Latest Armchair Archivists is Live Now!

The new Armchair Archivists is live now!

It’s a special TRON: Legacy edition. Check it Out!

The latest episode can be viewed here!

Meet the Shadow Man!

Oozing with Southern charm and deceptive promises, magical, mystical Dr. Facilier is the deceitful voodoo man who masks his dark purposes with an underhanded pledge to make dreams come true.

“He’s musical, he’s threatening, he’s tall, he’s lean, he’s thin,” observes supervising animator Bruce Smith of this versatile villain. “He can be very sweet. He’s handsome. He’s graceful. And I think all that stuff is, in very contemporary animation anyway, rare to see in that type of villain.”

Sinister Shadow Man sculpted by Patrick Romandy Simmons is plussed with pewter and a glass bead topping his sinister staff. This shadowy figure is being a honored as a truly classic baddie and is the 2011 release in the scary-but-sought-after Disney Villains Series.

Dr. Facilier, scheduled for Spring 2011 is a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 500.

Kissing Would Be Nice, Yes?

Under the twinkling New Orleans night sky, beautiful Tiana meets a most unlikely suitor suave, self-confident Prince Naveen, transformed by Dr. Facilier’s tragic magic into an equally debonair frog.

Naveen has never worked a day in his life but now as a frog, he finds his greatest quest lies before him. Right now, though, he just wants a kiss—as usual.

Kissing Would be Nice, Yes., Limited to Production Year 2011 is plussed with ornate pewter replicating the animated classic’s New Orleans style architectural grace, this charming resin balcony detail complete with porcelain frog elegantly compliments dreamy Tiana.

Tiana, an Open Edition release sculpted by Kent Melton was released in September, 2009.

What a Day for a Wedding!

Oo-de-lally golly — what a day for a wedding! Jolly Friar Tuck was starting to think England didn’t have a prayer in the greedy paws of Prince John but now that heroic Robin Hood has triumphed, this ebullient cleric has the last chuckle as brave Robin weds beautiful Maid Marian.

As for Allan-a-Dale, this rhyming rhythmic rooster is a minstrel, and that is, as he explains himself…”an early folk singer, and my job is to tell it like it is…or was…or whatever”. Naturally, this plucky minstrel is on hand to sing out the joyful news in his own laid-back way.

Allan-A-Dale (sculpted by Jacqueline Perreault Gonzales and plussed with bronze legs and wire lute strings), makes this glorious wedding or any occasion something to crow about and Friar Tuck (sculpted by Bruce Lau) join the previously released wedding scene from Robin Hood marking their Walt Disney Classics Collection debut!

Both Allan-A-Dale ("Rural Raconteur") and Friar Tuck ("Bemused Badger") are Limited to Production Year 2011.

Comic Book Companions!

Celebrating 70 years of publication in 2010, Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories is one of the best-selling and longest-lived comic books ever, and this fun-filled anthology of multi-paneled Disney delights has featured many unforgettable covers over the years.

Attributed to veteran artist Carl Buettner, the famous cover art from issue number 33, June 1943, features Mickey favorite: the infinity cover, in which characters read a comic cover picturing them reading a cover that pictures them reading that cover, and so on, into infinity.

The latest release in the Classic Comics Series (4th release in series) scheduled for Spring 2011 and sculpted by Bruce Lau is an irresistible sculpture artfully celebrating Disney’s flagship comic book—still published today—while also spotlighting two of the greatest stars from its pages.

Comic Book Companions is Limited to Production Year 2011.

Just Give a Little Whistle!

Knowing the star of Pinocchio had to be appealing, Walt Disney directed his artists to “win the audience to the little guy.” The lovable living puppet was enhanced with vocal artist Dickie Jones, who Walt said, had a “typical nice boy’s voice.”

Walt also created a cricket sidekick, but reported, “At first we made Jiminy sort of a pompous fellow – kind of a windbag,” but voice artist Cliff Edwards’ performance
had “so much life and fun in it that we altered the character to conform to the voice. Thus Jiminy
comes to the screen... lively and full of quips.”

Jiminy (the cricket-sized sculpture is bronze) wants the
little woodenhead to call on him any time, so as the little
conscience cheerfully chirps, all Pinocchio needs to do is
give a little whistle.

Anytime you need me, you know, just whistle!, scheduled for Spring 2011 and sculpted by Bruce Lau is a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 750.

A Warm Welcome!

As loyal as she is lovely, Lady greets Jim Dear everyday with a captivating doggie trick: sitting up on her hind legs to welcome her cherished owner home and get a well-deserved treat.

Proud of her brand-new license tag—shiny symbol of her happy domesticity—this pampered pedigreed pooch is anything but spoiled, for she has a personality so loving it took three different
real-life dogs to inspire it: an adorable puppy newlywed Walt presented to his bride Lillian in 1925; story artist Joe Grant’s own affectionate cocker spaniel Jennie; and another beautiful cocker spaniel named Blondie who belonged to Lady and the Tramp co-director Ham Luske.

Warm Welcome, plussed with a charming pewter license tag on her collar, sculpted by Jacqueline Perreault Gonzales, scheduled for Spring 2011 is an Open Edition release. This pretty Lady is the perfect pet for any collection!

He's My Friend!

Gazing tenderly at the image of her beloved Beast as enchantingly conjured up by the Magic Mirror, Belle attempts to convince the frightened townspeople that they have nothing to fear from the seemingly ferocious figure, for the lovely princess-to-be sees her spellbound Prince through the eyes of love.

As the heroine of a new fairy tale, this bookish beauty was celebrated as a new kind of Disney leading lady. “We tried to make Belle more European looking with fuller lips, darker eyebrows and slightly smaller eyes,” revealed co-supervising animator James Baxter. “She’s also more worldly because she’s always reading.”

Plussed with pewter hands, legs and the lock of hair Belle so endearingly brushes back throughout the film, this graceful sculpture reflects the artistry of Beauty and the Beast in celebration of the animated classic’s 20th anniversary.

He’s Really Kind and Gentle. He’s my Friend., scheduled for Spring 2011 is Limited to Production Year 2011 and sculpted by Dusty Horner.

2010 Launch Party Weekend!

What an Amazing Weekend! Our WDCC Gang attended a 2010 WDCC Launch Party this past weekend at Gallery of the Lakes. We had the opportunity to preview the 2010 releases that will be arriving at dealers soon!

On display where the following:

• Bambi & Thumper
• Pegasus Family (from Fantasia)
• Dumbo
• Scrooge & Daisy (from Mickey's Christmas Carol)
• Nephews & Tree (from Mickey's Christmas Carol)
• Tinker Bell (Winter Premiere Event Sculpture)
• Sally with Tree (from Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas)
• Devil & Undersea Gal (from Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas)
• Song of the South (Brer Rabbit & Brer Fox)
• Scrooge McDuck (Classic Comics Series)
• Cinderella & Prince Charming
• Gus & Jaq

If like many, you too were experiencing the withdrawals of Green Boxes :( What are Green Boxes you ask? For those unfamiliar with the Walt Disney Classics Collection (WDCC), the sculptures are packaged in a teal green box and for those of us who collect this line, it's like Christmas Morning when one arrives!

Each and every piece was beautifully done, was so hard to pick a favorite .. Dumbo, such an adorable piece! ... Nephews & Tree, such amazing detail in this piece, one you can stare at for hours! This is what I LOVE about WDCC, the attention paid to detail. Wait until you see the ornament boxes in person! ... Scrooge & Daisy, the execution of this piece was handled perfectly! Scrooge peering through the window, the frost on the window panes, fully sculpted him on the other side of the window. Awesome edition to the already Amazing Mickey's Christmas Carol Series! ... Gus & Jaq, the determination in their faces! ... Bambi & Thumper, simply the sweetest of this grouping. This sculpture in both style and execution was like stepping back to the beginning of this line!

It may have been a long wait but what stuck out for me, these pieces were not rushed! There is so much detail in them and the quality is 100% there!

To my WDCC Friends/Family, what an amazing weekend with you guys!

I'd like to thank my friend John for taking a video of all the sculptures on display and Amanda for helping me clean out the background sound and add audio.

This video below will give you a good comparison of the size of the sculptures as compared to one another.

Grand Jester Studios New Release Announced from Tron!

Trapped in a virtual world where sentient Programs compete in gladiatorial-style games and race light cycles across the Grid at hyper-velocity, computer whiz Kevin Flynn joins forces with the legendary freedom fighter, Tron, to battle the evil Sark and bring about the downfall of the malevolent Master Control Program.

The digitized hero’s innate skills and resourcefulness are first put to the test when he finds himself thrust into a deadly contest where opponents hurl glowing energy spheres at each others ringed platforms in an effort to de-rez them forever.

Flynn’s quick wit and indefatigable spirit radiate from this character authentic polystone mini-bust designed by Disney animator Ruben Procopio and sculpted by Dave Cortes. Standing 8 ½” tall, Flynn comes painted and ready to display.

Film: Tron (1982)

Numbered Limited Edition: 3,000

SRP: $75

Release: Winter 2011 (target March 2011)

© Disney

These dynamic busts are designed to capture all the grandeur and power of The Walt Disney Studios’ noblest heroes, loveliest heroines, and vilest villains.

Brought to life by Disney and Grand Jester Studios under the creative direction of animator and sculptor Rubén Procopio, these limited edition polystone busts offer collectors and Disney fans alike the opportunity to bring home and display their favorite animated and live-action characters in this detailed collectible format.

Check Out Latest Episode of 'D23's Disney Geek'!

Episode Fifteen of “D23’s Disney Geek” is now online!

This week check out the following:

- Jodi Benson appears at D23’s Sneak Peek of Disney Store Times Square
- Stunning enhancements to “One Man’s Dream” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios including Figment and Abe Lincoln
- A new celebrity voice behind California Screamin’ at Disney California Adventure (Neil Patrick Harris!)
- Creating a Disneyland collectible with Jody Daily and Kevin Kidney
- “Rapunzel’s Amazing Hair” is a family affair with Claire Keane
- New shows coming to Disney Channel and Disney XD including “Phineas and Ferb: Take Two,” “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” and “TRON: Uprising”
- An advance screening of “Tangled” for D23 Members!
- Viewer Questions… And more!

Special Note: Walt Disney Classics Collection (WDCC) fans, pay close attention at 3:09 to see some past favorites!

Episode Fifteen can be viewed here!

D23’s Armchair Archivists Premiere Podcast!

TUNE IN!
D23’s Armchair Archivists Premiere Podcast

Premiere Episode Highlights Include:

A welcome to the show from hosts Josh Turchetta and Steve Czarnecki

A rare glimpse at Walt's last publicly shown appearance, thought to be long lost!

An up close look at some of the items from Walt Disney's office!

Every week, “D23's Armchair Archivists” will take you inside the vaults of the Walt Disney Archives, exploring the greatest treasures that make up Disney's magical legacy. Hosted by two avid Disney fans, Steve Czarnecki and Josh Turchetta, the show will tour the Archives, Disney warehouses and even collectors' homes to uncover Disney treasures. "It gives us the chance to reflect and look back at all the treasures we have," Steven Clark, head of D23. "And in addition to all the classic items, we'll be introducing new assets as well — including set pieces and costumes like those we recently received from the TRON: Legacy production team."

Latest Jiminy Cricket Sculpture Honored with Retirement!

Sales reps and Authorized Walt Disney Classics Collection (WDCC) Dealers were advised on Friday, November 5th of the dry retirement of Jiminy Cricket ("Bubble Trouble"), an Open Edition release which made its debut June, 2010.

Richly plussed with exquisite details including a glass bubble, captured this classic character in a delightful yet rarely portrayed moment and is truly worthy of Walt Disney's animated masterpiece Pinocchio.

A dry retirement means that there is no longer product in the warehouse. Please check with your authorized dealer for availability!

‘Bambi’ Thumps Onto Disney Diamond Edition Blu-ray/DVD on March 1, 2011 with Hare-Raising Features!

What was originally intended to be Walt Disney’s second film, the family favorite Disney classic Bambi will be released on Disney Diamond Edition Blu-ray/DVD on March 1, 2011 (with a DVD only edition to be released on April 19, 2011) according to Amazon.com.

Bonus features set to be included in the Diamond Edition include:

• Intro by Diane Disney Miller
• Two never-before-seen deleted scenes
• Deleted song
• Disney’s Second Screen – Content comes alive on your laptop, iPad, or smartphone as you watch the movie.
• Disney View – 16×9 Full frame viewing experience
• Inside Walt’s Story Meetings – Enhanced interactive edition
• Blu-ray interactive galleries
• Game: Disney Big Book of Knowledge
• Classic DVD bonus features

'Bambi' Thumps Onto Disney Diamond Edition Blu-ray/DVD on March 1, 2011 with Hare-Raising Features was originally posted on Stitch Kingdom - Reporting the magic on the Walt Disney Company.

Check Out Latest Episode of 'D23's Disney Geek'!

Episode Fourteen of “D23’s Disney Geek” is now online!

This week check out the following:

- The true pilot of “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue” is revealed!
- “TRON: Legacy” encore premieres at “World of Color”
- Behind the pages of the new Tron-a-riffic issue of “Disney twenty-three”
- Adorable—and moustached!—additions to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- New slate of shows announced for the Disney Dream—plus a spectacular image of the ship leaving its building dock in Germany
- Special preview of “D23’s Armchair Archivists” which premieres next week
- Meet new friends from the cast of “Tangled”—and enjoy tea with Rapunzel at the El Capitan in Hollywood
- Viewer Questions… And more!

Episode Fourteen can be viewed here!