Saturday, December 8, 2012

Walt Disney Classics Collection Moving Forward in 2013 with New Licensee

As most aware, December 31, 2012 would mark the end of the current contract between Enesco, LLC and the Walt Disney Company for the Walt Disney Classics Collection. 

On Thursday, December 6th, Enesco, LLC released the following announcement that they were passing the torch back to Disney and the line will continue in 2013 under a new licensee to be announced in early 2013.

Many, like myself have been collecting the line since its inception and wondered if the line would continue beyond this year.  It's bittersweet, as it great news the line will continue but not moving forward with the current team that many of us have gotten to know personally over the years, who have put their heart and soul into the collection, will not be moving forward with the line.

To the Enesco Team, the talented sculptors, mold makers, artisans and painters, to those involved in the packaging and shipping of the product, a well deserved Thank You for giving us collectors 20 Years of pure magic!

It will be interesting to see what direction the new licensee will take the line, seeing the collection through a different vision and the complexity of sculptures they will release.  

The announcement released by Enesco, LLC on Thursday, December 06, 2012:








From its introduction in 1992, the award-winning Walt Disney Classics Collection has celebrated the artistry and legacy of Disney’s animated and live-action shorts and films by faithfully recreating memorable moments and beloved characters in innovative and exquisitely hand-crafted porcelain sculptures.  In 2004, Enesco was entrusted with continuing the collection as the Walt Disney Classics Collection’s first licensee and we are honored to have played a part in helping the brand reach its 20th Anniversary this year. 

The past several years have been challenging for luxury products and we’re proud to have maintained the brand’s artistic integrity and complexity while keeping the line relevant and desirable to reach this year’s milestone.  And now, after nine amazing and creatively fulfilling years, Enesco is handing the torch back to Disney to appoint a new licensee to re-imagine the next chapter for the Walt Disney Classics Collection.  In order to not disrupt your business, and to allow your customers time to complete their collections, we will continue to sell the limited inventory of Walt Disney Classics Collection sculptures we have remaining.

Enesco would especially like to thank the dedicated team of sculptors, artists, painters and mold-makers who started with the line at Disney and joined us for this journey.  Their unparalleled talent established the high standards of artistry and attention to detail that have always been the hallmark of the Walt Disney Classics Collection and have contributed immeasurably to its longevity. 

Throughout its long and celebrated history, the Walt Disney Classics Collection has drawn inspiration from Walt Disney’s legendary creativity, inventiveness and vision.  Ensuring that Walt’s legacy of artistry and excellence continues to be preserved and celebrated throughout the collection has been the mission of Disney Creative Director and Master Artist Dave Pacheco.   From a tiny field mouse reaching up for a crystal dewdrop to a dashing prince sweeping Snow White into his arms, Dave has provided a consistent vision and meticulous attention to detail that has made the line what it is today. 

While our collaboration on Walt Disney Classics Collection in nearing a close, Enesco will continue to provide Disney magic through many of our other lines, including Disney Traditions, Disney by BRITTO™, Grand Jester Studios, and Disney Showcase Collection. 

Finally, it has truly been an honor to play a significant role in the history of the Walt Disney Classics Collection.  We thank you for your loyalty and support of the collection and your contribution to the success of the line.  Everyone at Enesco who has worked on - and added to - the collection has taken enormous pride in the line, and we wish it every success going forward.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

The New Fantasyland: Storybook Circus

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Part of the New Fantasyland expansion, Storybook Circus invites you to explore a lively world inspired by the Disney animated film Dumbo
Storybook Circus dazzles with a glittering array of classic Disney characters and classic Disney storytelling! From the colorful big-top circus tents to the interactive line queues to the animal footprints that pepper the pavement, Storybook Circus offers imaginative touches at every turn.
Delight in the following circus-themed attractions:

* Dumbo the Flying Elephant
* The Barnstormer
* Casey, Jr. Splash and Soak Section
* Pete's Silly Sideshow
* Big Top Souvenirs 


Photos from the Storybook Circus Area









The New Fantasyland: Construction Continues

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We're wrapping up an awesome week in Walt Disney World today. Hard to believe we haven't been here since May, 2011 and when we were last here, Fantasyland was still intact and construction walls were up and work had begun on the New Fantasyland!

The lay of the land had really changed since that last visit. Snow White's Scary Adventure was gone, Dumbo the Flying Elephant had been moved, construction walls were still up in the center area. Toon Town was no more and now a new area called Storybook Circus. The Chalet near Peter Pan's Flight was gone and new construction was going there and Disney's latest heroine was now represented with the Tower from Tangled.

The area were the Tower is located was behind walls as they were constructing the new restroom area and once complete, work will began on Peter Pan's Flight, expanding the queu area into the area where the restrooms currently are.  Below are construction photos taken yesterday.




What a difference an hour makes.  Within an hour of the above photos being taken, the cupula was covered with roofing paper.


Not long after, while riding the Liberty Square Riverboat, I could see where roofing shingles were starting to be applied to the roof.




To the right of the construction you were given a glimpse of things to come as this new area will tie into the building where It's a Small World is located.


Looking forward to our next visit to see the end results!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Looking Back: Pocahontas

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There are not many Walt Disney Classics Collection releases that would qualify as Thanksgiving themed releases as compared to Halloween and Christmas.  Each year, one piece that I consider seasonal is Pocahontas with Meeko and Flit from Pocahontas. Unfortunately am unable to display year-round, so always look forward to this time of year to incorporate into our Thanksgiving displays.

Animators working on the film regarded Pocahontas as being one of the hardest films ever produced by the studio. The complex color schemes, angular shapes and facial expressions meant that the film was in production for 5 years. The hard work paid off, however. Pocahontas herself is now frequently cited as being one of the most beautifully and realistically animated characters in the Disney canon, her fluid movements mainly being attributed to rotoscoping.

The film's premiere was a huge event in Central Park. With over 100,000 people attending, it holds the record for the largest movie premiere. The film received critical praise for both the animation and art direction. The film utilizes very different colors than in previous Disney films, which resulted in a beautiful color palette from the Art Department at Disney. Colors that symbolized different emotions, such as red for anger/hate, blue for love and pink and purple for nature were purposely used. The animators also decided to be unconventional when they decided to use the "mother spirit in the leavesmotif, which consisted of leaves floating in the wind during significant scenes in the movie that represented passion and beauty.


Originally the animal characters had dialogue, just like in previous Disney features. This was dropped when the filmmakers pushed for a more realistic treatment of the story. One character, a turkey named Redfeather, was dropped entirely. John Candy had provided a large amount of voice work for this character who was to be Pocahontas's sidekick. However after Candy's death in 1994, the concept was scrapped.

In the very first draft of the script the character of "Grandmother Willow" was written as a male character who was the spirit of the river, the character was named "Old Man River". The song "Just Around the Riverbend" was written for this character to be sung. Gregory Peck was offered the role and as much as it pained him to do it, turned down the role because he felt the title character needed a motherly figure to turn to for advice. Soon the filmmakers agreed with him and the character was changed.

The Walt Disney Classics Collection released "Listen With Your Heart" (a non-member commission release) sculpted by Gwen Dutcher in 1996 following the film's Fall 1995 release.  The sculpture featured Pocahontas with her trusted friends, Meeko and Flit.  Prototypes shipped to retailers, prior to the sculpture's release had a thinner base. It was the second release in the Tribute Series. The redemption period was March 01, 1996 thru May 31, 1996.

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Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween!

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Today is the day when pumpkin shells cast evil spells and witches, ghosts and goblins by the score, who will be knocking at your front door!

It reminds me of my favorite Halloween shorts and unpacking each year, one of my favorite WDCC releases .. Trick or Treat!

The Walt Disney Classics Collection put everyone into the "Halloween Spirit" in Fall 2001 with the release from the 1952 animated short, "Trick or Treat," one of the most beloved and well-remembered of the Duck cartoons. Trick or Treat marked Witch Hazel's debut and the first screen depiction of trick or treating.

Huey, Dewey and Louie visit Donald's house for Hallowe'en, but Donald turns the tricks on them. Sorry to see that Donald Duck is playing tricks on his nephews, Witch Hazel sets out to help them have the happiest Halloween ever. And if the boys "Unca" Donald doesn't want to give out any treats, he better be aware the tricks Witch Hazel has brewing in her cauldron!

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It was this moment that the Walt Disney Classics Collection depicted in their scene release which consisted of Donald's Nephews (dressed respectively as a ghost, witch and devil), Witch Hazel and a very detailed Cauldron Base where Witch Hazel begins to brew her potion. The complete scene was sculpted by Chris Peterson.

Witch Hazel's Spell: "Double double, toil and trouble. Fire burn and cauldron bubble. Eye of needle, tongue of shoe, hand of clock that points at two... This is the real thing you know, right out of Shakespeare."

The 'Trick or Treat' Scene (Witch Hazel, Donald's Nephews (Huey, Dewey and Louie) and Cauldron Base) was honored with retirement on Friday, October 29, 2004. The Opening Title was NOT retired.

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As a special treat, below is the animated short for your viewing pleasure (courtesy of YouTube.com).

So grab your favorite witch's brew and some candy treats and Enjoy!



Trick or Treat is a Donald Duck Cartoon ©Disney

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Lyrics to 'Trick or Treat'

"Trick or Treat" is also the title for the great bouncy song in this cartoon written by Paul Smith. It is sung by the great "Mellomen" which included the voice actor Thurl Ravenscroft. I promise you will be singing this all evening and into tomorrow, once you hear it ]:)

Trick or Treat
Trick or Treat
Trick or Treat for Halloween
Better give a treat that's good to eat
If you want to keep life serene

Trick or Treat (Trick or Treat)
Trick or Treat (Trick or Treat)
Trick or Treat the whole night through
Little scalawags
With fiendish gags
Can make it tough on you

So when ghosts and goblins by the score
Ring the bell on your front door
Better not be stingy or
Your nightmares will come true

Trick or Treat
Trick or Treat
Trick or Treat for Halloween
When the pumpkin shells
Cast evil spells
Your little white house turns green
Your little white house turns green
Your little white house turns green

Every post
Is a ghost
If you've got a witch's brew
And if you want your gate to circulate
Ho ho! We can do that too!

Trick or Treat
Trick or Treat
Trick or Treat
Trick or Treat
Trick or Treat for Halloween
When ghosts and goblins by the score
Ring the bell on your front door
You'd better not be stingy or
Your nightmares will come true

So when ghosts and goblins by the score
Ring your bell or pound your door
Better not be stingy or


BOO!

Latest Press Release from 'Disney Twenty Three'!


DISNEY TWENTY-THREE GETS INTO THE GAME 
WITH AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE MAKING OF THE 3D ANIMATED ARCADE COMEDY "WRECK-IT RALPH" 
IN ITS ALL-NEW WINTER ISSUE

Diane Disney Miller Gives Fans a Sneak Peek Of The New Snow White Exhibit At The Walt Disney Family Museum

Go Behind The Scenes With Epic Mickey Creative Director Warren Spector And Discover How Disney Creates Blockbuster Video Games

Exclusive Interviews With Alan Menken And Sarah Silverman

BURBANK, Calif. – October 30, 2012 – It’s time to get your game on, as the winter issue of Disney twenty-three, the flagship magazine of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, takes readers on a vivid journey through the world of Wreck-It Ralph, the sensational new film from Walt Disney Feature Animation. The hilarious and touching film begs the question, What would happen if a video game bad guy decided he was tired of being bad?

Available nationwide on Nov. 13, Disney twenty-three answers this question through exclusive interviews with director Rich Moore, writer Phil Johnston, star Sarah Silverman and more. The naturally animated Silverman also offers her personal take on getting toon-ed into the sassy character Vanellope von Schweetz. Along with the new issue, D23 Gold Members will receive a special member-only gift: a vibrant set of pixelated Wreck-It Ralph window clings featuring Ralph, Fix-It Felix, Jr. and the Nicelanders.

Wreck It Ralph is an imaginative, heartfelt adventure that connects many of our favorite classic video game characters with a host of new ones and is sure to delight Disney fans of all ages,” said Steven Clark, head of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club. “In the winter issue, we invite D23 Members to get in the game as we take them behind the scenes with the stars and creative team of the film.”

The winter issue also celebrates the opening of the new Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs exhibit at the Walt Disney Family Museum with an in-depth look at the collection with a peek from Walt’s daughter, Diane Disney Miller, and an exclusive interview with Snow White’s live-action reference model, Marge Champion. Plus, Epic Mickey creative director Warren Spector writes about digging into the Walt Disney Archives to create blockbuster Disney video games.

Disney twenty-three also offers the latest on exciting new projects from the world of Disney and a look at some celebrated classics. In its pages, Disney fans will be able to:

  • Take to the stage as D23’s Billy Stanek and Radio Disney DJ Jake Whetter step into roles in Newsies and Mary Poppins on Broadway
  • Learn “30 Thing You Just Might Not Know About Epcot” from never-built attractions to roaming eight-foot-tall dolls
  • Enter the Magic Kingdom for a look at Walt Disney World’s spectacular Fantasyland expansion
  • Get answers to “23 Questions” with The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Newsies composer Alan Menken
  • Enjoy a tour D23 Presents Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives and see some of the iconic pieces now on display at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum  
In conjunction with the release of winter issue of Disney twenty-three, www.D23.com will feature original and exclusive stories that complement the contents of D23’s beautiful, glossy magazine. Only available on D23.com, beginning November 13:

  • Exclusive outtakes and insights from Warren Spector’s revelations about the creation of Disney video games.
  • In celebration of The Lion King on Broadway’s 15th anniversary, Julie Taymor and Thomas Schumacher reflect on the opening night of what has become the fifth-longest running show on Broadway.
  • Expanded interviews and behind-the-castle-walls photos of the Fantasyland expansion at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom 
Disney twenty-three is delivered directly to the doorstep of all D23 Gold Members, along with a special gift.  Disney twenty-three magazine is also available at retail locations across the country for $15.95, and can also be purchased online at DisneyStore.com and throughout the Disneyland® and Walt Disney World® Resorts.

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club celebrates the remarkable past, present and future of Disney, taking its name from 1923, the year Walt Disney founded his world-famous company. D23 brings its members a host of exclusive benefits, including a weekly e-mail newsletter; an array of discounts and special offers; free gifts throughout the year; and exclusive, member-only special events.

Disney fans can join the world’s only Official Disney Fan Club by visiting www.D23.com, or at select shops at the Disneyland® Resort, the Walt Disney World® Resort and www.DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow “DisneyD23” on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

History of the Haunted Mansion

Back when Anaheim was a sleepy town filled with orange groves, Walt envisioned a haunted mansion for the "Mickey Mouse Park" he planned to build near his California film studio. When that small park morphed into the larger Disneyland in the mid-1950s, a haunted house concept remained part of the plans, but never made it past the drawing boards.

According to Marty Sklar, vice chairman and principal creative executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, the Haunted Mansion spawned many ideas and went through a number of revisions during its long gestation period. Like the Pirates of the Caribbean, the Disney creative team initially designed the attraction as a walk-through experience. The plans included an old sea captain's seaside manor and a more unsettling "Bloodmere Manor" concept with some bloody shenanigans. The Headless Horseman even galloped his way into one of the plotlines.

The treatments piled up, and a slew of Imagineers developed a gaggle of illusions and effects through the years. When the project finally got the green light in the late 1960's (it opened in 1969), Sklar said that the story was in danger of getting lost amid the effects. Since Imagineering rule number one is that the storytelling is paramount, it was up to Imagineer X. Atencio to cobble together a coherent story.

"There was a sign I created in 1963 that keyed the whole thing," Sklar explains. After Walt came back from a trip to London, Sklar asked him what he was doing overseas. "He said that he was searching old mansions and manor houses for ghosts that didn't want to retire." Even though there was no consensus about the attraction, Walt went ahead and had the exterior of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion built in 1962. Inspired by Walt, Sklar created a large help wanted sign inviting ghosts that wanted to continue practicing their trade in active retirement at the mansion to send their resumes to the "Ghost Relations Dept." The sign hung for many years in front of the empty building. "When X. Atencio started working on the project," Sklar says, "the sign became the thread of the Haunted Mansion."

Even with Atencio's focus, Sklar says that there were many different ideas about what the Haunted Mansion should be. The attraction was the first major theme park project developed after Walt died, and without his final say, many of the Imagineers clashed over its direction. "Marc Davis and Claude Coats polarized attitudes," Sklar explains. Davis, one of Disney's "Nine Old Men" of animation, wanted a lighter tone, while background artist Coats pushed for a scarier attraction. "In the end, Marc's cartoony attitude carried the day," says Sklar. "And he probably pushed it in the right direction."

Still, some of Coats' surreal, spookier backgrounds remain evident in the early scenes of the ride. Some of the other Imagineers who lent their ideas to the Haunted Mansion project through the years and whose touch can be seen in the final version include:

  • Rolly Crump-- An artist and magic aficionado. His love of stage magic and illusions inspired effects such as the "Pepper's Ghost" trick used in the Grand Hall and hitchhiking ghosts scenes.
  • Yale Gracey-- A mechanical genius and animator, Sklar says that he was a tinkerer who loved to play around with technology. Gracey and Crump developed the "Leota effect" that brings Madame Leota to life in the Seance Room.
  • Walt Disney-- While Walt passed away before work began in earnest on the interior of the attraction, he played a major role in guiding the project along. One of his most important contributions was his insistence, despite the protests of most other Imagineers, that the exterior of the building remain pristine so as not to disrupt his beloved Disneyland. According to Sklar, Walt said, "Don't worry about it. We'll take care of the outside; the ghosts will take care of the inside."
The attraction opened at the Magic Kingdom in 1971, Tokyo Disneyland in 1983, Disneyland Paris as Phantom Manor in 1992. For each of these parks, the Haunted Mansion is an original attraction.The Haunted Mansion was an opening day attraction at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, opening in 1971. This attraction (pictured at left) was developed at the same time as the Disneyland version, resulting in a very similar experience to the Disneyland version, though the slightly larger show building allowed the addition of several new scenes. The attraction was placed in Liberty Square, a small land that was a tribute to colonial America, as the Magic Kingdom did not have a New Orleans Square. Thus, the Mansion was given a Dutch Gothic Revival style based on older northeastern mansions, particularly those in older areas of Pennsylvania and in the Hudson River Valley region of New York.

At Tokyo Disneyland the Mansion was placed in Fantasyland and was a near complete clone of the Magic Kingdom version. The only exterior differences from the Magic Kingdom are two bronze griffin statues guarding the main gates, as well as the left bottom and top windows being both smashed open, and the top having some velvet curtains hanging out. The narration is in Japanese.At Disneyland Paris, the attraction goes by a different name, Phantom Manor (pictured at right).

Courtesy of YouTube.com is a two-part clip on the History of the Haunted Mansion below:

Part I



Part II

Disney's Haunted Mansion Attraction is ©Disney

Monday, October 29, 2012

Disney's Halloween Treat!

While surfing the net, I came across mention of a Disney Halloween Special entitled Disney's Halloween Treat. This classic TV Special first aired Halloween October 31, 1982 and was shown every year after that up until 1995 (which is ironic since that’s when Disney bought ABC).

Originally it was hosted by a talking Jack O’ Lantern and was the unusual length of 47 minutes (a little over an hour if you count the commercials). Around 1990 the special was edited and several pieces clipped in order to fit a 30 minute time slot. The Jack O’Lantern host was also replaced by the Magic Mirror from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Below is a sample of some of the shorts and tidbits that were included in the special:
“Pluto’s Nightmare” - “Pluto’s Judgment Day” – Pluto (1935)
“Cat Nap Pluto” – Pluto & Figaro (1948)
“Puss Cafe” – Pluto, Milton & Richard (1950)
“Lonesome Ghosts” – Mickey, Donald, & Goofy (1937)
“Donald Duck and the Gorilla” – Donald, Nephews & Ajax (1944)
“Trick or Treat” - Donald & Nephews (1952)
“The Old Mill” – Silly Symphonies (1937)
“Malifacent the Dragon” – “Sleeping Beauty” (1959)
“The Blue Fairy” – “Pinnochio” (1940)
“Wizard’s Duel” – “The Sword in the Stone” (1963)
“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” (1958)
“The Wicked Witch” – “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937)
“The Bomb” – “Peter Pan” (1953)
“Two Bad Cats” – “Lady and The Tramp” (1955)
“The Butler” – “Aristocats” (1970)
“Cruella DeVil” – “101 Dalmatians” (1961)
“Night on Bald Mountain” – “Fantasia” (1940)
“Skeleton Dance” (colorized, used as background for end credits) – Silly Symphonies (1929)

The original cut of “Halloween Treat” starring the Jack O’Lantern host was released on VHS around 1984 but has been out of print ever since. The copies are few and exceedingly rare.

Below is the intro of Disney's Halloween Treat (courtesy of YouTube.com):



Disney's Halloween Treat is ©Disney

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Looking Back: Pinocchio And A Few 'Friends'

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Pinocchio happens to rank in my Top 5 favorite Disney films.  The story takes place in Italy, is a great story (the puppet Pinocchio's adventure to become a real boy) which involves many encounters with some unsavory characters...the conniving Honest John  (John Worthington Foulfellow) & Gideon, the puppet maker Stromboli and Lampwick, a naughty boy Pinocchio meets and befriends on his way to Pleasure Island.

The Walt Disney Classics Collection released these characters thru different formats between 1996 and 2006.


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Pinocchio ("Good-bye Father") sculpted by Kent Melton was released as an Open Edition release in September, 1996 as part of a scene that included Geppetto ("Good-bye Son"), Jiminy Cricket ("Wait for Me, Pinoke!"), Figaro ("Say Hello to Figaro") and an Opening Title.  The scene (all except the Opening Title) was retired in November, 1998.

The sculpture captures the innocence of Pinocchio after he has been brought to life by the Blue Fairy and skips off to his first day at school.  Little did he know the adventure (or trouble) he would come to face.

However the naive Pinocchio is spotted by con artist Honest John and Gideon who quickly decide to sell the living puppet for money!


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John Worthington Foulfellow (better known as Honest John) and Gideon were released in April 2003 as the Fourth (and Final) release in the Duos Series.

"Felonious Fox" (Foulfellow) and "Feline Flunky" (Gideon) sculpted by Kent Melton were Limited to Production Year 2003.

This was easily my favorite release of this short-lived series.  Both characters personalities were captured perfectly, Honest John's sly, ever thinking ways to trick the poor, innocent Pinocchio and Gideon, the simple side-kick, who like Dopey, never uttered a word in the film.

Special Note: Foulfellow & Gideon were packaged and sold separately differing from previous year releases.  The Walt Disney Art Classics originally had targeted to sell these pieces as a set and at a suggested retail price that was in line with past releases in the Duo Series. However, in order to create the characters properly and do them in the true Walt Disney Classics Collection quality, the development of the sculptures came in at a higher cost. Therefore, not wanting to compromise on quality in order to reduce the cost, Walt Disney Art Classics decided to offer the pieces individually so as not to make them prohibitive cost-wise for collectors to purchase.

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Stromboli, the bearded puppet maker forces Pinocchio to perform onstage in order to make money. He speaks in an Italian accent, though he is identified as being a gypsy. He is the only villain of the film to be part of the official Disney Villains line-up. He is not seen again after the scene when Pinocchio is locked up, so his defeat remains unknown, but it is likely that his career suffered a slump without Pinocchio.

Stromboli made his WDCC debut as part of the Villains Series in 2002.  "You Will Make Lots Of Money For Me" sculpted by Dusty Horner, was available to active Society members by Special Order with Redemption Certificate from 05/15/02 thru 09/30/02.

This was one villain I actively campaigned for and couldn't have been any happier. The release wasn't like the majority of previous Villains Series releases, where the villain and environment (turret, bed, throne, etc.) were all one sculpture.  Stromboli came with a Table Accessory but was separate of the sculpture and allowed for more display possibilities or as in my case, just kept the table in the box and was able to work the stand alone Stromboli sculpture in with my other releases from that film.


Special Note: With Stromboli, collectors noticed the Stromboli and Table Accessory set were not numbered and wondered if there would be dealer displays available as with past Villains Series releases. Due to the complexity of matching numbers for both the sculpture and table accessory, they were not numbered and dealer displays (marked with a DD denoting Dealer Display) were made available.
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Lampwick meets Pinocchio on the Coachman's stagecoach, and the two quickly become friends. Though Lampwick has never been to Pleasure Island, he has heard great things about the fun they can have there.

Lampwick ("Screwball in the Corner Pocket"), sculpted by Dusty Horner was released as an Open Edition release in September, 2006 as part of the Pool Table Scene (complete scene retired in March, 2011) which also included Pinocchio ("He's My Conscience"), Jiminy Cricket ("It Wouldn't Hurt You To Take Orders From Your Conscience") and Pool Table Base. 

I like how Lampwick's cocky, 'I don't care' attitude was captured and the sense of movement in the way he's holding the cue stick behind his back.  In recent years, there has been the removal of cigarettes in some Disney films, so was glad they didn't worry about political correctness and left him smoking on the cigar.  I like the detail of the cigar band which I never noticed until photographing the sculpture.  It's this attention to detail that sets the Walt Disney Classics Collection from other collectibles.

Nothing would make this Pinocchio fan any happier than if the Walt Disney Classics Collection would release the Coachman and Alexander :)


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