Toon Talk: Dumbo 70th Anniversary Edition - Sep 23, 2011

Toon Talk: Dumbo 70th Anniversary Edition
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The disc�s brand new bonus features include a recently discovered deleted scene titled �The Mouse�s Tale� (introduced by Disney producer Don Hahn). The sequence depicts Timothy Mouse telling Dumbo the legend behind the phrase �an elephant never forgets�, a tale of prehistoric pachyderms and... giant mice? Also unearthed from the Disney animation archive is the deleted song, �Are You a Man or a Mouse?�, which basically would have served as Timothy�s �cheer up� song for Dumbo, a la Pinocchio�s �Give a Little Whistle�.

Other new bonuses include the documentary �Taking Flight: The Making of Dumbo�. In it you�ll learn such fascinating facts as the story�s humble origins as a �roll-a-book� and how our hero�s original sidekick was a bird, not a mouse. Placing the film in context within the rest of Disney�s �first five� (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Fantasia and Bambi), the doc also points out its many varied influences, from the surrealism of Salvador Dali to the German expressionism of F.W. Murnau. Also new is �The Magic of Dumbo: A Ride of Passage�, a loving look at the iconic �Dumbo�s Flying Elephants� ride. This featurette focusing on one of the original Fantasyland rides at Disneyland charts its history, from its original �Pink Elephant� concept through its 1980's renovation.

In addition to two new disposable games (the guessing game �What Do You See?� and the trivia challenge �What Do You Know?�, both playable in single player and family modes), several �classic DVD� bonus features are also present, including an excerpt on sound effects from the movie The Reluctant Dragon, the retrospective documentary �Celebrating Dumbo�, the original Walt Disney television intro, two trailers, a collection of art galleries and two bonus cartoons, Elmer Elephant and The Flying Mouse.

Toon Talk Rating: A-

Coming Soon:

  • October 4 is a big day for Disney fans, with the 3D Blu-ray debuts of both Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King as well as the home video debut of Disney Nature�s African Cats.
  • Don�t miss the Disney DVD and Blu-ray debut of this summer�s all-new theatrical feature Winnie the Pooh on October 25.
  • Pixar�s latest hit Cars 2 debuts on Disney DVD and Blu-ray on November 1. Also due that day is the 3D Blu-ray debuts of all three Toy Stories.
  • Discuss It

    -- Kirby C. Holt
    -- Logos 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 ... In addition to his Toon Talk reviews, Kirby is the creator of Movie Dearest, a blog for movie fans.

    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 September 23, 2011

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