The Walt Disney Signature Collection

[Sotiris]

Well.... Am I the only one who thinks the cover looks strange? Sort of like a child made it with their color pencils. I do like the inside of the case with the long shot of Eric's Palace.

That's because it's one of Paige O'Hara's paintings. Her paintings don't make good covers. It's odd they used Belle's voice actress to illustrate a TLM cover.

[Farerb]

PRESS RELEASE

“The Little Mermaid” Dives Into the Walt Disney Signature Collection

Digitally in HD, 4K Ultra HD and Movies Anywhere on Feb. 12

and 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray™ on Feb. 26

For the first time ever in sparkling 4K Ultra HD and featuring a fin-tastic sing-along mode along with over 45 minutes of exciting new bonus features for new and old fans alike to enjoy

BURBANK, Calif. (Jan. 11, 2019) — In honor of its 30th anniversary, two-time Academy Award®-winner (Best Original Score and Best Original Song “Under the Sea,” 1989) “The Little Mermaid,” dives into the highly celebrated Walt Disney Signature Collection with all-new bonus features and a sing-along mode. The magical, musical tale of mermaid princess Ariel — along with loveable sidekicks Sebastian and Flounder, and the love-to-hate sea witch Ursula — is shore to make a splash with all generations when it comes home for the first time Digitally in HD, 4K Ultra HD and Movies Anywhere on Feb. 12, and on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray™ on Feb. 26.

The Signature Edition of “The Little Mermaid” showcases its award-winning musical score and iconic songs such as “Under the Sea” and “Part of Your World” with a sing-along mode allowing you to accompany this beloved cast of characters on their journey. Never-before-seen bonus features bring legendary composer Alan Menken and some of Disney’s most recognizable leading ladies together around a piano to reminisce, sing and celebrate “The Little Mermaid.” The latest installment of “Stories from Walt’s Office” compares Walt and Ariel’s love of collecting treasures. Viewers will also receive an inside look at the “The Little Mermaid” cast in their original recording sessions, explore hidden treasures and fun facts from the film, and enjoy a special performance of “Part of Your World” by a cappella singing sensation DCapella. Plus, fans will have access to hours of additional classic bonus features!

Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale about a beautiful mermaid princess who dreams of becoming human, “The Little Mermaid” was directed by John Musker and Ron Clements (“Aladdin”). It features the voice talents of Jodi Benson (“Toy Story 2,” “Toy Story 3”) as Ariel, Pat Carroll (“Laverne & Shirley”) as Ursula, Samuel E. Wright (Broadway’s “The Lion King”) as Sebastian, Christopher Daniel Barnes (“The Brady Bunch Movie”) as Eric, Kenneth Mars (“Young Frankenstein”) as Triton, Buddy Hackett (“The Music Man”) as Scuttle, Jason Marin (“Back to the Future”) as Flounder and René Auberjonois (“The Patriot”) as Chef Louis. The film was originally released in theaters on Nov. 15, 1989 and is the 28th film from Walt Disney Animation Studios, and the first in what many described as a new Disney animation renaissance.

“The Little Mermaid” is the seventh title to join the Walt Disney Signature Collection, which includes groundbreaking films created or inspired by the imagination and legacy of Walt Disney, featuring timeless stories and characters that have touched generations. The film takes its place alongside “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Pinocchio,” “Bambi,” “The Lion King” and “Lady and the Tramp.”

All-New Bonus Features*:

BLU-RAY & DIGITAL

Sing-Along Mode – Sing along to the movie in this sing-along version of the film.

Alan Menken & the Leading Ladies Song – From the voice of a mermaid to the tunes of a muse, the music of Alan Menken has scored the soundtrack for some of Disney’s most iconic leading ladies. Join Alan, Jodi Benson (Ariel), Paige O’Hara (Belle), Judy Kuhn (Pocahontas Singing Voice), Lillias White (Calliope) and Donna Murphy (Mother Gothel)as we celebrate the music of their films in honor of the one that started it all … “The Little Mermaid.” In this discussion, the ladies will share their memories of musically creating their characters with Alan, discuss what it means to be part of the Disney Princess/leading lady legacy and create new memories as they sing with Alan around a baby grand piano.

“What I Want From You…Is YOUR VOICE” – Enter the recording studio and get an inside look at the cast of “The Little Mermaid” in their original recording sessions.

Stories From Walt’s Office – Gadgets & Gizmos – Like Ariel, Walt Disney was a collector of many different things from miniatures to early mechanical characters that inspired the invention of audio-animatronics. We take a look at some the collections that Walt kept in his office in the third episode of this series.

#TreasuresUntold – Join Ruby Rose Turner and Olivia Sanabia from the Disney Channel Original Series “Coop and Cami Ask the World” as they take a deep dive to explore some hidden treasures and fun facts about Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.”

DCapella “Part of Your World” Music Video

Classic Bonus Features – revisit four exciting bonus features from previous releases including:

Deleted Character: Harold The Merman

Under The Scene: The Art Of Live Action Reference

Howard’s Lecture

Audio Commentary With Ron Clements, John Musker and Alan Menken

DIGITAL EXCLUSIVES

“Part of Your World” – A 30-Year Retrospective – Songwriter Alan Menken and Jodi Benson, the acting and singing voice of Ariel, sing the epitome of Disney “I Want” songs “Part of Your World” and discuss its impact since it was first heard 30 years ago.

Classic Bonus Features – Over 3 additional hours of previously released classic bonus features including Deleted Scenes, Easter Eggs, Music Videos and more!
*Bonus features may vary by retailer

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS:

Product SKUs: Ultimate Collector’s Edition (4K UHD+Blu-ray+Digital Code); Multi-Screen Edition (Blu-ray+DVD+Digital Code), Digital UHD/HD/SD, DVD and On-Demand

Feature Run Time: Approximately 83 minutes

Rating: G in U.S. and Canada

Aspect Ratio: 16×9 1.78

Audio: 4K UHD BD: English Dolby Atmos, Latin Spanish, & French-Canadian 5.1 Dolby

Digital

Blu-ray: English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, Latin Spanish and French-Canadian 5.1 Dolby Digital

DVD: English, Latin Spanish, and French-Canadian 5.1 Dolby Digital

4K UHD Digital: English Dolby Atmos (some platforms), English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital

HD Digital: English 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus (some platforms), English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital



Languages/Subtitles: 4K UHD BD Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish & French

BD Subtitles: English SDH & ESL, Spanish & French

DVD Subtitles: English SDH & ESL, Spanish & French

Digital Subtitles: English SDH, French Canadian, Latin Spanish

Digital & DVD Captions: English



SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook: Facebook.com/DisneyTheLittleMermaid

Website: Movies.Disney.com/The-Little-Mermaid

Instagram: Instagram.com/DisneyAnimation

YouTube: YouTube.com/user/DisneyMovies



ABOUT THE WALT DISNEY SIGNATURE COLLECTION:

The Walt Disney Signature Collection includes groundbreaking films created or inspired by the imagination and legacy of Walt Disney, featuring timeless stories and characters that have touched generations. Each release will offer special features for every member of your family plus a unique digital experience. To date, the collection includes “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Pinocchio,” “Bambi,” “The Lion King” and “Peter Pan.”

ABOUT THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS:

For over 90 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under the following banners: Disney, including Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; and Lucasfilm. The Disney Music Group encompasses the Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records labels, as well as Disney Music Publishing. The Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Disney on Broadway, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!.

ABOUT WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS:

Combining masterful artistry and storytelling with groundbreaking technology, Walt Disney Animation Studios is a filmmaker-driven animation studio responsible for creating some of the most beloved films ever made. Located in Burbank, WDAS continues to build on its rich legacy of innovation and creativity, from the first fully-animated feature film, 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, to 2013’s Academy Award®-winning Frozen, the biggest animated film of all time. Among the studio’s timeless creations are Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty, The Jungle Book, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Big Hero 6 and Zootopia.

ABOUT MOVIES ANYWHERE:

Movies Anywhere simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Movies Anywhere brings together the movies from Sony Pictures Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox Film, Universal Pictures (including DreamWorks and Illumination Entertainment), The Walt Disney Studios (including Disney, Pixar, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm), and Warner Bros. Participating digital retailers are iTunes. Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Google Play, Microsoft Movies & TV and FandangoNOW. Movies Anywhere offers a library of over 7,500 digital movies, including new releases, and will continue to expand the consumer experience as more content providers, digital retailers and platforms are added. Using the free Movies Anywhere app and website, consumers can connect their Movies Anywhere account with participating digital retailers and enjoy their favorite digital movies from the comfort of their living room and across multiple devices and platforms, including Amazon Fire devices; Android devices and Android TV; Apple TV; Chromecast; iPhone, iPad and iPod touch; Roku® devices, Windows 10 and Xbox devices; and popular browsers. Consumers can also redeem digital codes found in eligible Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD packages from participating studios and enjoy them through Movies Anywhere

[Farerb]

Trailer:
https://youtu.be/jWhVMlCLqz4

[JeanGreyForever]

Yeah, not a fan of the steelbook cover either. I like Paige O'Hara's paintings, and it's nice to see her branching outside of BATB since I think she's a big TLM fan as well, but the painting chosen doesn't lend itself well to a cover.

Only two of the new bonus features look decent, but probably not worth a buy. Still, this is my favorite movie so that might be the only reason I'd purchase this.

The trailer is decent but I haven't been a fan of the overly minimalistic approach that marks the style and design of all the Signature Editions. It seems like justification to skimp on extra features and release barebones editions.

[Khonnor]

“The Little Mermaid” is the seventh title to join the Walt Disney Signature Collection, which includes groundbreaking films created or inspired by the imagination and legacy of Walt Disney, featuring timeless stories and characters that have touched generations. The film takes its place alongside “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Pinocchio,” “Bambi,” “The Lion King” and “Lady and the Tramp.”

It's actually the eighth title, because they forgot Peter Pan.

[Disney's Divinity]

I wonder why they didn't include Pat Carroll or Angela Lansbury for the ladies feature? I love that they included Donna Murphy and especially Lillias White.

That's because it's one of Paige O'Hara's paintings. Her paintings don't make good covers. It's odd they used Belle's voice actress to illustrate a TLM cover.

You must've edited your post once you found out she was the artist. I'm surprised they would get her to do it, too.

I mean, I would've preferred something better than this--I'd prefer a Lorelay Bove cover to this, for that matter--but I don't hate it. I prefer the back to the front, just because of the details with the seaweed. I'll try to catch the BestBuy steelbook, but if I'm not able to get my hands on it, since I wasn't able to get TNBC's steelbook, I won't be too broke up about it either. I would pre-order, but not at a 34.99 price tag.

It's actually the eighth title, because they forgot Peter Pan.

They care quite a great deal at Disney, don't they?

[Disney Duster]

They should never let Paige near any Disney covers...

I wonder why they didn't include Pat Carroll or Angela Lansbury for the ladies feature? I love that they included Donna Murphy...

I know right, Mother Gothel! I wish for Pat and Angela too...

It's actually the eighth title, because they forgot Peter Pan.

They care quite a great deal at Disney, don't they?

Omg

[Farerb]

Here's Paige's website for potential Beauty and the Beast steelbook artworks (and perhaps Bambi):

https://www.paigeohara.net/store/c1/Fea ... ducts.html

[Vlad]

This one looks great. I'm happy they will include recording sessions as well.

[unprincess]

I think Id rather just get the Zavvi Mondo steelbook.

is the Target's version filmmaker gallery on a disc or part of the story book?

was hoping for Susan Egan in that Alan Menken leading ladies segment, but Calliope is cool too!

[Disney's Divinity]

I think Id rather just get the Zavvi Mondo steelbook.

I saw that last night when I was Googling. Too bad Zavvi is overseas. I really wish that had been the BestBuy steelbook cover.

[MerPrincessJamie]

The steelbook cover is a replica of this painting- a painting that Paige made for me for my 29th birthday.

[UmbrellaFish]

Hi Jamie!! You probably don’t know me, but I remember reading your posts on here and Little Ariel. I thought of you when I saw Jodi Benson in Epcot this Christmas. I hope you are well. And it must be very exciting for you to see your painting turned into an official movie cover!!!

[Farerb]

So I checked when each film, which is still in the vault, went into it:

Fantasia - 4/30/11 (7 years and 9 months)
Sleeping Beauty - 11/15/16 (two years and two months)
Cinderella - 1/31/17 (two years)
The Jungle Book - 1/31/17 (two years)
One Hundred and One Dalmatian - 2/10/17 (1 year and 11 months)
Aladdin - 10/14/17 (1 year and three months)

1. It explains why Cinderella was skipped over in the Signature Collection, which had the films released by the same order of the Diamond Edition. It went into the vault later than the films released so far.

2. I said in the past that Aladdin would probably be released when the remake is released but now I'm not so sure since its time in the vault is the shortest and there are probably still more copies of the Diamond edition sold in stores (plus they didn't release the original Mary Poppins when its remake hit theaters, they might do the same with Aladdin).

3. My prediction is that Sleeping Beauty might be the next title since it's the film that has been in the vault the longest time (excluding Fantasia since it will be released in 2020) and it coincide with its 60th anniversary.

4. Cinderella might be released in fall/winter 2019 unless they do what they did in 2018 and release a previous title from the Signature Collection in 4k like they did with The Lion King (most likely Beauty and the Beast).

[JeanGreyForever]

The Mary Poppins 50th Anniversary Edition hasn't gone out of print though nor is it subject to the Disney Vault so that's probably why we haven't seen a new edition lately. I mean, they could technically go with a 55th Anniversary Edition now but that's unlikely.

I know Cinderella sold really poorly under the Diamond Edition line so maybe they're holding back on its release so there will be more demand for the film. I'd like to imagine that the real reason for the wait is that Disney is undergoing a completely new restoration for the film but that's just a pipe dream.

[pikachufan1336]

I know Cinderella sold really poorly under the Diamond Edition line so maybe they're holding back on its release so there will be more demand for the film.

How so?
It was the 6th best selling blu ray of that year, and it made 600k on it's first week, how is that bad?

Also why would Disney "hold back" if they're doing these things 3 times a year now.

[Disney Duster]

I know that the official word was Cinderella sold "less well than expected" on Diamond Edition.

I thought for Cinderella they were waiting for both a new restoration and the 70th anniversary, 2020. I never considered the theory of waiting so it sells better, that could be a reason, too.

[DisneyBluLife]

I know that the official word was Cinderella sold "less well than expected" on Diamond Edition.

I thought for Cinderella they were waiting for both a new restoration and the 70th anniversary, 2020. I never considered the theory of waiting so it sells better, that could be a reason, too.

They kept the Diamond Edition of Cinderella out longer too to coincide with the live-action movie (2015).

[Disney Duster]

Yes, that's right. So now maybe they are waiting longer for it to be in the vault so people want it more, if not for the restoration and anniversary as well.

[Farerb]

Yes, that's right. So now maybe they are waiting longer for it to be in the vault so people want it more, if not for the restoration and anniversary as well.

Oh I forgot about the anniversary. In that case if there's a new title in the fall, it might be The Jungle Book instead and Cinderella will be rereleased in a year from now.