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The Disney Films
In the fourth edition of his successful book The Disney Films, author Leonard maltin updates his classic tribute to the genius of the man who brought Mickey Mouse, Snow White, Dumbo, Davy Crockett, Cruella DeVil and Mary Poppins to movie and television screens all over the world. After examining Walt Disneys career from his early days as an entrepreneurial commercial artist up to his triumphant years as the head of an entertainment kingdom, The Disney Films presents a fascinating overview of every Disney film, both animated and live-action. Included are plot summaries, production credits, and insightful critical commentaries, as well as interviews with notable Disney staff members.
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
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About the author
Leonard Maltin
183 books72 followersLeonard Maltin, is an American film and animated-film critic and historian.
Maltin began his writing career at age fifteen, writing for Classic Images and editing and publishing his own fanzine, Film Fan Monthly, dedicated to films from the golden age of Hollywood. After receiving a journalism degree at New York University, Maltin went on to publish articles in a variety of film journals, national news-papers, and magazines, including Variety and TV Guide.
Maltin in 1990
As an author, Maltin is best known for Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide, (some editions titled as his ...Movie and Video Guide), a compendium of synopses and reviews that first appeared in September 1969 and has been annually updated since October 1987. (It was published under the title TV Movies until the 1990s, and in 2005 spawned a spin-off, Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide, limited to films released in 1960 and earlier to allow the regular book to cover a larger number of more recent titles.) He has also written several other works, including Behind the Camera, a study of the art of cinematography, The Whole Film Sourcebook, Leonard Maltin's Movie Encyclopedia, Our Gang: The Life and Times of the Little Rascals, and Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons.
Since May 29, 1982, Maltin has been the movie reviewer on the syndicated television series Entertainment Tonight. He also appears on the Starz cable network, and hosted his own syndicated radio program, Leonard Maltin on Video, as well as the syndicated TV show Hot Ticket with Boston film critic Joyce Kulhawik (originally E! personality and game show host Todd Newton). He currently hosts a television show entitled Secret's Out on ReelzChannel movie network. He also spearheaded the creation of the Walt Disney Treasures collectible DVD line in 2001,[4] and continues to provide creative input and host the various sets.
He appeared on Pyramid twice as a celebrity player, in 1987 on the CBS $25,000 version and in 1991 on the John Davidson version. He appeared on Super Password as a celebrity guest in 1988.
In the mid-1990s, he became the president of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and is on the Advisory Board of the Hollywood Entertainment Museum. For nearly a decade, Maltin was also on the faculty of the New School for Social Research in New York City. He currently teaches in the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California.
In 1998, Maltin settled a libel suit brought by former child star Billy Gray, of Father Knows Best fame, whom Maltin identified as a drug addict and dealer in his review of the film Dusty and Sweets McGee for the movie guide book. The statement appeared in print for nearly twenty-five years before Maltin publicly apologized for the error.[5]
He currently hosts "The Maltin Minute" for DirecTV customers. Maltin also teaches at the University of Southern California.
Maltin began his writing career at age fifteen, writing for Classic Images and editing and publishing his own fanzine, Film Fan Monthly, dedicated to films from the golden age of Hollywood. After receiving a journalism degree at New York University, Maltin went on to publish articles in a variety of film journals, national news-papers, and magazines, including Variety and TV Guide.
Maltin in 1990
As an author, Maltin is best known for Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide, (some editions titled as his ...Movie and Video Guide), a compendium of synopses and reviews that first appeared in September 1969 and has been annually updated since October 1987. (It was published under the title TV Movies until the 1990s, and in 2005 spawned a spin-off, Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide, limited to films released in 1960 and earlier to allow the regular book to cover a larger number of more recent titles.) He has also written several other works, including Behind the Camera, a study of the art of cinematography, The Whole Film Sourcebook, Leonard Maltin's Movie Encyclopedia, Our Gang: The Life and Times of the Little Rascals, and Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons.
Since May 29, 1982, Maltin has been the movie reviewer on the syndicated television series Entertainment Tonight. He also appears on the Starz cable network, and hosted his own syndicated radio program, Leonard Maltin on Video, as well as the syndicated TV show Hot Ticket with Boston film critic Joyce Kulhawik (originally E! personality and game show host Todd Newton). He currently hosts a television show entitled Secret's Out on ReelzChannel movie network. He also spearheaded the creation of the Walt Disney Treasures collectible DVD line in 2001,[4] and continues to provide creative input and host the various sets.
He appeared on Pyramid twice as a celebrity player, in 1987 on the CBS $25,000 version and in 1991 on the John Davidson version. He appeared on Super Password as a celebrity guest in 1988.
In the mid-1990s, he became the president of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and is on the Advisory Board of the Hollywood Entertainment Museum. For nearly a decade, Maltin was also on the faculty of the New School for Social Research in New York City. He currently teaches in the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California.
In 1998, Maltin settled a libel suit brought by former child star Billy Gray, of Father Knows Best fame, whom Maltin identified as a drug addict and dealer in his review of the film Dusty and Sweets McGee for the movie guide book. The statement appeared in print for nearly twenty-five years before Maltin publicly apologized for the error.[5]
He currently hosts "The Maltin Minute" for DirecTV customers. Maltin also teaches at the University of Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 14, 2024
A nice overview of the first thirty or so years, but Maltin's Disney apologist always show through.
February 6, 2018
Leonard Maltin gives his thoughts on classic Disney, pretty great!
August 29, 2019
Got this back in the mid-1990s and read it over a period of 10-11 years as I watched through Disney's history of films and shorts. I have fond memories of watching Maltin's Disney intro's.
November 5, 2023
I like Leonard Maltin and I like Disney, so this book made me happy. It was fun to revisit all of the Disney classics made during Walt’s life and see what Leonard thought of them.
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February 16, 2017More a work of Disney apologetics than criticism.
June 16, 2014
I consider the 1973 version to be perfect in that it has entries on all the animated and live action films produced during Walt Disneys lifetime. The section afterwards gave interesting perspective on what the possible future of Disney animation held at that time. Another interesting part was the discussion on Song of the South. I found it interesting that the Disney company had considered withdrawing it permanently in the late 60s but reconsidered in 1972 when it was reissued. Maltin said that people's attitudes were more accepting of some of the taboo stereotypes that were simply a part of history.
I haven't gotten to look at any of the revised editions, because they can be hard to find. I'd like to see one that has a better listing of the short subjects.
I haven't gotten to look at any of the revised editions, because they can be hard to find. I'd like to see one that has a better listing of the short subjects.
June 30, 2008
Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on one's perspective), the edition of this book which I assiduously devoured was published in 1984, pre-many of the neo-Disney successes. In any event, it was the older and obscure classics I was interested in. Maltin walks us through each film, with interesting notes and trivia on the stories, the production, and the various talents that shaped the final film before it was squeezed into the Disney toothpaste tube and squished out as a branded product. A good one-stop source.
August 11, 2015
I nice grouping of all the films produced while Disney was still alive, as well as a decent look at much that came after. It has a few problems, mostly a sense of being somewhat unfocused. I believe the last few chapters are unnecessary, as they take away from the idea that this is about Disney films. I expect that the author was trying to be thorough, but the looks at television and such are not in-depth and so some somewhat superfluous. Still, there's some great information here and some interesting opinions.
September 20, 2011
Great! Describes all the Disney films - animated and live action, full length and shorts - until 1967. Also lists the contests of the Sunday Disney TV show from 1954-1967. I hadn't realized Disney's film catalog was so large.
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October 9, 2009Disney Films, The by Leonard Maltin (2000)
June 9, 2010
A must have for those who have any interest in Disney films. Unfortunately, this book is long overdue for an update. The most recent edition was published in 2000.
January 10, 2011
Excellent. A extremely thorough overview of the films that Walt Disney made himself. Although I hoped it would go into the films after he passed away a little more, this book is excellent!
August 9, 2011
coo!l disney is classic, fun, and love-able. For fanatics this book is very interesting
July 3, 2007
an indepth and well written resource for disney film info. perfect for animation buffs.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews