Customer Reviews

Your Host, Walt Disney: TV Memories, 1956-1965 (Walt Disney Treasures)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Disney DVD has announced 6 episodes that will be included in this collection:

1) "The Fourth Anniversary Show" : 1957 DISNEYLAND season opener, originally aired 9/11/57 on ABC.

2) "Where Do Stories Come from?" (1956) a nice little behind-the-scenes show about the Disney animators and their inspiration.

3) "I Captured The King of the Leprechauns" : this last DISNEYLAND episode of the 1958 season was a big promo for the Darby O'Gill movie, originally aired 5/29/59 on ABC. *** This has already been released as a bonus on the Darby O'Gill DVD. ***

4) "Kodak Presents Disneyland '59" : a long thought lost TV special, not part of the DISNEYLAND series. This is well worth getting this set for!

5) "Back Stage Party" sort of a behind-the-scenes wrap party for Disney's 1961 movie "Babes In Toyland" starring Annette.

6) "Disneyland 10th Anniversary Show" : from the 1964 season of Wonderful World Of Color, originally aired 1/3/65 on NBC. *** Sadly, this EDITED presentation is identical to the show's previous appearance on the Disneyland USA Treasures tin, missing several minutes of Tiki Room footage. *** Sure that older DVD is out of print, but It is disappointing not to have a new to DVD episode included here, or a complete version correcting the previous error. There are SO many episodes in which Walt plays a major part, this DOUBLE DIPPING is regrettable! ***

I bought the Disneyland USA treasures set specifically for the Disneyland 10th anniversary show, and in particular for the tiki room segment. I was appalled and very angry to find that they had done their creative editing again. About 8 minutes were cut out of the tiki room segment, and then to add insult to injury they put a large hard to avoid flashing warning on the bottom of the screen during the tahitian terrace fire dance segment. All this from a set that was pretty heavily advertised as being "uncut" and "original". The other shows on the set had some light editing done as well, whenever the mousketeers normally showed up breifly in the background these peices were cut out, and of course the infamous scene in the opening day broadcast where Walt thinks he's off camera and swears a bit. I dont know about anyone else, but I am really tired of revisionist history. I would rather take these things as whole and unedited blemishes and all, then have someone take out parts for one reason or another.

I am really really hoping that the reason that the 10th anniversary show is on this set yet again, is that they are putting out a unedited original version. If not, then once again as with many disney things lately I will have to find a way to put my old unedited television tapings from disney channel onto dvd. I refuse to buy into someone else's version of history, and will not buy edited dvd's. For it to be a "treasure" it has to be an original version to me, otherwise its pretty near useless garbage in a pretty decorated tin.

I love these vintage Disney shows, but I have to say I'm very disappointed with this addition to the Treasures Series. I have collected the entire Treasures series and the 10th anniversary episode has already been included on the Disneyland U.S.A set. But the show was edited on the previous Treasures DVD, five minutes of Tiki Room footage was cut, so I hoped that Disney including it again on this volume would make up for the edit by providing an uncut version here. But No, it's Disney of course they didn't it's the same old version that was included last time edits and all. I mean there are so many wonderful episodes of the show that could have been included here like the World's Fair episode, so why repeat previous material?

OK, I am a Disney fan.

These five classic Disney shows are fine except Disneyland 10th Anniversary" (1965), previously released on the now-out-of-print Disneyland U.S.A. set. Why, when there are million of other shows, do you need to copy from another box set?

Walt is Uncle Walt, sharing his special studio with you. It is akin to Willie Wonka taking us into hios chocolate factory. Great Disney memories. I only wish there were more episodes on this two volume set showcasing Walt being Walt--maybe there is hope for a volume two

As an added bonus, Diane Disney Miller recounts about her family and life with Walt..great stuff for Disney fans like me

so Go get it!

Bennet Pomerantz, AUDIOWORLD

It's hard not to give a Disney Treasures release five stars, but I just couldn't do it with this one. Yes, Walt Disney makes a wonderful show host. Yes, he's nice, friendly and cordial with the audience and his guests. Yes, there are a few cartoons within the show ("Peter & The Wolf" being the best). Yesyesyesyesyes on other arguments.....but by the 2nd disc the shows get tiresome as you watch backstage parties, singing and dancing Mousketeers and repetitive Disneyland behind-the-scenes info.

The set would've gotten five stars from me if it only contained Disc One, as it's three shows are fast-moving with many, many facets to them (even though the 90-minute episode seems to drag on as we have to sit thru an entire Disneyland parade).

The highlights of Disc 2 are the brief appearances of Guy Williams as Disney's newest addition, Zorro and Fess Parker without his Davy Crockett getup. Also the best bonus on Disc two are interviews with a few of the Grownup Mouseketeers: Tommy Cole, Don Grady (who still looks like he did on "My Three Sons!") and the GORGEOUS Cheryl Holdridge, who looks even MORE beautiful now than she did as a teenager! There are also interviews with Disney regular Tim Considine and singer Tommy Sands.

A couple of other bonuses saved Disc 2 from totally boring me: "My Dad, Walt Disney" which is an interview with Walt's daughter, Diane and the Disneyland episode titled "I Captured the King of the Leprechauns" that has clips of his film "Darby O'Gill & The Little People" (including the eerie Banshee and Death Coach scene!).

I still recommend this set for all fans of Disney and I have one last question: WHAT'S WITH TOMMY SANDS' BIZARRE HAIRSTYLE? Check it out when you buy this collection.....looks like a drunk muskrat sat on his head.

Leonard Maltin introduces a handful of well-chosen episodes from Walt Disney's television series "Disneyland/Walt Disney Presents/The Wonderful World of Color". Nothing in this package is particularly profound--not even a conversation with one of Walt's daughters (who glosses over her father's temperment and bad habits--which is perfectly fine, except that it doesn't make for an enlightening view of the man behind the vision). Spread out over two discs are lots of amazing bits and pieces, the best of which involves Walt and the Mouseketeers enjoying an 'impromptu' anniversary party where the kids put on a show ("The Rainbow Road To Oz") and get a promise from Mr. Disney that he will cast them in the movie (instead, he cancelled their daily show!). A black-and-white kinescope broadcast of a Disneyland parade in 1959 brings out lots of stars and parade-hoopla, but if you just want to see Annette dance--skip ahead to the Matterhorn celebration (and check out that amazing ice-skater!). A color presentation of the entire "Peter and the Wolf" short is included, as well as Walt himself acting alongside Darby O'Gill and the Little People (which begs the question, why did Disney unveil so much of his current product for free on television? Sure, it was shown on TV in b&w, but he gives away practically the entire plot of "Darby O'Gill"!). Lots of warm nostalgia here, and Maltin's reverence to Disney is surprising--who knew he was such a softie??

My Dad was manager of admissions for Disneyland and on June 16,1959 my family and I appeared on the special "Disneyland '59" This is me in 1959 with Walt Disney at the official opening of the Matterhorn , Monorail and Submarine ride. Walt grabs me to be the first person to go on these rides, My family is standing behind me.I never forgot meeting Walt.. he put his hand on my shoulder, pointed up at the fireworks going off over the Matterhorn and said, ""Take a good look at this, because you won't see anything like this again for a long time" ..Ed Lineberry

I went to Costco, a 40 minute drive from where I live, to buy a Cuisinart for my wife (before you set in judgment, she ASKED for one!) for Christmas and 'lo and behold, what did they have, but the latest wave of Disney Treasures DVDs.

While I've been disappointed by several recent entries which as far as I'm concerned should, like "the Scottish Play," NEVER be mentioned...THIS latest bunch is worthy of the name.

Particularly, "Your Host, Walt Disney" which reveals the man as consummate showman and an actor who can hold his own. The tin is worth the 20-odd dollars for ONLY the fantastic, if all too brief, interview Leonard Maltin conducts with Diane Disney-Miller. Add to bonus features such as "I Captured The King of the Leprechauns" and this tin elevates itself among the best in the series.

Last tidbit worthy of note it's been widely regarded that the last known recording of Walt as Mickey were the Mickey Mouse Club intros in 1955 (Soundman, Jimmy McDonald, took over the role in 1947). No longer true! In an outstanding re-creation of a Cinemascope/Live Action presentation featuring a filmed Walt and a live action/stage performed Mickey in 1962, clearly the voice of Mickey Mouse is an aging, cigarette plagued Walt!

Five stars!!

This set of dvd's is so much fun! I'm too young to have been able to see Walt Disney on tv, but getting the chance to see them now is a real treat! He cracks me up with some of the stuff he says, and his interaction with the "Ms. Disneyland Tencennial (is that a word?)" seems almost lecherous at times, but it's so funny. Watching Uncle Walt host his show brought tears to my eyes...I have so much love and respect for the man. And the interviews with his daughter, Diane, were just wonderful. My only complaint is that there wasn't more Walt! I'm glad they showed the tv shows in their entirety, but I wish they had picked episodes that involved Walt more. I could have done without the Mousketeers' celebration. Don't get me wrong, I love the Mousketeers, but I bought this set to see Walt. But still, it's fantastic!

This was such a treat. I was not alive yet when these were made, but I remember racing home to watch the old MMC when it reran in the 70s. On this DVD we see some serious Mouseketeer action, hear about working with Walt, see him act in a prequel to Darbie O'Gill and the Little People, and enjoy the anniversaries of Disneyland, 1957, and 1959. If you like Annette as much as I do, you'll love this set. She hosts a wrap party for Babes in Toyland, in color!! She is also seen dancing in one of the anniversary shows. Tim, Bobby, Cheryl, and Tommy Sands are aomng the people who chat a bit about working with Walt. i do hope more and more Treasure sets are made.