Canadian & UK 'Snow White' Soundtrack Record DQ-1201

Several different releases of the Snow White soundtrack were issued in the US on the Disneyland Record label, under the catalog no. DQ-1201. This ID number was also used for a few albums in Canada and the United Kingdom. Same artwork as in the States, just slight differences to the labeling.

Canada 1963. Manufactured by RCA Victor.

Canada 1968. The catalog number in upper right corner of the cover does not include the prefix "DQ". The disc labels read, "Made in Canada - Walt Disney Music of Canada Ltd."

United Kingdom 1970. Includes the "Disneyland Castle Series" logo which indicates that it was pressed in England. The disc labels are blue instead of yellow.

Images via the Greg Philip Collection.

Additional images via discogs.com

Previous Archive entry: US Snow White soundtrack DQ-1201

1959-1987 US 'Snow White' Soundtrack Record DQ-1201

The first Snow White soundtrack on the Disneyland Record label was released in 1956, catalog no. WDL-4005 (see previous post). The record was included in the high quality WDL-4000 series which was targeted toward adult listeners. Unfortunately this collection did not sell very well. The record would be reissued on numerous occasions over the years, with the audio content edited down which shortened the total run time.

In 1959, the DQ-1200 line of budget albums was introduced. Low costs and high sales would help bolster the then-struggling Disney label. These lower quality vinyl pressings were aimed at the children's market. The Snow White album, no. DQ-1201, was released in 1959, 1963, 1968, and 1987, along with other print runs taking place too. Original retail price $1.98.

The 1959 album artwork featured the Snow White characters and several whirlpool swirls. A couple of short sections were cut making the run time around 28 minutes (down from about 33).

A 1962 printing with a different rear cover; the sleeve advertisement promotes the Disneyland Storyteller series which was released that year.

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1963 release. More cuts, run time down to under 24 minutes.

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In 1968, the record was reissued with the same 1956 cover artwork from the original WDL-4005 album, but with less vibrant colors. Run time under 24 minutes.

Images via the Greg Philip Collection.

Various 1968 label printings:

DQ-1201

1201

Rainbow label reissue

CRC (Columbia Record Club) edition

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In 1981 the same DQ-1201 soundtrack was released on the Snow White Picture Disc, no. 3101. And in 1985 on cassette tape, no. 101GP. Note the cassette cover artwork was borrowed from the 1980 Disneyland Records Storyteller album no. 3906.

Add'l image via disneylandrecords.blogspot.com.

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In 1987, the "DQ" prefix was dropped, catalog no. 1201. The album artwork was taken from the 1983 movie poster. The song lyrics were printed on one side of the record sleeve. The soundtrack recording itself was from the original 1956 WDL-4005 version. Total run time around 33 minutes.

Next Archive entry: DQ-1201 (Canada & UK).

1956 US Snow White Soundtrack Record WDL-4005

The very first Snow White soundtrack was issued in 1938 on the RCA Victor Records and His Master’s Voice labels. Our friend Kenneth Sundberg over at the KenNetti Snow White Database shares more:

After the initial three-record set of 1938...there has been countless releases of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs albums with slight – or major – differences in presenting the music. The legendary Disneyland Records producer Salvador "Tutti" Camarata set the standard for a Disney soundtrack release in 1956 with the first WDL Long Playing Records. Camarata became famous for watching Disney's movies with his eyes closed, to be able to choose the best bits of orchestral music for the soundtrack albums. The original WDL release of the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs soundtrack, produced by Camarata and released in 1956, became the basis for all later Snow White albums that included music and songs from the movie. This soundtrack album has been re-released countless times in one shape or another, some instrumental portions omitted, and with different cover art each time.

The WDL-4000 series were the first discs produced on the Disneyland Record label. According to R. Michael Murray in The Golden Age of Walt Disney Records, the albums had "vibrant cover graphics and colors, substantial cardboard covers and were excellent vinyl pressings." Adults, not children, were the target audience for these records. However, this would change when sales did not live up to expectations.

As Kenneth mentioned, the first Snow White album was released in 1956. Catalog no. WDL-4005. Green Disneyland Record logo in upper left front corner of cover. Vinyl 12" disc, 33¹⁄₃ rpm. Total run time approximately 33 minutes. Original retail price $4.98.

Next Archive entry: Snow White soundtrack DQ-1201

Tutti Camarata - Snow White LP Records

Salvador Tutti Camarata started working for Walt Disney's record operation in 1956. He was the Musical Director and Artists and Repertoire Chief. He also assembled and conducted an orchestra for recording purposes. A 1958 album entitled Hi-Ho highlighted the singing talents of Mary Martin, accompanied by Camarata's orchestra. All the tunes were popular Disney songs--including six from Snow White.

Side One: Hi-Ho, Lavender Blue, One Song, Whistle While You Work, I'm Wishing, I Bring You A Song; Side Two: With A Smile And A Song, Some Day My Prince Will Come, The Magic Song (Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo), When You Wish Upon A Star, I'm Late

Disneyland Records No. WDL-1038. 33⅓ rpm, 12" vinyl.

Canadian release. No. WDL-4016. 33¹⁄₃ rpm.

The album was reissued in 1966 as Mary Martin Sings Walt Disney Favorites. Disneyland Records No. ST-3943. 33¹⁄₃ rpm. It included a picture book with illustrations of Mary and Disney characters. Snow White looks like she is only 10 or 11 years old.

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In 1963, a record was issued on the Buena Vista label, Camarata conducts a modern musical interpretation of Walt Disney's greatest score Snow White. It featured his orchestra and singers. The musical numbers are a fresh take on the original tunes.

Side One: Snow White Overture, I'm Wishing, One Song, With A Smile And A Song, Whistle While You Work, Bluddle-Uddle-Um-Dum; Side Two: Heigh Ho Heigh Ho, Prayer At Evening, The Silly Song, Some Day My Prince Will Come, One Song, Snow White Finale

1963 Buena Vista Records No. BV-4023, mono 33¹⁄₃ rpm.

It was released in the UK in 1964 on the EMI label, His Master's Voice LP. No. HMV CLP-1830, mono 33¹⁄₃ rpm.

1967 Buena Vista Records reissue. No. STER-4023, Stereo 33¹⁄₃ rpm.

  No. BV-4023, mono.

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Walt Disney's Happiest Songs was released on the Disneyland Record label in 1967. No. DL-3509. LP 33¹⁄₃ rpm. Snow White and Dopey appear in the album artwork along with characters from other popular Disney films. This song compilation includes a cover of "Heigh-Ho" conducted by Camarata. The record was a promotional item made available through Gulf gas stations.

Images courtesy of the Greg Philip Collection.