Mary Poppins Collectibles – Book and Record

Posted on January 10, 2015 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

This post for Saturday’s With Nick originally appeared on the Disney Musings Blog on December 20, 2013. I continue to be in awe of Nick’s Disneyana collection and these particular items make me Goofy-Hat-Green with envy since Mary Poppins is so near and dear to my heart. Enjoy!

Mary Poppins Collectibles – Book and Record

By: NickToday, Disney releases the film, Saving Mr. Banks, and to say I am excited to see this is an understatement. Both Barbie and I have grown up with Mary Poppins.The film centers on the life of P. L. Travers, creator of Mary Poppins, shifting between her childhood, and the negotiations with Walt Disney in the making of the motion picture, Mary Poppins, in 1961

If you haven’t seen the trailer, it looks absolutely amazing. I just re-watched it, and have goosebumps, and, okay, a tear in my eye.

As much as we both love Mary Poppins, we actually only have 2 items from Mary Poppins, if you don’t include a VHS, DVD, and the just released Blu-ray copy of the film!

One is this record album Barbie has had since childhood.

It includes a very brief synopsis of the movie, and even a brief telling of how Disney came to discover Mary Poppins and produce this masterpiece.

And what more can I say about the music by the Sherman Brothers other than it is absolutely brilliant?

This 1964 Mary Poppins movie book from Golden Press was bought just a few months ago at our local flea market.

Originally priced at $.69, I paid $2.

Not in the best of shape, but, having just seen the trailer for the first time the day before, I felt it was fate that I came upon it, and had to buy it!

It tells a bit about the production, and the 2 primary stars, Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, on the inside cover, before going on to tell the story of the motion picture, with photos from the film.

Vintage Vinyl – Disney’s Christmas Surprises

Posted on December 20, 2014 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

This week’s installment of “Saturday’s With Nick” details a great Disney holiday album. As a side note – he may claim he doesn’t know where the album came from, but I know it was a gift to Nick from his wife, Barbie. (Nick ought to do a better job of remembering important details like that or Santa might just decide to bring him a lump of coal instead of Disney gifts!)

Vintage Vinyl: Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse Christmas Surprises LP Album

By: Nick

I’ve no idea where I picked up this Mickey Mouse Christmas Surprises record album, but it’s in pretty good shape. An “Official Mickey Mouse Club” Disneyland Record from 1958.

If the terrific illustration on the cover isn’t enough to grab your attention, I don’t know what is!
Who knew Bambi could fly?! That’s a surprise.

What are other surprises does this record hold?
Other surprises are how unusual the song selections are on this collection.

Side one:

1. From All Of Us to All of You – Jiminy Cricket & Mickey Mouse

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs. Ever. So great start!

2. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, O Little Town of Bethlehem, O Come All Ye Faithful – Ludwig Mousensky & The All Mouse Choir

Then it gets weird. This is an odd one. Very Chipmunk, but not as charming or coherent.

3. T’was the Night Before Christmas – Jiminy Cricket

Back on track, one of my favorite stories told by one of my favorite characters

4. Fantasyland, Story Book Tree – Camarta Chorus & Orchestra

So sweet, your teeth may hurt after listening.

5. Winter Wonderland – Instrumental by Ludwig Mousensky & The All Mouse Symphony

Tolerable instrumental

Side 2:

6. Jingle Bells – Ludwig Mousensky & The All Mouse Choir

Essentially, the Chipmunks singing Jingle Bells. I like it!

7. Adventureland, Jungle Tree – Camarta Chorus & Orchestra

If you are familiar with the Enchanted Tiki Room, this seems to be the same group of singers singing about finding the Christmas tree for, or maybe in, Adventureland. Very unusual, and the lyrics are a bit difficult to follow, so I always lose the thread of the story midway through.

8. Jingle Bones– Witches 3 and Friends

I’m a fan of Hallowthanksmas, but this Halloween/Christmas mash-up is too much for even me. Just straight up trippy.

9. Kris Kringle – Jimmy Cricket

I really enjoy this one. It makes me wish they’d just released a full album of Jiminy Cricket doing Christmas Carols

10. Tomorrowland, Futuristic Christmas Tree – Camarta Chorus & Orchestra

A standard that takes a weird and incomprehensible turn in the middle.

This album is a surprisingly bipolar collection of songs, but worth a listen if you come across it for a reasonable price. And if you have a turntable, of course!

Collecting Disney Christmas Ornaments

Posted on December 10, 2014 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

If you follow Living a Disney Life on Facebook, you may have noticed I’ve been trying to post an ornament a day from our Disney-themed Christmas tree. I’ve really been enjoying picking an ornament to feature each day and remembering where and when each ornament was purchased (or made). There’s the ornament we bought on our 2011 Alaskan cruise on the Disney Wonder, the ones we got to remember our Disney World vacations, the new one Raymond picket out this year to commemorate our Anniversary trip, and the ornaments of some of our favorite Disney movie characters. While I can’t remember the exact year every ornament was purchased, there are a few that I know exactly when we got them and who picked them out.

Back before Joseph was born when Megan was an only child, we started a Christmas tradition that has meant a lot to me over the years. Back in the early 1990’s our local mall had a temporary Christmas shop that would open every year in the fall and had an astounding selection of ornaments. We would visit that shop and allow Megan to choose an ornament every year. We’d write her name and the year on the back or bottom of the ornament with the plan to give her those ornaments for her own tree when she grew up.

Only now I don’t want to. Give them away, I mean. I feel selfish, but if Megan doesn’t actually remember the plan, she won’t realize those ornaments were intended to be hers, right? She’ll think they were labeled for nostalgic purposes and I’ll be off the hook. Maybe, since she doesn’t have a Disney-themed tree, she’ll want those ornaments to stay at our house so when she has children of her own, they can see the ornaments she picked out as a child when they visit their grandparents’ house! Yes, that sounds like a great plan! You understand, don’t you? When I see those ornaments, I can so clearly remember what my little girl was like. Born during the Disney Renaissance, Megan had a love for characters like Ariel, Belle, Jasmine and Megara. In fact, there was a certain Pocahontas costume that was worn nearly every day until it became too small. She was a sweet, precious, easy-going child who has become an amazing, happy, lovely adult. I’m attached to those ornaments and the memories they represent!

Do you collect Disney ornaments? What would you do in my predicament? Would you keep the ornaments or pass them on to their rightful owner?

Indy Mickey – Flea Market Treasure

Posted on December 6, 2014 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

Once again, it’s time for Saturdays with Nick! Nick’s success at Disney treasure hunting is amazing and here’s the story of another great flea market adventure. Don’t forget to check out Nick’s main hangout, Disney Musings. Follow Nick on Facebook here and on Twitter here.