Rating: 
Summary: "Yeah, that is a lot of beef."
Review: What a treat this is. While this Treasure is probably the least popular of the series, it contains some of the niftiest information I've seen regarding animation. You get the full release of The Reluctant Dragon here, which is huge because I'm positive it hasn't been released to purchase before. There have been VHS tapes for just the animated short of the same name, but it's only a small bit of what you get in the whole package. It's part of a behind the scenes look at the studio, starring the great Robert Benchley. His wife has him take his story- The Reluctant Dragon down to the studio to try and get an animated feature made out of it. Along the way, he gets distracted many times, and in doing so, we get to see some of Disney's techniques in how his cartoons are made. From the sound studio, to the paint shop, to the huge camera used in Fantasia, to even a glimpse at the voice of Donald Duck, to much more. It's an honor to see how everything was done at that time. Robert does a fantastic job of making the trip enjoyable, and not boring. Back then, it took hundreds of people to get one small project done, and watching this feature gave me a new respect for Disney.It's a shame the company has lost the magic it once had. Walt seemed like a genuine nice guy. He really did care about making people happy, and trying new things in animation. And you can't blame Roy E. Disney for leaving the company, stating "they don't put their hearts into anything anymore". Though it's sad the company is going to be forgotten once Pixar's contract with them expires. Compare every feature Disney's put out since The Hunchback of Notre Dame to some before that point. They're almost all forgettable, save the Pixar ones. And with recent efforts like Home on the Range, are they even trying any more? The animation quality of that looked like one of their many direct-to-video sequels which seem to be their new trend. Also on disc 1 are 'A Trip Through the Walt Disney Studios' and 'How Walt Disney Cartoons Are Made'. They're both essentially the same program, with the second having a new narrator, some added dialogue, and clips from the premiere of Snow White. These were used as promotional bits to let people know what to expect soon. Leonard gives us a tour of the studio and well...*does halfway hand gesture* it's ok. It's not as in-depth as it could've been, but it was nice to see a few things not shown in any of the other programs. 'Behind the Scenes on Baby Weems' is a quick interview with Joe Grand. Also included are photo galleries from The Reluctant Dragon and the Disney Studios. On disc 2 we get 3 Disneyland TV broadcasts: 'The Story of the Animated Drawing', 'The Plausible Impossible' and 'Tricks of Our Trade'. While they're all good, the best of the bunch is easily 'The Story of the Animated Drawing'. It's a thorough feature, going back over 100 years, showing us each step in the history of animation. I tell you, some of the guys in the late 1800's/early 1900's...they were geniuses. And if they could see how far animation's come since their time, it'd be overwhelming. Especially on how easy it is to make a cartoon now. From inventors using huge reels of film to project their short features on screen, to carnival sideshows using animation in their attractions. After watching this one, I almost hate all new forms of animation techniques. Using a computer to create huge CG worlds is nothing compared to what some of these guys went through just to give people something new to see. There's also a rare Australian radio interview with some of the Disney crew and Walt. It's enjoyable, if a bit fake. The woman interviewing everyone has little personality, and the whole thing seems edited just to fit her responses. Never the less, they shed good information, including a little bit on Song of the South. Just hearing them talk about that is a tease since it's likely to not be rereleased ever again. C'mon Disney, that was how animation was done back then. You put can put out dozens of cartoons showing how you portrayed Asians and Germans, but African Americans is a no-no? I hope people keep petitioning to get Song of the South released again. The big fuss Disney's making over it makes it sound like it's just the most racist piece of film ever released. I saw some of it a few years ago and it was nothing but a happy family short. But Leonard's done a good job giving us these gems, and if anyone can get SotS for us, it's him. There's also a gallery for Kem Webber's art. I couldn't find any Easter Eggs on either disc, so I doubt there are any. If you see this Treasure laying around, get it. I got mine just a few weeks ago for the same price as the new Treasures amazingly. Since it's the least popular from the second wave released 2 years ago, some are still laying around I guess. But don't get these from Amazon's Used & New- most of the sellers say they're new, but are missing the tin. How do you just go and lose the tin for these? Obviously they're bootlegs. Good luck though. I'd place this right behind On the Front Lines as far as the total package goes.
| 
