Customer Reviews

Walt Disney Treasures - Tomorrow Land: Disney in Space and Beyond

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The contents of these shows are very special - entertaining, educational, and important historically. The first 3 TV shows usually had a fun, animated story for the first half of the show with scientists in the second half giving scientific info on how future space flights might be possible, based on the facts known in the 1950s. All three TV shows were directed by animator/director Ward Kimball.

Man In Space (3/9/55) Walt Disney introduces the show and then turns over the program to director Ward Kimball. The animated story concerns the development of rockets, the action/reaction principle, Jules Verne writing his story "From The Earth To The Moon", a humorous depiction of the medical challenges to man surviving a space trip - such as acceleration, pressure, weightlessness, radiation, and eating/drinking. Later scientists Willy Ley, Heinz Haber, and Wernher von Braun help explain the challenges of space travel and what a space rocket would probably look like.

Man And The Moon (12/28/55) This show was later shown in 1959 as "Tomorrow The Moon". Walt Disney introduces the show and shows scenes from the Disneyland attraction "Rocket Ship To The Moon". Walt then turns the show over to director Ward Kimball. There is a fun animated segment about man's superstitions about the moon over the ages, including stories about trips to the moon and the creatures found there. Literary references to the moon and songs about the moon are shown. Scientist Wernher von Braun introduces how scientists were preparing for a flight to the moon at that time. There is a nice live action/special effects rocket ship flight that photographs the back side of the moon.

Mars And Beyond (12/4/57) This is my favorite of these TV shows. A giant robot GARCO introduces Walt Disney, who is standing next to the robot. Walt presents this mainly animated program about the universe, including the various planets - with special emphasis on Mars. An animated history of mankind's fascination with space is very well done. A fun science fiction story about a female being kidnapped by a robot from Mars includes a very funny scene of Donald Duck being shown as part of a long line of Martian monsters chasing the female. There is fascinating animation exploring wildly imaginative ideas of different lifeforms that might exist on Mars. This animation caused Walt Disney to exclaim to Ward Kimball, "How do you guys come up with all these crazy ideas?"

Our Friend The Atom (1/23/57) Walt Disney uses a scene from the film "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" to introduce the story of atomic energy and then turns the program over to Dr. Heinz Haber, a noted atomic energy scientist of that time. There is a fun animated tale of "The Fisherman and the Genie" included as part of extensive animation showing the history of the atom. This history of the atom also included another scene I much enjoy - how an early Greek theory of the atom was lost for centuries.

Eyes In Outer Space (6/18/59) This theatrical release is an entertaining live-action/animation program which is marvelously produced with several fascinating scenes about the future of satellite's ability to forecast and control the weather. There is a funny animated segment about how "folk tales" predict the weather. My favorite scene is the end of the show in which a high pressure ridge is intensified to keep a hurricane out to sea and away from land. This won the 1960 Thomas Edison Foundation Award. It was later shown on TV as part of the show "Spy In The Sky" (4/1/62).

EPCOT (filmed in 1966, shown in 1967) Walt Disney, in his last film appearance, talks about his company's plans for EPCOT and Walt Disney World. Fascinating and interesting info and very important historically.

I have seen these shows and have loved them over the years. I am thrilled that they are being released on DVD for anyone to enjoy.

Disney completists, 1950s cultural collectors, animation fans, history buffs and sci/fi fans will be overjoyed with this set. I had never seen any of the material contained in this set before and now I can't keep these films out of my mind. I was amazed that Walt Disney had the guts to tackle these subjects in such a serious manner. Yet they aren't presented as fluff nor as a boring PBS documentary but some marvelous combination of the two. I've heard people tell of how they had seen these films in school as a supplement to their science educations. Now I can see why. You learn hard facts about the subjects of space travel, atoms, and rockets in an entertaining and unforgettable way. I think the Discovery Channel could learn a thing or two from these films.

The bulk of these films are live action, but the animation that is included is stunning in that it is so different looking from what we normally consider Disney. Animation fans will be pouring over these segments in awe. And as proof of Walt's forethought we are able to enjoy these shows in full technicolor.

Included as a bonus are two interviews. One with Ray Bradbury and the other with Marty Sklar. I can't overstate how excellent these interviews are. They both knew Walt personally and their accounts of working with him and his personality are priceless. As much as I loved the main features, I'm sure to be watching these interviews again and again.

Parents can easily allow their children to watch this set and they're sure to learn a thing or two. For the whole family, Tomorrowland is a triumph of ideas, entertainment and imagination.

This package was originally scheduled for release last December. I drooled in anticipation of buying it, and then was disheartened to see its release had been pushed back six months. As soon as it was available on 18 May, 2004, I ordered it, and Amazon.com's standard delivery was lightning fast. My mailman handed it to me two days later.

When these shows originally aired in Black and White on the weekly Disneyland series in the mid 50s, I was just a little kid, and now only had faint memories of them. To see them in all their glory today, unedited, in beautiful Technicolor, is simply a joy. It's tough to find the words to express how absolutely stunning this set of films is. Enough has been said about what's on this Double-DVD set. A million words have been written about what a genius Walt Disney was. An artist. A visionary. An entertainment wizard. A futurist. He was one of a kind.

What you have here is over four hours of some of the best work ever to come out of the Disney studios. Some of it, such as the "Mars and Beyond" episode, is simply mind-boggling in its artistic beauty and haunting imagery. Some of its animation compares well with, and even exceeds "Fantasia", and I was even drawing some comparisons with Kubrick's "2001" as I watched the huge Mars-bound spaceships quietly marching off in a row towards the Red Planet. That segment alone is worth the price of this set. Walt's never-before-seen full promotional film of EPCOT, as he originally planned it (which is almost nothing like it ended up being built) is startling. I knew he had planned EPCOT to be an entire city. I had no idea just how well-planned his conception of it was.

The Monorail (opened in 1959) and the People Mover (opened in 1967) at Disneyland were simply test beds for the planned EPCOT City transportation system. There is a LOT of vintage Disneyland footage in this set too, especially in the EPCOT segment where Walt pitches the whole concept to investors. Baby Boomers will get teary-eyed when they see the clips of a bygone Disneyland, so many wonderful attractions that now no longer exist.

In these films, Walt Disney showed such enthusiasm you can't help but smile and at the same time be saddemed that he passed away before seeing his massive Florida dream realized. At least he lived long enough to see Disneyland celebrate its 11th anniversary. He was taken from us way too soon.

Walt Disney had an innate gift of making complicated science fun, and understandable, not just to kids, but to anyone. Here, his immensely talented Imagineering studios whip up some of the most memorable, and often whimsical films ever made about space travel, astrophysics, weather, and Atomic engegy. While much of what his films forecast in the 1950s never happened, quite that way, such as controlling the path of hurricanes, you watch these films and wish that it had. The extended interviews with Ray Bradbury and Marty Sklar are wonderful, and reveal a lot of things you might never have known, or even guessed, about Walt Disney and his miraculous mind. Leonard Maltin intros each film and conducts the interviews. He's enthusiastic, and his intros don't drag on forever.

You'll hear the voice of the late Paul Frees narrating some of the films. One of the best film and radio voices who ever faced a mic, you can still hear his unforgettable voice at Disneyland as you ride the Doom Buggies through The Haunted Mansion.

Of all the Disney Treasures tin can DVDs, this is, IMHO, easily the best. This is a must-have for your collection if you are even a devotee of 50s futurism, Disney animation, Disneyland, space exploration, and if you're a Baby Boomer and remember some of these shows from the 50s, don't even hesitate for a second ordering it. Since it's a limited edition, jump on it while you have the chance. It's worth every cent. This is not a DVD you'll watch once and throw in a pile. You'll want to see it over and over and play it for your friends. It is simply a masterpiece.

My favorite book when I was a kid was Disney's Our Friend the Atom, and I checked it out of the library all the time. I didn't know that visual feast came from a Disney TV show. I had seen the Disneyland TV show of "Mars and Beyond" and loved the animated martians. But I didn't know it was one of three Tomorrowland- themed Disneyland Shows. From these vague recollections I sought in vain to find it again. But now, to steal the slogan of the Boomerang channel, it's all coming back to me.

Since everyone had black and white TV sets in the 'fifties (if they had them at all) it may be surprising that these shows are mostly in color. But Disney was way ahead of his time in using color cameras, and these expensively animated shows were not used once and thrown away. "Man in Space," which aired on TV in 1955, played as a featurette in theaters (in color) in 1956. The second Tomorrowland segment, "Man and the Moon," aired in 1955, but was rerun in 1959 as "Tomorrow the Moon," and tied in with the popular TWA Rocket to the Moon attraction at Disneyland. "Mars and Beyond," which aired on TV in 1957 also hit theaters. The best animated segments were culled for "Cosmic Capers" in 1979.

"We're story tellers, not scientists," Walt announces in the first show. Directed and co-written by Ward Kimball, the story is often told with stunning and whimsical animation in the minimalist/ modernist graphic style usually associated not with Disney but UPA Studios (Mr. Magoo, etc.). The scientists include Heinz Haber, author and consultant for "Our Friend the Atom," and space pioneers Wernher Von Braun and Wiley Ley, who give brief and visionary portrayls of what travel into space, to the moon and mars will look like. Plastic model kits of Ley's space craft were popular at the time (compare his XR-1 to the X-15 of the 1960s as seen in The Right Stuff, or the later Challenger space shuttle).

Walt Disney calls these shows "science factual," but the "science" in these other stories is speculative at best, and decidedly pre-big bang. This two DVD set also includes interviews with sci-fi writer Ray Bradbury (Something Wicked This Way Comes) and Marty Sklar, "imagineer" and Disney consultant. The "Epcot" film is not another theme park PR piece, it's Disney's pitch for funding to build a futuristic city, and as originally envisioned, who wouldn't want to live in this city of the future? As with other Disney Treasures DVDs, film critic Leonard Maltin provides intros (and brief disclaimers, as for "Our Friend the Atom"), and alerts us to other bits of fascinating Disneyana. For instance, the narrator in "Mars and Beyond" is Paul Frees, voice of Prof. Ludwig von Drake, and in "Man in Space," it's Dick Tufield, better known as the "bubble- headed booby" robot B-9 in "Lost in Space."

These films did more to spur the space program than anything else until President Kennedy's post- Sputnik call to beef up science and math in schools (President Eisenhower showed "Man in Space" at the Pentagon). Disney may have expected a small audience for this DVD now that many of these predictions have come true, but anyone interested in the history of the space program or in the Disney of the 'fifties, could do no better than this DVD.

Well, I came along too late to have seen these programs on t.v. in the fifties. But I can't imagine I would have enjoyed them anymore than I did today! I don't think it's an exaggeration to say the "Tomorrowland" programs may be the BEST documentaries I have ever seen. Who else but Walt Disney (teaming up with space exploration pioneers like Willie Ley and Warner Von Braun) could make a series like this that ANYONE can enjoy, even 50 years after their release?

Yes, some of the speculative material therein has been proven wrong over the years. That's part of their charm...the people who made these things seem certain that their ideas would become reality. And speaking of charm, anyone with even a passing interest in the history of animation simply MUST have this set. I don't think any other Disney production looks quite like this. The episode on Mars in particular contains some of the most bizarre images, animated or otherwise, to ever appear on screen.

I would highly recommend this to anyone (1)like I said, with an interest in animation; (2)interested in the history of astronomy; (3)who likes 50's science-fiction or science-fact. And of course, anyone who likes classic Disney should have bought this one already.

If I had the money I'd buy it FOR you. But I don't...so do yourself a favor and get this one before it's gone.

Walt Disney was a visionary. You need only look at his legacy in so many different fields to see that. This collection is a smaller example of that.

When it came time to fill the Tomorrowland episodes of his Disneyland TV show, Walt decided to use it to get the country excited about exploring space. Using scientists and some imagination, he did just that.

And those episodes make up the first disc of this two-disc set. Preserved here, we get three episodes of the show from 1955 slowly working our way outward from earth. "Man in Space" presents the basics of space travel. "Man and the Moon" presents some new equipment like space suits and a space station, as well as an idea of what our first trip around the moon might be like. Finally, "Mars and Beyond" talks about what it would take to visit our nearest neighbor.

The second disc continues the science theme, but stays a little closer to home. "Eyes in Outer Space" does talk about satellites and their future ability to predict and possibly even control the weather. "Our Friend the Atom" goes into great detail on the history of atomic science, how we get atomic power, and what we can gain from it. Finally, "EPCOT," filmed just two months before Disney's death, presents his initial concept for the city of EPCOT. If they ever do truly create this city, I want to live there!

With all the advancement we've had in science in the last 50 years, it's amazing how well some of this stuff holds up. Obviously, there were things Disney got wrong since we were still 14 years from Neil Armstrong and didn't yet know the horrid downside of atomic energy. Still, they manage to educate with some entertainment. There were times they felt a little dry and I found myself looking at the clock, but they are definitely better then a text book.

These DVD's are just as great as other Treasures sets have been. The picture and sound are fine. Nothing spectacular, but considering they're 50 years old, they hold up impressively well. The second disc bonus materials include an interview with Disney friend Ray Bradbury about Disney the "Optimistic Futurist." Next is an interview with Marty Sklar, an Imagineer who started his career in 1954. Finally, we get the usual galleries with come comments from Leonard Maltin. And look for the Easter egg. It's a fun find!

Like several of the other Disney Treasures sets, Disney fanatics or those with an interest in the subject will best appreciate it. Still, for those groups, this set is a gold mine.

I can't say much more good about these DVDs than what has been said by other reviewers. They are a blast from the past, fun, nostalgic and still taught me a lot about science.

I do, however, want to comment on the "Nazi factor" that has been introduced into these reviews. When I first watched the programs, I too was muttering to myself that these guys were Nazis and what was Disney doing by having them on his program. So I did some research and found that like most things, the reality is a bit more complex.

Werner Von Braun did indeed develop the V-2 rocket project that was ultimately used to bomb London in 1943 and from a moral point of view, certainly is responsible for the appplications of his accomplishments. But it should be noted that he also protested the use of rockets as weapons of war and was actually arrested by the Gestapo for talking too much about the peaceful uses of rocketry. He WAS a member of the Nazi party but according to the sources I read, that was more out of fear of losing his job than any true committment to facism. I think in 1937, most highly placed university men were required to join the party or lose their postions. Many men of conscience did not join and fled. Von Braun chose to join and keep working. While not an admirable choice, it is certainly an understandable one. Claims that Von Braun was also a member of the SS are contradictory at best. The most disturbing thing to me about Von Braun's history is that his singleminded pursuit of science allowed to him accept (or at the very least turn a blind eye to) the hundreds of deaths of concentration camp workers that assembled his dangerous prototypes.

Willy Ley worked with Von Braun but fled Germany in 1933 when it became clear to him that Hitler was interested in using rocketry for war rather than space exploration. To call Ley a Nazi is simply wrong.

Heinz Haber very probably was the most "Nazi" of the lot but there is so little written about him it's difficult to tell.

Anyway, the point is, that all three men were hugely valuable to the US's space program. Once they emigrated to the US, they committed themselves to helping the US and all three became US citizens.

As for "Our Friend - The Atom", of course there's no downside in the piece. It was the 1950's! No one talked about the downside of atomic power. For real naivete, check out "Atomic Cafe".

If you understand the context of these pieces instead of judging them by ours, you find yourself learning as much about the US in the 1950's as you do about science and space. Accept the optimism, keep a clear head regarding the other darker stuff and you'll have a great time watching these programs!

Two of the movies presented on this DVD shaped American history: "Man in Space" and "E.P.C.O.T." The first was used by President Eisenhower to sell the concept of NASA to Congress. The second was used by Walt Disney to sell the Walt Disney World concept to the Florida Legislature. It is arguable that NASA would have happened without "Man in Space." If not for "E.P.C.O.T.," Orlando would probably still be a sleepy little town beside a swamp.

I first saw the "E.P.C.O.T." telecast in 1966--and then Walt Disney died. The energy and enthusiasm that Walt displayed for his vision of urban planning excited my ten year old mind--I didn't forget that show. Never mind that today's Epcot or Celebration isn't what Walt promised--I doubt that Walt's ambition would have been realized even if Walt had lived another 40 years. Walt lived up to "dream big."

Would we have a moon colony and have put people on Mars if we had more people like Walt?

Other films on this DVD shaped American education. The rest of the "Man in Space" series was shown often enough to help produce the astronaut craze of the 1960's. "Eyes in Outer Space" introduced the concept of weather satellites to the American public--before weather satellites were common. Who can forget the ping-pong ball/mouse trap demonstration in "Our Friend the Atom?"

The two interviews were delightful background information. I got to see Ray Bradbury speak on my small screen! Marty Sklar was unkown to me ten years ago--his interview with Leonard Maltin was illuminating. Many people don't like interviews on television--interviews are just some people yakking. If there's any interest in the subject of the conversation, then sitting in front of a screen and watching two or more people occupy chairs is worthwhile. More visuals with voice-overs? Animation is expensive, so I don't hope to see much in future interviews--but it was a treat to see famous faces and hear their voices.

DVD's can break or get scratched up, and "Tomorrowland" won't be available for very long, so I bought two of these DVD sets. There's lots of material for historians, for social scientists, for other scholars--and Disney made learning fun!

From wave 3 of the fantastic Walt Disney Treasures DVD collection comes "Tomorrowland: Disney in Space and Beyond." This dream-set for the Disney fanatic contains 6 main programs, 3 per disc, and a nice set of bonus features. Disc One contains 3 "science factual" episodes of the Disneyland TV show, all filmed and presented in color, though originally aired in black and white, and directed and produced by Disney animation legend Ward Kimball. Disc Two contains 3 more science and future themed programs. Each program is preceded by a nice introduction from Leonard Maltin to put the film in the proper context for the viewer. The focus in this set is not on the Tomorrowland section of the Disney theme parks, but rather its original theme, mid-twentieth century concepts and dreams of the world to come and the efforts scientists of the time were making to bring them about. Hopefully, we will see more Treasures sets on the theme parks in the future, including one focused on the current manifestation of EPCOT. Here are the details on each subject in this collection:

Disc 1:

"Man in Space" (March 9, 1955): This classic episode of the hour-long "Disneyland" TV show was the first entry under the "Tomorrowland" heading. Like all the "Disneyland" episodes in this set, the opening of the show is in black and white, but the show itself is in color. "Man in Space," as with the other Tomorrowland themed episodes of the show, was preceded by the release of a book of the same title from the Walt Disney Company. Walt Disney was know as an "optimistic futurist," and was very interested in raising public interest and awareness of new scientific discoveries and endeavors. He chose animator Ward Kimball to produce and direct this new line of science themed programs because of Kimball's lack of knowledge on the subject. Walt's assumption that a Disney animator, especially one just learning about the subject matter himself, would be able to present the information in an interesting, fun, and appealing light to the general public paid off. This first Tomorrowland episode of "Disneyland" was so well received that it was reedited into an Academy Award nominated featurette shown in theaters with "Davy Crockett and the River Pirates." "Man in Space" entertainingly presents a history of rockets, the possibilities of satellites, an entertaining animated look at the physical difficulties a "spaceman" will have to face when learning to travel in space, and a simulated launch into space. Keep in mind that these "Tomorrowland" shows were made when space travel was still just a dream, though a very near one, which only adds to the enjoyment of viewing these retro programs.

"Man and the Moon" (December 28, 1955): This second "Tomorrowland" entry for the "Disneyland" TV show begins with a whimsical exploration of man's fascination with the moon. This is a highly entertaining animated sequence that also includes a fun musical number. Afterwards, the show becomes much dryer, as Ward Kimball gives some factual information and introduces scientist Dr. Wernher Von Braun, who continues the show by discussing plans for a trip around the moon. Lovely artwork and a live-action dramatization help demonstrate Von Braun's hypothetical explanation of man's first trip to the moon.

"Mars and Beyond" (December 4, 1957): This fanciful episode of "Disneyland" is easily the best in this marvelous collection. Walt Disney and GARCO the Robot introduce the episode, which focuses on the possibilities of life on other planets, especially Mars. The program begins with a look at the history of man's theories on outer space and alien life. Imaginative and humorous animation illustrates many theories on what alien creatures might look and act like, and it all culminates in a hilarious sci-fi adventure that even includes a cameo by Donald Duck! This is all followed by a more serious look at the known planets and their possibilities for harboring alien life. More realistic animation depicts some fascinating ideas, and the program ends with the concept of a voyage to Mars and what that would entail. This is definitely the most enjoyable program in this Disney Treasures set, thanks mainly to the wonderfully unforgettable animated sequences, but be warned that if you are a creationist (as many Disney fanatics are, including myself, though I feel that doesn't completely exclude evolution), this is an episode that preaches evolution heavily. It's an eye-opener to the real beliefs Walt held that some may not welcome, most disconcertingly, the concept of life evolving from nothingness. Nevertheless, as previously stated, this is a highly enjoyable program.

Disc 2:

"Eyes In Outer Space" (June 1959): First released as a theatrical featurette, "Eyes In Outer Space" focuses on the weather and using satellites for its prediction. This is generally a rather bland program, though it does have some fun animation of a crotchety old man using superstitions to make weather predictions and also a cool simulation of an imaginary, futuristic weather prediction center in action.

"Our Friend the Atom" (January 23, 1957): Disc 2 of "Tomorrowland" is generally a bit duller than the first disc, which has the wonderful "Mars and Beyond" to boast of. "Our Friend the Atom" has some neat and thought provoking animation, especially their analogy of a genie being released from a bottle (a genie that looks surprisingly like a malicious version of Robin Williams' Genie from Aladdin), but Dr. Heinz Haber's hosting of much of the episode (after Walt's intro) and his famous ping-pong ball demonstration do little to jazz up the show. It's still watchable, but not overly exciting for us non-scientist types. The foreboding warnings about the dangers of atomic energy are there, but overshadowed by the "optimistic futurist" viewpoint.

"EPCOT" (October 1966): This promotional film to help explain Walt's East Coast plans to the people of Florida is the saving grace of disc 2 for folks who aren't overly thrilled by atoms and satellites. In what I believe was Walt's last onscreen appearance, we get his personal description of his plan to build an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow in central Florida, and it is nothing like the EPCOT we have today (don't get me wrong, I LOVE the EPCOT we have today). Walt's original plans, thoroughly detailed here in this fascinating film that has never been viewed in its entirety by the general public outside this DVD set, are for a futuristic city designed in a radial style, much like Disneyland itself. It's a community with aggressively sectioned off areas for working, living, and playing, with most of the transportation provided by public transit systems: specifically, a monorail system and the WEDWAY people mover. There are three levels in this community of tomorrow, four if you count the elevated monorail system. Below the ground passes the main highway, and below that, a throughway specifically for trucks. It's a Waltopian society that never saw the light of day due to Walt's untimely death 2 months later. Instead, we have the current EPCOT, which is basically a permanent world's fair, and is quite wonderful in its own right (though it was much better in the `80s, which pavilions like Horizons and World of Motion).

Bonus Features:

All the bonus features of the "Tomorrowland" set are located on disc two, including an Easter Egg that gives us Walt's singing performance of "There's a Great, Big, Beautiful Tomorrow" alongside the Sherman Brothers. It's a brief treat, but it perfectly illustrates Walt's faith and hope in the world of tomorrow that is represented by every program in this set. The main bonus features are wonderful as well. We have "The Optimistic Futurist," which is a delightful 24 minute and 36 second interview with science-fiction author Ray Bradbury as he recounts his initial meeting with Walt Disney, their shared experiences, hopes, and dreams for the future, and Walt's efforts and achievements in propelling those dreams toward realization. We also get "Marty Sklar, Walt, and EPCOT," a 26 and a half minute interview with Vice President of Walt Disney Imagineering Marty Sklar, a longtime employee who knew Walt and shares with us his experiences and knowledge of Tomorrowland, both the programs and the section of the "Disneyland" theme park. The disc also includes some excellent galleries of publicity and publications, behind the scenes images, and story and background art, some of which include voice over narration from Leonard Maltin, who also conducted the aforementioned interviews.

Overall, this is another wonderful, must-have DVD set from the superb Walt Disney Treasures collection. Perhaps the appeal lies most with science and/or space enthusiasts and Disney fanatics/completists, but if you fall into any of those categories, you won't want to miss out on it! I am part of the latter. If it's Disney, I want it. I am not a huge supporter of the space program, frankly. I can't help but feel such large amounts of money could be better spent here on Earth, but these are different times and I can completely appreciate the fascination with space that the general public held in the 1950s. The enthusiasm is charming and contagious. This set comes in the usual, elegant tin box and snap case, with the usual booklet and certificate of authenticity, and a collectible card reproducing theme park poster art for the Disneyland attraction "Space Station X-1" of the 1950s. This set also features the paper binding ring that is so missed on the recent Disney Treasures waves. Walt Disney Treasures Wave 3 (one of the best waves!) also includes 3 other excellent sets: Mickey Mouse in Living Color Volume 2, The Chronological Donald (Volume 1), and On the Front Lines. I recommend them all!

For those who loved the books "The Art of Chestley Bonestell", "Visions of Spaceflight", and "Imagining Space", this DVD set is a must have for the 1st disc alone. Hats off to Disney for saving these films for posterity. As one who lives in the day-to-day life of the space industry, it's interesting to note that, after all these years, how much of the information is still applicable as a layman's introduction to the space program (the only bits that would need to be updated would be the section on space medicine and potential life on Mars - although that section could just be renamed life in the universe). It's so great to be able listen to Wernher Von Braun and Ernst Stuhlinger in their prime. My young nephew, who can't get enough on the space program, will be getting one of these soon. If you're a fan of the NASA's manned space program, a fan of popular art of the 1950's, or generally interested in how our parents viewed the future, this timeless collection is for you.