An Interview with the Director of Walt Disney Art Classics - Lee Zoppa
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LP: What about the new holiday pieces?
LZ: This year we are starting a new holiday series from Lady and the Tramp - based on the Christmas scene from the end of the film where Tramp and Lady are with their puppies by the Christmas tree. We will bring out one piece or one set, every year (each piece or set is limited to the year of production). Every year thereafter, we will bring out another piece in the scene so that over a period of three to four years, the entire scene is created. Actually, the release fits in with the direct-to-video release of Scamp’s Adventure: Lady and the Tramp Part II. It’s a very cute movie. - I watched it with my mom. So, collectors can expect that to be a real fun series.
Diana from Fantasia
(c) Disney
The two new WDCC Gold Circle dealer exclusive pieces are Diana from Fantasia, which we just discussed and which comes out in August, and "Kiss the Girl" (from The Little Mermaid) -- a numbered limited edition of 2500 that came out in April. The sculpture features Ariel and Eric in the boat surrounded by spouting fish, including Flounder, during the song of the same title.
We also have an all-new sculpture from the classic Donald Duck cartoon entitled Trick or Treat. The sculpture features Witch Hazel and Huey, Dewey and Louie in their respective Halloween costumes. There’s a resin base with a witch’s cauldron that provides the perfect background that may also be purchased. Very cute!
We’re doing the dwarfs’ cottage fireplace from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs because that fits in with our two different "Snow White" scenes that we’ve done. It works with the numbered limited edition "Soup’s On!" lost soup scene because Snow White made the soup with the kettle on the fireplace. Also, it fits the "Silly Song" sequence where Snow White and the dwarfs are dancing.
The Mayor of Halloweentown and Lock, Shock and Barrel
(c) Disney
We’re also bringing out some new introductions from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Again, there are a fair number of loyal collectors of items from this particular movie. Last year we came out with Jack Skellington, Sally, Zero and an opening title. This year we’re adding the mayor of Halloweentown - - two faced mayor. His head will twist around so he can have two different moods - the "I’m having a bad day" or "I’m having a good day" on your desk. Also, we are doing the characters Lock, Shock and Barrel, as well as a special back stamped set of the Mayor with the three characters. These 600 sets will be available through select locations of the Disney Store only. All of the new Nightmare sculptures will be available as open editions at all of our Disney Classics Collection dealers.
We’re bringing out Winnie the Pooh in a Blustery Day because this is actually the 75th anniversary year of when the first Winnie the Pooh book was published in England, so we decided to pick Pooh’s "Hero Party" scene and it’s one large piece. It’s resin with pewter attachments, and it’s called Pooh’s Hero Party: "Hip, hip, Pooh-ray!" It’s a numbered limited edition of 1,968 in honor of the premier of the movie.
LP: Anything else?
LZ: Two things are coming up that are going to be very important for the Walt Disney Classics Collection. The year 2002 will mark the 10th Anniversary of the Walt Disney Classics Collection -- a major accomplishment in the collectibles industry and something that we are very proud of. And 2003 will mark the 10th Anniversary of the Collectors Society. We do have some special plans coming up for those anniversaries… but, shhhhh! Can’t share anything with you at this point in time.
LP: Thank you very much.
LZ: Thank you!
Discuss It
Related Links
-- Posted June 26, 2001
-- Interview by Doobie Moseley and Tim O'Day