From: brad@cmptrc.lonestar.org (Brad Barton)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.disney
Subject: Re: pinnochio video re-re
Date: 12 Jan 93 14:47:22 GMT
Distribution: rec
Organization: CompuTrac Inc., Richardson TX

In article <1993Jan11.1483.7052@channel1> "eric walker" <eric.walker@channel1.com> writes:
>DM>>Is it true Pinocchio is scheduled for re-release on video in
>DM>>March?  Any comments on the quality of the video?
>DM>Well, I was one of the local disney stores recently and they were
>DM>accepting preorders for it until March 22 or so, which would mean that
>DM>it should be delivered in late March or early April.
>
>Also of note:  This is the first time a Disney animated feature film
>will be released on laserdisc in CLV ONLY.
>
>Whoever is in charge of releasing Disney films on laserdisc should be
>kidnapped, tortured, and shot, because this is only one more incident
>in a seemingly nonstop string of abuses towards laserdisc fans by
>Disney, including:
>
>- the continuing refusal to release Disney films in letterbox, with
>THE ROCKETEER (a really fun film, BTW) being the only exception.  (See
>below for MARY POPPINS and 20,000 LEAGUES.)
>
Wasn't Rocketeer Touchstone?  If so, Sister Act is in Letterbox too (just
bought it last night, see below for another comment).

>- the insistence of releasing Disney films on laserdisc AFTER the
>video - in the case of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, a full YEAR after the
>video.
>
Has a full year been confirmed by Disney?  As far as I know officially
(rumour is just that, and I've heard enough of those), there are no current
plans to release BatB on LaserDisc.  Same with 101 Dalmations.  I know they
will someday, but anyone have an OFFICIAL date when?

>- refusing to sell laserdiscs at the Disney Store.  When I asked about
>this, I was told that it was because the laserdiscs were not selling
>well, and it was also suggested that if people only bought their discs
>and videos from the Disney Store, then they might still be selling
>discs.
>
This may be a matter of space as well.  Musicland tried to tell me their
LaserDiscs didn't sell well, and I told them that if they put them in bins
instead of narrow racks on the wall above eye level, they might sell better.
The way they are now, you have to take down every title they have before the
letter 'G' just to see what they have (and I'm 6 foot).

>Up until recently Disney laserdiscs were a good deal, because they
>were some of the lowest-priced discs on the market.  (This contrasted
>with their videotapess, which are almost always the highest-priced.)
>But now Disney seems determined to fix this little oversight in their
>policy.

I'm assuming you're talking about CAV disc prices.  Their CLV prices are
still reasonable around here, anyway.

As I said before, I bought Sister Act on LaserDisc last night and there was
a Touchstone survey card inside.  It had some interesting questions on it,
as if Buena Vista is trying to decide if they really have been wrong in their
policies.  The questions included which I preferred, Letterbox or Pan and Scan.
Would I have still bought this disc if it were only available in Pan and Scan?
How many CAV/CLV discs do you currently own?

A friend said he got a similar card in a Disney movie he just bought, so maybe
Buena Vista/Disney will see there is money to be made if they change their
policies a little.... (hope, hope)

Because as we all know, Money is the bottom line for Disney.

-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|  Brad Barton - brad@cmptrc.lonestar.org  |  "Light the lamp, not the rat!"  |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.arts.disney