Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Living Color Volume 1
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Cartoons in a theater?
By: Brian ThomasDate: Monday, April 30, 2007
At one time, every time you went to a movie theater you saw a cartoon short. The entire motion picture business was convinced that they had to provide a full evening (or afternoon) of entertainment for the ticket price, and that generally meant including a cartoon, a newsreel, and some other short. In the early days, a live act warmed up the crowd, though at some point this was replaced with a second (“B-movie”) feature.
Today, our expectations have dropped considerably. Show up early for a screening and you’re likely to be kept company by one of those “showbiz report” type programs, which can be entertaining but are really just thinly disguised ads. This is followed by a bunch more commercials, then a parade of trailers. After they’ve paid ten dollars for a ticket and sitting through 15-20 minutes of advertising, the number one complaint heard about some movies is that they are too long. Even if they are thoroughly entertained throughout the running time, folks are upset that they have to sit still and can’t change the channel! Some theater owners have reported that patrons walk out of the Grindhouse double feature after the first picture is over because the concept of watching two movies back to back, especially in a theater where you pay to get in, is just too alien an idea for them to grasp. These same simpletons will probably buy another ticket if Grindhouse is re-released as separate features, no doubt convinced they’ll be seeing some sort of sequels.
Disney’s latest animation feature Meet the Robinsons – by itself a very entertaining movie - gives audiences attending the 2-D version of the film a bonus by preceding the feature with a classic short, the 1938 Mickey Mouse cartoon “Boat Builders”. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen (later an Oscar-winning director for Disney’s documentary unit), the seven minute Technicolor short details the misadventures encountered by Mickey, Donald Duck and Goofy in their efforts to build a boat from a kit. Despite its age, a lot folks laugh out loud throughout this cartoon (you can also catch it on Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Living Color Volume 1) – kids love it as a novelty while adults get extra enjoyment by the shared experience and nostalgia for seeing cartoons in a theater when they were young.
But I’ve noted some dissent running through audiences. Some are completely confused by the short. Those arriving late think they came into the wrong theater. Others are angry that they have to “endure” the surprise cartoon, as if it were another Coke ad delaying the feature. I heard a parent with two small children in tow say out loud, “What’s this shit?”
Now, I’m not addressing you loyal Maniacs – the readers I’ve met are all bright, sophisticated and good looking people, as Mania.com generally attracts only the elite of our society (it’s a little known fact, but the beautiful Jessica Chobot is actually one of our least attractive columnists). That said, are modern general audiences such simpletons that they count extra value provided for the money as a deficit? Is less really more for these people? People complain that the drinks and popcorn are too large, as if the theater owners – who need to charge high prices to support their operation, and so feel obligated to make snack servings larger than normal – are somehow forcing them to consume more. Renters complain that there are too many extras on DVD, as if the bonus features are somehow taxing them whether they choose to watch experience them or not.
As much as they cry poor, movie studios are making plenty of money. They’re full of know-nothing teenage executives who buy hybrid cars as accessories to their Humvees with their pocket change. I think more studios and theater owners should follow the lead of Disney and the Weinteins and provide more entertainment for the price of a ticket. Let’s have a cartoon before every feature!
SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Spotlight on the nominees over here. We may bitch about awards sometimes – some of the CGanime shorts like those Ice Age ones seem to be made to train new animators and give the movie an extra promotional tool - but the recognition brings more viewers to the work of some independents.
(O) A COLLECTION OF ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATED SHORT FILMS (Magnolia) Includes the live-action shorts “Binta of the Great Idea”, “One Too Many”, “Helmer and Son”, “The Savidor” and “West Bank Story”, and the animated shorts “The Danish Poet” and “Maestro”. Also with bonus shorts “Wraith of Cobble Hill”, “The Passenger”, “Gentlemen's Duel”, “Surviving the Rush”, and the anime “Guide Dog” and “One Rat Short”.
NEW DVD RELEASES
Here’s a rundown of the constant stream of anime comin’ at ya on DVD from around the world:
(O) AYAKASHI SAMURAI HORROR TALES Volume 1: Goddess of the Dark Tower (Geneon) While attempting to retrieve a lost falcon for his feudal lord, bird handler Zushonosuke encounters and becomes irresistably drawn to Tomihime, the supernatural inhabitant of a cursed castle. As a forbidden love between a mortal and a long-forgotten goddess begins to take hold, the horrifying existence of "Forgotten Gods" who feed on humans is soon revealed, inevitably leading to a deadly clash between the shogun's army and the clan of "Forgotten Gods."
BLACK CAT Volume 4: The Cat’s Tale (Funimation) Episodes 13-16. osses for both the Chronos Numbers and the Apostles of the Star can only be good news for the hunted Black Cat. But as one slowly slips from power, the other quickly rises in their wake. And when the largest bounty ever offered lands on the head of Creed Diskenth, Sven will do everything in his power to keep Train's vengeance from awakening.
CAILLOU: Cailou the Creative (Paramount) 12 preschool educational adventures, plus games, coloring pages and more.
FULL METAL PANIC!: THE SECOND RAID Volume 4: Tactical Ops 04 (Funimation) Episodes 11-13. s the Chinese conflict rages on, hostilities reach a fever pitch. The final countdown hastens near. The SRT offensive is launched, but Sousuke has abandoned his post. Cryptic messages from a bloody past lead the young mercenary to face his demons, the battle within no less than one without. Life and death hang in the balance as the clash between good and evil scale new heights. Piloting the Arbalest into the dawn, the last act is set to begin. Includes bonus OVA, commentraks, location scouting and more.
GUN SWORD Volume 7: Last Rites (Geneon) Episodes 24-26. Outnumbered and outgunned, Ray, Pricilla, Carmen99, Joshua, and the Eldora Four make their last stand at the Claw's stronghold, however Van is still missing in action, while the Prison Planet Destroyer system has already activated.
HAPPILY N’EVER AFTER (Lionsgate) To restore the balance in a fairytale land, Cinderella challenges her evil stepmother in this CGanime theatrical feature. With the voices of Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sigourney Weaver, Andy Dick, George Carlin and Patrick Warburton (is he in every voice cast?). “Fullscreen” and widescreen editions include director commentrak, alternate ending, featurettes, five games and more.
HARÉ + GUU DELUXE Volume 1 (Funimation) The series leaps into more outrageous adventures in an OVA series. Hare + Guu return to the jungle to find the familiar old gang, and a few new faces including a psychotic schoolteacher and a couple of goth roaches.
HELLO KITTY STUMP VILLAGE Volume 4 (Geneon) More CGanime adventures.
JAY JAY THE JET PLANE: Jay Jay’s Big Mystery (Paramount) Jay Jay finds Jimmy Hoffa shacked up with Amelia Earhart.
LITTLE POLAR BEAR: Lars and the Little Tiger (Warner Bros.) Lars travels al over having adventures in this feature.
POKÉMON ADVANCED BATTLE Volume 9: Numero Uno Articuno (Viz) Six episodes. Max and Pikachu meet a legendary Pokémon.
POKÉMON ADVANCED BATTLE Volume 10: Hail to the Chef (Viz) Six episodes. It's gourmet vs. gourmand when Sneasel and Meowth go head to head over a plate of bad food!
PRINCESS PRINCESS Volume 1 (Media Blasters) A boy sent to a boarding school learns that the pretty ones are required to dress as girls.
SHANA Volume 5 (Geneon) Kazumi Yoshida meets Khamsin, the Flame Haze that shows her what the real world is like.
SHINGU: SECRET OF THE STELLAR WARS Complete Collection (Right Stuf) All 26 episodes on five discs.
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE: Berry Blossom Festival (Fox) Shortcake is declared Berry Blossom Queen. Jealous? Limited edition includes crown.
THOMAS & FRIENDS: Thomas’ Trusty Friends (Anchor Bay) Limited edition includes toy train.
UFO ULTRAMAIDEN VALKYRIE Season 3 Volume1: Sacred Stones and Perky Perverts (ADV) Those perky perverts are after my sacred stones!
VEGGIE TALES: La Balada del Pequeno Joe (Big Idea)
VEGGIE TALES: Lyle el Vikingo Amable (Big Idea)
VEGGIE TALES: Moe y el Gran Escape (Big Idea) Veggies en Español! Mios Dio!
BLU-RAY DISC CORNER
HAPPILY N’EVER AFTER (Lionsgate) Includes director commentrak, alternate ending, featurettes, five games and more.
NOT ON DVD CORNER
We welcome the input of Maniacs who want to share input on this section, where we highlight a different genre feature that has yet to come to digital disc format – just send your suggestions to Anime Avalanche in an email identified with “NOT ON DVD” in the subject line.
(O) 8 MAN (Central Park? Buena Vista?) Well, the 1993 series 8 Man After is available, but I’m talking about the original 1963 series. Based on the manga series by Kazumasa Hirai and Jiro Kuwata, Tobor the 8th Man was a detective killed by gangsters but resurrected in a robot body by scientist Dr. Tani. While maintaining his “secret identity”, Tobor continued to fight crime as a vigilante as well using his robot strength and speed. It was one of the first manga series to follow Astro Boy onto television as an anime series, and 8 Man became a hit translated into a US version as well in 1965 on ABC. For an anime series aimed primarily at children, the show contained quite a bit of serious drama and underworld grit. For many, the most retro-weird aspect of the series is that the 8 Man had to replenish his energy periodically by smoking special cigarettes, which is likely one reason why the series has become so obscure, other than the fact that it’s in black & white. Outside of a few VHS tapes released in the ‘80s on a small label (one episode per tape!) and a later volume of episodes from Central Park Media, 8 Man has been hard to find. Sure, you can release anime with any number of murders, but showing a hero smoking is a no-no. There’s a website at 8thman.com selling DVDs on the grey market, many episodes transferred direct from 16mm TV prints, but that’s not good enough. All 56 episodes need to be collected in an official authorized set or volumes, hopefully with both Japanese and English versions. Until then, 8 Man is just NOT ON DVD.
And be sure to check back next week—and every week—for Mania’s Anime Avalanche! And check in every Tuesday for the latest DVD Shopping List!
Anime Avalanche (© 2007 Brian Thomas) is our weekly anime column. Brian Thomas is the author of the massive book VideoHound’s Dragon: Asian Action & Cult Flicks, available now!
Questions? Comments? Let us know what you think at Anime Avalanche.
As long as the movie's not a borefest, I LOVE it when the running time is longer. More story = good. I feel like I get better value for my money.
I'm hoping PotC3 isn't hurt by its 2:50 running time, but I can't imagine it'll do too much damage, since it'll probably be on 3-4 screens per theater.
Grindhouse didn't feel anywhere NEAR its 3:11 running time -- I was thoroughly entertained the whole time, and the rest of the audience seemed to be having just as much fun.
And people have actually complained about "too many features" on DVDs? Wow. That's a new (and stupid) one on me.