What Happened In 1990

Hello  & welcome back to A Look at Disney.  Earlier, this summer,  I introduced a new segment inspired by my good buddy Les.   This segment is known as What Happened In...   In which we go from 1989 (the year of my birth)  to 2010  (the year A Look at Disney started)  to take a look at what happened with the company during those years.   Last time, we covered 1989, so now we head into the '90s as we look at What Happened In 1990.   Just as a reminder,  this only covers Film,  Theme Parks,  and TV.  However,   I've decided to add another segment  let's call it,  Nostalgia Love, where I gush about something from my childhood that doesn't fit any of the other categories.  And because of that let's start with Nostalgia Love.

Nostalgia Love

Disney Adventures Issue # 1  is published in October.  

Just as it said the first issue of Disney Adventures was published this year.  And  OH MY GOD,  I LOVED this magazine.   This and the now defunct Lego Magazine were the only two magazines that I subscribed to. Hmm,   I need to do a full tribute to this glorious magazine from my childhood.  It was great,  it talked about upcoming movies,  had comics based on the Disney Afternoon block.  By the time,  I was subscribing they had KP comics.  Sweet!   I read this until it's very last issue, which was in 2007 after 17 years and they switched the subscription over to Sports Illustrated: Kids.  I was a Junior in high school and past the age that most people stopped reading stuff like this but this magazine was a part of my childhood.  I still remember my very first issue,  I got.  It was a free copy,  that was being given out at the hotel that I was staying at during my first trip to Disney World, the cover was of Batman and Robin.

Granted, this was before I saw the film.   And as a kid,  I was confused, why where Batman an Robin on the cover of a Disney magazine?   Didn't stop me from loving this magazine, though.  One of my favorite things is for their April Fool's issues, they would publish the magazine backwards.  That was great.  Now, let's move on.  

Film

Now,  this as last time, will be broken down into Theatrical Releases, Re-Releases,  & Home Releases.  With that out of the way, let's begin.

Theatrical Releases


Dick Tracy

On  June 15,  Dick Tracy opened.   I'll admit that I haven't seen this film and know very little about the character of Dick Tracy other then that this was film was adapted from the comic strip of the same name and that this film didn't do very well at the box office.  And as we will see,  it was promoted at Disneyland.


DuckTales:  The Treasure of The Lost Lamp

On  August 3, DcukTales:  The Treasure of The Lost Lamp debuted in theaters.  Now, this is a film that I've seen and I like it but there is something else that we need to bring up here.  This film for whatever reason bombed and sadly caused  other planned movies based on Disney Afternoon shows to be shelved as there weas going to be a Rescue Rangers film and the reason , A Goofy Movie is titled as is, is because  the team decided to distance the film from Goof Troop in hopes of not repeating the same fate that befell this film.


Mr.  Destiny

On  October 12,   this film called Mr.  Destiny opened.  Before this, I'd never heard of it.   I  may have to check it out later.  Stars James Belushi and Micheal Caine.  That sounds like an okay cast.   This could be good.


The Rescuers Down Under

On November 16,  The Rescuers Down Under opened.  And I may get some flack for this.   I think this film is inferior to the original.  It's not bad but I don't feel that this film has the same heart and charm of the original.   Don't get me wrong, McLeach is a great villain but something seems lacking when compared to the first film in my opinion.  Also,  something else to point out is that right along with this, a certain short opened with this film.

Yep,  The Prince and The Pauper opened along with this film.


Re-Releases

Bambi

On March 2,  Bambi was re-released.   I like this film just fine.  It's  a cute little movie.


Pete's Dragon

On April 28,  Pete's Dragon was re-released.   Now  I like this film other then the villain that should've been cut from the final film as he added nothing of value.  Not here to talk about that as I've already reviewed this film back during Dragon Week in 2012.


Fantasia

On  October 5,  Fantasia had what according to the Disney Wiki was it's final re-release.  And that is kinda sad to think about as  this is a film that I think should be viewed on the big screen.   And that is on my list of Disney films that I want to see in theaters. (along with Dumbo, Mary Poppins, Snow White,  and all of them other then Home on The Range and Chicken Little)




Home Releases


Honey,  I Shrunk The Kids

On March 16,  Honey, I Shrunk The Kids was released on VHS.   Still need to think about doing a review for this film.


The Little Mermaid

On May 18,  The Little Mermaid splashed it's way onto to VHS.   And  just a heads-up,  you can expect a Mermaid cross over soon.



TV

Cartoon All-Stars to The Rescue

On April 21,  this drug PSA special  that did feature Disney characters such as Pooh Bear aired on the big 4 networks.  I saw this once, when I was ten and I liked it then.  I know  a lot of people have derided it over the years but the intention was good and it has to be better then Too Smart for Strangers.


The Muppets at Walt Disney World

On May 6,  The Muppets at Walt Disney World aired on NBC.   And I reviewed this during A Look at Disney World. And I liked it enough,  it was a lot of fun.   It had it's problems but it was enjoyable and one great last outing for Jim Henson.



TaleSpin

On September 9,  TaleSpin debuted in syndication.  Am I in the minority here in not considering this a Jungle Book spin-off, just because it uses Jungle Book characters but places them in a different world.  It's still a good show but I don't consider it to be a Jungle Book spin-off.


The Disney Afternoon

On September 10,  The Disney Afternoon aired it's first broadcast.    And it included  a lot of great Disney shows that a lot of us grew up on.




Theme Parks

The Party Gras Parade

From  January 11 - November 18,  The Party Gras Parade went on at Disneyland to celebrate the park's 35th anniversary.    

The Dick Tracy Live! at Diamond Double Cross Show

 

From  June 15 -  December 31,   The Dick Tracy Live! at Diamond Double Cross Show played at Disneyland.  I'm kinda  surprised that they didn't consider putting this at MGM Studios as I think it would've made sense but at the same time, that park had only been open for a year by this point.  So,   they  probably didn't know how well, that park was going to do.   (Off-topic,  can we please get that Tangled show that is supposed to go there.  I want something for that movie other then a bathroom!)

Honey,  I Shrunk The Kids:  Movie Set Adventure

On December 7,  Honey,  I Shrunk The Kids: Movie Set Adventure opened at MGM Studios.   Now,  here's  my thinking on this.  It's a nice little playground for kids but that seems kinda cheap when compared to the rest of the park and by this point,  it feels dated.  Let me explain,  Hollywood Studios  has attractions based on older properties as do most Disney parks but  when compared to the likes of Indy, Muppets,  or Star Wars,  Honey,  I Shrunk The Kids doesn't have that timeless feel to it.  While kids going to the parks, might know Indy or the Muppets, today.  Chances are, they probably don't know this film and I think it's time to re-theme this area to a more current film.  I would've originally suggested A Bug's Life but that doesn't hold up either.  I don't know,  maybe use Frozen since that's all the rage right now or redo to a Disney Junior playground and include stuff from Sofia The First and Jake and The Neverland Pirates as this area was meant for the wee ones.  



So, there you have it.  The second installment of What Happened In.  I hope that you guys enjoyed this and sorry it took so long for this to come out but these aren't regular articles.  There more filler, when I don't have anything else. Peace!