{"id":42093,"date":"2023-12-22T19:11:15","date_gmt":"2023-12-23T00:11:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/?p=42093"},"modified":"2023-12-22T19:16:01","modified_gmt":"2023-12-23T00:16:01","slug":"the-bootleg-files-disney-time-the-1969-christmas-special","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cinema-crazed.com\/blog\/2023\/12\/22\/the-bootleg-files-disney-time-the-1969-christmas-special\/","title":{"rendered":"The Bootleg Files: Disney Time (The 1969 Christmas Special)"},"content":{"rendered":"

BOOTLEG FILES 850: <\/strong>\u201cDisney Time (1969 Christmas Show) (1969 British television special hosted by Julie Andrews). <\/p>\n

LAST SEEN:<\/strong> On YouTube.<\/p>\n

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO:<\/strong> None.<\/p>\n

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS:<\/strong> The Mouse House isn\u2019t letting it out.<\/p>\n

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE:<\/strong> Not likely.<\/p>\n

American television viewers and Walt Disney\u2019s studio output have been in a very close relationship since the 1950s, but across the Atlantic things were a bit different. The Disney studio never established the same level of ubiquitous synergy with British television programmers that they achieved in their own country, and Disney\u2019s televised presence across the U.K. was more limited.
\n<\/p>\n

In a strange way, that lack of ubiquity made the Disney presence on British television more special and meaningful \u2013 familiarity never bred contempt. Beginning in 1961 and running through 1998, a television special called \u201cDisney Time\u201d would turn up on BBC 1 as a holiday treat. It was originally conceived as a Christmas Day presentation, but over time it expanded being show four times a year (on Easter, Whitsun \u2013 the seventh Sunday after Easter \u2013 the August bank holiday and Christmas).<\/p>\n

\u201cDisney Time\u201d rarely deviated in its structure \u2013 a well-known celebrity would introduce a selection of clips from classic, current and upcoming Disney films. Some of the celebrities were starring in current Disney releases, such as Maurice Chevalier and Nancy Kwan, but most were recruited based on their celebrity \u2013 Cliff Richard, Terry-Thomas, \u201cDoctor Who\u201d star Tom Baker (in character), The Goodies and Bing Crosby were among the hosts of these holiday treats. Perhaps the most prestigious star to host a \u201cDisney Time\u201d special was Paul McCartney, joined by his wife Linda, who helmed the 1973 Christmas special. I must admit that I originally hoped to have the McCartney show as the subject of this column \u2013 and while I know bootleg copies of that show are out there somewhere, I was unable to find a copy for this offering.<\/p>\n

Instead, I am going with the Christmas 1969 \u201cDisney Time\u201d special starring Julie Andrews. The enchanting Andrews first hosted \u201cDisney Time\u201d in the Christmas 1964 show when her film breakthrough \u201cMary Poppins\u201d was in theatrical release \u2013 she returned in 1969 for another go-round to share the studio\u2019s output with British viewers on Christmas Day.<\/p>\n

By December 1969, Andrews\u2019 career was in a precarious spot. She was just coming off the commercially disastrous release of the 1968 musical epic \u201cStar!\u201d and had the shaky big-budget musical \u201cDarling Lili\u201d awaiting a 1970 release. Nonetheless, Andrews did not wear out her welcome and having her in front of a British audience was a treat for the country\u2019s television viewers on Christmas in 1969.<\/p>\n

Andrews was both regal and charming, as usual, when carrying on her hosting duties. While she was not afforded a musical interlude, she began the special by introducing the \u201cSupercalifragilisticexpialidocious\u201d number from \u201cMary Poppins\u201d \u2013 which was more than enough to confirm her immortality in the Disney sphere of influence.<\/p>\n

During the course of the \u201cDisney Time\u201d special, a familiar pattern quickly evolved \u2013 Andrews offered a brief but effusive introduction to clips from Disney flicks. Classics including \u201cFantasia\u201d (the \u201cNutcracker Suite\u201d segment), \u201cJungle Book,\u201d \u201cSwiss Family Robinson,\u201d \u201cWinnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day\u201d (which Andrews introduced clutching a Tigger doll that looked nothing like the cartoon character), \u201c20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,\u201d \u201c101 Dalmatians,\u201d \u201cPluto’s Christmas Tree\u201d and \u201cAlice in Wonderland\u201d were offered.<\/p>\n

Andrews also offered previews of two Disney films being prepped for a 1970 release: the nature film \u201cKing of the Grizzlies\u201d and the dum-dum comedy \u201cThe Boatniks,\u201d which Andrews carefully noted was still in production.<\/p>\n

By contemporary standards, the show was something of a disappointment. Andrews was moored in a single generic set with a Christmas tree, and she waved an oversized book as if to emphasize she was sharing content of great substance. She is a pleasant but slightly dull presence, and most of today’s Disney fans would probably be too familiar with the film clips she shared to really care.<\/p>\n

But if we were to switch back to 1969 Britain, this was quite a big deal \u2013 a British performer who became a Hollywood superstar returns home to share some rarely-seen classics from an iconic film studio along with exclusive peeks at a couple of new films that will be in theaters next year. (Remember that the rerun culture of U.S. television was not mirrored on U.K. television, so most of the vintage footage in this presentation was not ingrained in the local pop culture.) As a Christmas distraction for that point in time and that point in geography, it was deserving of attention and respect.<\/p>\n

“Disney Time” was never shown on U.S. television, and neither Disney nor BBC have made \u201cDisney Time\u201d available for U.S. home entertainment release. A black-and-white copy of the Andrews episode (which I assume was broadcast in color) is on YouTube, and it makes for a jolly whiff of vintage holiday fun.<\/p>\n