How many animated films in Disney’s vault would you consider classic? Off the top of my head, I count at least five. Yet I feel like the most overlooked of the five is the ever-so-charming Lady and the Tramp. What other films can you think of that take the simple premise of the fear of being replaced, and turning that into a tale of growing up?
Barbara Luddy and Larry Roberts aren’t well known Hollywood names, but they are spot on with their voice acting as Land and Tramp. Specifically, Luddy (who almost has an Audrey Hepburn vibe to her) fills the role of a naïve, pampered house dog who has grown complacent, but still has a likable charm to her. I feel like it would be easy to play this character the wrong way where we feel like she is a diva. But there is a kindness that comes through in the voice acting that keeps me on this character's side. It's no surprise that Lady and the Tramp is a forgotten gem in Disney’s vault that has earned a place in my household.
To read our previous, more in-depth review of Lady and the Tramp click HERE.
Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray
Disney releases Lady and the Tramp for the second time on Blu-ray with an absolutely stunning slipcover to hardcover packaging that lives up to its Signature Collection name. Inclosed lies a BD-50 Blu-ray, DVD Copy, along with a Movies Anywhere digital download code. Once we are done staring at the gorgeous packaging and press play we are prompted with the usual skippable trailers before being brought to an animated main menu that allows us to navigate from there.
Lady and the Tramp runs its second lap on Blu-ray with the same reference quality transfer of the previous release. Luckily for them, we wouldn’t have it any other way, as it still looks better than the majority of animated transfers out there today. With its colorful palette, and rich textures, this pops off the screen with the kind of quality transfer this writer dreams about.
For the full Video review click HERE.
Lady and the Tramp proves that you just can’t mess with a good thing, giving us the same DTS-HD MA 7.1 and 2.0 tracks that were on the previous release, and they still hold up today. Like the original review, I too prefer the 7.1 mix. You just can’t go wrong with the score throughout your field of sound and the upgraded bass response that is provided here. A well realized mix that knows where to hit this reviewer's sweet spots.
For the full audio review click HERE.
The new features to the Signature Collection can be found below:
Walt and His Dog (HD 8:27) – The real inspiration for Lady and the Tramp was Walt Disney’s own personal relationship with his dog. Here we get some pics and people talking about their bond.
Stories From Walt’s Office (HD 6:02) – A comparison of Walt’s Office as it looks restored today, and how it looked back in the 1950’s.
How to Make A Meatball and Other Fun Facts About Lady and the Tramp (HD 9:06) –Alexis Gabrielle and Amber Kelly teach a cooking lesson on food close to this reviewer's heart and give little tidbits about the film.
Sing-Along Mode – An updated version of the sing-along videos that were on the previous release, which lets us sing along during the film itself.
Classic Bonus Preview (HD 0:48) – Along with the digital version comes four featurettes, three trailers, seven deleted scenes, and a 1943 storyboard version of the film.
With the exception of Disc Introduction by Diane Disney Miller and Second Screen, featuring “Inside Walt’s Story Meetings," all other features are carried over from the Diamond Edition and can be read by clicking HERE.
Before coming into Lady and the Tramp, I decided to play a little game and write down everything I could remember from my childhood. What I came up with is: “Two dogs. One is male. The other is female. They both fall in love and share a plate of spaghetti and meatballs as Italian musicians serenade them." Besides being wrong about the Italian musicians (they are Italian cooks), I realized that I had forgotten about the real message behind the film. Watching it today, I was struck by how sweet the message of Lady and the Tramp is and how so many films have tried to duplicate it, though none have succeeded.
As a Signature Collection Blu-ray, Lady and the Tramp features the same high-quality transfer and soundtracks as the Diamond Edition, most of the previous bonus materials, and a few extra goodies. If you don't already own the Diamond Edition, or if you're a Disney completist, the Lady and the Tramp Signature Collection is Must Own.
