Woody Woodpecker and Friends

[Jeff]

Since it turns out I'm not the only one interested Warner's upcoming Popeye set, I thought there might be a few members interested in this bit of news from Jerry Beck as well.

I'm very happy to announce that Universal is releasing The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Classic Cartoon Collection on July 24th. This new DVD collection includes three discs containing 75 theatrical cartoons, completely uncut and restored from the original Universal Pictures master negatives (and I promise, no DVNR). It'll retail at $39.98.

In addition to the first 45 Woody Woodpecker cartoons–presented in original release order–from Knock Knock (1940) to The Great Who-Dood-It (1952), the first five Chilly Willy cartoons (which includes two Tex Avery classics), and five choice Andy Panda cartoons, there will be several Swing Symphonies (including Culhane's Abu Ben Boogie and The Greatest Man In Siam, among others), Oswald Rabbit (Confidence, Hell's Heels, Oscar nominee Merry Old Soul and others) and wartime cartoons (like Pigeon Patrol and Pass The Biscuits Mirandy).

That's not all. Miscellanous Walter Lantz Cartunes (like Hysterical High Spots in American History, Pooch the Pup in King Klunk, Peterkin in Scrambled Eggs, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B and the Avery masterpieces, Crazy Mixed Up Pup and SHH-H-H-H-H) plus bonus material including six Behind-the-Scenes with Walter Lantz segments from the 1957 Woody Woodpecker Show and the rarely seen Halloween TV special Spook-a-Nanny.

And there's more. I'll impart further information in future posts, but for now let's just say our friends at Universal did this one right. Plan on adding this to your collection–you won't regret it.

Here is the art.

[waxy]

While I can't say much for the cover art, these are cartoons that I mostly haven't seen and with 75 toons for $40 it's a bargain compared to the Looney Tunes sets. The combination of Woody Woodpecker, Popeye and the Droopy set are making this a good year for cartoon DVDs. With any luck they'll perform well and the really obscure stuff from Columbia and UPA, and wherever else will show up.

Tex Avery's SHHh is a real masterpiece

[Lino]

Sold! Love Woody! Both of them, actually.

[Cinephrenic]

So just one collection?

[dx23]

How come Universal will releases Oswald, the Lucky rabbit shorts in the set after they sold the rights back to Disney? Disney has already announced a Treasures release for the character's short films.

[The Elegant Dandy Fop]

This is going to sound a bit complicated.

The Universal Oswald's were made in house after Walt Disney left Universal. They still own the rights to those cartoons, but the earlier ones made by Disney and company were distributed by Universal. A year ago, when Disney bought Oswald, they only bought those early Oswald cartoons (which isn't many, thus only one Oswald Treasure's set annouced) and the rights to the character itself.

[djali999]

Also, the Universal Oswald bears very little resemblance to the Disney Oswald.

[dx23]

The Universal Oswald's were made in house after Walt Disney left Universal. They still own the rights to those cartoons, but the earlier ones made by Disney and company were distributed by Universal. A year ago, when Disney bought Oswald, they only bought those early Oswald cartoons (which isn't many, thus only one Oswald Treasure's set annouced) and the rights to the character itself.

Thanks for the clarification.

[Jeff]

A little more detail on the supplements, from Jerry Beck:

[quote]In addition to the 75 restored, uncut cartoons, there will be several juicy bonus materials, including:

• Walter, Woody and the World of Animation a nice little 1975 documentary featuring Walter and his wife Gracie, discussing their careers in animation, filled with great clips.

• Cartoonland Mysteries - a rare 1936 Lowell Thomas “Going Placesâ€

[Jeff]

Volume 2 is on its way. Jerry Beck has the scoop:

I'm happy to announce the April 15th 2008 release date of The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Classic Cartoon Collection: Volume 2.

The dvd set will contain three discs and include 75 vintage Walter Lantz cartoons, completely uncut - as originally seen in theaters.
• This collection includes 45 Woody Woodpecker cartoons, continuing the chronology, from 1952-1958.
• The set will feature treasures from the Walter Lantz archive including rarely seen Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Pooch The Pup, Cartune Classics and Swing Symphonies cartoons - titles include: Five and Dime, Wax Works, Springtime Serenade, She Done Him Right, A Haunting We Will Go, Fair Today, The Painter and the Pointer and Boogie Woogie Man.

Bonus Materials Include:
• Behind-the-Scenes with Walter Lantz (12 Segments from The Woody
Woodpecker Show TV series)
• Walter Lantz TV Pilots for Space Mouse (Secret Weapon), featuring the voice of Paul Frees, and Sam ‘n' Simian (Jungle Medics), which features the voices of Dal McKennon.
• The Woody Woodpecker Show TV Episode (a full-length episode featuring Woody, Inspector Willoughby and the Beary Family)

Retail price will be $39.98, but expect discounts from Amazon and at the major retailers.