Looking for a dog movie? Walt Disney Studios loves to cart its classics out of the film vault to retail for a limited time, and then make them unavailable for as long as a decade. With the Blu-ray hi-definition format becoming more widespread, Disney has restored several classics to capitalize on its growing popularity. We’ve already seen Bambi, Sleeping Beauty, Dumbo, and others in hi-def, and today Lady and the Tramp joins the club.
Lady and the Tramp tells the story of the stray mutt Tramp, who falls in love with Lady, a Cocker Spaniel from a well-to-do family. Younger viewers are sure to be enthralled by the colorful onscreen comic antics, while adults, and especially fans of hand-drawn animation, will appreciate the film’s artistry and warm-hearted message. Prior Blu-ray releases of Disney’s animated films are renowned for their razor-sharp, clean images that rival theatrical prints, and Lady and the Tramp should be no exception.
Released in 1955, Lady and the Tramp was the 15th full-length animated feature from Disney Animation Studios, but more important, it was the company’s first film composed for the rectangular CinemaScope format, with an image width that measured more than twice its height. It’s also the first Disney animated feature that focused on dogs (something the studio would return to six years later with 101 Dalmatians).
A classic spaghetti-and-meatballs candlelight dinner, and a priceless episode (with a now-it’s-stuck-inside-my-head song) featuring a pair of devious Siamese cats, are two of many memorable moments.
Lady and the Tramp is available in a two-disc (Blu-ray and standard DVD) combo edition for $39.99, or a three-disc (Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Copy) for $44.99, although you can probably find it at amazon.com, Best Buy, or other stores for less.
