Blu-ray Review “Lady and the Tramp: The Signature Collection”

Actors: Larry Roberts, Verna Felton, Barbara Luddy, Bill Baucom, Stan Freberg
Rated: G
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Release Date: February 27, 2018
Run Time: 76 minutes

Film: 5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars

“Lady and the Tramp” was the first Disney animated feature filmed in CinemaScope. It is the sixth title to join the Walt Disney Signature Collection, alongside “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Pinocchio,” “Bambi” and “The Lion King.” Walt Disney Signature Collection. This new release included three versions of the film, classic bonus material as well as three all-new features!

Official Premise: As one of the greatest love stories ever told, “Lady and the Tramp” is sure to melt the hearts of generations with its beloved characters, brilliant animation, memorable music and sweet sentiment. The animated treasure tells the story of Lady, a lovingly pampered cocker spaniel, and Tramp, a freewheeling mutt with a heart of gold. Through the Signature Collection edition, viewers can relive the pair’s thrilling adventures, sing along with the film’s unforgettable songs like “Bella Notte,” and swoon over one of the most memorable movie moments of all time—the iconic scene in which Lady and Tramp share a plate of spaghetti and an accidental kiss.

“The Signature Collection” includes the film on Blu-ray, DVD and also Digital HD. The audio and video haven’t changed since the last 2012, “Diamond Edition” Blu-ray release. That being said it is not like it is bad though, that release features a near flawless audio/video features. There are three versions of this film included. There is the original theatrical edition, a Sing-Along mode and a lastly a mode called Inside Walt’s Story Meetings, in which as you watch the film you hear reenactments of Walt’s story sessions with animators and see how their ideas were realized on-screen. This version is probably my favorite included here.

The new special features included are not life changing but are worth checking out still. “Walt & His Dogs” includes archival recordings and photos about the dogs Walt Disney owned and loved over his lifetime. Next up is “Stories from Walt’s Office” which takes us on a tour of Walt’s office suite on the Studio lot. Lastly the fun extra is a DYI called “How to Make a Meatball and Other Fun Facts About “Lady and The Tramp”” with teen chef Amber Kelley and Oh My Disney Show Host.

In the classic bonus features, this release carries over a few extras from previous Diamond Edition and also removes a few while moving most of the Diamond Edition’s extras to digital-only format accessible via sites like Vudu and Movies Anywhere. In the end, the means to re-purchase this relies on how much the digital HD copy and digital extras would be worth to you. I personally think it is worth it for myself. In future releases, I would like to see an attempt to upgrade the video and audio or at least attempt a 4K UHD release.

 

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Blu-ray Review “Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure”

Directors: Darrell Rooney, Jeannine Roussel
Starring: Scott Wolf, Alyssa Milano, Chazz Palminteri, Jeff Bennett, Jodi Benson, Bill Fagerbakke
MPAA Rating: G
Distributed by: Walt Disney Video
Release Date: August 21, 2012
Running Time: 69 minutes

Film: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

When it comes to Disney’s direct-to-video titles, I give them a certain leniency since they are good for what they deliver. They don’t trump the previous films in quality but they also don’t try to either. “Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure” delivers a very fun and cute film that is filled with colorful characters and non-stop songs. This story picks up with Lady and Tramp’s mischievous pup, Scamp (Scott Wolf), who runs away after getting fed up with rules and restrictions and longs for a wild and free lifestyle. It is notable to say that this film does have some great voice talent including Scott Wolf, Alyssa Milano, Chazz Palminteri, and Disney voice legend Jodi Benson. Fans of “Lady and the Tramp” and the Disney animation will enjoy this release but it is definitely aimed to please the kiddies.

This isn’t the only film released out of the vault though. Besides this film, August 21st saw the release seven animated films over five different Blu-ray, including “The Aristocats”, “The Rescuers & The Rescuers Down Under”, “Pocahontas & Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World” and “The Tigger Movie”. Disney if you are reading this, I still want to see a Blu-ray release for films like “Robin Hood” and “The Sword in the Stone”…(hint-hint).

Disney released this film as a two-disc set, including a Blu-ray disc and a DVD disc. “Scamp’s Adventure” looks beautiful on Blu0ray with its 1080p video transfer. Even for its standard direct-to-video Disney sequel, it looks just as good as theatrical features. Same goes for its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. Even though the songs are not the best, they still sound amazing.

The special features are impressive as well. Firstly we have an audio commentary with director Darrell Rooney, animation director Steve Trenbirth and co-director/producer Jeannine Roussel, which is worth checking out for parents. “From Tramp to Scamp” is the only extras presented in standard definition. IT is a making-of feature that runs just under 20 minutes and is a pretty in depth look a the production. There is a cute pop-up animal fact trivia track aimed for kids as well as five songs delivered with karaoke-style subtitles. Lastly (and my favorite) there are three classic Walt Disney Shorts in HD “Pluto Junior,” “Bone Trouble” and “Pluto’s Kid Brother.”

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Disney’s “Lady and the Tramp” Blu-ray Giveaway [ENDED]

THANK YOU FOR ENTERING, THE CONTEST HAS ENDED. WINNERS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN AND NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL. PLEASE CHECK BACK EVERY WEEK FOR NEW GIVEAWAYS!


Available on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD on Tuesday, February 7th, 2012.

To celebrate the Blu-Ray™ release of “Lady and the Tramp”, Media Mikes would like to giveaway 10 copies of the Blu-ray™ Combo Pack (Blu-ray™ + DVD). If you would like to win one of these great prizes, please leave us a comment below or send us an email and let us know your favorite love song in a Disney film. This giveaway will be open until Monday February 20th at Noon, Eastern Time and is only open to residents of the United States. Only one entry per person, per household; all other entries will be considered invalid. Once the giveaway ends, Media Mikes will randomly pick out winners and alert the winners via email.

Share this timeless Disney Classic with your family as Walt Disney’s beloved classic, Lady and the Tramp, finally releases from the Disney Vault for the first time ever on Blu-ray™. This heartwarming tale now charms a new generation of families and fans with its exquisite animation and unforgettable songs in one of the greatest love stories of all time. Featuring high definition sound and immersive bonus features your family can enjoy together, Lady and the Tramp Diamond Edition is a must own addition to your Disney collection.

Blu-ray™ Bonus Features:
Disney Second Screen: Inside Walt’s Story Meetings*
Audio Commentary: Inside Walt’s Story Meetings
Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad
Three Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes
Never Recorded Song: “I’m Free as the Breeze”
Classic DVD Bonus:

  • Lady’s Pedigree: The Making of Lady and the Tramp
  • Finding Lady: The Art of the Storyboard
  • Original 1943 Storyboard Version of the Film
  • PuppyPedia: Going to the Dogs
  • “The Siamese Cat Song,” Finding a Voice for the Cats
  • “Bella Notte” Music Video
  • Trailers
  • Excerpts from “Disneyland” TV Shows

Blu-ray Review “Lady and the Tramp”

Directed by: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske
Starring: Barbara Luddy, Larry Roberts, Bill Thompson, Bill Baucom, Peggy Lee
Distributed by: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: G
Running time: 75 minutes

Film: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 5 out of 5 stars

Almost 60 years after its release “Lady and the Tramp” looks better than ever. Although it is honestly not a surprise since Disney seems to out due itself with each new restored film that they release on Blu-ray. Disney’s frame-by-frame restoration pays off as this Blu-ray is absolutely perfect. The Blu-ray presentation is so crystal clear throughout. The colors are so sharp and vibrant throughout the animation. The sound is also superb boasting Disney’s usual DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1. Another added bonus of this release is the fact that Disney even included a 3.0 audio track of the film’s restored original audio. This is an obvious must for Disney fans.

The story of “Lady and the Tramp” still feels relevant to today’s audience both old and new. This film really captures you in its romance and makes you lean closer to your husband/wife. I mean that spaghetti and meatball scene renders you utterly mushy. When you start the film, you also have the option to watch with an introduction by Diane Disney Miller (Walt Disney’s daughter), who talks about her father and his love of “Lady and the Tramp”.

Like Disney’s past releases, there is definitely no shortage of special features. “Inside Walt’s Story Meetings” is an audio commentary track with a dramatic recreation with voice actors of Walt Disney’s story meetings. Must listen for animation fans. If you use the Disney’s Second Screen app on your iPad or PC, you will be able to sync the film to create a real interactive experience. “Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad” is a short feature which features Miller remembering her father. It is a great insight into Walt Disney from a different perspective. There are almost 20 minutes of deleted scenes, though told via storyboards. There is also a never recorded song called “I’m Free as the Breeze” which was written in 1946 by Ray Gilbert and composed by Eliot Daniel. It was cut because Lady was decided not to sing in the film.

If all that isn’t enough there are all of the classic DVD features from past releases, although only in SD, rounding up another three hours of extras. Included is a seven-part featurette called “Lady’s Pedigree: The Making of Lady and the Tramp”, which runs about an hour. “Finding Lady: The Art of the Storyboard,” and “Original 1943 Storyboard Version of the Film” focus on the storyboard process of the film.  “The Siamese Cat Song: Finding a Voice for the Cats” and “PuppyPedia: Going to the Dogs” are fun and aimed for kids.  One of my favorite songs from a Disney movie, “Bella Notte” has a music video included.  There are three theatrical trailers and four clips from “Excerpts from Disneyland TV Shows” and two more deleted scenes.  Overall, Disney does not disappoint again!