8mm Forum: Mickey Mouse Club!! Super 8 B/W Sound Official WDHM!

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Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on March 11, 2017, 12:00 PM:

This a wonderful little gem of a Walt Disney release.

When one, who was a child in the 50’s and 60’s, thinks of the memorable things of youth, no doubt they would mention their favorites toys and their favorite shows, and while “Howdy Doody” would come to mind, either a close second or first, would be, the “Mickey Mouse Club”. This show originally came on the air in black and white, but Disney, knowing that color TV was just on the edge of tomorrow, did all his animation in color for color. However, as earlier stated, it was at first shown to audiences in black and white.

“Walt Disney Home Movies” (which shall be henceforth be stated as “WDHM”), largely concentrated on their classic animated films, both features and shorts, for good reason, but out of nowhere, in the late 70’s, WDHM decided to release a wonderful nostalgia trip entitled “The Mickey Mouse Club”. It runs 7 and a half minutes and reveals some wonderful, very rare tidbits!

It starts out with an extra long “Mickey Mouse Club Theme” (Hey There Hi There Ho There), which I had never seen before. the first whole minute of it was brand new to me and only the second half I had seen on the Mickey Mouse Club in color that I remember as a child. In fact, in the middle section, it goes into an almost abstract bit of animation with musical instruments that bears more than a passing resemblance to a then current Academy Award winning short, “Toot Whistle Plunk and Boom”. That alone was "worth the price of admission"!

The next section is a song and dance number features all of the Mousketeers, (Including the two adults, Roy and Jimmie), which is followed by a truly charming “poetry corner” which features lovely little Annette Funicello doing a favorite poem of hers, with a timely message celebrating peace and love for all.

This then goes right into the end section, which is the whole final song that ended every show. ( “ M I C … See Ya Real soon! K E Y, Why? Because we LOVE you!) and does it’s fade out and that is the end of the reel.

What makes this so interesting is that, unless I am mistaken, this is the only Black and white with sound release by the WDHM company (there were sections of black and white cartoons in “Mickey Mouse: The first 50 years, but these were on color stock in sepia), which also makes it quite collectible.

It's only my theory, but I would be willing to bget that this super 8 release was taken from either the premiere episode or shortly thereafter as, (this happens to many a show), after the first airing of a show, the parent studio tends to edit this or that out, and they no doubt found that an over two minute title section to a show was a little too long, hence the cutting down of the titles later on in the B/W run and then, of course, the color run of the show.

The image quality for a black and white TV show is outstanding, but that isn’t so hard to understand, as Disney was going right to their own archives for their own TV shows, It is very sharp with excellent grain and not an appearance of being dupey. If only all black and white TV shows on super 8 looked like this. The audio is a very sharp mono.

This must have been a fairly limited print run, as I have seen very few of these turn up over the years. When I saw this turn up on ebay, I jumped at getting it, and I’m quite happy that I did, and I highly endorse this release and certainly suggest that you go on the hunt for it!

and , as always

LONG LIVE SUPER 8!!!!

Posted by Joe Balitzki (Member # 438) on March 13, 2017, 04:25 PM:

Does your print have white negative scratches on one side of the frame? Mine does which surprised me as Disney prints normally were perfect as far as negative wear.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on March 14, 2017, 11:08 AM:

Yes, i noticed that too. I was wondering if that was on it from it's inception. i now know it to be true. Still, a wonderful curio.

Posted by Joe Balitzki (Member # 438) on March 15, 2017, 06:23 PM:

I'm surprised that you didn't mention the negative scratches simply because its below Disney's quality standard. I agree that the digest is well done. I wish they had released the serials that were part of the show as well.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on March 16, 2017, 11:12 AM:

I didn't consider it a big issue, but you're right, it's there. I wonder how many of these were printed? it must have been a short print run, do you happen to know, Joe?

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on March 16, 2017, 04:55 PM:

I found this gem in a mint box not long ago - Happy Memories - Cost me a bit, but worth it - No white neg lines on mine - Shorty

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on March 16, 2017, 05:10 PM:

Don't go sweating too much in your bed tonight Shorty, worrying yourself frantic if you will ever get your money back or not! [Wink]

Posted by Joe Balitzki (Member # 438) on March 17, 2017, 04:19 PM:

Osi,
I have no idea how many prints were struck but I do believe its not a common title. I suppose rather than make a new negative once it developed scratches they kept using it due to low sales. Or they may have sold quite a few and figured that since it was not a color title that it didn't justify having a new negative made. When it comes to a Disney print because they usually are expensive and have top quality any negative scratches are important. That's why I mentioned it. Thankfully, someone at Disney thought of releasing it.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on March 21, 2017, 11:58 AM:

Here is a link to this very reel on youtube, and you can see why this is a reel you certainly want to find, even if only for this wonderful extended beginning of the show!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moSIKkGVE9U

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