid-2004 and Pixar announced it was looking for other partners than Disney because Jobs and Eisner just couldn't get along.
By that time, the first five Pixar movies had collectively grossed over $2.5 billion. After Eisner left Disney in September 2005, new arrangements began between Disney and Pixar. Pixar announced it would release movies in early summer (not in November as Disney had them contracted to do while under partnerships), beginning with "Cars." "Cars" was the last movie to be made under the old arrangements between Disney and Pixar and by releasing it several months later than planned, time was bought to see how things played out between the two companies, now that Eisner had left.
In January 2006, Disney announced that it would buy Pixar for $7.4 billion. The two companies didn't merge, however. Pixar remained a separate entity with its own studios and employees. However, the name Disney-Pixar began to be used, beginning with "Cars."
Today, the name Disney-Pixar almost guarantees success. Their next movie, "Up," to be released on May 29, 2009 will be the first Pixar film presented in Disney Digital 3-D. "Toy Story 3" is also in the works, expected to be release in June 2010.
February 27, 2009
Disney's First Black Princess Hits Theaters Christmas 2009
Another Disney princess will soon join the ranks of the eight others (Snow White, Aurora, Ariel, Cinderella, Belle, Jasmine, Pochahontas and Mulan (which I really don't get - how is Mulan a princess?). Returning to hand-drawn animation, the 49th Disney animated feature will be "The Princess and the Frog." Set in New Orleans, "The Princess and the Frog" (first titled "The Frog Princess") is an adapted version of the classic fairy tale, "The Frog Prince." The heroine, Princess Tiana, will be Disney's first Black leading-lady.The story is about how a prince from a far-away land is transformed into a frog by a voodoo magician. The frog prince asks Tiana to break the spell by kissing him, but the kiss turns Tiana into a frog as well. The two of them try to reach the good voodoo priestess in the Cajun Bayou, befriending other characters along the way.
This film will use cel animation and is a throw back to past animated features (using hand-drawn animation and following a fairy tale). Voices include Anika Noni Rose as Tiana, along with Oprah Winfrey and John Goodman, among others. The score will be composed by Randy Newman, and the film will be directed by "Aladdin" and "Little Mermaid" directors Ron Clements and John Musker.
The film is scheduled to be released December 25, 2009.
Some controversy surrounded the film in its pre-production. The main character was originally going to be named Maddy, but comments flew about underscored racism in the name, so the name was changed to Tiana.
To see a trailer for the film, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBR0XVMPUUs&feature=related
February 21, 2009
Pinocchio to be Released March 10, 2009
Tis the season for Disney releases. As tradition for the past several years, Disney releases a major titl
e in March and October of every year and several other 'smaller' releases throughout the year. On March 10, 2009, "Pinocchio: 70th Anniversary Edition" will hit shelves. Disney's second animated feature, "Pinocchio" is the story of a wooden puppet on his journey to become "a real boy." Featuring the famous Jiminy Cricket as he sings "When You Wish Upon a Star," this DVD/Blu-Ray release will surely have many special features, probably including a Behind-the-Scenes look at the making of this film, always my favorite part of the bonus material. It's been a long time since I've seen "Pinocchio," but I remember it has some crazy things happening in it - I hate that part where the boys turn into donkeys. And the whale. And the creepy Stromboli fellow. But I do love the Blue Fairy!
e in March and October of every year and several other 'smaller' releases throughout the year. On March 10, 2009, "Pinocchio: 70th Anniversary Edition" will hit shelves. Disney's second animated feature, "Pinocchio" is the story of a wooden puppet on his journey to become "a real boy." Featuring the famous Jiminy Cricket as he sings "When You Wish Upon a Star," this DVD/Blu-Ray release will surely have many special features, probably including a Behind-the-Scenes look at the making of this film, always my favorite part of the bonus material. It's been a long time since I've seen "Pinocchio," but I remember it has some crazy things happening in it - I hate that part where the boys turn into donkeys. And the whale. And the creepy Stromboli fellow. But I do love the Blue Fairy!
Disney Featured Video of the Week
This week:
Everyone's favorite warthog and meerkat sing "Hakuna Matata" from "The Lion King." It's our problem-free philosophy. Click the link below to watch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejEVczA8PLU
Last week:
Ariel singing "Part of Your World" from "The Little Mermaid." Click the link below to watch the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=773HNqPZ3jo
Everyone's favorite warthog and meerkat sing "Hakuna Matata" from "The Lion King." It's our problem-free philosophy. Click the link below to watch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejEVczA8PLU
Last week:
Ariel singing "Part of Your World" from "The Little Mermaid." Click the link below to watch the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=773HNqPZ3jo
Disney Animated Feature List and Releases
The following is a list of all Disney's animated features. The preceding dates are the year each date was originally released in theaters. The date following the movie title is the year the movie was released as a special edition DVD. While some movies have been released on DVD, especially in the late '90s or early 2000, I am not counting the movie as 'released' unless it's been as a special edition. The final date is the date the movie went 'back in the vault,' if it has.
Walt Disney Animated Films
1937 –Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Platinum Edition - 2001; vault - 2002; re-release October 2009)
1940 –Pinocchio (70th Anniversary Edition - March 2009)
1940 –Fantasia (Platinum Edition - March 2010)
1941 –Dumbo
1942 –Bambi (Special Edition - 2005; vault 2007)
1943 –Saludos Amigos
1945 –The Three Caballeros
1946 –Make Mine Music
1947 –Fun and Fancy Free
1948 –Melody Time
1949 –The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
1950 –Cinderella (Special Edition - 2005; vault 2008)
1951 –Alice in Wonderland (Masterpiece Edition - 2004)
1953 –Peter Pan (Platinum Edition - 2007; vault 2009)
1955 –Lady and the Tramp (50th Anniversary Edition - 2006; vault 2007)
1959 –Sleeping Beauty (50th Anniversary Edition - 2008)
1961 –101 Dalmatians (Platinum Edition - 2008; vault 2010)
1963 –The Sword and the Stone (45th Anniversary Edition - 2008)
1967 –The Jungle Book (40th Anniversary Edition - 2007; vault 2010)
1970 –The Aristocats (Special Edition - 2008)
1973 –Robin Hood (Most Wanted Edition - 2006)
1977 –The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
1977 –The Rescuers
1981 –The Fox and the Hound (25th Anniversary Edition - 2006)
1985 –The Black Cauldron (expected release June 2009)
1986 –The Great Mouse Detective
1988 –Oliver & Company (20th Anniversary Edition - 2009)
1989 –The Little Mermaid (Special Edition - 2006; vault 2009)
1990 –The Rescuers Down Under
1991 –Beauty and the Beast (Platinum Edition - 2002; vault 2003; expected re-release October 2010)
1992 –Aladdin (Special Edition - 2004; vault 2008)
1994 –The Lion King (Special Edition - 2003; vault 2005)
1995 –Pocahontas (10th Anniversary Edition - 2005)
1996 –The Hunchback of Notre Dame
1997 –Hercules
1998 –Mulan (Special Edition - 2004)
1999 –Tarzan (Special Edition - 2005)
2000 –Fantasia 2000 (expected release March 2010)
2000 –Dinosaur
2001 –The Emperor’s New Groove
2001 –Atlantis: The Lost Empire
2002 –Lilo and Stitch (expected release March 2009)
2002 –Treasure Planet
2003 –Brother Bear
2004 –Home on the Range
2005 –Chicken Little
2007 –Meet the Robinsons
2008 –BOLT
This information is from http://www.disneyanimation.com/aboutus/history.html.
Walt Disney Animated Films
1937 –Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Platinum Edition - 2001; vault - 2002; re-release October 2009)
1940 –Pinocchio (70th Anniversary Edition - March 2009)
1940 –Fantasia (Platinum Edition - March 2010)
1941 –Dumbo
1942 –Bambi (Special Edition - 2005; vault 2007)
1943 –Saludos Amigos
1945 –The Three Caballeros
1946 –Make Mine Music
1947 –Fun and Fancy Free
1948 –Melody Time
1949 –The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
1950 –Cinderella (Special Edition - 2005; vault 2008)
1951 –Alice in Wonderland (Masterpiece Edition - 2004)
1953 –Peter Pan (Platinum Edition - 2007; vault 2009)
1955 –Lady and the Tramp (50th Anniversary Edition - 2006; vault 2007)
1959 –Sleeping Beauty (50th Anniversary Edition - 2008)
1961 –101 Dalmatians (Platinum Edition - 2008; vault 2010)
1963 –The Sword and the Stone (45th Anniversary Edition - 2008)
1967 –The Jungle Book (40th Anniversary Edition - 2007; vault 2010)
1970 –The Aristocats (Special Edition - 2008)
1973 –Robin Hood (Most Wanted Edition - 2006)
1977 –The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
1977 –The Rescuers
1981 –The Fox and the Hound (25th Anniversary Edition - 2006)
1985 –The Black Cauldron (expected release June 2009)
1986 –The Great Mouse Detective
1988 –Oliver & Company (20th Anniversary Edition - 2009)
1989 –The Little Mermaid (Special Edition - 2006; vault 2009)
1990 –The Rescuers Down Under
1991 –Beauty and the Beast (Platinum Edition - 2002; vault 2003; expected re-release October 2010)
1992 –Aladdin (Special Edition - 2004; vault 2008)
1994 –The Lion King (Special Edition - 2003; vault 2005)
1995 –Pocahontas (10th Anniversary Edition - 2005)
1996 –The Hunchback of Notre Dame
1997 –Hercules
1998 –Mulan (Special Edition - 2004)
1999 –Tarzan (Special Edition - 2005)
2000 –Fantasia 2000 (expected release March 2010)
2000 –Dinosaur
2001 –The Emperor’s New Groove
2001 –Atlantis: The Lost Empire
2002 –Lilo and Stitch (expected release March 2009)
2002 –Treasure Planet
2003 –Brother Bear
2004 –Home on the Range
2005 –Chicken Little
2007 –Meet the Robinsons
2008 –BOLT
This information is from http://www.disneyanimation.com/aboutus/history.html.
February 18, 2009
Seek and Ye Shall Find
So, we've all heard that several Disney movies have subliminal erotic messages. Do they or don't they? Some of the easiest to spot include:
* The cover of the original release of "The Little Mermaid" pictures Ki
ng Triton's palace. However, one of the towers (in the middle under the tallest tower) is shaped like a penis. And not by accident. According to sources at TheStraightDope.com, the artist who designed the cover intentionally drew the tower as a penis, but upon completing it, realized the image was a little too obvious. However, he had to turn it in for deadline before he could fix it and no one ever called him about it, so he figured the execs liked the subliminal image, or just never noticed. But, you can definitely notice! Check out the picture I found that 'points' it out.
* In "The Lion King," the word SEX is supposedly formed in the clouds above Simba's head after he watches his father die and falls to the ground, sending dust into the clouds. This one you can
really only see if you're watching for it, and some people say the word is SFX (special effects department). But if it does say sex, than Disney had to have done it intentionally because it takes dozens of designers, directors and animators to produces a scene, and everyone would have had to know about it in order for it be completed.
* The animators sure had fun with "The Little Mermaid," because they made the priest who marries Ursula an
d Eric at the end look like he has an erection. And it really does look like it. Turns out, if you look hard enough, pun intended, it's acutally his knee, but that's not as much fun.
* In "Aladdin," it's rumored that you can hear Aladdin say "good teenagers take off their clothes" when he's Prince Ali and talking to Jasmine on her balcony and the tiger Rajah is climbing up on him. If you listen for it, it does sound like that 's true. If you don't listen for that phrase exactly, it probably doesn't sound like anything.
* In the theatrical release of "The Rescuers," there are couple frames of a topless model seen when Bianca and Bernard are flying on the albatross, gliding down into the city. Apparently everyone knew it was there and it was taken out for the first home release of the film. However, according to TheStraightDope.com, the 1999/2000 re-release of the film had the two frames in it, meaning someone forgot about it or the re-release was made from a different cut. Disney recalled that release (putting it back in the vault) and released another version without the nude model a few months after that.
Know any other erotic subliminal messages? Another post will list movies and scenes where you can see former Disney characters, which is a lot, but the erotic subliminal elements are a little more fun to try and catch just because it's Disney, you know, a children's empire. If you do know something else, let me know!
* The cover of the original release of "The Little Mermaid" pictures Ki
ng Triton's palace. However, one of the towers (in the middle under the tallest tower) is shaped like a penis. And not by accident. According to sources at TheStraightDope.com, the artist who designed the cover intentionally drew the tower as a penis, but upon completing it, realized the image was a little too obvious. However, he had to turn it in for deadline before he could fix it and no one ever called him about it, so he figured the execs liked the subliminal image, or just never noticed. But, you can definitely notice! Check out the picture I found that 'points' it out.* In "The Lion King," the word SEX is supposedly formed in the clouds above Simba's head after he watches his father die and falls to the ground, sending dust into the clouds. This one you can
really only see if you're watching for it, and some people say the word is SFX (special effects department). But if it does say sex, than Disney had to have done it intentionally because it takes dozens of designers, directors and animators to produces a scene, and everyone would have had to know about it in order for it be completed.* The animators sure had fun with "The Little Mermaid," because they made the priest who marries Ursula an
d Eric at the end look like he has an erection. And it really does look like it. Turns out, if you look hard enough, pun intended, it's acutally his knee, but that's not as much fun.* In "Aladdin," it's rumored that you can hear Aladdin say "good teenagers take off their clothes" when he's Prince Ali and talking to Jasmine on her balcony and the tiger Rajah is climbing up on him. If you listen for it, it does sound like that 's true. If you don't listen for that phrase exactly, it probably doesn't sound like anything.
* In the theatrical release of "The Rescuers," there are couple frames of a topless model seen when Bianca and Bernard are flying on the albatross, gliding down into the city. Apparently everyone knew it was there and it was taken out for the first home release of the film. However, according to TheStraightDope.com, the 1999/2000 re-release of the film had the two frames in it, meaning someone forgot about it or the re-release was made from a different cut. Disney recalled that release (putting it back in the vault) and released another version without the nude model a few months after that.
Know any other erotic subliminal messages? Another post will list movies and scenes where you can see former Disney characters, which is a lot, but the erotic subliminal elements are a little more fun to try and catch just because it's Disney, you know, a children's empire. If you do know something else, let me know!
February 15, 2009
Oliver & Company released for 20th anniversary
Disney's all about the anniversaries. Remember Oliver & Co.? Little orphan kitten follows Charles Dicken's classic tale, "Oliver Twist," with Billy Joel and Bette Midler. Technically, Oliver & Co. was originally released in 1988, but '19th anniversary' sounds weird, so Disney stretched it out a little big, releasing the new edition on Feb. 3, 2009. This edition also has special features including a sing-a-long, which is impossible not to do with "Why Should I Worry," scrapbook, publicity media, and a making-of short documentary. The 27th animated feature released by Disney, Oliver & Co. definitely isn't as high on the all-time list as the Howard Ashman era or classic disney features, but it's still a cute film with memorable characters.
Mary Poppins celebrates 45th anniversary
Disney released the 45th anniversary edition of its 1964 film, Mary Poppins on Jan. 27, 2009. Following a 40
th anniversary special edition back in 2004, this restored and remastered version features more behind-the-scenes bonus features and scenes from the Broadway musical version of Mary Poppins. It's kind of odd that Disney would release the same film so close together, but with the popularity of Blu Ray format and the popularity of the Broadway musical, I guess it makes sense. Similarly, there has been rumor of re-releasing both Beauty and the Beast and Snow White, both released for special edition back in 2002 and 2001, respectively. Hopefully, though, Disney continues to release editions of animated features yet to be released on special edition, or I may never complete my collection.
th anniversary special edition back in 2004, this restored and remastered version features more behind-the-scenes bonus features and scenes from the Broadway musical version of Mary Poppins. It's kind of odd that Disney would release the same film so close together, but with the popularity of Blu Ray format and the popularity of the Broadway musical, I guess it makes sense. Similarly, there has been rumor of re-releasing both Beauty and the Beast and Snow White, both released for special edition back in 2002 and 2001, respectively. Hopefully, though, Disney continues to release editions of animated features yet to be released on special edition, or I may never complete my collection.
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