Disleelandia

1982 Newspaper Article featuring Me and Marvel Comics

Posted on December 31, 2020 by Dis-LEE

And with three of my friends! Yes, back in the day, I had youth and much more hair. And hundreds of valuable comic books. Time moved on, I grew older, my hairline receded, and my comic book collection got sold off. But this embarrassing newspaper article still remains to remind me of it all!

Published on July 28th of 1982 my friends and I made Page 3 with a full-page spread and an additional overflow on Page 17. For the small town of Havelock, ON, we were Big News!

**The dialogue balloons are pretty lame!** I’m on the far left, top

Jim, Scott, and Bob were three fellow comic book readers that I swapped and traded copies with. If you enlarge and read the article you will see that we were passionate about collecting but not always accurate in our information about pricing, dates, and other ‘facts’ about comics. But hey, we were teenagers! Who did research?

It’s funny to read how we all hated on DC Comics and gushed over Marvel Comics. The opposite of the boys on The Big Bang Theory!

The article also mentions how each of us liked to draw our favorite characters. About myself, the article said: “… this ability to draw seems to be inherent in most comic book fans, with some, like Lee Beatens, showing remarkable talent.” I’m blushing! Just a year later I did go to art college, so there’s that. You can barely see some of my artwork in the first picture posted in the article.

The article concluded by mentioning that we kids were planning a trip to Toronto to visit the comic book stores on Queen Street. We did do that, with Bob and Jim joining me for the long train trip.

So this article was written 38 years ago! I still have my copy, yellow and flimsy, but still preserving a small slice of my youth. Below I’ve included a picture of a comic-style character I drew while still in college, in 1984:

I hope you enjoyed this trip down my memory lane. Maybe you know me just a little bit better now! My condolences.

BONUS MATERIAL: How about a little ‘Then and Now’?

Posted in Artwork, Comic Books, Ephemera, History, Interviews, Viewpoint | Tagged Artwork, Comic Books, Ephemera, Havelock, History, I Don Like Dat, Interviews, Jeannette Moore, Marvel Comics, Newspapers, Superheroes, Viewpoint | Leave a comment

Disney-themed Baseball Caps

Posted on December 29, 2020 by Dis-LEE

It’s interesting that although we only have one head, we seem to accumulate more than one hat. And it’s not just because there are different seasons! No, we seem to need dozens of hats for every season!

And a Disney collector is even worse! Case in point, let me show you some more of my Disney-themed baseball caps. I don’t even like baseball caps. I look ridiculous in them! But:

This is a cap I do wear if I’m having a bad hair day (one hair, as I don’t have much left!). It’s a classic look in basic black with a nice detail on the back:

The next cap is still rocking the blackness but with a more colorful patch:

It may not surprise you to learn that I have a Pizza Planet shirt to go with this. I’m nothing if not well put together!

This cap has a nice little logo of the actual Pizza Planet, complete with (condiment?) rings, under the brim.

The Disney Store made this available in one-size-fits-all.

Now we leave the basic black for a more colorful and character-centric cap:

I image this is José sitting on his perch. Can you hear him saying: “Ah, buenos dias, señorita. My siestas are getting are getting chorter and chorter. Oh, look at all the people! Welcome to Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.”

Are you ready for the chorus? Here it is: “All the birds sing words, and the flowers croon,
In the Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room!“

This cap was released by the Disney Parks line and so was likely originally sold in the Parks, but also later in the Disney Store locations that are allowed to liquidate old Park stock. This cap is sized as ‘Adult’.

And now for even more color, with one of Disney’s most colorful characters:

Little Orange Bird, (Little Orange Bird)

In the Sunshine Tree (in the Sunshine Tree)

Won’t you think of something sunny just for me?

Another Disney Parks original.

If you’d like to see even more of my hat collection, just click this link. And if you wouldn’t mind, could you tell me how many hats one head needs? I really think I need to know!

Posted in Characters, Clothing, Pixar | Tagged All the Birds Sing Words, Baseball Caps, Caps, Characters, Clothing, Disney Parks, Disney Store, Enchanted Tiki Room, Hats, I Love Dolewhip, Mickey Mouse, Orange Bird, Pixar, Pizza Planet, The Walt Disney Studios | Leave a comment

The Dueling Guitars of Big Al – Money Banks

Posted on December 27, 2020 by Dis-LEE

The Country Bear Jamboree has got to be one of the corniest shows ever to appear in a Disney Park… and I love it!

Big Al is definitely a stand-out character as he drawls his way through Blood on the Saddle and gives a little chuckle when he’s done. Classic!

In this post I’m featuring two different versions of a Big Al Money Bank. Both are made of a bisque or ceramic substance and have some nice detailing. This version is certainly the more colorful of the two!

Note the ‘Big Al’ moniker on his guitar? Even a bear knows that branding is the key to success in the music business!

**I wonder if he knows that he has a slot in his back?**

Bottoms up:

As you can see, he is missing his plug. That sounds deeply personal and unfortunate. Moving on, I always feel that it devalues a money bank if it is missing the plug, even though it is quite common.

And now to my favorite of the Dueling Guitars:

This version has a monochrome palate making him seem like he is made out of wood, which is fitting for a bear that lives and… does other things in the woods.

Oh, Big Al! Is that moonshine down beside ya thare? You’d think he’d be a happpier bear with that kind of stimulation near by!

I HAVE A HOLE IN MY HEAD!

Ouch! But we need to get the money in somehow.

Yes ladies and gentlemen, we have found a plug in the wild!

Is this not enough Big Al for ya? Then check out a Plush Version and a Big Al Patch I got from my D23 Membership.

We hope that you’ll be coming back again.
That you’ll drop in and see us now and then.
We’ve done our very best to please
With just the “bear” necessities.
We hope that you’ll be coming back again.

Posted in Attractions, Characters, Collectibles, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World | Tagged Attractions, Banks, Big Al, Characters, Collectibles, Country Bear Jamboree, Money Banks, Piggy Banks, Theme Parks, Walt Disney Productions, Walt Disney World | Leave a comment

Tomorrowland Speedway Friction Model Cars

Posted on December 25, 2020 by Dis-LEE

I love seeing Mickey and his friends in vehicles. Many of the original Shorts feature some kind of transportation theme and so it seems like a natural fit to carry this over into merchandise.

Many believe that the Tomorrowland Speedway in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World doesn’t quite fit the whole ‘future’ theme of the Land it’s in. And being as it features gas-powered go carts, it’s hard to argue the point! Recently, I heard a Vlogger opine that the attraction could be converted to electric cars with a sponsorship from Tesla. Now that would be a better fit!

But until that does or doesn’t happen we still have a really cool ride, with some awesome merchandise. Behold the Tomorrowland Speedway friction cars:

This version would have been sold in the Park closer to when it opened. It is made in Japan and features better fit and finish than the later version. Both versions have a metal body sitting on a plastic base.

I only have Mickey in the driver’s seat, but there are versions with Minnie Mouse and Donald Duck as well. Although I haven’t seen one, I imagine Goofy must also take the wheel!

Mickey sports his 1970’s clothing here. Red pants and a blue shirt with yellow shoes and white gloves to finish off the look. He wears this outfit in other collectibles of the period and so it helps to date such pieces.

Most versions of these cars I’ve found or seen have the number 45 on them. So I was happy to find a variant with a 60, even though it’s fit and finish is somewhat lacking. Maybe this Mickey isn’t as good a driver as Number 45! He’s even lost his steering wheel!

Again, the Japanese models are much better made, as you can see from the level of detail in the undercarriage. Some effort was made to simulate what the bottom of a real car actually looks like.

This car still has its original price tag of $12.95 US affixed to the axle. I feel this adds to the collectability.

Now let’s have a look at the versions that came out later in the ride’s history:

Notice he has also moved to the center of the car for some reason. And the car itself is slightly wider and shorter. Obviously the new manufacturer created their own tooling for the process.

So here Mickey has changed back to his classic red shorts, yellow shoes and white gloves.

Yellow, Blue, and Red are the only colors I’ve seen these cars painted. So far. But I’m on the hunt for more variations!

This later model is made in China, obviously to cut the cost of manufacturing. The cars are now lighter, but still with metal bodies on a plastic base.

Now the fun thing about these cars is the friction movement. You simply pull them back and they will shoot off across the floor a good 20′ or more. Pedal to the metal!

Is the Tomorrowland Speedway (or Autopia in Disneyland) a must-do during your Disney Theme Park visits? It definitely is for me!

Posted in Attractions, Characters, Collectibles, Die Cast, Theme Parks, Toys, Walt Disney World | Tagged Attractions, Cars, Characters, Collectibles, Diecast, Friction Cars, Theme Parks, Tomorrowland Speedway, Toys, Walt Disney World | Leave a comment

“Everything is Satisfactual” Collector Plate

Posted on December 24, 2020 by Dis-LEE

The Song of the South full-length film will never see the light of movie theaters again or even grace the small screens in our homes. But Disney does still seem to want to keep the animated portions of the movie, and it’s characters, alive!

For an interesting viewpoint on this movie and its troubled history, you can read Who’s Afraid of the Song of the South by Jim Korkis, a noted Disney historian.

Little nods to the banned movie pop up from time to time, like this one that I found in Disney Springs:

Although this plate doesn’t feature a character from the film it does have a famous line from Uncle Remus himself from his signature song: “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah”. The song was composed in 1946 by Allie Wrubel with lyrics by Ray Gilbert, and was sung by James Baskett. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song that year. Another little piece of the film that seems to have survived the purge!

This plate is for decoration or display only and shouldn’t be used to serve food.

For just $12.95 US I thought it was quite reasonably priced. And for the man who has just about everything Disney (not really, but it seems like it to my wife!) it makes an interesting and different piece of Disneyana to display.

I hope everything is satisfactual with you and your family!

Posted in Animation, Collectibles, Movies, Music, Walt Disney World | Tagged Academy Awards, Allie Wrubel, Animation, Best Original Song, Collectibles, Disney Parks, Disney Springs, James Baskett, Jim Korkis, Movies, Music, Plates, Ray Gilbert, Song of the South, Uncle Remus, Walt Disney World, Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah | Leave a comment

The World of Miss Mindy Lumiere and Cogsworth Figurines

Posted on December 22, 2020 by Dis-LEE

Beauty and the Beast is a classic story that is both loved and criticized. Stockholm Syndrome, anyone? But if you put the critical eye under a patch, you can begin to relax and simply enjoy the interesting characters and touching storyline.

Two standout characters from the film are Lumiere (Jerry Orbach) and Cogsworth (David Ogden Stiers). So be my guest as we take a look at these two frenemies as depicted from the Disney Showcase Collection as imagined by Miss Mindy and produced by Enesco… made in China:

It’s obvious early on in the movie that these opposites, although not attracted to each other, are certainly more appreciative of each other than they would ever admit! Just look at those smiles and winks.

Again, we see Enesco producing standard boxes that vary only in size from one another, but in every other way are identical.

Who is Miss Mindy? From the Miss Mindy website: “Miss Mindy creates in her home studio in Eagle Rock, CA. ‘Cartoon Folk Art’ is how many describe her work due to the old-timey feel, big eyes, and exaggerated proportions.” And now you know!

I think the style of Miss Mindy really suits Lumiere due to his flirty personality and bigger-than-life theatrics.

Each box, although the same in design, does have a label on the side to identify the character within.

I like the simplicity of the sculpt here. From the back the detail is scaled down but still beautiful.

On to the second of our Dynamic Duo:

Here is where I think the Miss Mindy style fails the character a bit. Cogsworth isn’t really known for happy or cheeky moods, rather tending towards tense and argumentative. And this can be a problem when an artist interprets Disney characters into their signature style (think also of Jim Shore or Romero Britto). Some characters will yield themselves very well to the treatment while others… no so much!

**Same generic box, with different label**

I really like the added detail for Cogsworth, especially from behind, where we get to see the woodgrain, winding key, and other accouterments.

And labels like this are how I manage not to share my toys… er, collectibles, with children who visit my home. Yes, I’ve always had a problem with sharing!

This line is quite extensive and expensive! I picked these two examples up for 50% off at a moving sale for a local collectibles retailer. Otherwise, they would not be a part of my collection!

If you can say nothing else about this line of figurines, it’s that they are not ‘gloomy or complaining’ but rather ‘bubbling and brewing’. Now if you’ll just shout “Enough, I’m done!” I’ll be able to end this post…

Thank you!

Posted in Animation, Ceramics, Characters, Collectibles, Figurines, Movies, Princesses | Tagged Animation, Beauty and the Beast, Belle, Ceramics, Characters, Cogsworth, Collectibles, David Ogden Stiers, Disney Showcase Collection, Enesco, Figurines, Jerry Orbach, Lumiere, Miss Mindy, Movies, Princesses | Leave a comment

30th Anniversary Splash Mountain Funko Pop! Figures

Posted on December 20, 2020 by Dis-LEE

As of the writing of this post Splash Mountain is due to be replaced by a different themed overlay. A ‘Save Splash Mountain’ initiative has been started but is unlikely to change the outcome. Due to the escalating dislike for the source material, Song of the South, Disney is not going to risk offending any part of its audience by continuing to link the company to anything that might be considered racist.

But they apparently have no problem with making money off merchandise based on the animated characters from this problematic film or the ride they inspired! This works for me as I love both!

With that all said, and all and any disclaimers necessary, let’s have a look at a particularly special piece of Splash Mountain merchandise:

Splash Mountain was first opened in Critter Country at Disneyland on July 17th, 1989. So the 30th Anniversary would be in 2019, when the three-figure set above was released.

Some Funko Pop! figures come in packages that are unremarkable and so I tend to remove the figures and display them separately, often throwing away the box. But sometimes the box is as unique and collectible as the figures! Such is the case with this set, so I think the three Br’er animals will be staying inside for display.

I love the logo for this set! The three ‘frenemies’ seem to have had a good time on the ride with Br’er Rabbit taking the brunt of the water. He’s soaked!

I’ve granted them a brief furlough so they can pose for you. But after this post, it’s back in the box for everyone!

Each Funko Pop! box set has a backing card with a themed picture to accent the character(s) inside. Some are more elaborate than others, with this one simply depicting a wood grain wall. These backing cards are used because of the printing process used to create the boxes. They print on one side and then fold the cardboard into the final shape. But this leaves a plain cardboard-colored background inside, behind the characters. By inserting a separate backing card, it looks better for display.

Now let’s have a closer look at the figures themselves:

**Br’er Rabbit:** “Don’t worry about me! I can take care of myself!”

Br’er Rabbit was voiced by Johnny Lee (and James Baskett in some scenes).

Br’er Fox was voiced by James Baskett (who also played Uncle Remus).

**Br’er Bear:** “You said this was a Laughing Place. And I ain’t laughing.”

Br’er Bear was voiced by Nick Stewart.

I like how each character is given a prop specific to their story arc.

As a Theme Park Exclusive, this set came with a hefty price tag: $69.99 CAN. Usually these sets would only be sold in the Parks, but being as it’s over a year past the release date, I was able to pick this set up at a liquidation store.

So while I was typing this post, the three rascals got into a scrap. Apparently someone failed to say ‘Howdy!’ which that started a brouhaha and required me to intervene. I’ve put them in a Time Out until they chill.

Are you sad to see Splash Mountain go? Or do you believe it’s time to update the attraction? Let me know in the comments! And if you would like to see some more Splash Mountain goodness, check out this post. See you there!

Posted in Animation, Attractions, Characters, Collectibles, Exclusive, Figurines, Limited Edition, Theme Parks | Tagged 30th Anniversary, Animation, Attractions, Br'er Bear, Br'er Fox, Br'er Rabbit, Characters, Collectibles, Disneyland, Exclusive, Figurines, James Baskett, Johnny Lee, Limited Edition, Nick Stewart, Song of the South, Splash Mountain, Theme Parks | Leave a comment

Sultan’s Palace Cookie Jar from Disney’s Aladdin

Posted on December 18, 2020 by Dis-LEE

Aladdin was an animated film released in 1992 by the Walt Disney company and again in 2019 as a live-action extravaganza. Whichever version you prefer, they both follow the plot of an Arabian street urchin who finds a magic lamp containing a genie. Aladdin disguises himself as a wealthy prince and tries to impress the Sultan and his daughter, Jasmine. As one does.

Compared to the humble abode of Aladdin, the Sultan’s Palace must seem like… well, a palace! So naturally a great deal of the film centers around this location.

Let’s have a look at the Palace as rendered in cookie jar form:

So the tiny little door at the base is an entry point, but how would one reach the staircase to the much grander entrance above? Methinks the Sultan does not want to share his cookies!

I was surprised at how bland the box was for this product. Enesco clearly put some excellent work into the ceramic figurines and collectibles offered in this line, but couldn’t be bothered to tailor the box to each individual item. Cost effective, to be sure, but lame!

**The only way to know what is inside!**

So to know what you are buying, you have to swivel the box to the side and look at the printed image and description. Otherwise, you could be buying anything!

Okay, grousing aside, the actual cookie jar is beautiful! So let’s get back to it:

I’m assuming the orangey stuff on the side is some kind of tree or foliage, but why is it also growing on the Palace? Where’s the groundskeeper?

More orangey growth. Or is it actually desert sand? You can also see that the Sultan apparently doesn’t like windows. I guess it would have saved money during construction.

Again, only two windows on this side of the Palace. It must be very dark in this building and a real drag if you want to admire the view. No wonder Jasmine sneaked out!

The Sultan’s cookies are safe except for the fact that the entire roof of the Palace can be easily lifted off. You don’t even need a genie to help you rob this cookie jar!

What’s this? The Sultan has the last laugh as he has cunningly stashed his cookies somewhere else! Drat!

When I saw this collectible piece, I knew it would make a good addition to my cookie jar collection.

I picked this up at a clearance sale when a store called The Cartoon Kingdom was moving its location across town (Windsor, ON to be exact). So it cost a little over $20 CAN after the 70% discount! How could I resist? I have an interesting post involving some discarded signage from this store if you’d like to check it out.

For more cookie jars, check out the Disneyland 40th Anniversary Castle or José Carioca. Both keep your cookies fresh in style!

EDITORIAL UPDATE: (July 1, 2022) Unfortunately, the Sultan’s Palace has suffered catastrophic damages! An earthquake, in the form of my father, hit the palace around 8pm two evenings ago. All the upper turrets were smashed beyond repair, leaving only the base intact. No repairs are planned and the Sultan is presently looking at other options to store his cookies. RIP

Posted in Animation, Ceramics, Collectibles, Food, Kitchen, Movies, Princesses | Tagged Aladdin, Animation, Ceramics, Collectibles, Enesco, Food, Jasmine, Kitchen, Movies, Princesses | Leave a comment

Cosmo MARVEL Dorbz Vinyl Collectible

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Dis-LEE

Cosmo was one of the first ‘astronauts’ to go into space and orbit the earth. Being a member of the space program of Russia (or the Soviet Union) she would be referred to as a cosmonaut, hence her rather ‘on the nose’ name.

However, Cosmo wasn’t ‘Cosmo’ until Marvel Comics decided to cameo her in the huge hit movie Guardians of the Galaxy. Before that, her actual name was Laika, a stray dog picked up off the streets of Moscow only to be summarily stuffed into the Soviet spacecraft Sputnik 2 that was launched into outer space on November 3rd, 1957. Where she died within hours from overheating.

So much for the glories and fame of space travel! Although she did get a monument dedicated to her on April 11th, 2008. So there’s that.

And now she is immortalized in plastic and paint in the form of Funko’s latest creation, this Dorbz vinyl collectible figure.

Want to see the real Cosmo/Laika?

**The mongrel that would conquer space!**

She does look adorable! Do you suppose Dorbz stands for ‘adorable’? Only Funko, or someone more versed in that company’s culture, would know for sure!

You can see other characters that are available from Guardians on the side of the box above.

The letters CCCP (without the ‘Pup’ add-on) are an abbreviation for the full name of the Soviet Union in Russian (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) before 1991.

**The tail that wagged the Space Program**

The head swivels as does the helmet. I was disappointed that the helmet didn’t have a face shield that would swivel down over the face of the character. Still awesome, though!

**Russian Dog made in Vietnam for sale in Canada/US**

So not only did Russia have the first living thing in space, but also the first female. But not the first plastic replica!

FUN FACTS: Laika is the Russian term for several breeds of dogs. Its literal translation would be “Barker”, from the Russian verb “layat”, “to bark”. According to some accounts, the technicians actually renamed her from Kudryavka to Laika due to her loud barking.

FUN FACTS: Laika is believed to be a cross between a husky and a terrier. Cosmo is believed to be a cross between plastic and a polymer blend.

Posted in Characters, Collectibles, Comic Books, Figurines, History | Tagged CCCP, Characters, Collectibles, Comic Books, Cosmo, Dorbz, Figurines, Funko, History, Marvel, Specialty Series, Vinyl Figures | Leave a comment

Things: One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Cartoon Kingdom

Posted on November 10, 2020 by Dis-LEE

Cartoon Kingdom is a local memorabilia store that sells all kinds of toys and collectibles featuring most of your favorite characters and IPs from movies and animation.

I’ve visited the store for years and have certainly purchased my fair share of swag! But now I’ve finally gotten a freebie:

**Someone took a bite out of my Kingdom!**

One of my neighbors buys up estates and will throw out things he doesn’t feel have monetary value. So today was garbage day and lo and behold, I drove by his place to see the above sign just sitting there to be picked up!

But it had a broken corner. For a split second I considered leaving it to the garbage man, but then I realized that I could ‘fix’ it:

With the purchase of a new blade for my jigsaw I was able to crop the ends to make a ‘new’ sign that looks great! But where do you put a sign that is over six feet long? Why, in the house, of course:

My laundry room just happens to have a bare wall just the right length to accommodate such a large piece. I would have knocked a wall out if it didn’t. I’m not kidding.

So just how big is it? This is no fish story–it’s a little over 24″ high by a whopping 80″ long. Almost my entire wingspan! Two holes, some hooks and chain, and now it hangs in all its glory upon my wall. Below is a low resolution picture of the original location with this old signage:

You can visit the Cartoon Kingdom website here. The new brick and mortar location can be found at 4114 Walker Road, Windsor, Ontario, here in Canada.

FUN STORY: My wife didn’t see me working on the sign. And when I brought it into the house, she still didn’t turn around to see what I was doing. I yelled ‘Ta-daaaa!’ to get her attention and waited to see her expression upon seeing such a monstrosity. To her credit, she took it in stride. So I had to up my game. I told her I paid $250.00 for it and that got a reaction! She seemed relieved to learn I got it for free. Women.

Posted in Advertising, Commercial, Displays, Signage, Things | Tagged Advertising, Cartoon Kingdom, Commercial, Displays, Signage, Things | Leave a comment