Ted Thomas on the set of Frank & Ollie

Perhaps the most fundamental reason for recommending this DVD is that documentary film affords audiences the first hand vs second hand experience. It’s in our nature to want to know “So what was it like?�? This is a curiosity I believe everyone has. The what and how and who of those who have gone before us or who are separated from us by more than six-degrees is at the root of story telling. Documentary film - that is truly great documentary film like FRANK & OLLIE - gives the most satisfying answer to these questions short of having the experience for ourselves. This DVD goes the extra mile and gives you the first hand accounts of individuals who were mentored and inspired by them. It’s double the purpose and pleasure.

“In putting together this DVD, Kuniko and I wanted to create a sort of time capsule that would chronicle this material for future generations of artists to discover. What would do my heart more good than anything would be if decades from now people were saying ‘There’s this terrific DVD called FRANK & OLLIE that you must see! Very little is known about the film maker…�? he laughs.

I tease him that there’s no reason for the film maker to be forgotten either, as he’s set a great precedent for his children. “Seize the moment and give them a digital camcorder for Christmas�? I tell him, “and then sit down in front of them and say “So, what would you like to know?�?�?

The sad reality of it is that a child could do a better job of marketing this film than Disney and Buena Vista have done. They’ve stumbled continuously when marketing both the film and the DVD. For example, when the film itself had its theatrical premier in Long Beach, the theatre where it was screened didn’t even have a one-sheet poster to display. More recently friends of Ted and Kuniko who had returned from vacationing at Walt Disney World informed the couple that everywhere they went, in every store, there were copies of the DVD on display. “That’s wonderful to hear,�? Thomas told them, “But it doesn’t help the fact that my friend John Canemaker can’t find a copy in New York City!�?

He’s not alone. On both the original release day and the subsequent “new�? release day for the DVD anyone who phoned Disneyland DelivEARS was repeatedly told that the film was only available on VHS, was out of print, and that there was no DVD version. *sigh*

So, in case you haven’t heard, it is on DVD and if you buy ANYTHING for Christmas or Kwanzaa or Chanukah this year for friends or family, buy the Special Edition DVD of FRANK & OLLIE. In fact, buy two, one for them and one for yourself. Better yet, go the extra step and tell your local retailer whether it’s a big box store or a family owned video retailer that you would like them to order it for you and them tell them how you liked it. The more this film is seen and made available, the better. For Disney fans, aficionados, or even the merely curious a copy of FRANK & OLLIE has more value packed into it than any other Disney related ephemera this year.

And in the end, far beyond the artistic inspiration or the Disney fascination, nothing this Holiday season is better than a loving reminder of the value of friends in our lives.

From all of us to all of you……thank you Ted and Kuniko….and Frank and Ollie. Thank you always.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!!

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