A Whole New World

It's "A Whole New World" of Romance and Magic in Charming New Sculpture from the Walt Disney Classics Collection
Gold Circle Retailer Exclusive Sculpture Depicts Romantic Moment From Disney's Aladdin

For centuries, readers of all ages have been captivated by the ancient tale of "The Thousand and One Arabian Nights," featuring magical genies, flying carpets, wicked villains, windswept sand dunes and heroic battles. The popular story has been translated many times into motion pictures but perhaps the most famous and innovative of these adaptations is Disney's hit animated film Aladdin. Originally released on November 11, 1992, the film gave the story a fresh and contemporary tone with its zany humor and memorable characters.

The Walt Disney Classics Collection is proud to present a charming new sculpture entitled "Aladdin & Jasmine: A Whole New World," which accurately recreates the film's most memorable moment — when handsome Prince Ali (aka Aladdin) and the beautiful Princess Jasmine take a romantic journey around the world via a "lift" from Aladdin's pal. The Magic Carpet. As they glide across the starlit deep blue night sky they pass such famous "world wonders" as the Sphinx, the Pyramids and the Great Wall of China. "Aladdin & Jasmine: A Whole New World" has been designated as a 2002 Walt Disney Classics Collection Gold Circle Retailer Exclusive Sculpture.

Produced exclusively for Walt Disney Classics Collection Gold Circle Retailers, the new sculpture features a tenth anniversary back stamp commemorating the film's premiere year and has been created as a numbered limited edition of 1,992. "Aladdin & Jasmine: A Whole New World" has a suggested retail price of $395 US ($594 Canada) and will be available at designated WDCC Gold Circle locations beginning in June 2002. The film title scroll for Aladdin will also debut in June and feature a suggested retail price of $29 US ($45 Canada).

"Aladdin & Jasmine: A Whole New World" is the second Walt Disney Classics Collection Gold Circle Retailer Exclusive Sculpture for year 2002. "Love's First Kiss" derived from Walt Disney's classic animated film Sleeping Beauty was released in March 2002.

Created by renowned Disney sculptor Dusty Homer, the delightful sculpture accurately depicts the lovely and smitten Princess Jasmine as Prince Ali shows her the world from a birds-eye view. The design of the sculpture perfectly conveys a sense of forward movement as Aladdin's cape and hat feather tilt backward from an invisible breeze, along with Jasmine's ebony hair. The Magic Carpet gently glides over a cloud that acts as the base for the two budding sweethearts above.

The new sculpture release continues the Walt Disney Classics Collection's tradition of "plussing" pieces with precious metals, crystals, blown glass and wood to enhance the believability and detail of each piece. "Aladdin & Jasmine: A Whole New World" features plussing elements, including a metal flower stem in Jasmine's hand and semi-precious stones on her headband and in Aladdin's hat. The sculpture, which stands 9 inches high, also features intricate painted designs on the Magic Carpet.

"Aladdin holds a special place in the hearts of many Disney fans due to its successful combination of humor, romance and action," states David Nicklin, Director, Sales and Marketing of Walt Disney Art Classics. "We know that our collectors are very fond of the film, so we are very confident that 'Aladdin & Jasmine: A Whole New World' will have our collectors flying high with excitement over this beautiful new Walt Disney Classics Collection sculpture release."

Disney's Aladdin was both a commercial and critical success, garnering numerous awards and accolades including Academy Awards® for Best Original Motion Picture (Alan Menken) and Best Song ("A Whole New World" by Alan Menken and Tim Rice). The film was also honored with the Academy Award® nominations for Best Sound, Best Sound Effects Editing and Best Song ("Friend Like Me" by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman) in addition to winning Golden Globe® Awards from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for Best Original Score (Alan Menken), Best Song ("A Whole New World") and a special award to Robin Williams for his vocal performance as the Genie.

The Walt Disney Classics Collection is renowned for its faithful recreation of unforgettable moments from Disney's animated films. The collection features a broad array of sculptures ranging in suggested retail price from $50 to more than $2,000. Each sculpture is crafted out of fine porcelain or resin and is hand-painted according to the film's original color palettes. Sculptures are often enhanced with mixed materials such as precious metals, stones, pearls and crystals.

The collection is developed and distributed by Walt Disney Art Classics, which also administrates the popular Walt Disney Collectors Society in addition to overseeing the Disney Showcase Collection, a portfolio of high-end licensed Disney collectibles. The Walt Disney Classics Collection is available at fine gift and collectible stores, select Disney Stores and the Disney Theme Parks around the world.

--Posted April 19, 2002

Formatted: LaughingPlace.com
Source: Walt Disney Art Classics Press Release