Disney announces Muppet DVDs to be Pan & Scan

[Ken Plume]

Get out your trusty protest letters - Buena Vista Home Entrtainment has announced that the upcoming DVD releases of Muppet Treasure Island and Muppet Christmas Carol will be Pan & Scan - not anamorphic widescreen.

If everyone jumps on the horse quick enough, you might be able to get them to reconsider their decision.

Otherwise - disappointment city... Much like the Warner's Pan & Scan Follow That Bird.

So here's your wake-up call... Contact BVHE and let your voice be heard... Just be polite about it.

-Ken

[MuppetDanny]

:o Why I'm not surprised, Disney treated the Muppets terriblely in the past, with only 10 titles were made in the UK and another 10 (I think:rolleyes: ) more. Also weird thing most Disney DVD titles are full screen, let's hope for the special features!

Take care

MuppetDanny

[MuppetQuilter]

Could someone post email and snail mail addresses so we know where to send out requests?

I think the odds of getting a lot of people to request widescreen versions goes way up if it is relatively easy to find the necessary information....

Thanks

[ZootandDingo]

Originally posted by MuppetQuilter
Could someone post email and snail mail addresses so we know where to send out requests?

Buena Vista Home Entertainment
350 S. Buena Vista St.
Burbank, CA 91521

As for e-mail, go to this page and click the "Comments or questions" link at the bottom:
http://psc.disney.go.com/disneyvideos/moviefinder/products/2578103.html

[Fozzie Bear]

See?? This is EXACTLY the way Disney will treat the Muppets if they purchased them!! Isn't it bad enough that they cut Bunsen and Beaker's ONLY MUSICAL NUMBER EVER in a motion picture from MCC when they put it on video?? They don't care about the Muppets, they just want that extra cash they'll get from owning them, and in the meantime they'll destroy them.

But that's only how I feel, and all others are welcome to not feel that way.

FOZ

[Electric Mayhem]

I sent them an e-mail saying "Make the Muppet DVD's widescreen, or the mouse gets it!!!" I think that'll get their attention. :D

OK, I didn't REALLY do that, but it sounded good.
I did e-mail them though.

[Fozzie Bear]

"In regards to the DVD releases of Muppet Treasure Island and Christmas Carol, I can't see why BVHV can't STOP chopping up films and just release the thing in its full glory as seen in the theaters? They already deleted the musical sequence for Bunsen and Beaker for the home video release, and it doesn't cost any more to have a wide-screen edition of both films. Did you see the horrible way that Warner Bros. desecrated the movie Follow that Bird?? Don't, PLEASE, don't destroy these two films. I won't buy them if you do, and I really do want them on DVD...but, if your company can't care enough about your product and the consumers' wishes, then I'll have to get with the Muppet Fan Family Community of people at MuppetCentral.com (and we're a bigger family than you think) and spread the word not to buy them. Sorry, but that's just how we all feel, and me especially. Please don't destroy two classic films.

Thanks,
Kev"

of course, who you all know as FOZ! :)

[ZootandDingo]

Originally posted by FOZZI3B3AR
Isn't it bad enough that they cut Bunsen and Beaker's ONLY MUSICAL NUMBER EVER in a motion picture from MCC when they put it on video??

They DID?? Which number was cut??

[Fozzie Bear]

Good greif! Doesn't ANYBODY remember this?

It was the ONLY musical number in any film for Bunsen and Beaker, "Room in your Heart."

It's on the soundtrack and was in the theatrical release.

I was SO disappointed to find out that they had cut it.

Later, FOZ

[EmmyMik]

Originally posted by FOZZI3B3AR
Good greif! Doesn't ANYBODY remember this?

It was the ONLY musical number in any film for Bunsen and Beaker, "Room in your Heart."

It's on the soundtrack and was in the theatrical release.

I was SO disappointed to find out that they had cut it.

Later, FOZ

Oooooooh. That song.

I don't like that song.

:)

[Chad Kermit]

I don't understand the widescreen omission. Columbia put the pan and scan on one side and widescreen on the other for the classic Muppet films. Even when Disney released MCC on the Lazer Disc format they had a beautiful letterbox version of it on the Disc.

I am showing favorites here. But I would be happy if they just did MCC, which over time will only become more of a classic each holiday season.

Of course, it is little surprise. Disney for the most part does not offer a lot of bells and whistles on its DVDs for the most part. The exception is of course the Special Editions like Snow White. Even all the early successes they had with Bette Midler under the Touchstone label for the most part are unreleased on DVD. How many people would not want to get their hands on a letterboxed version of "Beaches". Well...not everyone of course but I for one would. lol One thing you have to applaud AOL for is that every year they release movies from their vaults since they own almost ALL of the old classics now. For instance I bought the "Big Sleep" on DVD and they dug up from the vaults an alternative cut of the film. So, on one dvd you get two versions of the same movie. And since family films tend to sell better than classics and adult fair, I don't understand disney's tactics. But one will never understand the mouse. Ok, this got way off track.

Chad

[kustomboy]

i sent them an e-mail and i suggest everyone else does it too. Willy Wonka got a widescreen release because of this!

[smcguire]

Originally posted by MuppetQuilter
Could someone post email and snail mail addresses so we know where to send out requests?

In addition to the addresses and web forms already mentioned here, you can call their video customer feedback line at:

1-800-72-DISNEY

and send them e-mail directly at:

disneyinfo@disneyhelp.com

--Scott McGuire

[Chad Kermit]

Thanks!!!

For the email and phone number to voice opinions to Disney Home Video about the upcoming DVD releases of the Muppet titles. I agree, the more that call and email: the more likely we are to get what we want.

Chad

[Fozzie Bear]

UNITY IN NUMBERS!!

Especially if we're ALL calling their phone number! They'll get the hint sooner or later, I think, how BIG the Muppet Fan Community is.

FOZ

[Muppets1985]

Okay im confused here first evey one complans here (even me!) about MCC and MTL NOT being on Disney DVD, well i just want to tell u that ALL the Disney DVD's that i have don't say a thing about Wide Screen (Only my Disney's Remmber the Titans & Disney/Touchstone Coyote Ugly say Wide Screen on the DVD box) look here are the names of all my Disney dvd and DON"T say Wide Screen on the DVD box but do show up as a Wide Screen on the TV: Pearl Harbor, Snow Whit & the 7 Dwarfs, Lady and the Tramp 2, The Emperor's New Groove, Recess: Schools out, Atlantis, Cinderella 2, HunchBack of Noter Dame 2, BedKnobs & BroomSticks, and Dumbo and Peter Pan, and Mr. Magoo! and ya see thay don't say wide screen but the movie shows up as Wide Screen and lol lol i have to zoom in becouse the black line's bug me!(lol) but any ways i DID call Disney and e-mailed them to have it in Wide Screen!! see ya - Even tho i have both Muppet movies on video, i DO plan to buy both DVD's now!!!

[Foreignman]

I just wrote my letter. I really hope our letters get results. Plaease tell your friends to write too, we need all the hope we can get. Although I'm sure all us loyal Muppet fans will write in, there are only so many of us. So recruit, recruit, recruit!!! Thanks.:)

[Fozzie Bear]

Originally posted by Muppets1985
Okay im confused here first evey one complans here (even me!) about MCC and MTL NOT being on Disney DVD, well i just want to tell u that ALL the Disney DVD's that i have don't say a thing about Wide Screen Even tho i have both Muppet movies on video, i DO plan to buy both DVD's now!!!

Hiya,

If "THAT'S" what kinda stuff you want to settle for, roll with it man. I just get tired of seeing all companies destroying great films by cutting scenes out that was in the theatrical version, or by going full-screen instead of wide-screen. I have a few Disney DVD's as well, but if I can POSSIBLY make a difference (and FOR THE BETTER), I plan on doing it! AMEN! :) I'm certainly going to be willing to buy the MCC and MTI IF they are wide-screen options. The thing they did with Follow that Bird was a ruination and I feel gipped!!
****************
Here's what I got today:
Subj: Re: Movie Finder Feedback/Comment/Question
Date: 4/24/2002 6:17:11 AM Central Daylight Time
From: DisneyMovieFinder@DisneyHelp.com
To: FozzieMup@aol.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)
Kevin,
Thank you for your email.
Please call Walt Disney Home Entertainment's toll-free number: 1-800-723-4763
(in Canada: 1-888-877-BVHE) for assistance.
Hot releases. Cool deals. Click here to register with Disney Video & DVD - sign
up to receive the Disney Video and DVD Insider Newsletter containing the latest
offers from Walt Disney Home Video.
http://disney.go.com/DisneyVideos/registrationa
****************
Disney can't even respond to a consumer's wishes and say yea or nay. Anyhow, I'm going to call them, and I hope others do, too!

Love to all,
FOZ

[smcguire]

Originally posted by Muppets1985
Okay im confused here first evey one complans here (even me!) about MCC and MTL NOT being on Disney DVD, well i just want to tell u that ALL the Disney DVD's that i have don't say a thing about Wide Screen [...] Even tho i have both Muppet movies on video, i DO plan to buy both DVD's now!!!

I'm not sure the fact that your DVD boxes say "widescreen" on them or not is really relevant here. And even though they don't have the word "widescreen" on them, probably they say "1.85:1 aspect ratio" and "1.66 aspect ratio" as one of the features - that means "widescreen."

Anyway, several major DVD sites have contacted Disney and confirmed that they are planning to release the two Muppet DVDs as full frame only.

Buying the DVDs now despite this is tempting, but really sends the wrong message to Disney. We want to send them a message both in writing and via sales. If you want widescreen versions of the DVDs, do not buy these now. Call and write Disney and tell them you aren't buying them now, but you will buy them if they're released as widescreen.

If Disney doesn't change their mind, you can always buy the DVDs later. But if they see tons of people buying the DVDs anyway, why would they listen to us?

--Scott McGuire

[smcguire]

Originally posted by FOZZI3B3AR

The thing they did with Follow that Bird was a ruination and I feel gipped!!


Actually, it was Warner Brothers who released "Follow That Bird" as pan and scan, not Disney. Warners has been guilty of this with several "family" titles. Much as we are upset with Disney's decisions regarding the two Muppet DVDs, let's not blame them for other folk's mistakes too!

I know someone else posted a web link with a feedback form, but I've been told by folks at DVD websites the best place to send your feedback is:

1-800-72-DISNEY

disneyinfo@disneyhelp.com

(Yeah, yeah, i'm repeating myself here.)

Definitely both call and e-mail Disney regarding the Muppet DVDs.

--Scott McGuire / smcguire@mit.edu

[beaker]

Well, to be honest I wasnt planning on buying these on dvd(or vhs) anyways. Early to mid nineties was awkward at best and it shows(a time when Disney had its tentacles intertwined immensely) Its no surprise Disney is releasing in pan and scan, that shouldnt be a surprise to anyone(I mean wasnt Beaker and Bunsen's musical number snipped?) I am much more a fan of Columbia/Sony Wonder when it comes to releases(They even release BEAR, as Disney doesnt have their name on that)
Ok, sure they butchered MFC, but I was so happy to have that in clear digital form instead of bootleg uk dub vhs I didnt care.

I wont say that there hasnt been a good Muppet film since the mid 80's...I will say though, as far as 'online dvd petitions' go, the Fraggle Rock one has more of my attention.

///beaker///

[Fozzie Bear]

Originally posted by smcguire
Actually, it was Warner Brothers who released "Follow That Bird" as pan and scan, not Disney

Hiya!

Yeah, I knew that and had already posted that about WB and Follow that Bird somewhere before now, either in this forum, in the petition, or in an e-mail to Disney, so I didn't see any reason to really re-write the whole "WB did blah blah" over and over again, especially seeing as everyone here already knows WB did FTB...at least I HOPE everyone knows it. I just don't tend to get all detailed about things I figure someone can realize what I'm talking about anyhow.

Later on!
FOZ

[scarecroe]

You know, I was thinking that it might do good things for the cause if Ken Plume were to do a story on FilmForce about this. At least a small blurb with a link to the article on MC. The more people this news gets to, the more people can call in and write.

[Fozzie Bear]

I hope the word DOES get out. I've been telling folks, but unfortunately my friends aren't as heartfelt as I am about the Muppets.

Maybe we should flood the White House with calls??

FOZ

(Or do you think I should go back to my threats of smacking folks in the back of the head with my rubber chicken?)

[DaViD Boulet]

Keep it up folks.

Everyone CALL CALL CALL CALL Disney. Also, you can contact Henson Company and let them know that you want them to step in an take action on your behalf. Let them know that as muppet fans you really want their films in widescreen. They don't have direct control over these titles that Disney owns but they *do* have INFLUENCE. Tell them to use it.

Go to henson.com website and email every contact you can find. Call the phone numbers and ask to speak with their PR reps and talk to them directly (you have this right!).

Be polite to them, and let them know that the reason you care so much is because you're a muppet fan who wants to see his/her muppet films shown in their original widescreen format regardless of the studio that "owns" the rights to the DVD release.

Go to it!!!

BTW, the NEXT step, in addition to petitioning Henson to release Fraggle Rock on DVD (the entire series, in order!!!) is to hit W.B. and get Follow That Bird in 16x9 WS. It's such a shame they crapped on this title right after we won the Willy Wonka WS battle!

-dave

[Stulz]

FOZZI3B3AR - i'm pretty sure that song was cut BEFORE the theatrical release. I remember seeing the movie for the 1st time and realizing that song wasn't in the film.

Same with Muppet Treasure Island.. there's a cut in the song Cabin Fever.. if you listen to the soundtrack the song has extra parts that are not in the movie.

Chris

[Fozzie Bear]

Aw, man! I'd be almost certain i saw it in the theatrical release! I just really feel like i saw that scene!

FOZ

[Wozza Fraggle]

I went to the Crew Screening and Premiere in London, and i am sure i saw that scene.

See ya

[Fozzie Bear]

Thanks, Warrick; I just knew I wasn't THAT bonkerz.

FOZ

[Grandmaster C]

Originally posted by FOZZI3B3AR
I hope the word DOES get out. I've been telling folks, but unfortunately my friends aren't as heartfelt as I am about the Muppets.
Personally, I think that it shouldn't just be a Muppets fan thing, anyone who considers themself a movie fan should be making sure that these movies are released on DVD as they originally presented.

To me, it doesn't make sense that Disney is doing this either, especially since just recently, they released some of their animated classics (which are "family movies") like Peter Pan, The Hunchback Of Notre Dame and Oliver & Company in widescreen, so I don't understand why the Muppets aren't worthy of the same treatment.

(Or do you think I should go back to my threats of smacking folks in the back of the head with my rubber chicken?)
That doesn't sound like a bad idea! :)

[Fozzie Bear]

"To me, it doesn't make sense that Disney is doing this either, especially since just recently, they released some of their animated classics (which are "family movies") like Peter Pan, The Hunchback Of Notre Dame and Oliver & Company in widescreen, so I don't understand why the Muppets aren't worthy of the same treatment. "

See? That's exACTLY the reason why I don't want Disney to buy the Muppets...we can already see how they treat them now; much less when they get them and forget about them later.

Can anyone remember Roger Rabbit? RIP bunny.

Later,
FOZ

(Whose rubber chicken has gained dry rot and is waiting on Emmy to check and see if there are any without sound boxes in her city so he can soon begin to smack people in the back of the head again.)

[Grandmaster C]

Originally posted by FOZZI3B3AR
Can anyone remember Roger Rabbit? RIP bunny.
Ahhh yes, my favourite movie ever, my VHS tape of it is worn out beyond belief and it was the first DVD I ever bought (although it was overpriced and had no special features, I couldn't go without it.)

But I do see what you mean unfortunately...

[Bean Bunny]

Disney is currently working on an ulimate Roger Rabbit DVD.

[Lu775]

Whoops- Edited to delete message.
Just read the info I was looking for in an earlier message on this thread.


Never mind. :)

[Grandmaster C]

Originally posted by Bean Bunny
Disney is currently working on an ulimate Roger Rabbit DVD.
Oh man, that just made my day! :D