But all one has to do is turn to disc 2 to see the better, preferred way to do it: three vintage episodes of the classic Disneyland television series, with Walt himself pontificating and elaborating on the history of the animation art form and the state of his art.

Never one to lack in showmanship, Walt also introduces some truly delightful sequences, including, in The Story of the Animated Drawing: reenactments of Windsor McKay’s Gertie the Dinosaur vaudeville act, an actual silent feature screening of Max Fleischer’s Out of the Inkwell short (with an actual theater organist, the Studios’ own Oliver Wallace), and a nineteenth century French performance of the revolutionary Theatre Optique; in The Plausible Impossible: the very first time Kimball’s deleted ‘soup scene’ from Snow White was seen by the public (which was probably the first time the public had ever seen such a thing), Walt demonstrating ‘cartoon logic’ with a reticent (yet resilient) Donald Duck, and a fascinating juxtaposition of the familiar Night on Bald Mountain music over various other scenes from Fantasia as well as Bambi; and, in Tricks of Our Trade, a simple yet informative demonstration of the Multi-Plane Camera (charmingly referred to by Walt as the “super cartoon camera”) and the chance to see four of the famed ‘Nine Old Men’ (Marc Davis, Ollie Johnson, Milt Kahl and Frank Thomas) in action.

Chockfull of repetitive footage (even on the disc itself) and with an odd side bar on the Studios … meaning the actual buildings … themselves (including a gallery of architect Kem Weber’s designs), this set offers a mixed bag of information, albeit perfect for you completists out there. But I’m left wondering why this particular subject was included in the Treasures series (at least so early), considering that there are so many other ideas (the True Life Adventures, the making of Walt Disney World) more rich with possibilities.

Bonus Feature Highlights:

• For those of you who may not have a lot of time to watch all of this set, take a gander at Leonard Maltin’s Studio Tour, a quick yet informative overview of the history of Walt’s various studios, from the Disney Brothers Studio on Kirkwell Avenue to the Hyperion Studios to Burbank. The featurette ends with an excerpt from The Wonderful World of Color episode Backstage Party, a unique camera’s eye view of the Disney backlot, including the sets from Zorro.
• Maltin interviews the reclusive Disney Legend, storyman Joe Grant, in Behind the Boards on ‘Baby Weems’.
• In addition to a ‘Reluctant Dragon’ Gallery, there is a Walt Disney Studios Gallery, offering vintage photos of the studios through the years, with Maltin narration.

Toon Talk Trivia:

• Important dates: The Reluctant Dragon opened in theaters on June 20, 1941. The three episodes of Disneyland included in this set (The Story of the Animated Drawing, The Plausible Impossible and Tricks of Our Trade) originally aired, respectively, on November 30, 1955; October 31, 1956 and February 13, 1957.
• The Reluctant Dragon short is based on the book by Kenneth Grahame, author of The Wind in the Willows, inspiration for a segment in another Disney film from the 40s, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.
• The caricatures of several studio staffers in the opening credits of The Reluctant Dragon were drawn by noted Disney storyman T. Hee.
• How To Ride a Horse was the first of Goofy’s ‘How To’ shorts, although it wasn’t released as an individual short until 1950. It is interesting that this popular concept for Goofy was introduced in this feature, as Robert Benchley himself appeared in several ‘How To’ films of his own in 1930s.
• The book that Walt refers to in all three of the television episodes, titled Walt Disney’s The Art of Animation by the Walt Disney Studio Staff, was actually just a prop; no such book existed, although the title was used later by Bob Thomas for his book on animation.
• Helene Stanley, the ballerina seen in Tricks of Our Trade, was a live action model for Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. She also played Polly Crockett, Davy Crockett’s wife, on television and was a voice in 101 Dalmatians.

Coming Soon in Toon Talk:

• Part 3 of the Walt Disney Treasures DVD reviews, focusing on The Complete Goofy.
• This year’s summer hit, Lilo and Stitch, making its DVD debut.
• The perfect Disney Christmas gift: The Lion King roars onto IMAX and other large screen theaters on Christmas Day.
• Murder, mayhem and “All That Jazz” … Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere star in Miramax’s Oscar-baiting film version of the Tony Award-winning Kander and Ebb musical Chicago, opening in limited release December 27^th and nationally January 17^th.
• Toon in for the Toon Talk Top 10 - The Best of 2002.

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Related Links

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-- Kirby C. Holt

Kirby, a former Walt Disney World Resort Cast Member (and Trivia Champ), is a lifelong Disney fan and film buff. He is also an avid list maker and chronic ellipsis user ...

Took Talk: Disney Film & Video Reviews by Kirby C. Holt is posted whenever there's something new to review.

The opinions expressed by our Kirby C. Holt, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.

-- Posted December 4, 2002