Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Look Dawson, We're Making Our WDCC Debut!

The Great Mouse Detective, based on the children's book series Basil of Baker Street by Eve Titus, draws heavily on the tradition of Sherlock Holmes with a heroic mouse who consciously emulates the detective; Titus named the main character after actor Basil Rathbone, who is best remembered for playing Holmes in film. Interestingly, Sherlock Holmes also mentions "Basil" as one of his aliases in the Conan Doyle story The Adventure of Black Peter.

The main characters are all mice and rats
living in Victorian London. The layouts were done on computers, and the use of video cameras made a digital version of pencil testing possible. The movie is also notable for its early use of computer generated imagery (CGI) for a chase scene that takes place in the interior of Big Ben. The movements of the clock's gears were produced as wire-frame graphics on a computer, printed out and traced onto animation cells where colors and the characters were added. The Great Mouse Detective is sometimes cited as the first animated film from Walt Disney Pictures to use CGI; in reality, 1985's The Black Cauldron has this distinction.

The Walt Disney Classics Collections is proud to announce the long-awaited WDCC Debut of Basil and Dr. Dawson. This boxed set Open Edition release was sculpted by Jacqueline Perreault Gonzales.

Special Update: Ruben has recently updated his blog, Masked Avenger Studios with concept sketches of Basil and Dr. Dawson (click on image at right).

9 comments:

Gurgi said...

Do like the Great Mouse Detective set. I see a trend here. Looks like the movies from the 80's are coming in boxed sets. The Fox and the Hound and now the Great Mouse Detective. Smart move. To get one you have to buy both - no leftovers. Does this mean we might see a boxed set of Taran and Gurgi from THE BLACK CAULDRON in the future???? :) I do hope that we see Ratigan and possibly Toby from this movie, too.

Herc said...

Nice set. I do like the two piece boxed set. Great price point too.

Hopefully Ratigan will be next. Love his look.

dopey926 said...

Love this set! As always, Jacqueline did a great job.

We need to see Ratigan soon....I hope :)

Matthew said...

I really like the poses! So much more interesting than static poses... the characters are actually interacting... drawing us into the fun.

As others have said, so glad to see a new film added to the collection with such a wonderful new set!

DC Pop Fanatic said...

The Great Mouse Detective seems to be a very welcome addition to the Walt Disney Classics Collection. Jacqueline as Toni said, did another great job!

This evening added a couple additional angles ... a sideview of Dr. Dawson and a backview of Basil. In addition, a very cool angle (looking over Basil's shoulder) showing the clues Basil is looking at through his magnifying glass.

Great start, hoping we'll see Ratigan, Olivia and Toby in the near future!

Behr said...

It so nice to see a NEW movie represented in the Classics. Doing the same characters over and over becomes old. Jacqueline did a great job as usual.

Herc said...

Love the over the shoulder shot through the magnifying glass.
Also, noticed on the bases that there seems to be an oval rug forming. Wonder if we are going to get another addition to the scene.

Although Ratigan is not part of it, I would LOVE to see Ratigan done as the Villains Series entry.
Ruben, if you read, please please try your best to influence. Loved your maquette on your website.

Bob said...

First of all great job Don with the images, don't know what all us collectors would do without your site. Love these pieces, as everyone said Jacqueline did a great job with them. I can see them now in one of our curios...LOL
As Jeff said, I to have seen Ruben's maquette of Ratigan on his site, keeping my fingers crossed for a sculpt of him.
Hopefully this set sells well(I'd be surprised if it didn't)so we will see more from this film.

tom margarites said...

These are sweet...Not Paul Bunyan and babe,or the Walrus and the Carpenter,but still pretty sweet!!!