The Walt Disney Animation Collection: Classic Short Films consists of six DVDs all sold separately, but altogether they add up to 33 short films covering six and a half hours of stories that we all grew up with from the black & white 1930s shorts through more modern classic shorts like Lambert the Sheepish Lion, Goliath II and Paul Bunyan. None of these are contemporary films by any means, but you'll no doubt recognize the vast majority of them, even if you only now realize how awful some of them are as an adult. Not worry however, those in that category are a bare few, and there are some gems that are every bit as marvelous today as they were when we first saw them as kids. There are only three real problems with this collection:
- These wonderful shorts have not been remastered, so there are decades of age on them, including dust, scratches, and discoloration. It's a real shame and I truly hope that Disney puts some of their enormous wealth toward rescanning and restoring these to a condition that should by rights be better than ever.
- There are no special features. None. Move on. This is for the kids, not you. Sorry. I'll give you something to cry about! If you're going to cry, go to your room.
- Separate DVDs. Once the above points are addressed maybe we can get this in a proper Blu-ray set.
Set Contents: Disc One: Mickey and the Beanstalk Mickey and the Beanstalk
The Brave Little Taylor
Through the Mirror
Gulliver Mickey
Disc Two: The Three Little Pigs The Three Little Pigs
The Big Bad Wolf
The Three Little Wolves
Lambert the Sheepish Lion
Chicken Little
Three Blind Mouseketeers
Disc Three: The Prince and the Pauper The Prince and the Pauper
The Pied Piper
Old King Cole
Ye Olden Days
Knight for a Day
Disc Four: The Tortoise and the Hare The Tortoise and the Hare
Babes in the Woods
Goddess of Spring
Toby Tortoise Returns
Paul Bunyan
The Saga of Windwagon Smith
Disc Five: The Wind in the Willows The Wind in the Willows
The Ugly Duckling
The Grasshopper and the Ants
The Golden Touch
The Robber Kitten
The Wise Little Hen
Disc Six: The Reluctant Dragon The Reluctant Dragon
Ferdinand the Bull
Goliath II
Johnny Appleseed
ComicsOnline gives The Walt Disney Animation Collection Classic Short Films 3.5 childhood lessons out of 5.