Duncan, Sandy

The Fox and the Hound (25th Anniversary Edition)

Featuring lovable characters brilliant animation and heartwarming messages THE FOX AND THE HOUND is "Vintage Disney" raves The Washington Post. And now Disney's classic tale about an unlikely friendship is a new transfer for a special 25th Anniversary Edition. When a feisty little fox named Tod is adopted into a farm family he quickly becomes friends with a fun and adorable hound puppy named Copper. Life is full of hilarious adventures until Copper is expected to take on his role as a hunting dog -- and the object of his search is his best friend! With an all-new Forest Friendship Game a DVD Storybook a Sing-Along Song and more your family will want to share the fun and adventure in this special edition of THE FOX AND THE HOUND again and again!System Requirements:Running Time: 83 MinutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating: G UPC: 786936694550 Manufacturer No: 04964200

The Fox and the Hound marked the last collaboration between Disney's older artists, including three of the "Nine Old Men" (Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, and Woolie Reitherman), and the young animators who would make the record-breaking films of the '90s. Based on a book by Daniel P. Mannix, the film tells the story of a bloodhound puppy and a fox kit who begin as friends but are forced to become enemies. Tod and Copper barely establish their friendship before Copper begins his training as hunting dog. Unfortunately, neither character develops much of a personality, which makes it difficult to care about them. The screen comes alive near end of the film, when Tod and Copper have to join forces to fight off an enormous bear. It had been years since Disney produced a sequence with this kind of feral power--and years would pass before they surpassed it. The Fox and the Hound ranks as one of the studio's lesser efforts, but it suggests that better films were soon to follow. (Ages 5 and older) --Charles Solomon

The Cat From Outer Space

Here's today's trivia question: What Disney movie costars both colonels from television's M*A*S*H--that is, Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson) and Sherman Potter (Harry Morgan)? Heck, that's easy: 1978's The Cat from Outer Space, a family comedy about a feline extraterrestrial named Jake (voiced by actor Ronnie Schell, who also plays Sergeant Duffy). Eerily similar to the plot of Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, released four years later, Cat finds Jake stuck on Earth and in danger of being trapped here forever if his fellow space kitties can't rendezvous with him soon.

While a gruff Army general (Morgan) tries to scare up some answers about the whereabouts and agenda of the purring alien, Jake allies himself with an unorthodox scientist (Ken Berry), plus the latter's friend (Stevenson)--a compulsive gambler--and mathematician girlfriend (Sandy Duncan). Together, they try to raise the scratch to purchase expensive materials to make Jake's ship run again, and in short order. Norman Tokar, an old Disney hand (The Happiest Millionaire) directing his final film before he died the following year, gets the comic machinery going with his slick cast of character actors (Roddy McDowall, Jesse White, Hans Conried), sly one-liners, and lots of enjoyable suspense. A kid-pleaser for sure. --Tom Keogh

There's magic in the memories as great Disney moments are captured right here for you and your family to enjoy. Cosmic comedy is on the prowl when an extraterrestrial cat named Jake is forced to crash-land his spaceship on Earth. Jake then proceeds to lead a physicist, his girlfriend, the Army, and a team of baffled scientists on endless escapades during his unscheduled and hilarious visit!

The Swan Princess (Special Edition)

This excellent theatrical feature is loosely based on the Swan Lake story. Princess Odette, having been turned into a swan by a sorcerer's spell, is held captive at the enchanted lake with friends Jean-Bob the frog, Speed the turtle, and Puffin the bird. Along comes Prince Derek, who becomes involved in liberating her by taking on the villain. The movie has been criticized for being too similar to Sleeping Beauty, but once you're watching it--with its strong characters, entertaining vocal performances (John Cleese and Steven Wright are particularly funny), fine artwork, and action--such complaints are negligible. --Tom Keogh

A heartwarming story of the beautiful princess Odette who is transformed into a swan by an evil sorcerer's spell. Held captive at an enchanted lake she befriends Jean-Bob the frog Spped the turtle and Puffin the bird. Despite their struggle to keep the princess safe these good-natured creatures can do nothing about the sorcerer's spell which can only be broken by a vow of everlasting love. Universally cheered and revered by audiences around the world THE SWAN PRINCESS is bursting with color dazzling animation beautiful music and features the vocal talents of Jack Palance John Cleese Steven Wright and Sandy Duncan. It's a rousing adventure you'll want to relive again and again!System Requirements:Running Time: 89 Min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating: G UPC: 043396094000 Manufacturer No: 09400

Rock-A-Doodle

Don Bluth's lavish animated musical Rock-A-Doodle was not a success when it was released in 1992. It's not hard to understand why: the film varies wildly in tone and the story makes little sense. In the live-action prologue, a little boy named Edmond learns that the crowing of Chanticleer the rooster did not make the sun rise, as everyone thought. But when a flood threatens his family's farm, Edmond sets off to get Chanticleer to make the sun rise and save the day. (Edmond gets turned into a kitten during this adventure, for no apparent reason other than that cats are easier to animate than humans.) Chanticleer has moved to the city, and although the farm seems to be in the Midwest, the nearest city is clearly supposed to be Las Vegas. Chanticleer is now the King, an Elvis caricature used for an unfunny spoof of showbiz clichés. The animation is quite fluid, and there are lots of brightly colored effects--rainbows, sparkles, sunbeams. But parents will have a hard time explaining the story to their children. --Charles Solomon

Barney - Let's Go to the Zoo

Barney, Baby Bop, and B.J. visit the zoo with Scooter McNutty.
Genre: Children's Video
Rating: NR
Release Date: 22-FEB-2005
Media Type: DVD

Barney, BJ, and Baby Bop invite young viewers to accompany them as they visit the Fort Worth Zoo in this 50-minute, never-televised Barney show. Unlike the typical televised episode, this installment is shot completely on location. Absent is the core group of children who interact with Barney--instead, Barney focuses on BJ, Baby Bop, and his young viewers. BJ attempts to chronicle their journey through the zoo with his camera, Baby Bop embarks on a quest to introduce her stuffed elephant Nellie to a real elephant, and Scooter McNutty tries desperately to locate the squirrel exhibit. Barney provides key information about animals like Mandle monkeys, zebras, and flamingos while posing many questions and challenges that invite viewer interaction. Also included is footage of real children discussing and imitating a variety of animals. Eleven fun songs accompany Barney's expedition including "What Will We See at the Zoo," "Rock Like a Monkey," and "Everybody Needs a Nap." The Fort Worth Zoo proves to be a wonderful setting for this innovative Barney episode and the animal photography is close-up and excellent. (Ages 2 to 6) --Tami Horiuchi

My Little Pony - The Runaway Rainbow

If it's all about rainbows it must be about RAINBOW DASH. And it is. She loves this time of year when Ponyville and Breezie Blossom are all about celebrating rainbows. Meanwhile in a new magical place called Unicornia, RARITY is being taught how to be a Unicorn Princess and the importance of making the first rainbow of the season. But RARITY is quite a little rascal and embarks on an incredible ride that includes a MAGIC WAND, falling through the clouds right into the middle of Breezie Blossom, a visit to Ponyville, meeting SPIKE THE DRAGON and a huge adventure (with lots of mishaps) as she tries to get back to Unicornia. RARITY soon realizes that getting home in time to create the first rainbow of season is not an easy thing to do --- but it is fun! Come on, won't you join RARITY and all her friends in the most colorful My Little Pony adventure ever?

Rock-A-Doodle

Don Bluth's lavish animated musical Rock-A-Doodle was not a success when it was released in 1992. It's not hard to understand why: the film varies wildly in tone and the story makes little sense. In the live-action prologue, a little boy named Edmond learns that the crowing of Chanticleer the rooster did not make the sun rise, as everyone thought. But when a flood threatens his family's farm, Edmond sets off to get Chanticleer to make the sun rise and save the day. (Edmond gets turned into a kitten during this adventure, for no apparent reason other than that cats are easier to animate than humans.) Chanticleer has moved to the city, and although the farm seems to be in the Midwest, the nearest city is clearly supposed to be Las Vegas. Chanticleer is now the King, an Elvis caricature used for an unfunny spoof of showbiz clichés. The animation is quite fluid, and there are lots of brightly colored effects--rainbows, sparkles, sunbeams. But parents will have a hard time explaining the story to their children. --Charles Solomon

During a fierce thunderstorm, a mother tries to comfort her frightened young son, Edmond, by reading him the story of Rock-a-Doodle, about a big ol' singing rooster named Chanticleer who oversleeps and fails to wake the farm before the sun rises. When the other farm animals tease and laugh at him, Chanticleer's feelings get hurt so he packs his belongings and heads for the nearest metropolis, where he becomes a famous rock star. But it seems he also took the sun with him so the farm animals, with a little help from Edmond, hit the road to bring Chanticleer and the sun back home.

The Fox and the Hound (Disney Gold Classic Collection)

The Fox and the Hound marked the last collaboration between Disney's older artists, including three of the "Nine Old Men" (Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, and Woolie Reitherman), and the young animators who would make the record-breaking films of the '90s. Based on a book by Daniel P. Mannix, the film tells the story of a bloodhound puppy and a fox kit who begin as friends but are forced to become enemies. Tod and Copper barely establish their friendship before Copper begins his training as hunting dog. Unfortunately, neither character develops much of a personality, which makes it difficult to care about them. The screen comes alive near end of the film, when Tod and Copper have to join forces to fight off an enormous bear. It had been years since Disney produced a sequence with this kind of feral power--and years would pass before they surpassed it. The Fox and the Hound ranks as one of the studio's lesser efforts, but it suggests that better films were soon to follow. (Ages 5 and older) --Charles Solomon

Disney proudly presents its 24th full-length animated film -- hailed as "vintage Disney" by The Washington Post. This highly acclaimed classic blends vibrant animation and breathtaking action to tell the story of two best friends who didn't know they were supposed to be enemies. The fun and adventure begin when a lonely widow adopts an orphaned fox cub named Tod. The mischievous fox soon meets up with Copper, an adorable hound puppy. As the innocent pair grow up together in the forest, they become inseparable friends. But the day soon arrives when their friendship is put to the ultimate test! "Echoing the dramatic moods and imagery of BAMBI and LADY AND THE TRAMP" (Seattle Times) -- and reflecting such timeless values as love, courage, and respect for life -- THE FOX AND THE HOUND has captured an honored place among Disney's most beloved and endearing animated classics.

Million Dollar Duck

Disney's classic 1971 comedy about the goose that lay the golden eggs returns in digital format, retaining its old-style family-friendliness, slapstick silliness, and good-natured predictability. Dean Jones plays professor Albert Dooley, a lab worker down on his luck, who lives in suburbia with his earnest yet scatterbrained wife Katie (played deliciously by Sandy Duncan). When an under-performing lab duck's life is in jeopardy, Dooley rescues him to become a family pet and soon discovers that some earlier exposure to radiation has turned the duck's eggs into gold. The Dooley's newfound wealth brings its share of pandemonium as they try to keep their proverbial "nest egg" under wraps, especially from nosy neighbor Finley Hooper (Joe Flynn), a government Treasury man. Such low-tech fare is not without touches of brilliance: Duncan gets to deliver the best lines and does so with great panache. If Million Dollar Duck falls short in inventiveness, this small serving of comfort food satisfies with ample amounts of warmhearted cheer. (Ages 4 and older) --Lynn Gibson

Bring home surefire Disney fun starring classic comedians Dean Jones, Sandy Duncan, and Joe Flynn. Research professor Albert Dooley (Jones) is stuck with past-due bills and one downy, dense lab duck. But an ordinary bird turns extraordinary when he is accidentally zapped with radiation and casually starts laying the proverbial "golden eggs." Cashing in on newfound riches becomes a sidesplitting scramble as the secret gets out and friends, neighbors, and government T-men mount an all-out quack attack to capture the rare bird. It's heartwarming hilarity that will keep the whole family in stitches!

Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygene Moscow

Set against the '50s Stalinist architecture of Moscow State University, Jean Michel Jarre's Oxygene Moscow concert celebrated in September 1997 the 850th anniversary of the founding of Moscow. Witnessed by over 3.5 million Russians and unspoiled by rain or fog, this concert remains one of Jarre's finest works. The 60-minute concert video includes a dedication to Princess Diana, who had died the week before, a magnesium waterfall during "Oxygene 13," and a live linkup with the Mir space station crew. The highlight comes from "Oxygene 12," a brilliantly edited mix of projections, fireworks, and an onstage film. Jarre's typical stage outfit is present: the laser harp, fireworks, projections, sky trackers, and his own brand of electronic music.

Also included is an hour-long, making-of documentary Making the Steamroller Fly, which features interviews with Jarre and his "tribe" discussing the music and the concerts. For fans this is a chance to see footage of Jarre's earlier concerts in Paris, China, Houston, and Lyon as well as insights into a 20-year history of electronic music and mega-concerts. --Colin Neal, Amazon.co.uk

An electronic music spectacular! On the 6th of September, 1997, 3.7 million Muscovites witnessed "Oxygene Moscow" (60 min.), the biggest outdoor live event ever--the celebration of Moscow's 850th birthday--featuring Jean Michel Jarre with the Red Army Choir and the Bolshoi Kids Choir with live links to the MIR space station. Also included is "Making The Steamroller Fly" (53 min.), a documentary by acclaimed director Aubrey Powell who sets out to discover the man behind the legend on the eve of Jarre's greatest live spectacular.