As Dreamers Do: American Magic Redux

[OldNavy1988]

The Little Mermaid

Released by Walt Disney Pictures on November 17, 1989.

Inspired by the fairy tale by
Hans Christian Andersen

Produced by
Walt Disney Classic Animation
(Orlando branch at the Disney-Fox Studios)

Written and Directed by
Ron Clements
Jon Musker

Executive Producers
Roy E. Disney
Don Bluth
Wolfgang Reitherman

Music by
Alan Menken

Song lyrics by
Howard Ashman

Voices
Jodi Benson as Ariel
Jason Marin as Flounder
Keanu Reeves as Prince Eric
Buddy Hackett as Scuttle
Patrick Stewart as King Triton
Eartha Kitt as Ursula
Samuel E. Wright as Sebastian
John Kassir as Flotsam
Keith David as Jetsam
Ben Wright as Grimsby
Will Ryan as the Seahorse
Rene Auberjonois as Chef Louis
Edie McClurg as Carlotta
Kimmy Robertson as Andrina
Laura Branigan as Arista
Kath Soucie as Adella
Mary Kay Bergman as Alana
Venus Terzo as Aquata
Carolina Vasicek as Attina

Notes
- Ben Wright, who voiced Grimsby and previously voiced Roger in 101 Dalmatians, passed away during post-production. Daniel Abbott takes over the role for future Mermaid projects.
- After this film's completion, Wolfgang Reitherman would retire from the studio, marking the end of his second stint at Disney after spending the mid to late seventies at other studios.
- Sadly, The Little Mermaid would be the last project Howard Ashman would see through completion.​

 

[OldNavy1988]

The Wizard

Released on December 15, 1989.

Distribution
Universal Pictures (North America)
TriStar Pictures (International)

Directed by
Todd Holland

Produced by
David Chisholm
Ken Topolsky

Written by
David Chisholm

Music by
Danny Elfman

Cast
Fred Savage as Corey Woods
Luke Edwards as Jimmy Woods
Jenny Lewis as Haley Brooks
Christian Slater as Nick Woods
Beau Bridges as Sam Woods
Will Seltzer as Putnam
Jackey Vinson as Lucas Barton
Wendy Phillips as Christine Bateman
Sam McMurray as Mr. Bateman
Frank McRae as Spankey
Vincent Leahr as Tate
Beth Grant as Diner manager
Lee Arenberg as Armageddon registrar
Tobey Maguire as Goon
Dante Basco as Jeff Reyes [1]

[1] Deleted entirely from the OTL film, but given a more integral role ITTL. Speaking of which, why was Basco cut from the OTL film in the first place?​

 

[OldNavy1988]

The Simpsons

Launched on December 17, 1989 on Fox.

Production Companies
Gracie Films
20th Century-Fox Television
Klasky Csupo (Seasons 1-2)
Grantray-Lawrence (From Season 3 onward) [1]

Created by
Matt Groening

Developed by
Matt Groening
James L. Brooks
Sam Simon

Opening Theme by
Danny Elfman

Musical score by
Alf Clausen

Main Voices
Dan Castellaneta as Homer Simpson, Grandpa Simpson, Krusty the Clown, Barney and Mayor Quimby
Julie Kavner as Marge Simpson
Nancy Cartwright as Bart Simpson
Yeardley Smith as Lisa Simpson
Harry Shearer as Mr. Burns, Smithers, Principal Skinner, Kent Brockman and Ned Flanders
Hank Azaria as Moe and Chief Wiggum
Alex Desert as Carl and Officer Lou
Roscoe Lee Browne as Dr. Hibbert and Judge Snyder

Also Starring
Neel Singh [2] as Apu and Sanjay
Pamela Hayden as Milhouse van Houten
Russi Taylor as Martin Prince
Marcia Wallace as Edna Krabappel
Billy Connolly as Groundskeeper Willie
George Takei as Akira

Additional Voices
Albert Brooks
Phil Hartman
Doris Grau
Jo Ann Harris

Notes
[1] Film Roman took over staring in Season 4 IOTL.
[2] A fictional actor and standup comic. Born on April 25, 1957 in Seattle, WA. His first big break was a standup appearance on Arsenio in 1987 and a guest appearance on Garry Shandling's Show on Showtime a year later.​

 

[OldNavy1988]

A quick post on changes for Season 2 of the TMNT.

There are two other changes besides the logos at the end of every episode:
- Robert Ito takes over for Pat Morita as the voice of Shredder. Morita had signed on to provide Mr. Miyagi's voice in the Karate Kid animated series for CBS.
- Casey Jones (below), a hockey mask wearing vigilante, joins the cast with Roderick Toombs providing Casey's voice.

 

[OldNavy1988]

Walt Disney, Jr. and prominent Spanish government officials were on hand at a groundbreaking ceremony for the Disney company's next theme park venture in the Valencia/Alicante area.
- The New York Times

Simpson-Mania is now on a collision course with Turtle-Mania as The Simpsons and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are the Fox network's undisputed rulers of the Nielsen ratings this season.
- Entertainment Tonight

George Lucas's magical monarchs Theo and Gretchen are getting a second chance on cable. The animated show, which drew poor ratings last year on CBS's Saturday Morning lineup, has been picked up by the USA Network as part of its Cartoon Express. Last fall, CBS/Columbia Pictures Home Video released a handful of episodes on videocassette and are planning more releases in the new year.
- The Hollywood Reporter

The decision to replace Ray Spum with Brad Bird on the Beany & Cecil show proves justified as the show's ratings improved moderately from the Fall of '88.
- TV Guide

The Sports Page

The USA Network's three-year rental of the NFL's Sunday Night package comes to an end as the established league has instead accepted a joint-bid from Turner Broadcasting and ESPN. Turner Network Television (TNT) will carry Sunday Night games in September and October while ESPN takes over for November and December. The new deal takes effect this coming season and will run through at least the '93 campaign.

NBC has agreed to a four-year deal with the National Basketball Association for the weekend afternoon package which will also include Christmas Day telecasts, the All Star Weekend and the NBA Finals. The deal takes effect in the spring months of the 1990-91 season and will run through at least the 1993-94 season.

The bids for the NFL's Sunday afternoon packages have now been signed. NBC fumbled the AFC rights to SBC three years ago. Now, NBC has returned to the game. CBS retained the NFC rights, also for the next four seasons.

Monday Night Football will stay at ABC till at least '93.

Starting in 1991, the USA Network will carry the World League of American Football in prime time. Disney Enterprises, Inc., parent company of the fast-growing Fox network, has hopped on board for the afternoon package. Both the World League and the Roller Hockey League, a summertime venture backed by the NHL, will represent Fox's first forays into sports television.

- Excerpts from SportsCenter.

 

[OldNavy1988]

Nickelodeon chief Geraldine Laybourne has announced that the network will usher in a new era of creator driven cartoons starting next year.

Ted Turner has teased the possibility of launching his own animation-dedicated channel by 1992.

In the meantime, Turner has reached a deal with the Jim Henson Company which would open the door for Hanna-Barbera to team up with United Artists on a new Tom and Jerry TV series slated for this fall and a Tom and Jerry movie slated for 1992. Next year, look for James Bond, Jr. on Saturday mornings.

Henson has hired David Kirschner as Hanna-Barbera's head of production while Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera will stay put as both directors emeriti and creative advisors.

Citing moviegoer surveys that pointed to Jim Henson's name being more prestigious than that of Hanna-Barbera in recent years, Henson CEO Michael Eisner has decided that on a more permanent basis, future Hanna-Barbera theatrical films would begin with Henson's logo, showing Kermit the Frog's smile being etched with a laser, preceding the familiar HB swirling star. Jetsons: The Movie hits theatres this summer.

Disney has been the undisputed king of the television animation ring even before the current collision course of Simpsons and Turtles Mania. This summer, Urusei Yatsura's run on HBO will come to a close after seven years. Reruns of Urusei will come to VH1 starting this September. On the big screen, Grantray-Lawrence Glasgow is hard at work finishing up All Dogs Go to Heaven while Walt Disney Classic Animation will deliver The Rescuers Down Under this Thanksgiving. Look for the new Mickey Mouse short The Prince and the Pauper later this year. Roger Rabbit 2 arrives in theatres in the Summer of '91.

Warner Bros. is off to a hot start on the small screen with Beetlejuice. This coming fall, catch Tiny Toon Adventures and Taz-Mania.

Later this fall, Sky Channel America will launch Miramax Animation's inaugural project, The George Liquor Program, the first project from John Kricfalusi since his release from prison.

Murakami-Wolf-Swenson will continue to produce Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for Season 3.

After being a leader on Saturday Mornings in the Eighties, Ruby-Spears rings in the Nineties with...Piggsburg Squealers [1] and Attack of the Killer Tomatoes? These guys are gonna need some serious help and FAST!

[1] Known IOTL as Piggsburg Pigs.

CMJ will begin production on Daisy Head Mayzie, another Chuck Jones/Dr. Seuss collaboration expected to hit theatres in 1992 from Warner Bros.

Lorimar-Telepictures confirms they are placing Rankin-Bass for sale.

DiC breathed a sigh of relief when Brad Bird's take on Beany & Cecil proved more successful than what Ray Spum was able to come up with in '88.

Famous Studios will deliver The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn this Christmas. Famous first brought Tintin into the American consciousness back in 1959 as a prime time series on ABC. The new film will be one of many centerpieces for Universal's 75th Anniversary. Famous will produce one more season of Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures before shifting gears to bring Back to the Future to Saturday mornings next year.

Screen Gems is gearing up for a Batman series for September of '92.

 

[OldNavy1988]

Bart vs. FART: The latest Simpsons episode ruthlessly mocks the notorious watchdog group and its lunatic leader.
- Newsweek

Miramax hires Giancarlo Parretti as its new treasurer.
- The Hollywood Reporter

Turner makes simultaneous bids for Rankin-Bass and Ruby-Spears.
- Variety

Jim Henson undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness.
- Reuters

Ray Spum fined more than $3 million USD by the SCAA.
- Entertainment Tonight

 

[OldNavy1988]

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Released by Walt Disney Pictures and 20th Century-Fox on March 30, 1990.

Production Companies
Golden Harvest
Limelight Entertainment

Distributor
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Based upon characters created by
Kevin Eastman
Peter Laird

Directed by
Steve Barron

Screenplay by
Todd W. Langen
Bobby Herbeck

Music by
John Du Prez

Live Action Cast
Judith Hoag as April O'Neil
Elias Koteas as Casey Jones
Raymond Serra as Chief Sterns
Jay Patterson as Charles Pennington
Michael Turney as Danny Pennington
James Saito as Oroku Saki/Shredder
Toshihiro Obata as Tatsu
George Takei as Hamato Yoshi (Flashback)

Various Foot Soldiers
Sam Rockwell
Skeet Ulrich
Scott Wolf
Joaquin Phoenix

Character Voices
George Takei as Splinter
Robbie Rist as Michelangelo
Greg Rhodes as Leonardo
Corey Feldman as Donatello
Josh Pais as Raphael
Mako Iwamatsu as Tatsu

Notes
- Splinter's origins are closer to the original Mirage comics.
- James Saito re-recorded his own lines in post-production instead of being redubbed by David McCharen.
- The comic book adaptation is still produced by Mirage. A full-color version was released by Harvey as part of the TMNT Adventures series.
- A special edition of the anthology series featured exclusive behind the scenes footage and interviews with Steve Barron, Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird.
- That same special edition of Disney Night in America featured the music video of "Turtle Power" by Partners in Kryme. After that special aired, Turtle Power entered near-endless rotation on VH1. ITTL, the names Leonardo and Raphael are swapped in the third verse.
- A video game adaptation of the film is slated to headline the launch titles for the Atari Wildcat.

And before I forget:
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is the first title since The Black Cauldron to begin with both the Disney and Fox logos.

The castle goes first...

...followed by the searchlights.

For this film, John Du Prez composed a special combined fanfare in which the familiar notes of When You Wish Upon a Star are tuned to B-Flat Major to match the key of the long version of the Fox Fanfare.​

 

[OldNavy1988]

Jim Henson has been released from the hospital and will return to work in June.
- CNN

Ted Turner announces his purchase of Ruby-Spears.
- CNN

Rankin-Bass sold to Paramount Communications.
- The Hollywood Reporter

After the Rankin-Bass deal fell through, Turner is entering negotiations with Jay Ward Productions.
- Variety

Buena Vista Home Entertainment will take over the TMNT license from Carolco, parent company of Family Home Entertainment, starting in May of next year. [1]
- Reuters

[1] IOTL, 1991 was roughly the time Family Home Entertainment got rid of the yellow paper logo [LINK] in favor of the CGI paintbrush logo [LINK]. IMO the latter feels a bit too cutesy in front of those old TMNT tapes.

 

[OldNavy1988]

Giancarlo Parretti on Ray Spum: "If he comes to Miramax, I'll help pay his fines."
- Entertainment Tonight

Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters coming to MTV this fall.
- The Hollywood Reporter

After a three year hiatus, Rankin-Bass will resume production under the new ownership of Paramount.
- Variety

Look for other networks to attempt to replicate the success of The Simpsons.
- TV Guide

In Politics...
Robert Mueller has been appointed as special counsel to investigate possible foul play that may have elevated the Bundy/Gotti ticket to victory in the 1988 election.
- The Washington Post

 

[OldNavy1988]

Back to the Future Part III

Released by Universal Pictures on May 25, 1990.

Cast and crew are the same as OTL.

And, also like IOTL, the film opens with a special, commemorative logo which Universal will use for the next 12 months.

 

[OldNavy1988]

Universal Studios Florida

Opened on June 7, 1990 in Orlando, Florida.

The Front Lot (Blue)
- Guest Relations
- Strollers
- Lost and Found

Production Central (Green)
- Nickelodeon Studios
- Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies
- The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera

New York (Magenta)
- Kongfrontation
- Shazam!: The Captain Thunder Experience
- Mission: Impossible Stunt Spectacular

Hollywood (Orange)
- RKO's Star Trek Adventure: The Next Generation
- Xenomorphs vs. Predators: The Alien Encounter (Coming soon)

San Francisco/Amity (Teal)
- Earthquake: The Ride
- Dynamite Nights Stunt Spectacular
- Wild, Wild, Wild West Stunt Show
- Universal Monsters Graveyard Revue
- Jaws the Ride (Coming soon)

Expo Center (Purple)
- Animal Actors Stage
- Hard Rock Cafe
- My Little Pony Carousel
- The Muppet Ride
- Riverdale​

 

[OldNavy1988]

Helter Skelter
Released by Hollywood Pictures on June 15, 1990.

Directed by
Ridley Scott

Screenplay by
David Twohy
Warren Skaaren

Based on the book by
Vincent Bugliosi

Music by
Brad Fiedel

Main Cast
Cher as Linda Kasubian
Matthew McConaughey (screen debut) as Tex Watson
Vincent D'Onofrio as Vincent Bugliosi
Willem Dafoe as Charles Manson

At the box office, Helter Skelter was able to take advantage of weak competition on opening weekend. Hollywood Pictures' next film, Arachnophobia, hits theatres next month.

Special thanks to @PNWKing for suggesting this title.​

 

[OldNavy1988]

Buckle up, because Universal is turning up the heat on rival theme park chains as its new Orlando park opens to rave reviews.
- The Hollywood Reporter

Thanks to the cult following of Grand Diamond's Heathers, Daniel Waters and Michael Lehmann are hired by Fox to write and direct a rumored Avengers movie.
- Variety

Billy Zane has been attached to a possible Justice League film, presumably to take over for Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman.
- Comic Buyers' Guide

After a slow start, Bally's Hollywood Pictures is shaping up to becoming the next big mini-major.
- Entertainment Weekly

Steve Barron and Judith Hoag will return for a second TMNT film.
- Inside Edition

Jim Henson returns to work with "...a new lease on life."
- Entertainment Tonight

 

[OldNavy1988]

@TheFaultsofAlts
I think that's just an expression, a figure of speech.

Urusei Yatsura 4: Lum the Forever

Released by 20th Century-Fox on June 22, 1990.

English Voices
Lauren Tom as Lum Invader
Rob Paulsen as Ataru
Cam Clarke as Mendou
Phil Hartman as Rei
Russi Taylor as Ten
June Angela as Shinobu
Mako as Cherry
William Shatner as Mendou's father
Robert Downey, Jr. as Tobimaro Mizunokoji
Uma Thurman as Asuka Mizunokoji
Tony Jay as Tarouzakura the great cherry tree​

 

[OldNavy1988]

All Dogs Go to Heaven

Released by Walt Disney Pictures on June 29, 1990.

Produced by
Walt Disney Classic Animation Orlando

Directed by
Don Bluth

Executive Producers
Roy E. Disney
Gary Goldman
John Pomeroy

Music by
Alan Menken

Song lyrics by
Howard Ashman

Voice Talents
Burt Reynolds as Charlie B. Barkin
Dom DeLuise as Itchy
Judith Barsi as Anne-Marie
Vic Tayback as Carface Carruthers
Charles Nelson Reilly as Killer
Ken Page as King Gator
Loni Anderson as Flo
Melba Moore as the Whippet Angel
Godfrey Quigley as Terrier
Earleen Carey as Kate
Mark Hamill as Harold

Upon its theatrical release, All Dogs received mixed reviews, with some critics questioning the appropriateness of the darker subject matter for a film geared towards a family audience. Other critics gave the film high marks for the animation of the musical number "Let's Make Music Together," supervised by Daniel Abbott, who was also the lead animator for Charlie.​

 

[OldNavy1988]

Disney's Sing-Along Songs
Released by Walt Disney Home Video starting in the summer of 1987.

Volume 1: Heigh Ho (1987)
Host: Professor Owl

Volume 2: Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah (1987)
Host: Professor Owl

Volume 3: You Can Fly (1988)
Host: Ludwig Von Drake

Volume 4: The Bare Necessities (1988)
Host: Jiminy Cricket

Very Merry Christmas Songs (1988)

Volume 5: Fun With Music (1989)
Host: Ludwig Von Drake

Volume 6: The Laughing Place (1989)
Host: Ludwig Von Drake
Known IOTL as I Love to Laugh and later Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Volume 7: Under the Sea (1990)
Host: Ludwig Von Drake

Volume 8: Disneyland Fun (1990)

Volume 9: Let's Make Music Together
Coming in 1991​

 

[OldNavy1988]

Walt Disney Mini Classics
Released by Walt Disney Home Video starting in 1988.

May 31, 1988
The Reluctant Dragon
Donald in Mathmagic Land
Mickey's Magical World
The Three Little Pigs

October 4, 1988
Mickey's Christmas Carol
The Truth About Mother Goose

May 9, 1989
Ben and Me
Paul Bunyan
Goliath II

September 28, 1989
Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree
Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day
Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too
Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore

Coming in 1990
The Small One

Coming in 1991
The Prince and the Pauper
Willie the Operatic Whale
Peter and the Wolf​

 

[OldNavy1988]

Walt Disney Classics
Released by Walt Disney Home Video starting in 1984

CHEEZY DIAMOND ERA
1984
Robin Hood
Dumbo
Alice in Wonderland
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Bongo

1985
Pinocchio
Mickey and the Beanstalk
The Snow Queen
The Secret of NIMH
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Reissue)

1986
Sleeping Beauty
Wind in the Willows (Reissue)
Beauty and the Beast
The Fox and the Hound
The Black Cauldron

1987
Peter Rabbit
Basil of Baker Street
Lady and the Tramp
Chanticleer
Hansel and Gretel

SORCERER MICKEY ERA
1988
Huck's Landing
The Brave Little Toaster
Oliver and Company
Cinderella
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

1989
Rapunzel
The Sword in the Stone
The Land Before Time
Bambi

1990
101 Dalmatians
The Rescuers
The Little Mermaid
Peter Pan
Ducktales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp

Coming in 1991
The Jungle Book
All Dogs Go to Heaven
The Rescuers Down Under
Fantasia​

 

[OldNavy1988]

Arachnophobia

Released by Hollywood Pictures on July 17, 1990.

After a slow start (Troop Beverly Hills) and two sleeper hits (Weekend at Bernie's, Helter Skelter), Arachnophobia proved to be the film that really put Bally's Hollywood Pictures on the map.

Later this year, Media Home Entertainment will rebrand as Hollywood Pictures Home Video.​