I can't be the only person who noticed this in all of Disney's theatrical releases up through the 1970's, but I don't know how to describe it. There is a unique acoustic quality to the soundtracks of these films -- probably having to do with the types of microphones and recorders used -- that is unmistably Disney. I could walk blindfolded into ten movies and, if one of the was an early Disney, I'd pick it out it based solely upon this quality. It did not sound as slick and polished as Hollywood films from other studios, but rather hollow and unnatural. Harsh. Lacking warmth. It was not a theater issue, as this sound quality was the same everywhere, at drive-ins or the plushest Broadway venues.
I am a writer yet am at a complete loss as to how to tell you what this quality is. It carries over onto many of the studio's DVD's, those that haven't been processed for surround, and I remember it from the old Wonderful World of Color t.v. broadcasts. Gary Owens,the announcer for that show ("And now your host, Walk Disney...") also did voiceovers for a majority of the studio's movie trailers,and I distinctly remember his voice always sounding harsh due to this tonal quality. Has anyone else any idea of what I'm talking about?
Edited by Dick - 3/18/10 at 3:07pm
I am a writer yet am at a complete loss as to how to tell you what this quality is. It carries over onto many of the studio's DVD's, those that haven't been processed for surround, and I remember it from the old Wonderful World of Color t.v. broadcasts. Gary Owens,the announcer for that show ("And now your host, Walk Disney...") also did voiceovers for a majority of the studio's movie trailers,and I distinctly remember his voice always sounding harsh due to this tonal quality. Has anyone else any idea of what I'm talking about?
Edited by Dick - 3/18/10 at 3:07pm
