Toon Talk: Aladdni Platinum Edition DVD - Oct 4, 2004

Toon Talk: Aladdni Platinum Edition DVD
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Completing the set are two final sections: The Art of ‘Aladdin’, which includes an Art Review (with commentary by Musker and Clements) of concept art, color keys, backgrounds and character designs, more if which can be found in the accompanying Still Frame Gallery; and Publicity, which includes the original theatrical Trailer for Aladdin (which shows just how good a job they did restoring the film itself for this disc … the print is awful) and its two video sequels (The Return of Jafar and Aladdin and the King of Thieves, both of which will be released on DVD early next year) and a Gallery of poster art, unused concepts and theme park attractions and shows (nomenclature alert: its Walt Disney World - not Disneyworld).

For fans of Aladdin, old and new, this Platinum Edition DVD is a wish come true.

Toon Talk Rating: A-
The Toon Talk Top 10 - Lost in Boston:

Aladdin isn’t the only Disney classic to have discarded a few songs along the way to its debut. (All of the following deleted songs are available in some form on their film’s respective soundtracks or, as noted, other collections.):

  1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) - Two songs for the dwarfs: “You’re Never Too Old To Be Young�? and “The Music in Your Soup�?, the latter of which can be seen in pencil animation on the film’s Platinum Edition DVD.
  2. Cinderella (1950) - “I’m in the Middle of a Muddle�? was originally planned for Cinderella in the place where “Sing Sweet Nightingale�? ended up.
  3. Mary Poppins (1964) - Several demo recordings of the Sherman Brothers’ songs can be heard during their interview on this film’s soundtrack, including the deleted “The Eyes of Love�?, an alternate ballad for Mary Poppins that was replaced with the more up tempo “Spoonful of Sugar�?.
  4. The Happiest Millionaire (1967) - An alternate opening number, “Off Rittenhouse Square�?, which described the story’s upper crust world.
  5. The Jungle Book (1967) - Two songs from the original, more serious storyline: “Brothers All�? and “The Song of the Seeonee�?.
  6. Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) - In addition to several numbers that were cut from the final release print of the film, the soundtrack includes two songs that didn’t even make it that far, both for Angela Lansbury’s Eglantine Price: “Solid Citizen�? and “The Fundamental Element�?.
  7. The Little Mermaid (1989) - As with the unused Aladdin songs, several demo recordings of the Mermaid songs can be found on The Magic Behind the Music set, including an early version of Ursula’s number, titled “Silence is Golden�?. Also found on that set are early versions of the songs from …
  8. Beauty and the Beast (1991) - … including the original “Human Again�?, which was famously reincarnated for the film’s Broadway bow and IMAX re-release.
  9. The Lion King (1994) - An alternative song for Timon and Pumbaa, “The Warthog Rhapsody�?, can be found on the Rhythm of the Pride Lands album. The song was adapted into a solo number for Timon, titled “That’s All I Need�?, for this year’s The Lion King 1 ½.
  10. The Emperor’s New Groove (2000) - Another fanciful adventure that lost several songs on its way to the screen, this film’s soundtrack includes the delightfully decadent “Snuff Out the Light�?, sung by the delicious Eartha Kitt, and “One Day She’ll Love Me�?, a lost love song here performed by Sting and Shawn Colvin.

Coming Soon in Toon Talk:

  • Another modern classic gets the two-disc special edition treatment: Mulan, available October 26th.
  • The Iron Giant’s Brad Bird and Pixar team-up for the ultimate super-hero adventure/comedy with The Incredibles, featuring the voices of Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter and Samuel L. Jackson, premiering November 5th.
  • Mickey and the gang make their full-length computer animated feature debut in Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas, available November 9th.

And Coming Soon from Buena Vista Home Video:

October 12th:

  • Kate Hudson, John Corbett and Joan Cusack star in Raising Helen, the popular romantic comedy directed by Gary Marshall.

October 26th:

  • Jackie Chan, Jim Broadbent and Steve Coogan star in the adventure comedy remake of Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days.

November 2nd:

  • Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is re-released with a third disc of “lost treasures�?, featuring more bonus features.
  • The patriotic documentary America’s Heart and Soul from director Louis Schwartzberg.
  • And Columbia Tri-Star Home Video releases a two-disc special edition of Cirque du Soliel: La Nouba, filmed live at the Walt Disney World Resort.

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-- Kirby C. Holt
-- Logo by William C Searcy, Magic Bear Graphics

Kirby 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 October 3, 2004

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