Originally Posted By Doobie This topic is for discussion of the January 11th interview with Leonard Maltin: <a href="News-ID505360.asp" target="_blank">http://LaughingPlace.com/News-ID505360.asp</a>.
Originally Posted By AnaheimMan Well, he liked it. I liked it. A lot of people liked it. Then again, a lot of people didn't. I'm glad to see that LP asked the age old "Should Song of the South be released?" question... but I really wish I could see his answer about another film I'd love to see released - Victory Through Air Power. Put on a DVD with historical information, perhaps a gallery of some of the logos Disney designed, and some of the military themed shorts from the period, VTAP would be a good release. But back on topic... good interview!
Originally Posted By TikiRoomer The best thing Leonard Malitn ever did was turn into "Ultra Leonard Maltin" to battle Mecha-Streisand alongside Sidney Poitier and Robert Smith to save the world! Oh wait, that was South Park.
Originally Posted By tmonee11 I agree that Hercules got a bad rap. I think that was a product of its own hype. I enjoyed the interview...and I really look forward to 2002's release of 4 new Disney Treasures DVD's. Hopefully that is a tradition that carries on for a long time.
Originally Posted By electra Hercules is on my top 5 Disney favorites. So is Oliver & Company. I guess I have very bad taste.
Originally Posted By Doobie That's a good question, AnaheimMan. I'll be sure to ask that one if I get the opportunity again or talk to someone else. And had I known about the South Park thing, I may have asked about that, too (or maybe not). I'm glad everyone enjoyed the interview, though. It's one I've wanted to do for a long time. Doobie.
Originally Posted By CuriosWolfSo Well, if they do finally release 'Song Of The South', they should make it as one of Walt Disney Treasures DVD with Leonard Maltin as the host so he can explain why it's controversial and why it deserves to be put on DVD. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with the movie, I'm just saying they should explain why all the fuss over this film.
Originally Posted By ToonKirby Great interview, Maltin has always been an inspration for me ever since I picked up my first copy of "The Disney Films" many-many years ago. (I still have it too.) He is unique in film criticism as he is always so enthusiastic and uncharicteristaclly nice. If anyone can get them to release "Song of the South", it's Maltin. Btw, I like "Hercules" too and I have great taste ...
Originally Posted By Kayoss Hercules was funny and weird. Of the new films: I LOVED: Mulan Hunchback Mermaid Beauty I LIKED: Aladdin Emperor Atlantis Lion King Hercules I DID NOT LIKE: Tarzan Pocahontas am I missing any?
Originally Posted By SJHYM I liked Hercules. Great mixture of music and humor and how can you not love James Wood's Hades? Hysterical!!!
Originally Posted By tmonee11 James Woods was great in Hercules....it ALMOST made up for the fact that they did not close the deal for JACK to voice Hades....
Originally Posted By MiklCraw4d I think Hercules' hype spoiled it for me the first time I saw it. Also it was at a point in Disney history where the low humor was sneaking in a bit too much for my taste. Anyway, it's grown on me in subsequent viewings but I sure wish they had had Meg sing more. Anyway, great interview but I would like to know why the programs on the Disneyland DVD are cut. I think it's a raw deal to advertise them as 'UNCENSORED' and then issue an edited product. It ruins the special nature of the disc and casts a pall on the whole Treasures project for me. mc
Originally Posted By Doobie Unfortunately the interview was done before the tapes were released or I would've asked. Sorry about that. Doobie.
Originally Posted By karlg Doobie, I assume you mean before the DVD's were released. Re MC's comments. I was left wonder how much was cut out of the DVD's. It got me that they missed the Mouseketeer's appearance on Dateline Disneyland. I think a lot of big fans would have noticed this as it was in the Disney Channel TV version and has been written about in books (commenting that nobody at the time understood what was going on as the Mouseketeer show had not started yet). I think it is way too strong to say it "casts a pall on the whole Treasures project." I am very encouraged that Disney released these and is planning on releasing more. I like the fact that LM gave his own view of Hercules know that it would not agree with everyone (personally I did not particularly like Hercules). He could have wimped out an given said Beauty and the Beast which is both popular and critically liked (I just saw the IMAX version and loved it on the really big screen). For the record, my rating of the recent era Disney Films (not including Pixar): Excellent: Beauty and the Beast (IMO the best animated film ever done) Lion King (Very re-watch able, sort of a modern day Jungle Book) Hunchback (one I liked more than the average fan I think) Mermaid (Started Disney back on the road to greatness) Aladdin (Good but humor was too topical, saved by some great songs) Tarzan (the best since Katzenberg left) OK: Hercules (ok but not very re-watch able, a little over the top) Emperor (just ok for me) Once was enough: Mulan (not horrible but just did not capture me) Pocahontas (pompous and semi-politically correct, and not very entertaining, it was replaced on my worst list by Atlantis) Worst Atlantis (did not like the comic book/angular animation style, the plot was full of holes, never developed any caring for the characters, I spent the second half of the film hoping it would be over soon).
Originally Posted By Doobie Yes, before the DVDs were released. The interview was done in late November. Doobie.
Originally Posted By Great Stone Dragon Since it sounds like there will be at least one more round of Disney Treasure DVDs, this was a nice interview to see. I think it's very interesting (in general) not so much to hear his particular reviews of films or shorts, since there are so many critics, but to hear his thoughts on the historical context of an industry or actor or societal movement illustrated through these means. Another great interview LP gang.
