The B-Side

As long as Eddie Murphy doesn’t show up boils and ghouls we’ll be fine…

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - July 22, 2010 -Guillermo del Toro surprised the 6,500 fans gathered today at Comic-Con with the announcement that he is currently developing a new film for The Walt Disney Studios based on the classic Disney theme park attraction, The Haunted Mansion.

“Dark imagery is an integral part of the Walt Disney legacy. After all, Disney himself was the father of some really chilling moments and characters - think Chernabog from Fantasia or Maleficent as the Dragon or the Evil Queen in Snow White,” said del Toro. “I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of my own adaptation of the original theme park attraction Walt envisioned and that remains- for me- the most desirable piece of real estate in the whole world!”

“Millions of people from around the world visit The Haunted Mansion each year, but no one has ever had a tour guide like Guillermo del Toro,” said Rich Ross, Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. “Guillermo is one of the most gifted and innovative filmmakers working today and he is going to take audiences on a visually-thrilling journey like they’ve never experienced before.”

Since August 1969, foolish mortals have dared to trespass on the macabre grounds of Disney’s Haunted Mansion. A hallowed landmark in Disneyland’s New Orleans square, it’s the dwelling place of 999 happy haunts dying to meet new visitors each day. The plantation-style of the mansion’s facade is a sweet deception for visitors. Inside, ghostly doom buggies line the hallways. Since its construction, the mysteries of the mansion have transcended the attraction with stories surfacing about horrifying encounters with the supernatural. Versions of the daunting edifice have been built at other Disney theme parks in Orlando, Tokyo and Paris.

A SUPERCALIFRAGILISTIC EVENING WITH
RICHARD M. SHERMAN
AND SELECTIONS FROM HIT MUSICAL “PAZZAZZ!”
With Special Guest star JoAnne Worley
AT HOLLYWOOD’S EL CAPITAN THEATRE

Three performances only! February 26 and 27

Richard M. Sherman, two-time Oscar and Grammy winning composer of the scores of “Mary Poppins” and “The Jungle Book” and more than 150 songs heard in Disney films and theme parks, will make a rare personal stage appearance, singing and telling the stories behind his songs, in “A Supercalifragilistic Evening with Richard M. Sherman,” for three performances only, February 26 and 27 at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre.

The evening, produced by Milt Larsen, co-founder of the Magic Castle, also includes selections from the hit musical “PAZZAZZ!,” featuring Adam Wylie, Christine Capsuto, Joey D’Auria, Amy Gillette, Gilmore Rizzo, Laura Thatcher, and special Guest Star JoAnne Worley. “PAZZAZZ!” features music and lyrics by Larsen and Sherman.

“A Supercalifragilistic Evening with Richard M. Sherman” will be performed on Friday, February 26 at 7 p.m., and Saturday February 27 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets priced from $35 to $50 are available at the El Capitan Theatre Box Office (6838 Hollywood Blvd.), or by calling 1-818-845-3110. Read the rest of this entry �

By Rick A Mortis

Disney went all Hulk like and purchased Marvel Entertainment for an estimated $4 billion last Monday. This is some craziness if you consider the film, television, products, and even theme parks with over 5,000 characters to add to the Disney fold. Can this be good or bad for both companies. I am not sure. The purist in me wants Disney to leave the super heroes alone. The other side is hmmmm they might be able to do some cool stuff here. I wonder what this means for Universal’s theme parks that feature the Marvel characters. Universal states that it is covered for use of the characters. But I wonder how long of a license they have? Also what does this mean for the future Spiderman movie? Some interesting things to think about. If anything this is great for Stan Lee.

By Rick A Mortis

So Disney has unveiled it’s D23 membership which is an official online Disney community.

A one-year D23 membership ($74.99) includes, with my comments afterwards:

• Disney twenty-three quarterly publication: A one-year subscription (four issues) to D23’s new collectible magazine filled with stunning photography, dazzling illustrations and the ultimate Disney insider perspective. This advertising-free keepsake is the all-access pass to discovering the magic of Disney’s past, present and future.

So you get to pay about 75 bucks for 4 magazines… How out of touch is Disney with this?  People are broke or out of work. But really it’s not much a deal since $15.95 is how much it will be at newsstands. Read the rest of this entry �

The Princess And The Frog Toy Line

The Princess And The Frog toy line is inspired by the magical elements and characters featured in the fairytale, including the beautiful Princess Tiana, Frog Prince Naveen, a trumpet-playing alligator and a love-sick Cajun firefly. The toys boast vibrant colors such as purple, green, gold and blue, with decorative elements reminiscent of New Orleans and the bayou. New  dolls, playsets, fun role-play items and costumes and colorful accessories are in the mix. Look for the first wave of “The Princess and the Frog” merchandise to start rolling in in late October / early November.

 Just in time for the holiday shopping season to buy more stuff!

The Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs Toy Line

The first Disney Princess, Snow White, was introduced to the world in 1937 as “the fairest of them all” in Walt Disney’s – and the world’s – first full-length animated feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. After more than 70 years, Snow White continues to inspire girls of all ages with her beauty, grace, kind nature and love for animals. Girls will be able to re-live moments from the classic film and celebrate the debut Blu-ray with a new toy line that hearkens back to life in the woods with her furry little friends in the cottage.

I could not find and image for this so sorry kids! Maybe the Evil Queen is up to no good again? Hmmmm…

About “The Princess And The Frog”

The Princess And The Frog marks Disney’s return to the warmth and grandeur of 2D hand drawn animation. Set in one of the greatest musical cities of them all, New Orleans, the film teams Ron Clements and John Musker, creators of The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, with Oscar winning composer, Randy Newman. From the heart of Louisiana’s mystical bayous and the banks of the mighty Mississippi comes an unforgettable tale of love, adventure, comedy and heart. Voice talent includes Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, Jenifer Lewis, John Goodman, Jim Cummings, Terrence Howard and Oprah Winfrey.

This is pretty awesome to see Disney bring back it’s 2 D art. Pretty awesome cast of voices. The teaser trailer can be found below.

 http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/princessandthefrog/