Come On, Disney!

It seems that Disney continues to crank out one DVD after another. Many are made strictly for DVD release and never see the dark of theater. Seriously, how many more celluloid masterpieces such as Lindsey Lohan: Fully Loaded and Mulan Does the Axis Powers can there be in the creative mind of the Mouse. I have been anxiously awaiting for years for Disney to dig down in their vaults to restore and release probably my all-time Disney favorite. It had its original theatrical release in 1963. An expanded version ran over three weekend nights on The Wonderful World of Disney in 1964. I was too young to see it in its first release, but I do have fond memories of going to see it with my dad when it was re-released in theaters in the early 70s. I remember popcorn and Milk Duds (eat them together…sounds gross, taste great) and a huge Coke. We were at the Ruskin Twin. The movie was preceded by Disney’s Painted Desert. Then the magic started! Dr. Syn, Alias the Scarecrow. Wow, what a movie! Based on the old book, The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh, the movie is set in 18th century England, near Kent. The main character, Dr. Syn, is a priest by day, the Scarecrow – a vigilante for the people, fighting the oppression of the King, by night. Disney has announced a restoration and release a few times, but has scrapped it each time. Then something like Tigger and Christopher: A Forbidden Longing hits the shelves. Come on, Disney! If you can release a beautifully restored masterpiece like Snow White, you can do this. Please!