Customer Reviews

Walt Disney Treasures - Mickey Mouse in Living Color

5 star:		(64)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First the good:

This is by far the best compilation of Mickey shorts available to the public to date. Disney produced 87 Mickey shorts in the 30's - by far the most prolific period of Mickey Mouse Cartoons (there were only 120 made from 1928 to 1953). 27 of these shorts are contained on this disc, which constitutes more than half of the color Mickeys made. He was already a sensation before he went to color; these shorts firmly established him as an American icon. To the animation fan, it can be argued that this disc contains some of the best cartoon "acting" of the golden age of animation. By no means should a serious fan avoid this disc.

The not so good:

These shorts have not been remastered. I'm not even sure they come from the best available print. Some of these shorts have looked better on the "Ink and Paint Club." The cartoons in this package contain flaws that some could consider unacceptable, or at least annoying - colors going out of register (albeit probably not noticeable to the casual viewer), a few sound problems (rare, but a bit annoying), dust and dirt. Watch the "Brave Little Tailor" in the scene where Mickey kills the seven flies. The amount of film debris present is alarming - it almost looks like it's snowing. Some have said that the recent remastering of Snow White has resulted in an ultra-clean presentation that takes away from the period animation. Well...this disc certainly doesn't present THAT dilemma. It's not unacceptable as the good far outweighs the bad. But I would have thought Disney to spend a bit more time on presenting the best possible versions of these pieces.

Overall:

An absolute must for the animation collector. Concerning the comments about the mastering - it's highly unlikely that Disney will remaster these shorts in another package. Grab it while it's available as this is supposedly a limited release of 150,000 copies....

Boy, is this the way to do a DVD of classic cartoons. Ever since I warmed up my DVD player for the first time I've been waiting for Disney, Warner Bros. and some of the other companies to release sets of their classic short cartoons -- there have been the odd collection here or there, but this Walt Disney Treasures Edition is really the way to do it!

To keep it brief, this is simply a collection of cartoons -- all of the Mickey Mouse color cartoons up until 1938, along with some nice behind-the-scenes stuff with Leonard Maltin and a rarely-seen short made for the 1939 World's Fair that seems like an ordinary enough Mickey and Minnie cartoon at first, but has a hysterical (from my perspective) twist at the end -- product placement is nothing new, folks.

While watching these cartoons something Maltin notes in one of his sequences becomes very obvious -- Mickey Mouse may be one of the most beloved characters on Earth, but in and of himself, he's not very funny. Oh he's cute, he's likeable, but he's not FUNNY. The animators knew this and started teaming him up with funnier characters -- Donald, Goofy and even Pluto -- and together made some wonderful cartoons. "Mickey's Trailer," included in this set, is still one of my favorite cartoons of all time.

I can't wait for the Mickey Mouse black-and-white set and the Goofy set scheduled to come out this Christmas -- and let's hope Disney does a Donald Duck collection soon. Word is that Warner Bros. is currently at work on DVDs of their Looney Tunes shorts (even better than the Disney shorts, in my opinion) -- take note, guys! This is the way to do your DVDs!

In a hasty response to the DVD market's longing for `uncut' versions of features, Disney has set to please. With the Gold Collection DVDs classics like Make Mine Music, Melody Time and others had scenes deleted or elements removed - such as the cigarette in the parrot's beak in The Three Amigos and Saludos Amigos.

The TREASURES COLLECTION provides pure unedited Disney folly - many of which served as experimental tests for the effects used in the following feature films they were to make. With releases like this there's hope that censored Disney material may make the shelves in the future.

In light of these movements, we all cross our fingers once more for the DVD release of `Song of the South'.

In summary, these DVDs are great for Disney collectors or those with an eye for animation history - but younger audiences may be disappointed by the lack-lustre compared with Disney's more recent Tarzan, Toy Story or even House of Mouse creations.

I personally cannot wait for December 4th!

The Walt Disney Treasures collection of "Mickey Mouse in Living Color" offers up 26 (uncensored) cartoons shorts released between 1935 and 1938 starting with the classic "The Band Concert." This means that the worst thing you can say about this collection is that it starts with the best cartoon of the bunch. But then, just to provide a sense of symmetry, the second best offering is the equally classic "Brave Little Tailor," which is the last cartoon on the collection. Then it is just a question of determining (after careful study, of course), which of these other cartoons are your personal favorites: my choices are "Mickey's Fire Brigade" and "Mickey's Polo Team" (any cartoon that brings Charlie Chaplin and Harpo Marx together is going to meet with my high approval).

Of course there are also lots of bonus features in this two-disc collection, such as an Oscar promo "Parade of Award Nominees," pencil tests of Mickey and friends (along with initial audio tracks), and a gallery of original concept art and theater posters. There are also the traditional interview featurette with the animators and vintage television clips of Walt Disney discussing Mickey. All together there is 3 hours and 37 minutes worth of Disney fun. The most fun is watching the innovation of the Disney studio in these early days of animation. You might notice a lot of animation loops and you might be thrown by how odd the original version of Donald Duck looks (he looks "normal" by the end of these cartoons), but you will also seem some creative sequences (including some that will remind you of Salvador Dali's artwork).

"Mickey Mouse in Living Color" is a step below "Silly Symphonies," which remain the apex of the Disney cartoon shorts, but I still have a fondness for these early works and a decided preference for them over the more modern cartoons. The other entries in the original Walt Disney Treasures series offer up the complete Davy Crockett television series and the special historical broadcast of "Disneyland U.S.A." Since then there have been additional sets with, naturally, "Mickey Mouse in Black and White" along with "The Complete Goofy." As we have come to expect with the Disney features from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" to "Beauty and the Beast," Disney DVDs evince the same high standards we associate with the Walt Disney legacy.

While not quite the jaw-dropping package that is "Walt Disney Treasures - Silly Symphonies," "Walt Disney Treasures - Mickey Mouse in Living Color" is an excellent package in it's own right. There is a good amount of cartoons, arranged chronologically. The focus is on Mickey Mouse, although his Goofy, Donald and Pluto are along for the ride in almost every cartoon. DVD is the ultimate presentation for anthologies, as you can click on the cartoon you want to watch without rewinding or fast-forwarding.

The visual quality of the cartoons is not pristine, but they are still better than anything I have seen before. A few of the releases are duplicated on other Disney DVDs. "Lonesome Ghosts" is on "The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad" and "The Band Concert" is on "Make Mine Music." However, the majority of the cartoons are exclusive to this DVD. There were a few that I had not seen before, and that was a real treat.

Personally, I enjoy the Leonard Maltin introductions. He has a honest enthusiasm for these cartoons that I think is suiting to the material. Like any fan, he is happy to see these old favorites in a nice presentation. Also, not being a Disney scholar, I learned quite a few things from his introductions that I didn't know.

While Mickey Mouse's color cartoons are fun, Walt himself admits that they had run out of ideas for the mouse by the time color hit. Donald and Goofy do all of the fun stuff. Like many people, I hope that Disney continues with this DVD series, and that "Donald Duck in Living Color" and "Goofy in Living Color" are soon to follow. I would also love to see "Mickey Mouse in Black and White" to appreciate the mouse at the height of his creativity.

A beautifull and charming collection. I do have a suggestion. These shorts were all meant to be viewed individually. I think watching them all in one sitting will loose their impact. One can only watch Donald Duck falls on his head so much in one sitting. I play a short each time before I watch another DVD movie, just like the shorts were viewed in theaters. I found that I enjoyed them a lot more that way. Just a suggestion.

These are some of the greatest cartoons ever. I particularly love the 1935 ones, they have the best action. THe band concert is amazing. THe bit when the tornado lifts the band up-awesome. MIckey's garden is trippy, there's a great sequence when the garden grows like a jungle. This is 30 years before haight ashbury! THen mickey's fire brigade, which is chock full of action. The cartoon starts brilliantly with the intro title burning up! On ice is another gem, still funny today. Great music as well. THe attention to detail in these cartoons is scary. THe amount of work that went into each one, the artistic creative juices and the sweat and toil. A different era. THe quality of disney shorts went down after they began making features and also the strike of 1941 , when walt disney didn't supervise everything as much as he used to. So these cartoons are from the golden age and are 'treasures'. There are some real gems in the 1936 list. Mickey's polo team is great action, with the marx bros and charlie chaplin and laurel and hardy. THru the mirror is particularly fine, almost perfection. Some great stretch animation of mickey . Moving day has donald duck filled up with gas (propane maybe) and he is propelled around the house. THen pete lights up his cigar and bang. Mickey's rival has some great action too. 1937 - clock cleaners and lonesome ghosts shine, especially clock cleaners with the goofy skyscaper routine. Incidentally, there is a part in this cartoon when donald originally says to the spring, 'says who'.... Now they have him say something completely unintelligible. A minor quibble.
1938 has brave little tailor and a rare minnie mouse appearance. The whalers has a funny bit when goofy throws cold water onto a flaccid cannon and it hardens up. They left that bit in.

Overall, it's a great set. Buy.

Walt Disney Treasures Review 2 of 11.

This review tells you where to find all the EASTER EGGS! (hidden DVD features)

Finally released on home video in their original glory is Mickey Mouse in Living Color, with the complete cartoons from 1935-1938. They are uncut, which mean yes, they are finally politcally incorect. (HOORAY!!!) Well, the set is, like the rest, in a limited numbered tin, with a postcard size lithograph of the movie poster for The Band Concert, and a program booklet, which lists the cartoons, features, and a letter from the host, Leonard Maltin.

Both disc share the same intro. On disc one we have every starring cartoon for 1935 and 1938.

1935

The Band Concert: Mickey Leads and outdoor band in a rousing rendition of William Tells Overture with Donald leading them astray with his fludte playing of Turkey in the Straw.

Mickey's Garden: Mickey and pluto protect their vegetable garden from bugs.

UNCENSORED: Bugs get drunk from Mickey's insecticide.

On Ice: On a frozen lake, Minnie looks on a Mickey Outskates Brian Boitano, along with antic of Donald, Goofy, and Pluto.

UNCENSORED: Goofy uses chewing tobacco to catch the fish.

Pluto's Judgement Day: After Mickey chastises Pluto for chasing cats, the dog has a nightmare in a feline hell on trial for his crimes.

UNCENSORED: Cats in black face sing of Pluto's misdeeds.

Mickey's Fire Brigade: Mickey Donald and Goofy try to rescue Clarabel Cow from her her burning house.

1936

Thru the Mirror: After falling asleep, Mickey dreams of actually going thru the mirror.

Mickey's Circus: Mickey and Donald are the main events of this circus for orphans

UNCENSORED: Donald Brandishes a rifle against his out-of-control seal act.

Mickey's Elephant: Mickey receives as a gift Bobo the Elephant, a playmate for Pluto, but turns out to be a disaster.

Mickey's Grand Opera: Mickey is the orchestra leader in an opera starring Clara Cluck and Donald Duck.

Mickey's Polo Team: Mickey's team of cartoon characters play polo against a team of famous Hollywood actors.

Alpine Climbers: Mickey Donald and Goofy get into trouble when they try their hand at mountain climbing.

UNCENSORED: Pluto gets drunk with a Saint Bernard.

Moving Day: Mickey and Donald enlist Goofy's aid when they are evicted from their hose by Sheriff Pete.

UNCENSORED: Pete lights a match for his cigar off of Donald's beak. Then deposits the spent match into Donald's beak.

Mickey's Rival: Miceky's romantic picnic is intterupted by Mortimer Mouse, resembling Walt.

Orphan's Picnic: Mickey and Donald take a group of orphans out for a picnic.

Bonuses on disc 1:

Pencil Tests: In 1935, there is a pencil test set. There is an intro by leonard, then you can play pencil tests for On Ice, Mickey's Fire Brigade, and Pluto's Judgement Day. You can use the angle button to toggle between pencil and finished color.

EASTER EGG! On Mickey's head on the main menu, Walt talks about the history of Mickey.

Parade of Award Nominees: A cartoon made for the 1932, academy awards featuring the stars nominated. It was Mickey's first appearance in full color.

Then we have disc 2. Here are more cartoons from 1937 and 1938, complete and uncensored.

1937

Hawaiian Holiday: The fab five are all together on the beaches of Hawaii

Moose Hunters: Donald and Goofy try to lure a moose by dressing up as a female of the species.

The Worm Turns: Mickey shows heretofore unseen mad scientist tenedencies when he concots a potion that turns the meek against their opressors.

UNCENSORED: Dogcatcher Pete threaten's to blow Pluto's head off with a shotgun.

Magician Mickey: Mickey has to deal with a heckling Donald During his Magic Act.

UNCENSORED: Donald pulls a pistol on Mickey and stagehand Goofy.

Mickey's Amateurs: Mickey hosts and amateur contest featuring the whole gang.

UNCENSORED: Donald Pulls a Machine Gun on the audience.

Clock Cleaners: Mickey, Donald and Goofy have the perilous job of cleaning a giant, big ben typebe clock.

Lonesome Ghosts: Mickey, Donald and Goofy as... GHOSTBUSTERS!

1938

Mickey's Parrot: Mickey and Pluto mistake a parrot for an escaped convict hiding in their house

UNCENSORED: Mickey's Got a Gun

Boat Builders: Mickey and Donald and Goofy put together a do-it-yourself boat kit.

The Whalers: Mickey, Donald, and Goofy set out on the open sea to harpoon a whale

UNCENSORED: Did I mention they are out to harpoon a whale?

Mickey's Trailer: Mickey, Donald, and Goofy travel the coutnryside withe their gadget filled trailer.

Brave Little Tailor: Mickey stars in a fairy tale as the title character and sets out to kill a giant.

UNCENSORED: The giant rolls and smokes a hay cig.

Bonuses

EASTER EGG! On the main menu, go to Mickey's Head to see a cartoon made for the 1939 New York World's Fair for Nabisco called Mickey's Surprise Party.

Mickey Mouse in Living Color Featurette: Leonard Maltin returns for a brief recap of Walt's career, including clip from some black and white shorts.

Gallery: A gallery showcasing pencil art, promotional arwork, posters, and production photos.

That is the second disc of the second set of Wave 1. Continue on to see Davy Crockett.

See you there!

As Leonard Maltin freely admits in the extra features, Mickey Mouse just isn't funny on his own. As a result he is always teamed with Donald, Goofy or Pluto in order to make his cartoons work. During the 30's and 40's Mickey soared and plummetted as he was soon overshadowed by the undeniably funnier Donald Duck.

In this collection of 26 Mickey shorts there is basically two different types of cartoon.

1. Mickey on his own-not that funny. Doesn't do much.
2. Mickey and his pals-Whatever they do disaster follows. And in most of these Mickey still doesn't even do much. It's strange to think that 'Orphan's Picnic' and 'The Whalers' are called Mickey Mouse shorts when he is hardly in them and Donald and Goofy eat up most of the screen time.

Hilarious these cartoons are not. But brilliantly animated and amazingly vivid (especially for stuff that's almost 70 years old) they are. The level of detail that Walt and Co. put into the cells and background is what gives them all a sense of class and sophistication few other cartoons can match.

The picture quality can range from astoundingly clear to dusty and dirty at times. As can the sound be clear as a bell to a bit chewed up in some places. Overall the quality is good though. The extras are quite good and Leonard Maltin seems to have a good knowledge of what he's talking about instead of someone just reading off cue cards.

But what really annoys me about the DVD is the fact that you have to wait though about 86 different screen before getting to the actual menu. Disney, please stop doing this!

This is an eccellent DVD box set from Disney but as it is only available in a tin set on auction,I would like to warn buyers away from one man named Rob Haxter on rhaxter@yahoo.com.
Mr Haxter has a very belligerant and abusive attitude to those that have the "gall" to complain about his sending damaged items,so I suggest trying other sellers as I have had better dealings with them. I have had some eccellent service from other Marketplace sellers.
The bottom line is to avoid disappointment by carefully checking all the reviews on their Marketplace review sites.