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R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series? See post #82!

#31
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1/11/07 at 9:34pm
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Lugoff
Since the Legacy series will have the very rare (not to mention very old) Oswald cartoons --- what makes us think there won't be a future Legacy set devoted to the remaining Donald Duck cartoons?

Maybe I'm being overly optimistic, but I'm thinking they've cancelled the Treasures series because they're replacing it with the Legacy series. After all, they're almost the same thing, down to the tin cases.

And they did stop the Vault Disney line, only to do 2-disc SE's that are virtually identical (The Love Bug and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, for example).

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin Martinez
The worst part about this is; The Treasures will porbably be the only time the disney cartoons get a comprehensive, remastered, collector-oriented release in Home Video, EVER!!!!!

What about HD-DVD and BluRay?

Tell The Weinstein Company to release Richard Williams' animated masterpiece The Thief and the Cobbler on DVD in Panavision widescreen and uncut! See and hear what you're missing from their Bitsy Award winner of Worst Standard Edition DVD of 2006 on YouTube!
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#32
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1/12/07 at 1:31am
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

With the theatrical shorts being just three volumes away from completion, we can't let the animated side of the Treasures collection end now, as rumored, without a fight. This new information from Jon Cooke, over at GoldenAgeCartoons.com proves we must make our feelings heard...

------
Cross posted with permission....

As a poster here recently pointed out, Leonard Maltin has been informed that Walt Disney Home Video presently has no further plans for further Walt Disney Treasures waves. Disney public relations personell might tell you otherwise, but a private source close to the Treasures series has advised me that the bad news is absolutely reliable as of right now.

Apparently— and here's where my source went into more detail than Mr. Maltin— the Treasures series is not being halted due to lack of public interest, nor do the most recent wave's smaller edition numbers (60,000 vs. 100,000+) reflect plunging sales. From what I understand, the smaller editions and possible cancellation merely reflect deliberate marketing efforts, so that Treasures will not sideline newer products that Home Video management wants to launch.

My source tells me that WD Treasures' demise could still be reversed; that this is the time of year when the annual wave begins production, so if a go-ahead came down from the appropriate powers on high, another wave could yet take place. My source recommends that anyone who's interested e-mail or write Dick Cook, Chairman of the Walt Disney Studios and a longtime enthusiast for the Treasures series. Mr. Cook may not yet be aware of the series' cancellation; if he is, he may not know how many fans support its continuation. He needs to be informed of both.

Dick Cook
Chairman, Walt Disney Studios
The Walt Disney Company
500 S. Buena Vista St. Burbank, CA 91521-9722

e-mail: dick.cook@disney.com

Please be polite in your letters but still let them know much you support the Treasures line and are disappointed that they may be ending soon. I suggest we request specifically that the next wave include the remaining two Donald sets; some would call two Donald tins at once overkill, but that way Donald's cartoons can at least be released complete before the series' future is threatened again.

As a final word; please don't turn this into a complaints thread about the relatively minor glitches (i. e. use of edited prints) on the most recent Treasures wave. Let's please try to stay on topic in this particular thread and focus on the bigger picture which is contacting Mr. Cook directly and making sure another wave of Treasures happens, period. ------------------------------

I think Jon is completely right; we can make a difference but if we start mentioning other issues other than the desire to see the collection continue, then we'll just be clouding the issue. I reccommend that we shout for the importance of seeing Chrolological Donald volume 3, Chronological Donald Volume 4, and an additional Rareties/Educational animated shorts collection to mop up all of the loose ends that Leonard left off the previous sets in good faith. With that we'll have every theatrical animated short on DVD and I think most of us who have invested $600+ in the line so far will be happy campers!

If you are particularly eager, once you've contacted Mr. Cook (details above), here are some more details of people to badger...

Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Attn. Consumer Relations
PO Box 3100
Neenah, WI 54957-3100
(800) 723-4763

or...

The Walt Disney Company
Attn: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521
USA

And two names to use if you prefer (suggested by Geezil over at GAC), also at the 500 South Buena Vista Street location are:

Anne Sweeney
Co-Chair, Disney Media Networks

George W. Bodenheimer
Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks

Disney.com also have a feedback section and if anyone has any further customer service phone number please post it here!

We have a chance now to make a difference so write, write, write and let's at least try and create a traditional Disney happy ending for the Treasures collection
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#33
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1/12/07 at 8:39am
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Thanks for the info. Hopefully I can get a couple letters sent before my wife pops.
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#34
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1/12/07 at 10:46am
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Just sent an email to Mr. Cook. Hopefully not too rambing and polite enough.

Quote:
Dear Mr. Cook,

I have become recently aware that The Walt Disney Company is considering ending production of one of its most beloved DVD lines: The Walt Disney Treasures. Classic animation enthusiasts on Internet forums are completely befuddled by this decision, especially given the fact that that the second-most popular character's complete run of theatrical shorts, Donald's, is not finished, thus leaving the fans with an incomplete collection. Moreover, the cancellation of the Treasures line would also mean that not every classic Disney short has been released, since an additional Disney Rarities set would be needed to collect all remaining random shorts heretofore uncollected on other Treasures sets.

So, Mr. Cook, as an owner of every single Walt Disney Treasure DVD release, I would like to plead with you to carefully consider reinstating the Walt Disney Treasures DVD line, so that its many loyal fans since the line's inception can have a complete catalog of Disney's classical animation on their shelves, and please release in December of 2007 "The Chronological Donald: Volume 3" and "The Chronological Donald: Volume 4" to finish all of the character's output, and "Disney Rarities: Volume 2" to complete all other miscellaneous Walt Disney animated shorts.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,
[moi]
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#35
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1/12/07 at 11:03am
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Excellent wording!




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#36
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1/12/07 at 12:36pm
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brenton
The Walt Disney Treasures series was one of the few things that the company had going for it these days that didn't let me entirely write them off as sold-out, money-hungry, or completely out of touch with which of their properties consumers like us really care about... and I know that I'm not the only one that thinks this way. But if the Treasures really are gone, then they're shooting themselves in the foot.

Very, very true - from my point of view. The Treasures are practically the only Disney product I've been interested in over these past few years.

Let's take action and contact the right people. We should make it clear exactly what's missing and why it'd look bad to leave it like that - unfinished business. I wonder, aren't there any people in the "right" positions who care about having this material completed...?
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#37
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1/12/07 at 2:00pm
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Many thanks to PaulP...I used your message as a template for my own email to Mr. Cook (similar thoughts, different wording.)

Hopefully, even if he isn't interested in this matter, Mr. Cook will forward our thoughts to those in charge at BVHE.
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#38
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1/12/07 at 6:05pm
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Yes, I think it's wise not to use exactly the same words. Certainly the first e-mails to arrive may be read even more carefully, and should not look like sent from a site with a preformed letter.

I will reword that message as well, for my own message to mr. Cook. Thanks, Paul!


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#39
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1/12/07 at 8:09pm
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Here's my e-mail:

Quote:
Just a quick note to let you and Disney know we expect the completion of the
Donald Duck cartoons that were being released under the Walt Disney
Treasures DVD line.

We have faithfully purchased these tins every December for many years now,
under the reasonable expectation of being able to eventually complete our
collection. To abandon the series when only two volumes remain unreleased
would be incredibly disheartening for many, many Disney fans out there.

It is incredible what degree of contempt companies today can have for their
loyal customers. Be assured, we'll refrain from buying ANY Disney products
if the remaining Donald Duck cartoons are not released before ending the
Walt Disney Treasures series.

Thanks for your attention. Good day sir.
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#40
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1/12/07 at 8:09pm
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

This is sad news indeed. I have every treasures release to date and am disappointed that it is done. I will write a letter to Mr. Cook as well.

On a related note - did anyone ever get around to making bands to go over the metal cases for the releases that did not have them. I remember someone doing excellent custom inserts, and in that thread the custom bands were mentioned.
Wonder if it happened.

Let's see the rest of those Donald Shorts...

Doug "Thread Killer" Wright

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#41
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1/13/07 at 1:28am
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

bummer.

Rate other people's Theater @ www.ratemytheater.com

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#42
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1/13/07 at 1:39am
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Well I've emailed Dick Cook with my thoughts, that pretty much echo everyone elses, although I also mentioned the incompletion of the Elfego Baca/Swamp Fox series, am I the only one who cares about the live action stuff? :p

Would anyone consider starting an online petition? I'm sure those too lazy to email, would at least put their email address down.
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#43
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1/13/07 at 2:06am
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Quote:
Originally Posted by David*W
Well I've emailed Dick Cook with my thoughts, that pretty much echo everyone elses, although I also mentioned the incompletion of the Elfego Baca/Swamp Fox series, am I the only one who cares about the live action stuff? :p

Would anyone consider starting an online petition? I'm sure those too lazy to email, would at least put their email address down.

I don't believe online petitions are ever viewed as credible. The best way is to email, make a call, send snail mail. This puts it right on the disney doorstep, instead of them out looking for it. If they are on the net looking for reactions, I'm sure they would be monitoring here, ultimatedisney, and dvd talk...all of which are in an uproar.
dvd aficionado
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#44
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1/13/07 at 4:30pm
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

If it's indeed true that Disney has told Leonard Maltin the series is 86, then I'd expect LM issued his own protest. He's not in this for the money alone; he LOVES vintage Disney. If his opinion falls on deaf Disney ears, then we're pretty much sunk.

If you've noticed that the True-Life Adventures discs promoted upcoming releases like "Oswald the Lucky Rabbit" and "Behind the Scenes at Disneyland," I'd suspect those are already in the can. Or should I say "in the tin."

What releases could be so doggone sensitive that the Treasures would detract from them? Makes absolutely no sense.

The old axiom may apply here: "Follow the Money!" but IMHO, this whole rumor fails the smell test.
Pay no attention to that cat behind the curtain!
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#45
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1/13/07 at 4:47pm
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheGreatOz
What releases could be so doggone sensitive that the Treasures would detract from them? Makes absolutely no sense.

The old axiom may apply here: "Follow the Money!" but IMHO, this whole rumor fails the smell test.

Not at all. The "smell test" is that the home video folks would rather use their resources on such guaranteed home runs as High School Musical 7 3/4, rather than waste their time making and marketing DVDs of a bunch of stupid old cartoons that nobody but those Disney animation geek weirdos care about.

In other words, they'd rather be rich than be Disney.

Eisner may be gone, but his spirit lingers. Corporate cultures don't just turn on a dime. The good news is that at Disney (moreso than most entertainment conglomerates) there are now people in power who DO want to be Disney and DO respect the legacy and the fans. Like John Lasseter and Dick Cook.

These people can do more with our support than without it. The bigger the pile of letters Dick Cook can wave at Bob Iger in their next meeting, the easier it will be to convince him to restart the Treasures series, and maybe even make some key changes in priorities (and personnel) at Home Video.

As for Legacy, let's don't kid ourselves. Home Video considers it nothing more or less than the dumping ground for all those annoying executive pet projects. Which is why they didn't feel it necessary to color check the masters on the Everglades TLA, or to correct the error when the defective discs landed in the stores and were purchased by said weirdos.
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#46
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1/14/07 at 3:35am
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

I think the Legacy Collection will become the new home for this sort of material in truth, they'll probably rerelease the whole Treasures line again, with introductions by Roy instead of Leonard, because they know fans will probably buy the stuff again to have a matching complete set.

it's all about money, of course, but I can't see the logic that Disney think there's no financial gain in the rest of the Treasures, but somehow they think there is a market for Oswald and Destino? That seems contralogical to me.
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#47
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1/14/07 at 4:31am
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Please refer to THIS thread at the GAC Forums:

http://forums.goldenagecartoons.com/...1&page=1&pp=10


There are several letters and emails posted, as well as some additional means of contact, by yours truly (posted as 'MF TOON').

I hope that everyone at least makes an effort to voice their opinions and feelings to Disney.

As I mentioned int he above linked thread, what might also be helpful, would be to print out a copy of your emails after you send them (include a header something along the lines of: I apologize if you've already received this via email, but I wanted to mail you a hard copy as I felt it would seem more significant) - and than pop it in the mailbox on your way to work or the next time you leave the house. It'd only take a minute or so of your time, since the email is already typed.

As stated, I've included some alternate forwarding addresses to various people in the home video / disney media networks division that it might get across to.

Please check out the thread above, and please do not give up!

Believe it or not... this release line has been THE most important and significant offering to the general public in the history of both home video and animation itself in regards to the material released. No other studio has delved into their history as Disney has to offer this stuff. It would be insane to end it here without completing the run... and even crazier for us to just throw in the towel at this point!

I'm one of the few who generally avoids these sort of letter writing campaigns, but in this case, I urge you all to do your part!
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#48
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1/14/07 at 6:31am
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Quote:
Originally Posted by narkspud
Eisner may be gone, but his spirit lingers. Corporate cultures don't just turn on a dime. The good news is that at Disney (moreso than most entertainment conglomerates) there are now people in power who DO want to be Disney and DO respect the legacy and the fans. Like John Lasseter and Dick Cook.

I can just hear them asking "What would Mike do?"

STOP THE MADNESS! STOP THE BUTCHERING AND ABANDONMENT OF TV SHOWS ON DVD!

My DVD List at DVD Aficionado, Now Featuring Blu-Ray

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#49
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1/14/07 at 6:51pm
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Quote:
Originally Posted by David*W
it's all about money, of course, but I can't see the logic that Disney think there's no financial gain in the rest of the Treasures, but somehow they think there is a market for Oswald and Destino? That seems contralogical to me.

It's not all about money. Some of it is also about pleasing your bosses and their bosses and their bosses' supporters. If Roy wants his TLA's on DVD, Roy darn well gets his TLA's on DVD.

In other words, Home Video is shutting down the Treasures because they can and they want to. They're releasing the TLA's, Oswalds and Destino because they've been ordered to. Which is what I meant when I said Legacy was a series for executives' pet projects.

The whole point to writing to Dick Cook is that he's one of the guys that gives the orders. If he wants the Donald series finished, he gets the Donald series finished. No matter how much the "sharp pencil boys" whine about it.
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#50
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1/14/07 at 8:29pm
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Sent an email to Mr. Cook. God, I hope the Donalds get released. Honestly, what's the point in collecting these things if the studio's so willing to slap us in the face?
They're round, they're shiny...
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#51
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1/14/07 at 10:48pm
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Quote:
Originally Posted by narkspud
The "smell test" is that the home video folks would rather use their resources on such guaranteed home runs as High School Musical 7 3/4, rather than waste their time making and marketing DVDs of a bunch of stupid old cartoons that nobody but those Disney animation geek weirdos care about.

In other words, they'd rather be rich than be Disney.
At the risk of sharpening this to too fine a point, I use the term 'smell test' to mean without official word from Disney, a pink slip to Leonard Maltin means only that LM has been told he will not be doing any more Treasures.

You might recall LM introduced a series of LITTLE RASCALS tapes and laserdiscs. When the series was released on DVD, there was an additional disc of Rascals shorts without LM.

Who is to say the so-called "Wave 7" will not appear but without LM?

When the first or second Wave was originally released, it was widely rumored that Disney was planning to re-release the Treasures without the tins at a lower price after they sold out.

Until there's an official response from Disney to our numerous letters and on-line teeth-knashing, I'll lay odds that this may be nothing more than a Maltin pink slip, not the death knell for Treasures, or failing that, not the end of Chronological Donald.

"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!"
Pay no attention to that cat behind the curtain!
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#52
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1/15/07 at 12:20am
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

The thought had occurred to me too.


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#53
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1/15/07 at 3:45am
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Again, please refer to the above linked thread. This has nothing to do with Leonard Maltin. Disney is indeed halting the series so as not to interfere with other productions aimed at a similar market.
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#54
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1/15/07 at 9:10am
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

I still say the Donalds will end up as Legacy sets, and I'm going to keep saying that until I'm proved wrong.
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#55
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1/15/07 at 9:25am
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Lugoff
I still say the Donalds will end up as Legacy sets, and I'm going to keep saying that until I'm proved wrong.

I agree. I think people are over reacting here. I'm sure the rest of the Donalds will appear and I don't care whether they label the package as "Treasures", "Legacy" or something else.
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#56
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1/15/07 at 9:26am
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

You can say whatever you like, but there's been no indication to back that up.

I also don't think that Disney would suddenly release a Legacy set collecting the chronological films of a character at midway point in a brand new series aimed at the general public (These are not limited edition sets like the Treasures).

We should not have to start buying every single release all over again, IF, they were to begin redoing the character shorts. That's not right.

From a marketing stabdpoint, it would make absolutely no sense to release a brand new series to the general public and begin with "The Chronological Donald Duck Volume Three" (albeit under some other title)...

I also don't put much into Disney's releases without Leonard Maltin overseeing them. All minor post-production related faults aside with the WDT's... Just look at the very first release of the Legacy series. Incorrect aspect ratios, backwards colors! No effort went into the production whatsoever!

At least with Leonard Maltin steering the ship, we can feel some sense of assurance in regards to the content and decisions.

Eitherway, whether it's titled Legacy Series or Super Fabulous Classic Collector Collection... Disney started the TREASURES line and should see it through!
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#57
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1/15/07 at 12:45pm
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nathan Phillips
I know some (perhaps many) will disagree with this, but I wish more than ever now that space hadn't been annually wasted with lame stuff like THE SWAMP FOX etc. Get to that stuff AFTER the cartoons. Just IMO, of course.

On the other hand, I wished that they didnt waste space on the lame animation stuff. The live action shows rocked far more than the Donalds and the Mickeys of the world. I couldnt get enough of that Disneyland USA, but you couldnt get me to touch a Pluto release with a 10 foot pole.
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#58
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1/15/07 at 1:08pm
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony J Case
On the other hand, I wished that they didnt waste space on the lame animation stuff. The live action shows rocked far more than the Donalds and the Mickeys of the world. I couldnt get enough of that Disneyland USA, but you couldnt get me to touch a Pluto release with a 10 foot pole.

Hey, that doesn't help much. Pluto may be pretty "lame", but some of us still love this material!

As much as I enjoyed all of the material released in the Treasures series (including live action), I still think it's just fair to say that the classic animated shorts were the main attraction. According to my way of counting we got about 85% - whatever we got of live-action material in the series was in most or some cases just a "taste". As for the animated shorts it's not a "half empty" or "half full" situation - it's rather "almost but not quite".
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#59
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1/15/07 at 1:18pm
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lars Vermundsberget
Hey, that doesn't help much. Pluto may be pretty "lame", but some of us still love this material!

No, no - just pointing out to Nathan that one man's trash is another man's treasure. Me, I think they did have a pretty good balance across the board between live action and animated. There was a little something in each wave for somebody.

That said, I'd still give up a Goofy release for the remainder of Elfago Baca.
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#60
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1/15/07 at 3:56pm
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Re: R.I.P. Walt Disney Treasures series

Quote:
Originally Posted by Douglas R
I agree. I think people are over reacting here. I'm sure the rest of the Donalds will appear and I don't care whether they label the package as "Treasures", "Legacy" or something else.

Optimistic, ain't ya. Lots of people were sure they wouldn't fire all the animators and sell all the animation desks.

Which would you rather bank on? "The department full of MBAs (who just released a disc with the video wires crossed) would never be that dumb" or "I'd better write to Dick Cook just in case"?
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