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D23 Expo 2013: Return of the “Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives” exhibit

09 May
May 9, 2013

Exactly 3 months from today, Colorado Dad and I will be starting our whirlwind weekend at the Anaheim Convention Center for this year’s D23 Expo! Our tickets were purchased months ago and we have been eagerly awaiting news about what we’ll be seeing this year. Today, D23 started what I’m sure will be a steady stream of info by announcing that the “Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives” exhibit will be back once again.

This year’s exhibit will focus on pieces from the 1964 movie, Mary Poppins, the current ABC tv hit, Once Upon a Time and several items showcasing Disney’s long history with Frank L. Baum and his series of Oz books, including the Tik-Tok puppet from 1985′s Return to Oz.

The Archives team always does a great job with these exhibits, so I’m very excited to see these new items, especially the Tik-Tok puppet!

For more info about the exhibit, check out the D23 press release below and if you haven’t already picked up your tickets for the Expo, make sure to visit www.D23expo.com. You can get discounted tickets through June 15th and if you’re a D23 member, you’ll save even more!

Tik-Tok from the 1985 movie, “Return to Oz”
Costume from “Rainbow Road to Oz” segment on The Mickey Mouse Club

BURBANK, Calif. – May 9, 2013 – D23: The Official Disney Fan Club and the Walt Disney Archives are proud to announce the return of the “Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives” exhibit to the D23 Expo. During the D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center, August 9 – 11, 2013, this all-new exhibit curated specifically for the D23 Expo 2013 will feature: the 50th anniversary of Mary Poppins, ABC’s hit television series Once Upon A Time, and a look at the longstanding connection between Disney and L. Frank Baum’s beloved series of books about the land of Oz.

“Treasures” will showcase a selection of crown jewels from the Walt Disney Archives Collection, many of which will be displayed publicly for the first time by the Archives. As the 50th anniversary of Mary Poppins approaches, the Archives will be presenting a wide array of pieces from the Academy Award®-winning 1964 film including concept art and matte paintings, Mary and Bert’s carousel horses, the snow globe from the “Feed the Birds” sequence, costumes worn by many of the central characters and the recently acquired carpet bag, which Mary carries with her when she arrives at the Banks’ household. Also part of the exhibit will be theFanArtGallery, themed to Mary Poppins. D23 Members were invited to submit their work as part of the D23 Expo Fan Art Contest, and the winners’ colorful creations will be displayed in this year’s gallery.

On the heels of the global success of Oz The Great and Powerful, the Archives is proud to assemble artifacts illustrating Disney’s long association with L. Frank Baum’s Oz books. Highlights include a costume from 1957’s “Rainbow Road to Oz”—a segment from The Fourth Anniversary Show, which celebrated Walt’s four years on television, starring many of the Mickey Mouse Club’s Mouseketeers—as well as concept art from unrealized attractions and Disney Studio productions. Also featured are props and costume pieces from 1985’s Return to Oz including the Tik-Tok puppet, “Powder of Life” tin, and Dorothy’s costume and slippers. And, of course, there will be an assortment of costumes from this year’s Oz The Great and Powerful.

Now finishing its second hit season, Once Upon A Time has become a huge hit among Disney fans for its ability to remain true to many of Disney’s classic stories while expanding their worlds with a modern twist. The Archives is honored to be presenting a selection of elegantly designed costumes from the show.

The D23 Expo 2013 will also feature the Disney Legends Awards—a tradition that pays tribute to the talented men and women who have made indelible contributions to the Disney legacy; the return of the D23 Expo Dream Store, featuring a wide selection of unique merchandise; an expanded Collectors Forum, where Disney fans can buy, sell and trade Disney collectibles, memorabilia and merchandise—and this year’s Forum will also include the worlds of Marvel and Star Wars—plus amazing live events, special celebrity appearances, panels and presentations and unique experiences from every corner of Disney, from upcoming feature film and television sneak peeks to what’s new and what’s next from our theme parks around the world.

 

About D23 Expo 2013

The D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings the entire world of Disney under one roof, providing attendees with unprecedented access to Disney films, television and theme parks. For the latest D23 Expo 2013 news, visit www.D23Expo.com. To be part of the D23 Expo conversation, make sure to follow @DisneyD23 and tag your tweets with #D23Expo.

0 Comments/1 Tweets/posted in Disney, history, Movies

Movie Review: Oz the Great and Powerful

11 Mar
March 11, 2013

This weekend marked opening weekend for Oz the Great and Powerful and while I usually try to avoid opening weekend for most movies, the kids were so excited to see this one, we decided to get out of the house to spend a few hours in the merry old land of Oz. The movie tells the story of how Oscar “Oz” Diggs comes to the land of Oz and (I don’t think I’m spoiling anything here) becomes THE Wizard.

As in the Wizard of Oz, the movie starts out in sepia tones and then transforms to full Technicolor glory once Oscar lands in Oz. While not nearly as stunning an effect as the original movie, it really is gorgeous and the visual effects are top notch – Glinda’s bubbles were particularly impressive to me. The 3D effects were well done, although a few scenes were a little intense (more about that later).

The Emerald City - Disney's Oz The Great and Powerful

The Emerald City – Disney’s Oz the Great and Powerful

Of all the characters in the movie, my least favorite is Oz, played by James Franco. I’m not a big fan of his and although I had high hopes, he didn’t do much to make me like him more. Luckily, there are plenty of other characters to like, particularly the supporting players like Finley, the flying monkey (voiced by Zach Braff), China Girl (voiced by Joey King) and Knuck (played by Tony Cox). You’ll even see a few familiar faces if you know any of Sam Raimi’s other films, like Evil Dead. The three witches – Evanora (played by Rachael Weisz), Theodora (played by Mila Kunis) and Glinda (played by Michelle Williams) are also fun to watch. Glinda, in particular, won the heart of Colorado Princess and I see a Glinda costume purchase in our future :)

Glinda, the Good Witch - Disney's Oz the Great and Powerful

Glinda, the Good Witch – Disney’s Oz the Great and Powerful

Oz has a good amount of action to keep things moving along, but really, we kind of know the story at this point, so there aren’t any major surprises. Fans of the original Wizard of Oz will notice several references to that film, including a few “horses of a different color” grazing in the background of one scene.

The one bad part of the movie for me was that it was a little intense in spots and Colorado Princess ended up on my lap for most of it. We’re usually cautious with movies that we think might scare her – typically watching it first before deciding if she can see it – but in this case, she is such a huge fan of Wizard of Oz and has been talking about this movie ever since she saw the first commercial, I wasn’t too worried. I think the 3D may have been part of the issue, but the action is certainly more amped up than anything in the original movie and it is much darker – lots of fog and spookiness. Of course, it didn’t help that there was a preview of Jurassic Park 3D before Oz started – that T-Rex freaks ME out!  After the movie, Colorado Princess told me she “loved it”, so I don’t think she’s permanently scarred, but I would say this movie is probably more for kids 7&up.

China Doll and Finley from Disney's Oz The Great and Powerful

China Doll and Finley from Disney’s Oz the Great and Powerful

Overall, I thought Oz the Great and Powerful was good but not great. I’m sure a lot of it has to do with how much I love the original, but this one seemed to lack a little something…or, maybe I just really missed hearing Judy Garland sing “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”!

1 Comment/2 Tweets/posted in Disney, Movies

Fun Friday: Celebrating 35 years of intergalactic intimidation

25 May
May 25, 2012

In honor of Star Wars’ 35th birthday today (35?!?! Wow!), I thought I would share one of my favorite pictures from our last Disneyland trip. These Stormtroopers were in a stare-down with my husband, and clearly he’s loving it. But, look at the bottom of the picture – Colorado Princess looks like she’s either about to cry or beat him up. Nobody messes with her Daddy!

Oh, and just to add a little extra awesomeness to this Friday before a long holiday weekend, I have to share with you the first thing I heard from my husband this morning.

Anyone have this record? It was fanTASTIC!

2 Comments/1 Tweets/posted in Movies

A look back to 1991: Beauty and the Beast released 20 years ago this week

22 Nov
November 22, 2011

Wow, has it REALLY been 20 years since Beauty and the Beast was first released? In November 1991, I was about to turn 16 and, if you ask my parents, I was probably pretty far from acting like a “princess” at that point (I WAS a teenager after all!) :)

I don’t remember exactly what day I went to see Beauty and the Beast or even who I went with, but I do remember that from the opening song, I was pretty much taken with it all. Belle was different than the princesses I grew up with – dark-haired, booksmart, a bit of an outcast and not willing to put up with crap from the first cute guy she saw. For the first time ever, I related to a Disney character and could see myself in her place. I had loved the Disney princess characters before her, but it was hard for me to visualize myself in their shoes when I had never been a princess shunned by her step-mother, a well-to-do girl who has lost her father, or even, a mermaid (no, I have NEVER had fins…that I know of :) ). Sure, all of those characters have something that I could relate to, but Belle was just a normal girl like me.

The music was also a big part of what drew me into the movie and I listened to the soundtrack over and over and over again. A few years later, I went off to college and started working in a restaurant. One night I had to close the store with a couple other employees and an assistant manager. We always listened to music while we were working and normally it was rap or heavy metal, but that particular night, the asst. manager turned on the music and I heard “Little town, it’s a quiet village. Every day like the day before. Little town, full of little people waking up to say…” Needless to say, I was a little surprised and I went over to the mgr. and asked him about it. Come to find out, Beauty and the Beast was one of his favorite movies and the music it was some of his favorite. Well, I didn’t know it then, but I had found my “beast”, and 3 years later we were married :)

Now that I have a daughter, princesses are a part of our every day lives. While Colorado Princess pretty much likes all the princesses, she has decided her very favorite is Belle. Why, you might ask? Her answer, “Belle has brown hair and is just like me!” It’s great to see that even 20 years after it was first released, Beauty and the Beast is winning over little girls because she is so relatable!

3 Comments/0 Tweets/posted in Disney, history, Movies

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