Disney Plus! A streaming service which has scores of animated classics, every episode of the Simpsons, most Muppet movies and a bunch of other stuff. I signed up for this weeks ago, knowing it would be appealing.
My greatest hopes for Disney+ were that they would throw a bone to old-school fans like me, and by golly they did! Snestled (not a real word) in amongst all the animated classics, Marvel movies and “Suite Life” episodes is some stuff that actually features Walt Disney, the man himself!
Tonight I viewed “Disneyland Around The Seasons”, a 1966 episode of “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World Of Color”. (Later “Wonderful World Of Disney”, then “Disney’s Wonderful World”, then “Walt Disney”, then “The Disney Sunday Movie.” It’s referred to in shorthand as “the anthology series”.)
“Disneyland Around The Seasons” features Uncle Walt talking about such then-newish Disneyland attractions as Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln, the Primeval World, New Orleans Square and It’s A Small World. I also watched the first episode of an original documentary series “The Imagineering Story”, which was also heavy on early Disneyland. Watching both of these reminded me of what a fun place Disneyland is–or was…I haven’t been in 5 years (sob), and now there’s a huge Star Wars thing in it which seems out-of-place to me. But I like Star Tours so who knows.
I also watched a couple of shorts: “Steamboat Willie”, the very first sound cartoon and Mickey Mouse’s 2nd picture; and a quickie featuring the “Forky” character from “Toy Story 4.” I can happily report that in “Steamboat Willie” Mickey still plays “Turkey In The Straw” on a pig’s teats. (The title screen for it and some other things cautions that “outdated cultural depictions” may be present.)
I have been very, very slow to the whole streaming video thing…when it comes to movies, TV shows and music I prefer something tangible. Which, ok-not-quite-a-boomer, that’s just how I roll. And honestly, I don’t expect Disney+ to add too much more of the anthology series, so it’s good I have my “Walt Disney Treasures” DVDs. But it’s nice to know that if I wanna watch “The Muppet Movie”, “Fantasia” or “The Love Bug” I don’t have to crawl around the apartment looking for the discs.
It’s also nice to see Walt represented in any way. He led a group of incredibly talented artists, writers and directors in creating a universe of entertainment–films, television, and the theme parks. His creativity inspires me.
Well said, my boy! I love the Disney Plus.