2012 PVC Classic Villains Figurine Set

This 6-figure play set was seen online last August, part of the Classic Disney Villains Collection at the Disney Store. The Wicked Queen is joined by Maleficent, Captain Hook, Queen of Hearts, Cruella De Vil, and Ursula. Pieces measure up to 4" high. Made from PVC plastic. Original retail price $12.50.

Item No. 6372041440590P.

Ms. Evil holds a golden chalice in her right hand, ready to toast her own beauty. She is identical to the Queen figure released in the 8-piece Snow White Figurine Play Set from 2011 (see earlier archive entry).

Stock images copyright Disney Store.

RKO Newsette, March 3, 1938

Although Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs had its 1937 premiere in Los Angeles, the rest of the world would still have to wait a while before seeing the film. It took time for Technicolor to churn out enough release prints to meet demand. In addition, RKO slowed the distribution process by requiring exhibitors to make special, higher-than-usual priced bookings for their engagements. The result was an erratic, yet still very enthusiastic general theatrical release.

A few first run theaters were showing the movie as early as January. It opened at Radio City Music Hall in NYC on January 13, 1938 as well as at the Sheridan Theater in Miami. Argentinean audiences were some of the first to see it internationally with a January 22 premiere in Buenos Aires.

Disney's official general release date was February 4, 1938. Yet, there weren't enough prints made by Technicolor to cover the second run or neighborhood theaters until later. Also theaters were studio-owned back then, and it was not unusual for a film to be "held over" a few weeks before being sent on. This might explain the March 3rd "opening" we see in the flyer below (due to the extended Radio City engagement).

Movie theaters that ran RKO films would hand out to patrons a type of herald called the RKO Newsette. This free 4-page paper carried bits of Hollywood news and trivia, but it also served to promote upcoming releases. A rare treasure, this particular issue (Vol. XXI; No. 16) dates from exactly 75 years ago today and announces the March 3rd opening of Snow White at the RKO 58th Street Theater in NYC.

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Special thanks to Michael Filippello for sharing the RKO Newsette info and images from his Snow White collection.

Refurb Signage from Disneyland Snow White Ride

This original hand-painted sign was stationed outside "Snow White's Adventures" during the 1981-83 Disneyland renovation. After the refurb was complete, the piece was returned to the Disneyland signage shop and kept as a reference copy. Acrylic on board. Measures 34.5" x 36". WED stamp on reverse side. The sign reappeared to the public eye last July in the 2012 Profiles in History Animation Auction catalog.

Image and info via the Profiles in History.

Snow White Comic from India

I have a friend who is currently attending grad school in India, and late last year, she happened to come across this 100-page comic book. (Measures 7" x 5" when closed.) Issued in 2012, it features a cover illustration of Snow White and the Dwarfs in the style used for the 2009 Blu-ray/DVD.

Except for a sprinkling of English words here and there, the vast majority of text is printed in the Malayalam language, which is basically only found in Kerala, India. The weekly comic magazine is called "Bālarama". It started publication back in 1972 and is known for reproducing various American comics, including Disney.

A "Scratch & Win" card featuring a national cricket player was stapled to the first page.

Most of the book is filled with more traditional Indian-looking comics featuring Hindu deities and similar content.

Yet, the mythical tale of Snow White is a universal one and actually feels right at home here. The comic strip tells the story up to the point where the Queen has ordered the huntsman to kill the princess. It probably continues in a subsequent issue.

Snow shows up again later in an ad for what appears to be some sort of video game contest or order form.

Thanks to Snow White enthusiast Nunziante Valoroso, we know a bit more about the actual Snow White artwork and story found within this book. It was originally printed in a hardback, 44 page glossy edition by Dargaud in France. Date of first publication was 1991, origin Disney Europe. The text was written by Régis Maine, illustrations by Santiago Barreira, and ink by Comicup Studio. For more info, see I.N.D.U.C.K.S.

Also thanks to Kottayam Cet for additional information and to Jess Haven for sharing this unique Snow White find.