The Walt Disney Players Christmas Carol LP

By: Nick and Barbie

Who has seen the animated short film, "Mickey's Christmas Carol," based on the Charles Dickens classic, "A Christmas Carol," released in 1983? Who knows that this Disney classic is largely derived from an LP record released in 1974 by Disneyland Records?

There are several similarities in the scripts, with many of the jokes being the same. The characters are mostly the same, with a few notable exceptions.

In both versions, Scrooge is Scrooge McDuck, Cratchit is, of course, Mickey Mouse. Goofy is Jacob Marley. The ghosts, in the animated short are played by Jiminy Cricket as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Willie the Giant, from "Mickey and the Beanstalk" is Christmas Present, and Pete is Christmas Yet to Come. On the LP, the ghosts are Merlin the Magician from "The Sword in the Stone" as Christmas Past, and the Witch from Snow White as Yet to Come. It is an enjoyable listen, and fun to hear the sometimes verbatim dialogue in the animated version.

Mickey Mouse Brave Little Tailor Record and Book (From 4/9/13)

By: Nick

I've been eyeing this Mickey Mouse, Brave Little Tailor record and story book from 1968 up for a while on eBay, and found it a few months ago on a very successful trip to the Columbus Flea Market.

I felt the $5 asking price was fair, as that is comparable to what I've seen it go for in eBay, minus the extra added expense of shipping charges.

But enough of all that, let's take a look at the book.

For those unfamiliar with the story, I will relate a very truncated version.

A kingdom is being pestered by a giant, and the king offers a reward for his capture.

Mickey, a tailor, is being pestered himself, by several flies.

With 2 fly swatters, Mickey dispatches the 7 pests with one blow, which he proudly announces to the people outside his window. The citizens misunderstand, assuming Mickey is talking about taking down 7 giants with one blow!

News gets back to the King, and Mickey is summoned. He discovers that the king expects him to capture just one giant, no problem for someone so brave. He offers the hand of Princess Minnie in return.

Mickey finds the giant, and through ingenuity and tailoring, ties things up nicely.

To celebrate, the King decides to hold a big carnival, and the giant provides the wind power to turn the carousel!
 

A happy ending for all. But I always wondered what the final fate of the giant was.

Someone got creative with the coloring on the last page here. The record itself is in perfect condition.

Released by Disneyland Records.

I hope you've enjoyed our story time.

Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse Christmas Surprises LP Album

By: Nick

I've no idea where I picked up this Mickey Mouse Christmas Surprises record album, but it's in pretty good shape. An "Official Mickey Mouse Club" Disneyland Record from 1958.

If the terrific illustration on the cover isn't enough to grab your attention, I don't know what is!
Who knew Bambi could fly?! That's a surprise.

What are other surprises does this record hold?
Other surprises are how unusual the song selections are on this collection.

Side one:

1. From All Of Us to All of You - Jiminy Cricket & Mickey Mouse

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs. Ever. So great start!

2. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, O Little Town of Bethlehem, O Come All Ye Faithful - Ludwig Mousensky & The All Mouse Choir

Then it gets weird. This is an odd one. Very Chipmunk, but not as charming or coherent.

3. T'was the Night Before Christmas - Jiminy Cricket

Back on track, one of my favorite stories told by one of my favorite characters

4. Fantasyland, Story Book Tree - Camarta Chorus & Orchestra

So sweet, your teeth may hurt after listening.

5. Winter Wonderland - Instrumental by Ludwig Mousensky & The All Mouse Symphony

Tolerable instrumental

Side 2:

6. Jingle Bells - Ludwig Mousensky & The All Mouse Choir

Essentially, the Chipmunks singing Jingle Bells. I like it!

7. Adventureland, Jungle Tree - Camarta Chorus & Orchestra

If you are familiar with the Enchanted Tiki Room, this seems to be the same group of singers singing about finding the Christmas tree for, or maybe in, Adventureland. Very unusual, and the lyrics are a bit difficult to follow, so I always lose the thread of the story midway through.

8. Jingle Bones- Witches 3 and Friends

I'm a fan of Hallowthanksmas, but this Halloween/Christmas mash-up is too much for even me. Just straight up trippy.

9. Kris Kringle - Jimmy Cricket

I really enjoy this one. It makes me wish they'd just released a full album of Jiminy Cricket doing Christmas Carols

10. Tomorrowland, Futuristic Christmas Tree - Camarta Chorus & Orchestra

A standard that takes a weird and incomprehensible turn in the middle.

This album is a surprisingly bipolar collection of songs, but worth a listen if you come across it for a reasonable price. And if you have a turntable, of course!

Mary Poppins Record and Movie Book

By: Nick

Today, Disney releases the film, Saving Mr. Banks, and to say I am excited to see this is an understatement.
Both Barbie and I have grown up with Mary Poppins.

The film centers on the life of P. L. Travers, creator of Mary Poppins, shifting between her childhood, and the negotiations with Walt Disney in the making of the motion picture, Mary Poppins, in 1961 

If you haven't seen the trailer, it looks absolutely amazing. I just re-watched it, and have goosebumps, and, okay, a tear in my eye.

As much as we both love Mary Poppins, we actually only have 2 items from Mary Poppins, if you don't include a VHS, DVD, and the just released Blu-ray copy of the film!

One is this record album Barbie has had since childhood.

It includes a very brief synopsis of the movie, and even a brief telling of how Disney came to discover Mary Poppins and produce this masterpiece.

And what more can I say about the music by the Sherman Brothers other than it is absolutely brilliant?

This 1964 Mary Poppins movie book from Golden Press was bought just a few months ago at our local flea market.

Originally priced at $.69, I paid $2.

Not in the best of shape, but, having just seen the trailer for the first time the day before, I felt it was fate that I came upon it, and had to buy it!

It tells a bit about the production, and the 2 primary stars, Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, on the inside cover, before going on to tell the story of the motion picture, with photos from the film.

We'll be seeing Saving Mr. Banks this weekend, so please stop back for a review.

Mickey Mouse Brave Little Tailor Record and Book

I've been eyeing this Mickey Mouse, Brave Little Tailor record and story book from 1968 up for a while on eBay, and found it a few months ago on a very successful trip to the Columbus Flea Market.

I felt the $5 asking price was fair, as that is comparable to what I've seen it go for in eBay, minus the extra added expense of shipping charges.

But enough of all that, let's take a look at the book.

For those unfamiliar with the story, I will relate a very truncated version.

A kingdom is being pestered by a giant, and the king offers a reward for his capture.

Mickey, a tailor, is being pestered himself, by several flies.

With 2 fly swatters, Mickey dispatches the 7 pests with one blow, which he proudly announces to the people outside his window. The citizens misunderstand, assuming Mickey is talking about taking down 7 giants with one blow!

News gets back to the King, and Mickey is summoned. He discovers that the king expects him to capture just one giant, no problem for someone so brave. He offers the hand of Princess Minnie in return.

Mickey finds the giant, and through ingenuity and tailoring, ties things up nicely.

To celebrate, the King decides to hold a big carnival, and the giant provides the wind power to turn the carousel!
 

A happy ending for all. But I always wondered what the final fate of the giant was.

Someone got creative with the coloring on the last page here. The record itself is in perfect condition.

Released by Disneyland Records.

I hope you've enjoyed our story time.