“Dancing with the Stars'” two-night Stories Week kicks off Monday with the Kleenex ad that is Most Memorable Year, so you better stock up on tissues Asap. The sure-to-be emotional evening has the remaining 12 celebrities performing a routine inspired by an impactful year in their lives, and you don’t have to wait until the show to find out what they are because all of their years have been revealed.
Some of the choices are obvious, like Selma Blair selecting the year she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and Vinny Guadagnino going with the year “Jersey Shore” premiered. Most of them are within the last decade, including two 2022 picks. The furthest back is 1997.
Here are all of their years and explanations, along with their previously announced routines and songs.
Joseph Baena and Daniella Karagach: 2022 — the year I did it my way; rumba (“My Way” by Frank Sinatra)
Selma Blair...
Some of the choices are obvious, like Selma Blair selecting the year she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and Vinny Guadagnino going with the year “Jersey Shore” premiered. Most of them are within the last decade, including two 2022 picks. The furthest back is 1997.
Here are all of their years and explanations, along with their previously announced routines and songs.
Joseph Baena and Daniella Karagach: 2022 — the year I did it my way; rumba (“My Way” by Frank Sinatra)
Selma Blair...
- 10/17/2022
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
Double the episodes on Week 5 means double the themes — under one new theme — and a double elimination. Got all that? “Dancing with the Stars” will have a two-night event for Stars’ Stories Week: Monday, Oct. 17 will be Most Memorable Year Night and Tuesday, Oct. 18 is Prom Night.
The top 12 will perform on Monday, during which one couple will be eliminated, and the remaining 11 will hit the hardwood on Tuesday, during which a second couple will be axed. So it’s not a double elimination in one episode, but two couples will be gone by the end of Tuesday. This also means one couple won’t get to perform their Prom Night routine.
Tuesday will also include the dance marathon, featuring two styles, the hustle (to “Hot Stuff” by Donna Summer) and the Lindy Hop (to “Jump Jive an’ Wail” by The Brian Setzer Orchestra). Bonus points will be awarded to...
The top 12 will perform on Monday, during which one couple will be eliminated, and the remaining 11 will hit the hardwood on Tuesday, during which a second couple will be axed. So it’s not a double elimination in one episode, but two couples will be gone by the end of Tuesday. This also means one couple won’t get to perform their Prom Night routine.
Tuesday will also include the dance marathon, featuring two styles, the hustle (to “Hot Stuff” by Donna Summer) and the Lindy Hop (to “Jump Jive an’ Wail” by The Brian Setzer Orchestra). Bonus points will be awarded to...
- 10/13/2022
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
The 3rd Annual Kids Music Day will be celebrated on Friday October 5th, 2018.
2018 Kids Music Day
Each year, Keep Music Alive partners with music schools, music retail and other music organizations worldwide to highlight the importance of including music in children’s education. Events held by participating locations include open houses, instrument petting zoos, student music performances, community/family jams, instrument donation drives and more. It is estimated that over 500 locations worldwide will help celebrate Kids Music Day in 2018.
This year, a number of celebrity artists are showing their support for Music Education by joining the inaugural class of Kids Music Day Ambassadors including:
Julie Andrews, Richie Sambora, Nancy Wilson of Heart, Sarah McLachlan, Victor Wooten, Mandy Harvey, Jim Brickman, Bernie Williams, Siedah Garrett, Orianthi, Alma Deutsher, Todd Rundgren, Jan Hammer, Damien Escobar, Amy Holland, Charlie Worsham
Kids Music Day is also being supported this year by Casio Emi, Alfred Music,...
2018 Kids Music Day
Each year, Keep Music Alive partners with music schools, music retail and other music organizations worldwide to highlight the importance of including music in children’s education. Events held by participating locations include open houses, instrument petting zoos, student music performances, community/family jams, instrument donation drives and more. It is estimated that over 500 locations worldwide will help celebrate Kids Music Day in 2018.
This year, a number of celebrity artists are showing their support for Music Education by joining the inaugural class of Kids Music Day Ambassadors including:
Julie Andrews, Richie Sambora, Nancy Wilson of Heart, Sarah McLachlan, Victor Wooten, Mandy Harvey, Jim Brickman, Bernie Williams, Siedah Garrett, Orianthi, Alma Deutsher, Todd Rundgren, Jan Hammer, Damien Escobar, Amy Holland, Charlie Worsham
Kids Music Day is also being supported this year by Casio Emi, Alfred Music,...
- 10/1/2018
- Look to the Stars
By Slavica Monczka, Courtesy of Seductively French (www.SeductivelyFrench.com)
One look at operatic tenor Mario Frangoulis and it will be made perfectly clear to you why he has been referred to as the Sex and the Symphony of concert halls. However, there is so much more to Frangoulis than what meets the eye. First and foremost is his divine voice that has brought him to international stardom. With all this global fame, Frangoulis has also been a whole-hearted contributor to various charities around the world. Handsome, gifted, and compassionate, Frangoulis shares with me some of his passions and experiences. So if you haven’t fallen in love with him at first site (like myself), learn more from my interview with him.
“I loved to loose myself in neighboring areas, climbing trees and spending a lot of time on the rooftops, where I could ‘see the world’ and sing about it,...
One look at operatic tenor Mario Frangoulis and it will be made perfectly clear to you why he has been referred to as the Sex and the Symphony of concert halls. However, there is so much more to Frangoulis than what meets the eye. First and foremost is his divine voice that has brought him to international stardom. With all this global fame, Frangoulis has also been a whole-hearted contributor to various charities around the world. Handsome, gifted, and compassionate, Frangoulis shares with me some of his passions and experiences. So if you haven’t fallen in love with him at first site (like myself), learn more from my interview with him.
“I loved to loose myself in neighboring areas, climbing trees and spending a lot of time on the rooftops, where I could ‘see the world’ and sing about it,...
- 2/2/2012
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
Susan Gordon was best known as a child actress and is remembered mostly for her appearance in the "Twilight Zone" episode "The Fugitive", in which she befriends the ruler of a planet who is hiding out on earth. We're sad to report the news that Susan passed away on December 11th at the age of 62 after battling cancer.
Gordon also appeared in such genre films as Attack of the Puppet People (directed by her father, Bert I. Gordon), Tormented, and Picture Mommy Dead as well as the TV series "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour".
From the SusanGordon.info website:
Susan Gordon
b. July 27, 1949 in St. Paul, Minnesota
d. December 11, 2011 in Teaneck, New Jersey
Susan was last able to speak to us on November 8, 2011. Her final words in the conversation were: "I need to sleep" — she seemed to be consciously avoiding the word "goodbye" in ending conversations with us in her final months.
Gordon also appeared in such genre films as Attack of the Puppet People (directed by her father, Bert I. Gordon), Tormented, and Picture Mommy Dead as well as the TV series "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour".
From the SusanGordon.info website:
Susan Gordon
b. July 27, 1949 in St. Paul, Minnesota
d. December 11, 2011 in Teaneck, New Jersey
Susan was last able to speak to us on November 8, 2011. Her final words in the conversation were: "I need to sleep" — she seemed to be consciously avoiding the word "goodbye" in ending conversations with us in her final months.
- 12/15/2011
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
Former 98 Degrees star Jeff Timmons is set to join male stripper group the Chippendales - as a singer. Timmons, who sang with the Grammy nominated group during the 1990s, will be heading to Las Vegas for a four-week gig as a special musical guest star and emcee at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in May.
The singer took to his Twitter.com account on Monday, April 11 to confirm the news, but he made it clear, "You guys know I'm not stripping, come on....I'm singing!"
Jeff Timmons is one of founding member of 98 Degrees. He was joined in the pop group by Justin Jeffre as well as brothers Nick Lachey and Drew Lachey. After the group decided to take a break to pursue other ambitions, he launched his solo career by touring with Jim Brickman before releasing his first solo album, "Whisper That Way", in 2004.
The singer took to his Twitter.com account on Monday, April 11 to confirm the news, but he made it clear, "You guys know I'm not stripping, come on....I'm singing!"
Jeff Timmons is one of founding member of 98 Degrees. He was joined in the pop group by Justin Jeffre as well as brothers Nick Lachey and Drew Lachey. After the group decided to take a break to pursue other ambitions, he launched his solo career by touring with Jim Brickman before releasing his first solo album, "Whisper That Way", in 2004.
- 4/13/2011
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
All the latest "American Idol" news in easy bite-sized form.
Prickly departing judge Simon Cowell showed his teddy bear side when he heard of a 12-year-old cancer patient named Megan Kershaw. Her wish list includes meeting him and going to Disney World, so he made that happen. [Daily Mirror]
Matt Giraud has a new single out. It's titled "Thank You" and is a collaboration with songwriter and pianist Jim Brickman, who has previously worked with artists like Michael W. Smith, Martina McBride and Lady Antebellum. [Mj's Big Blog]
Sources inside the "Idol" camp are reporting that the new choice of judges is pretty reckless -- there will be no test-runs to see if the judges have good chemistry. This runs contrary to how much Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell were vetted in order to see if they got along. [TMZ]
Casey James, Tim Urban and Lee DeWyze talk about "Idol" Season 9 tour stop in Dallas.
Prickly departing judge Simon Cowell showed his teddy bear side when he heard of a 12-year-old cancer patient named Megan Kershaw. Her wish list includes meeting him and going to Disney World, so he made that happen. [Daily Mirror]
Matt Giraud has a new single out. It's titled "Thank You" and is a collaboration with songwriter and pianist Jim Brickman, who has previously worked with artists like Michael W. Smith, Martina McBride and Lady Antebellum. [Mj's Big Blog]
Sources inside the "Idol" camp are reporting that the new choice of judges is pretty reckless -- there will be no test-runs to see if the judges have good chemistry. This runs contrary to how much Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell were vetted in order to see if they got along. [TMZ]
Casey James, Tim Urban and Lee DeWyze talk about "Idol" Season 9 tour stop in Dallas.
- 8/10/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
HollywoodNews.com: Drg Records is proud to announce the solo album debut of Jane Krakowski, the Tony Award winning Broadway star of “Nine” and “Damn Yankees” and the Emmy Award nominated star of “30 Rock” and “Ally McBeal.” The Laziest Gal In Town is the delightfully sexy CD captured last fall during her nightclub debut at the Park Avenue hotspot Feinstein’s at Loews Regency. The disc will be in stores and online July 13, 2010.
The Laziest Gal In Town – named for the droll Cole Porter title cut – lets Jane shine in a charming variety of standards, show songs and rarities. She recreates her acclaimed theatrical triumph as the evil temptress “Lola” in Damn Yankees with “A Little Brains, A Little Talent.” A medley of two zippy Jazz Age ditties, “Wacky Dust” and “When I Get Low, I Get High” – first popularized by the young Ella Fitzgerald – playfully sends up drug culture.
The Laziest Gal In Town – named for the droll Cole Porter title cut – lets Jane shine in a charming variety of standards, show songs and rarities. She recreates her acclaimed theatrical triumph as the evil temptress “Lola” in Damn Yankees with “A Little Brains, A Little Talent.” A medley of two zippy Jazz Age ditties, “Wacky Dust” and “When I Get Low, I Get High” – first popularized by the young Ella Fitzgerald – playfully sends up drug culture.
- 7/15/2010
- by HollywoodNews.com
- Hollywoodnews.com
On September 22, 2009, Grammy Award winning singer and songwriter, Jon Secada returns to his roots (no, not his Latin roots, his Jazz roots) with the release of Expressions: The Jazz Album (The Orchard), which will coincide with the kick-off of a week-long engagement at Feinstein's at Loews Regency in New York, a national PBS television special with Jim Brickman (Beautiful World) and, his fourth season starring on Latin American Idol.
- 9/1/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Release dates: Oct. 3; Feb. 28; June 6; Oct. 10
You may as well just go out and buy each new rerelease of Walt Disney's classic cartoon animated features, since each iteration has entirely different colors than the one that came before, and it has probably long been forgotten what the real colors for the films are.
Okay, we're exaggerating, but every time a cartoon comes out, the shades of hues are different, the color temperatures are different, and here and there, yes, a color is completely altered. Is it for the better? Perhaps, but there was nothing wrong with the previous releases, color-wise, so it really is just dabbling here and there to justify the claim that it has been "restored."
The latest masterpiece to get tapped by Tinker Bell's color wand is "The Little Mermaid", issued as a Platinum Edition 2-Disc Special Edition by Walt Disney Home Entertainment (retail $29.99). It is presented in letterboxed format only, with an aspect ratio of about 1.78:1 and an accommodation for enhanced 16:9 playback. Disney's previous release (January 2000) was letterboxed with an aspect ratio of about 1.66:1, which loses nothing on the sides and adds picture information to the top and bottom of the image, but it had no 16:9 encoding.
At times the colors on the new version are brighter and at times the colors on the older version are brighter. You could flip a coin to say which presentation is preferable. Take the flamingos during the Kiss the Girl number. Should they be pink, as flamingos are, or should they have a slightly purple tone, because it is nighttime? On the old version, they're pink, and on the new one, they're purple-ish. Either one looks great, and either one has meaning, so you end up accepting them both.
Unlike the picture, the sound is improved for the better. Disney calls it "Enhanced Home Theater Surround Sound," a 5.1-channel Dolby Digital track that is distinctively fresher and stronger than the older Dolby mix. The 83-minute program has alternate French and Spanish audio tracks in 5.1 Dolby, optional English subtitles, a sing-along option, and an Ashley Tisdale music video.
There is also an excellent commentary track featuring directors Ron Clements and John Musker, and composer Alan Menken. They talk in detail about developing the project, and about the challenges they encountered, both in terms of animating specific sequences and in carrying the Disney baton to a new generation. They speak wistfully about the contributions of Howard Ashman, who did more than just write the lyrics and dialog, as the vision of blending the animation with a musical-comedy sensibility was what drove him to drive everyone else.
Additionally, they share some great trivia (Mickey, Goofy & Donald can be seen early on) and deliver intelligent insights about movies and life. "People think just because something is "retro," going back to the '30s and '40s, that a reference will mean nothing because our audience are kids, and they don't realize how much in the subconscious of our culture can be accessed by artists. It's not just whatever is contemporary. There's a lot that's timeless in this."
The second platter presents 26 minutes of deleted and alternate scenes. All were wisely trimmed to move the story along and in the right direction, but several feature songs with entertaining lyrics. There are 76 minutes of retrospective featurettes, and Jeffery Katzenberg was even roped in to share his experiences in guiding the film's creation.
There is a lengthy segment on the history of the story itself (including conceptual artwork from a planned Disney version in the '40s), an elaborate profile of Ashman, a detailing of the film's various inspirations (one, for the witch, was the actor, Divine) and more discussions about the breakthrough that the film represented for Disney. For those who need the background information, it is best to watch the documentaries before listening to the commentary, but both are intelligent and rewarding.
Along with a 2-minute promo reel and the somewhat apprehensive first theatrical trailer, there is an 8-minute documentary featurette about the real sea life celebrated in the film, and an extensive still frame section that contains production photos, developmental artwork and even the artwork for the Forties version.
At one point, Disney planned a theme park ride based upon the film, and although it was jettisoned (it appears to have been too simplistic), there is a 15-minute segment that tells the story of its development and, among other things, depicts what its experience would have been like, using realistic computer animation.
Finally, a new cartoon short has been included, based upon another Hans Christian Anderson story, "The Little Match Girl". Running 7 minutes and set, without dialog, to music by Alexander Borodin, it is a classy piece of animated filmmaking.
Disney's Platinum Edition 50th Anniversary Edition of "Lady and the Tramp" (retail $29.99) not only alters the colors of the earlier release (January 2000), but the textures as well. The image is clearly spiffed up, with brighter and more solid hues -- and again, it can be a coin flip at times as to whether the older colors or the newer colors are better; Lady's ear hair was more consistently brown on the older version but now changes almost schizophrenically as she passes from light to shadow, and sometimes looks a touch too orange -- but in solidifying the colors, it also seems that what grain there is on the older presentation is eliminated, taking detail away from backgrounds or incidental objects.
On the whole, the new version does look better than the older one -- and it has been given 16:9 enhancement, which is also a great improvement -- but the older one never really looks bad, just not quite as polished.
The letterboxing has an aspect ratio of about 2.55:1, adding even more picture information to the sides of the image than the older letterboxed version had. The first platter of the two-platter set also contains a cropped presentation of the film, and once in a while the framing differs from the older cropped presentations, not that it matters much.
The 5.1-channel Dolby Digital sound is again punched up a bit, though the older mix wasn't bad and the differences are not as pronounced as they were on Little Mermaid. The 76-minute program has alternate French and Spanish tracks in 5.1 Dolby and optional English subtitles.
The second platter contains a good 52-minute retrospective documentary about creating the 1955 feature. Two deleted scenes, running a total of 13 minutes with introductions, are included, one being a very bizarre fantasy sequence that looks like something out of Tex Avery.
It took more than a decade to develop the film, and in 1943 storyboards were generated for an earlier version of the tale -- more Lady, less Tramp -- which is explained and then presented in its entirety with narration in a good 24-minute segment. Along with three trailers, an interesting 4-minute segment on "The Siamese Cat Song", a Steve Tyrell music video, a personality game, a trivia game, a kids documentary about dog breeds hosted by Fred Willard and running 9 minutes, and an extensive still frame collection of developmental artwork and other materials, there are some wonderful excerpts from two of Disney's TV episodes promoting the film, restored to color for the first time and running a total of 46 minutes.
The old 60th Anniversary Edition of "Dumbo" (November 2001) has brighter colors than the new Big Top Edition (retail $29.99), and so in sequences such as the train passing by the sunset, the older version is greatly preferable, even though the image is slightly grainier and less detailed. The elephants are greyer on the new version sometimes, and on the old version sometimes, though generally, the colors of the other animals are consistently better -- more accurate browns and greys -- on the new version. So again, you basically have to hold on to both of them.
The 5.1-channel Dolby Digital sound appears to be identical to the earlier release -- a pleasing mix with a viable dimensionality. John Canemaker's excellent commentary has been retained from the earlier release, as has the less valuable 15-minute retrospective documentary, the two classic Disney cartoons, a minute-long introduction to the film from a TV broadcast, the 8-minute "Elmer Elephant" animated short from 1936, the 9-minute "The Flying Mouse" animated short from 1934, an artwork still frame gallery, and a "read along" storybook segment. New to this release is an interactive piece for kids about circus animals and a Jim Brickman music video (the older version had a Michael Crawford video). The 1941 feature runs just 64 minutes.
Contrary to its promotions, Disney's new 25th Anniversary release of "The Fox and the Hound" (retail $30) actually has an identical picture transfer to Disney's previous release (Jul 2000). At least we could not see any difference between the two.
The full screen presentation is stable and solid, with bright hues and crisp lines. The 5.1-channel Dolby Digital sound is a fair improvement over the old DVD's standard stereo track, however, and there are a few more extras, including a 6-minute retrospective documentary about the creation of the 1981 feature (you kind of wish it were longer, as it explores the "changing of the guard" between Disney's older and younger animators during the creation of the film); a modest but rewarding still frame section featuring conceptual art, production photos and ad art; a simple choice game; a "read along" segment; a sing-along segment for one of the film's few songs; and two classic Disney cartoon shorts, the 1951 "Lambert the Sheepish Lion" and the 1941 Mickey Mouse cartoon featuring Pluto, "Lend a Paw", both running 8 minutes and both, like the 83-minute feature film, about animals who are supposed to be natural enemies making friends with one another.
The complete database of Doug Pratt's DVD-video reviews is available at dvdlaser.com . A sample copy of the DVD-Laser Disc Newsletter can be obtained by calling (516) 594-9304.
You may as well just go out and buy each new rerelease of Walt Disney's classic cartoon animated features, since each iteration has entirely different colors than the one that came before, and it has probably long been forgotten what the real colors for the films are.
Okay, we're exaggerating, but every time a cartoon comes out, the shades of hues are different, the color temperatures are different, and here and there, yes, a color is completely altered. Is it for the better? Perhaps, but there was nothing wrong with the previous releases, color-wise, so it really is just dabbling here and there to justify the claim that it has been "restored."
The latest masterpiece to get tapped by Tinker Bell's color wand is "The Little Mermaid", issued as a Platinum Edition 2-Disc Special Edition by Walt Disney Home Entertainment (retail $29.99). It is presented in letterboxed format only, with an aspect ratio of about 1.78:1 and an accommodation for enhanced 16:9 playback. Disney's previous release (January 2000) was letterboxed with an aspect ratio of about 1.66:1, which loses nothing on the sides and adds picture information to the top and bottom of the image, but it had no 16:9 encoding.
At times the colors on the new version are brighter and at times the colors on the older version are brighter. You could flip a coin to say which presentation is preferable. Take the flamingos during the Kiss the Girl number. Should they be pink, as flamingos are, or should they have a slightly purple tone, because it is nighttime? On the old version, they're pink, and on the new one, they're purple-ish. Either one looks great, and either one has meaning, so you end up accepting them both.
Unlike the picture, the sound is improved for the better. Disney calls it "Enhanced Home Theater Surround Sound," a 5.1-channel Dolby Digital track that is distinctively fresher and stronger than the older Dolby mix. The 83-minute program has alternate French and Spanish audio tracks in 5.1 Dolby, optional English subtitles, a sing-along option, and an Ashley Tisdale music video.
There is also an excellent commentary track featuring directors Ron Clements and John Musker, and composer Alan Menken. They talk in detail about developing the project, and about the challenges they encountered, both in terms of animating specific sequences and in carrying the Disney baton to a new generation. They speak wistfully about the contributions of Howard Ashman, who did more than just write the lyrics and dialog, as the vision of blending the animation with a musical-comedy sensibility was what drove him to drive everyone else.
Additionally, they share some great trivia (Mickey, Goofy & Donald can be seen early on) and deliver intelligent insights about movies and life. "People think just because something is "retro," going back to the '30s and '40s, that a reference will mean nothing because our audience are kids, and they don't realize how much in the subconscious of our culture can be accessed by artists. It's not just whatever is contemporary. There's a lot that's timeless in this."
The second platter presents 26 minutes of deleted and alternate scenes. All were wisely trimmed to move the story along and in the right direction, but several feature songs with entertaining lyrics. There are 76 minutes of retrospective featurettes, and Jeffery Katzenberg was even roped in to share his experiences in guiding the film's creation.
There is a lengthy segment on the history of the story itself (including conceptual artwork from a planned Disney version in the '40s), an elaborate profile of Ashman, a detailing of the film's various inspirations (one, for the witch, was the actor, Divine) and more discussions about the breakthrough that the film represented for Disney. For those who need the background information, it is best to watch the documentaries before listening to the commentary, but both are intelligent and rewarding.
Along with a 2-minute promo reel and the somewhat apprehensive first theatrical trailer, there is an 8-minute documentary featurette about the real sea life celebrated in the film, and an extensive still frame section that contains production photos, developmental artwork and even the artwork for the Forties version.
At one point, Disney planned a theme park ride based upon the film, and although it was jettisoned (it appears to have been too simplistic), there is a 15-minute segment that tells the story of its development and, among other things, depicts what its experience would have been like, using realistic computer animation.
Finally, a new cartoon short has been included, based upon another Hans Christian Anderson story, "The Little Match Girl". Running 7 minutes and set, without dialog, to music by Alexander Borodin, it is a classy piece of animated filmmaking.
Disney's Platinum Edition 50th Anniversary Edition of "Lady and the Tramp" (retail $29.99) not only alters the colors of the earlier release (January 2000), but the textures as well. The image is clearly spiffed up, with brighter and more solid hues -- and again, it can be a coin flip at times as to whether the older colors or the newer colors are better; Lady's ear hair was more consistently brown on the older version but now changes almost schizophrenically as she passes from light to shadow, and sometimes looks a touch too orange -- but in solidifying the colors, it also seems that what grain there is on the older presentation is eliminated, taking detail away from backgrounds or incidental objects.
On the whole, the new version does look better than the older one -- and it has been given 16:9 enhancement, which is also a great improvement -- but the older one never really looks bad, just not quite as polished.
The letterboxing has an aspect ratio of about 2.55:1, adding even more picture information to the sides of the image than the older letterboxed version had. The first platter of the two-platter set also contains a cropped presentation of the film, and once in a while the framing differs from the older cropped presentations, not that it matters much.
The 5.1-channel Dolby Digital sound is again punched up a bit, though the older mix wasn't bad and the differences are not as pronounced as they were on Little Mermaid. The 76-minute program has alternate French and Spanish tracks in 5.1 Dolby and optional English subtitles.
The second platter contains a good 52-minute retrospective documentary about creating the 1955 feature. Two deleted scenes, running a total of 13 minutes with introductions, are included, one being a very bizarre fantasy sequence that looks like something out of Tex Avery.
It took more than a decade to develop the film, and in 1943 storyboards were generated for an earlier version of the tale -- more Lady, less Tramp -- which is explained and then presented in its entirety with narration in a good 24-minute segment. Along with three trailers, an interesting 4-minute segment on "The Siamese Cat Song", a Steve Tyrell music video, a personality game, a trivia game, a kids documentary about dog breeds hosted by Fred Willard and running 9 minutes, and an extensive still frame collection of developmental artwork and other materials, there are some wonderful excerpts from two of Disney's TV episodes promoting the film, restored to color for the first time and running a total of 46 minutes.
The old 60th Anniversary Edition of "Dumbo" (November 2001) has brighter colors than the new Big Top Edition (retail $29.99), and so in sequences such as the train passing by the sunset, the older version is greatly preferable, even though the image is slightly grainier and less detailed. The elephants are greyer on the new version sometimes, and on the old version sometimes, though generally, the colors of the other animals are consistently better -- more accurate browns and greys -- on the new version. So again, you basically have to hold on to both of them.
The 5.1-channel Dolby Digital sound appears to be identical to the earlier release -- a pleasing mix with a viable dimensionality. John Canemaker's excellent commentary has been retained from the earlier release, as has the less valuable 15-minute retrospective documentary, the two classic Disney cartoons, a minute-long introduction to the film from a TV broadcast, the 8-minute "Elmer Elephant" animated short from 1936, the 9-minute "The Flying Mouse" animated short from 1934, an artwork still frame gallery, and a "read along" storybook segment. New to this release is an interactive piece for kids about circus animals and a Jim Brickman music video (the older version had a Michael Crawford video). The 1941 feature runs just 64 minutes.
Contrary to its promotions, Disney's new 25th Anniversary release of "The Fox and the Hound" (retail $30) actually has an identical picture transfer to Disney's previous release (Jul 2000). At least we could not see any difference between the two.
The full screen presentation is stable and solid, with bright hues and crisp lines. The 5.1-channel Dolby Digital sound is a fair improvement over the old DVD's standard stereo track, however, and there are a few more extras, including a 6-minute retrospective documentary about the creation of the 1981 feature (you kind of wish it were longer, as it explores the "changing of the guard" between Disney's older and younger animators during the creation of the film); a modest but rewarding still frame section featuring conceptual art, production photos and ad art; a simple choice game; a "read along" segment; a sing-along segment for one of the film's few songs; and two classic Disney cartoon shorts, the 1951 "Lambert the Sheepish Lion" and the 1941 Mickey Mouse cartoon featuring Pluto, "Lend a Paw", both running 8 minutes and both, like the 83-minute feature film, about animals who are supposed to be natural enemies making friends with one another.
The complete database of Doug Pratt's DVD-video reviews is available at dvdlaser.com . A sample copy of the DVD-Laser Disc Newsletter can be obtained by calling (516) 594-9304.
- 11/3/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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