Walt Disney Classics

Background

Walt Disney Classics was a brand name of Walt Disney Home Video, created in 1984 to release films of the Disney Animated Canon on VHS and LaserDisc. The first release from the line was Robin Hood (1973), and more soon followed, including Pinocchio (1940), Dumbo (1941), The Sword in the Stone (1963), Alice in Wonderland (1951) and others, to great success. In 1990, following the box office success of The Little Mermaid (1989), the Classics line released said film on video and began releasing a mix of both older and more recent animated films. In 1994, after the video release of The Fox and the Hound (1981), the Classics series was discontinued and replaced with the Walt Disney Masterpiece Collection. Tapes released in the Classics series are often referred to as "Black Diamond Classics" by VHS collectors, in reference to the black diamond logo on the spine of each release.

Although the Walt Disney Classics series was discontinued in North America in 1994, its international counterparts (which include select live-action/animated hybrid films as well) remain active in their respective countries to this day. The line currently exists in the UK and Europe as Disney Classics; however, the number of films included in the lineup is different, mainly due to it including The Wild (2006) despite it not being produced by WDAS, and leaving Dinosaur (2000) and Winnie the Pooh (2011) out of the lineup. In France, the lineup features films produced by Pixar, Walt Disney Television Animation and DisneyToon Studios, in addition to the Disney Animated Canon. In Germany, the Classics line features all films in the Disney Canon, while in Spain, Piglet's Big Movie (2003) is included in the Classics line in that region.

Domestic

Contents

1st Logo (The Classics) (December 6, 1984-October 6, 1987)	2nd Logo (October 4, 1988-September 21, 1994)

British

Contents

1st Logo (1991-1996)	2nd Logo (2000)

Domestic

1st Logo (The Classics) (December 6, 1984-October 6, 1987)

Brazilian Portuguese version

Visuals: On a blue background, the text "WALT DiSNEY HOME VIDEO" (with "WALT DiSNEY" in its famous "signature" font and "HOME VIDEO" in the Helvetica Rounded font.), in red, swirls in from the upper-left corner of the screen, rotating clockwise as it does so, passes by quite close to the screen, then flips and begins cycling to the lower-left corner. A few seconds after the "WALT DiSNEY HOME VIDEO" appears, the white words "THE CLASSICS", in a neon-style Binner D font, also come from the upper-left side of the screen and begin slowly spinning, too, nearly following the same path as the WDHV text does. As this happens, the background begins to slowly "morph" into a large, blurry diamond shape on a black background. A large Prussian blue diamond then fades in and zooms in from the center of the screen at a slightly fast pace, before stopping at a huge size. As the diamond zooms up, "THE CLASSICS" flips over to the top of the diamond and settles there, while "WALT DiSNEY HOME VIDEO" lands on the bottom of the diamond. A white, neon-style diamond outline zooms out and plasters itself onto the edges of the diamond. The finished logo resembles a neon sign.

Variants:

On some tapes, the logo stays onscreen for an extra ten seconds before finally fading out. This was most commonly seen around 1986, including Pinocchio, Dumbo and Alice in Wonderland, as well as later prints of the black clamshell release of The Sword in the Stone. It also appeared on the 1987 LaserDisc releases of Sleeping Beauty and Pinocchio (paired up with the 1986 cut-short "presents" variant of the Walt Disney Home Video logo).
Various Brazilian Portuguese tapes have a still variant with the "THE CLASSICS" text replaced by "OS CLÁSSICOS". This was also used at the beginning of a VHS promo for Bambi.
On a promo sales tape for the 1984 VHS release of Robin Hood, the start of the tape features a golden vault door zooming in from the middle, taking up the entire screen as it does. The vault door's handle then rotates around and the door opens, revealing a blue background. The rest of the logo plays as usual, until reused animation of Tinkerbell from the Walt Disney Productions 50th anniversary logo comes in to transition to a different, shinier diamond frame displaying clips from various Disney animated films.
- Another scene from the aforementioned tape has the last few seconds of the logo where the diamond zooms in, but the background is black instead of blue. The glowing blue outline of the diamond from the background fades in after the logo is fully formed. This appears to be a prototype version of the logo.
On the 1985 demo VHS of Pinocchio, the text "PROPERTY OF W.D.T.N.T." (which stands for "Walt Disney Telecommunications and Non-Theatrical Company", the division that Walt Disney Home Video originally ran under until 1987) is seen near the bottom of the screen, as with the rest of the tape.

Technique: A mix of computer-generated graphics and chroma-key. "THE CLASSICS" and the outline around the diamond are photographed and chroma-keyed from real neon signs.

Audio: A bouncy, medieval-style synth-horn fanfare with a held-out synth-flute at the end, produced on a Yamaha DX7.

Audio Variants:

At the beginning of the aforementioned Robin Hood promo sales tape, the music is in a slightly higher pitch. A "whoosh" sound effect is heard, growing louder as the door zooms in, accompanied by the sound of metal locks moving. When the logo reappears midway through the same sales tape, "National Trust" by Keith Mansfield (notable for its usage on the CBS/Fox Video logo) is heard in the background.
On a Disney promo sales tape from 1985 promoting the VHS release of Pinocchio, an announcer says, "The Disney Classics: Landmark animation made available for the first time from Walt Disney Home Video!"

Availability: Seen on 1984-1987 VHS and LaserDisc prints of Disney animated features, including the original video releases of Pinocchio and Robin Hood.

Tapes that have this logo are usually in clamshell packaging (originally in big, black, heavy clamshells with the artwork printed directly onto the case, but switching over to the more familiar lightweight, white clamshells in 1986), with the cover featuring a black flap on the lower right corner reading "The Original Animated Classic!".
The last video to officially use this logo was the 1987 VHS of the Lady and the Tramp.
This logo has also been spotted on some post-1987 prints, including a 1993 reprint of The Sword in the Stone, and the 1988 demo VHS of Cinderella.
On black clamshell tapes of Dumbo, as well as very early prints of the black clamshell release of The Sword in the Stone and earlier prints of the mid-1986 slipcover release of Alice in Wonderland, the 1981 WDHV Neon Mickey logo is seen (the latter had the 1984 Classics logo replace the Neon Mickey logo on prints from circa late April 1986).
Although the logo is seen on the cover, Australian releases do not use this logo; they use the 1986 "Sorcerer Mickey" logo or the 6th logo instead.

2nd Logo (October 4, 1988-September 21, 1994)

1988 prototype version
1988 off-center prototype version
1989 version
1992 version with brighter colors
1988 Japanese variant
Rare 1995 Japanese variant

Visuals: The logo starts off with the Sorcerer Mickey and spark animation in the same manner as the 1986 Walt Disney Home Video logo, but the "Walt Disney" text is in metallic white, and the metallic white word "CLASSICS" (in the Binner D font with the two letters at both ends in a bigger size.) begins zooming out from the bottom of the screen as the "Walt Disney" text writes itself. As this happens, the background begins to change to dark blue, and a black diamond with metallic edges fades in from a far point and begins to slowly zoom in before both texts settle on top of it. The edges begin to glow white as the shadow of the text appears on the diamond. Then a comet swishes into view from the bottom left of the screen, circles behind the diamond, flies out from the top right, and passes in front of the diamond before flying offscreen, leaving a trail of pixie dust that changes the text to gold, and adds a purple tint (flamingo pink in the 1989 variant) to the diamond's edges. The logo "shines".

Alternate Descriptive Video Transcription: Now in animation, a figure appears. Mickey Mouse, wearing his red sorcerer's robe and tall blue pointed hat, stands with his left arm extended. A star shoots up from his palm, writing a signature and the logo "Walt Disney Classics".

Variants:

A prototype version, originally seen on the 1988 U.S. retail VHS release of Cinderella exists, which has the background as a dark/light blue gradient, a more shiny, silver, metallic diamond, and a sky blue spark, with the text sporting a purple color scheme and rougher animation; this variant was also filmed, compared to the final version being videotaped. Also, the light from the starburst is not reflected on Mickey. The logo made sporadic reappearances after the revised logo was introduced on tapes from the Classics line that didn't open with previews; these include the 1992 LaserDisc and demo/French Canadian VHS prints of The Rescuers (Les aventures de Bernand et Bianca), the later Canadian print of The Rescuers Down Under, a 1992 Descriptive Video Service (DVS) VHS of Dumbo, the later Canadian/USA print of Robin Hood (Robin does Bois), the French Canadian VHS releases of Pinocchio, Bambi, 101 Dalmatians (Les 101 Dalmatiens) and The Great Mouse Detective (Basil, détective privé), and the demo/French Canadian VHS copies of Beauty and the Beast (La Belle et la Bête). It also appears at the beginning of the VHS Fantasia: The Making of a Masterpiece (which was included as part of a "Deluxe Collectors' Edition" box set of the movie). In most cases, the logo is off-center, with the diamond positioned further to the right, while Cinderella had the diamond centered properly. One of the last (if not the last) videos to feature this version of the logo was the DVS VHS release of Aladdin.
On the 1989 variant, the spark is now gray and white and the diamond has a flamingo pink tint on its edges, while the 1988 and 1992 variants show it with a purple tint. Also, the light from the starburst is now reflected on Mickey, just like the 1986 WDHV logo.
On the 1991 VHS releases of Robin Hood and The Brave Little Toaster, the Mickey scene is cut, and the logo starts off with the spark writing the words. On both tapes, this version is shown before a preview for The Jungle Book, and is accompanied by Brian Cummings saying, "Look for these animated Disney classics on videocassette." On the Robin Hood VHS, the same variant appears again before the film begins, but without the voiceover.
On the 1991 VHS release of The Rescuers Down Under, only the end of the logo (with the comet flying around the diamond and leaving behind pixie dust) is shown without music before the The Jungle Book trailer. Brian Cummings announces, "Don't miss this timeless Disney classic, from Walt Disney Home Video," as the logo animation plays.
On 1992 VHS releases starting with 101 Dalmatians, the logo has brighter colors with the text "WALT DiSNEY CLASSICS" in light blue and the diamond in bright blueish-violet due to deterioration of the master; in addition, the comet is now thinner, the tint on the diamond's edges is now purple again, and the logo fades out earlier than before. The logo would cut in at different times (up to a second later than usual) on all 1992 releases.
On a trailer for The Great Mouse Detective seen on the 1992 VHS releases of So Dear to My Heart and The Rescuers, a shortened version of the 1992 variant is used. It starts as the comet flies around the diamond, with Mark Elliot announcing, "From Walt Disney Home Video!" over it. The closing credits music from The Great Mouse Detective plays over this version of the logo, as well as the trailer. UK releases with this trailer feature the 1992 distorted variant playing at the beginning, with the Mickey scene cut. After the comet flies around the logo, a British announcer says, "From Walt Disney Home Video!" and the rest of the trailer continues. This version of the trailer can be found on the 1992 UK VHS releases of The Prince and the Pauper and Robin Hood. However, certain UK versions of the trailer (like the 1992 UK VHS of Cinderella) replaced the Classics logo with the tail end of the 1986 WDHV logo.
The tail end of the 1989 variant (with the logo "shining") also makes an appearance at the beginning of a video promo for Bambi, which is seen on several international Disney VHS releases (with the exception of the UK and Brazil).
Similarly, the tail end of the 1992 variant (with the logo "shining") also makes an appearance at the beginning of a 1996 Japanese video trailer for The Rescuers Down Under, which can be found on the 1995 Japanese LaserDisc releases of The Lion King and 101 Dalmatians (both of which mark the only LaserDisc appearances of the 1992 variant in any form).
A series of Japanese VHS releases released by Bandai Video on July 10, 1988 (under the "Dreams and Magic" banner) use a still variant for a closing promo featuring the diamond reading "THE CLASSICS" on an animated starry sky with a thicker, more glass-like frame. This can be found on the 1988 Japanese VHS releases of Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day, Pinocchio, Mary Poppins, and three cartoon compilations dedicated to Mickey ("Good Luck Mickey"), Donald, and various characters ("Disney Friends"), respectively. The music that accompanies the closing promo is the "Spoonful of Sugar" portion of the Mary Poppins main title overture. An animated variant featuring the logo flying onto the screen and shining is featured at the beginning of the U.S. VHS release of Pinocchio.

Technique: 2D/motion-controlled animation by Hal Miles Imagimation Studios, who also animated the 1986 Walt Disney Home Video logo.

Audio: A majestic, gradually rising synthesized fanfare played on a Yamaha DX7. When the logo starts and Mickey is seen, there is a synth-bass drone with synth-violins warming up, followed by a whimsical 16-note synth-organ tune (accompanied by synth-chimes) as the spark swirls above Mickey's hand and writes the "Walt Disney" text. Then there is a seven-note synth-trumpet fanfare with a "sizzling" noise as the comet flies around the diamond, with the final note held out. A cymbal crash can be faintly heard under the "sizzling" sound effect as the text turns gold and the comet flies offscreen, with twinkling sounds heard underneath the last note of the fanfare.

Audio Variants:

When the logo first debuted on the 1988 U.S. VHS release of Cinderella, the music is in monoaural. Later on starting with the 1989 U.S. VHS release of Bambi, the music is in stereo.
On the 1992 U.S. VHS release of 101 Dalmatians, the music fades out along with the logo; on the 1992 U.S. VHS release of The Great Mouse Detective, the music lasts a second after the logo fades to black.
Starting with the 1992 U.S. VHS release of The Rescuers, the music became distorted and heavier on bass due to deterioration of the master recording. Crackling sounds can also be heard in the background at the beginning of the logo, rumbling sounds can be heard underneath as the spark writes the words "WALT DiSNEY", kettledrums can be heard in the background as the words "WALT DiSNEY" and "CLASSICS" settle on the diamond, and a synth-bass pad note can be heard underneath as the comet flies around the diamond. This variant would later be heard under the Walt Disney Company intro on several VHS releases from 1999-2000.

Availability: Seen on 1988-1994 Disney video releases of their feature films with the text "A Walt Disney CLASSIC" or "Walt Disney's CLASSIC" on top and the diamond print logo on the clamshell spine.

The first VHS release to use this logo was the 1988 U.S. VHS release of Cinderella, and the last to use it was the 1994 U.S. VHS release of The Fox and the Hound.
The first two releases with this logo, Cinderella and Bambi, feature the diamond print logo (with WDHV text) on a Betamax-sized sticker label like the previous logo. Later releases typically used a white ink label, though some rarer copies use a sticker label instead (like some copies of The Little Mermaid, The Jungle Book and The Rescuers Down Under).
While the logo was rarely used internationally, it made a few appearances. The 1989 version can be found on the 1990 European VHS releases of Lady and the Tramp; the 1992 version can be found on the Bulgarian VHS release of Pinocchio from Alexandra Video; and the 2003 UK VHS of Pinocchio features the 1992 logo before and after the tape's opening previews, in the PAL format.
The last release overall to use the logo was the 1994 U.S. LaserDisc release of Aladdin (which was produced in 1993, but held over to September 1994 for piracy reasons), which uses the 1989 version and was the only LaserDisc release to do so. Early printings of the 1996 Masterpiece Collection VHS release of Pocahontas (from before December 17, 1995) use the 1989 version of the logo instead of the Masterpiece Collection logo.
This logo is not included on the UK or Australian VHS releases from the early to mid-90's released under the label "Walt Disney Classics"; they just used the 1986 "Sorcerer Mickey" WDHV logo (and later, the "Disney Videos" logo, starting in 1995), which would also be used on Spanish-language VHS releases.
It can also be found on some mid-1990s reprints of The Sword in the Stone and Dumbo, among possible others.
The Classics LaserDisc releases of Pinocchio, The Jungle Book, The Great Mouse Detective and Beauty and the Beast also don't use this logo, instead using the aforementioned WDHV logo.
The 1988 version also makes an appearance on a DVS U.S. VHS release of Mary Poppins, which was most likely an error since, as a (mostly) live-action film, it was never officially considered part of the Classics line.

Legacy: A nostalgic logo to those that grew up with it, and iconic among VHS collectors.

British

1st Logo (1991-1996)

Visuals: On a shady blue background, the words "WALT DiSNEY" are seen in yellow with a shadow effect. Below it is "CLASSICS" in a metallic orange serif font, also with the shadow effect. A light wipes over the logo from left to right.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: Opening of the promo following it.

Availability: Seen on some WDC promos from the time-period in the UK until 1996, which can be found on UK VHS releases, such as Bambi, among others.

2nd Logo (2000)

Visuals: Same as the 1991 Walt Disney Home Video logo, except this time, the logo is placed over a blue background with swirly pixie dust. Instead of "HOME VIDEO", a golden banner with "CLASSICS" is seen. A thin orange light moves over various parts of the logo.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: See above.

Availability: Seen twice on a 2000 WDC UK promo, which can be found on the 2000 UK VHS release of Tarzan.

Walt Disney Classics

Walt Disney Masterpiece Collection

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