Banking on Carelessness: Disney’s Mistakes in P.L. Travers’ Biopic

We here at FCAJP.com like to think that we run a pretty tight ship where we can. Given the chance, our Death Star probably wouldn’t include an exhaust port that would render the entire thing space dust with a single proton torpedo. So, we were a little surprised when the Walt Disney Company, in its most blatant bid for an Oscar this year, seemingly so carelessly approached the details of a film that’s so much a part of its own iconography.

We realize we are late to the table with our thoughts on this one, but hey, life gets in the way sometimes. The film itself is exceptional, full of stellar performances in even what might have been throwaway supporting roles if handled by another studio. Walt Disney’s daughters begged their father for years to make a film based on the stories of Mary Poppins, but it turned out to be a much bigger task than he bargained for, surprising for a man of his stature. That’s because dealing with the author of these loosely connected tales, P.L. Travers, was an exercise in humility for many on the Disney staff, and for Walt, after nearly twenty years of trying, almost one of futility.

banksTom Hanks gives an exceptional performance as Walt & Emma Thompson was shockingly ignored for her role as Travers.  Paul Giamatti & Colin Farrell shine in supporting roles as a chauffeur & Travers’ alcoholic father, respectively.  And of course, this being Disney, you get the sanitized & sweet version of history.  As difficult as Travers seems to deal with in the film, all evidence suggests that in reality, that dial would be cranked up to 11.

But what was really startling given the obvious fact that the built-in audience for the film would be the Disney obsessed was the number of glaring errors in the Disney timeline.  For example:

1) When Walt Disney walks Mrs. Travers down Disneyland’s Main Street USA, the marquee for Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln can be glimpsed in the background. That attraction was not added to Disneyland until after its debut at the New York World’s Fair – after the premiere of Mary Poppins.
 
2) While the production team did make some effort to make Disneyland appear as if the characters were walking in Walt’s footsteps, they did not hide the fact that Fantasyland had gone through a complete revamp in the early 1980s. Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, for example, seen onscreen, didn’t open until 1983.
 
3) When Mrs. Travers arrives in her hotel room, which is lavished with gifts of Disney merchandise, there is a Winnie the Pooh doll among the gifts, before the Winnie the Pooh shorts had been produced & merchandise was available.
 
4) When Mrs. Travers first arrives at Disneyland, you can glimpse computer terminals at the main gate, a few decades ahead of their actual debut.
 
5) When Mrs. Travers is watching Walt on her hotel room television, she turns it on with a remote control immediately.  While it’s not quite a Disney glitch, we’re not so sure that technology existed at the time…
 
What other errors have we missed?  Did you catch anything?

Saving Mr. Banks hits Blu Ray/DVD on March 18th.  If you haven’t seen it yet, I wouldn’t let the above bit of nitpicking get in the way of checking it out.  It’s just a headscratcher.

[IMAGE: Google.com]

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‘The Winter Solider’ TV spots!

Here are some TV spots for Captain America: The Winter Solider.


 

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‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ trailer!

Here is the first look at a full length trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy.  Once again it looks like Marvel does a good job of disarming a somewhat absurd comic book property, into something a mass audience can get behind and enjoy. Mostly through Guardians self-awareness.  Captain America: The Winter Solider and Guardians of the Galaxy will ramp up the story that will lead to Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Guardians of the Galaxy comes to theaters in the U.S. August 1st!

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Toy Fair – 2014 – Kotobukiya – Marvel ARTFX+ Avengers

toyfair_2014Here is a look at the new series of ARTFX+ 1/10th scale statues from Kotobukiya.

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‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ teaser…. teaser…

Before the full trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy is shown on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight, enjoy this 15 second teaser.

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‘Star Wars Rebels’ teasers!

Here is one of the Star Wars Rebels “Spark” teaser!

And here is the “Ignite” teaser!

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Toy Fair – 2014 – Funko’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Wacky Wobblers

toyfair_2014Here is a look at Funko’s Wacky Wobblers for the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy and Amazing Spider-Man 2.

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‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ will finish its run on Netflix.

The 6th and final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars will begin streaming on March 7th on Netflix.  Included on Netflix will also be directors cuts of episodes from seasons 1-5 and The Clone Wars movie that started off the series.

rex_season_6The 13-epsiode 6th season will be titled, The Lost Missions. This is the first Star Wars content that will have been brought to Netflix and signals the first move in a deal between the The Walt Disney Company and the popular streaming service.

My question is, what does this mean for a final season Blu-Ray Disc set? And… will Star Wars: Rebels which will be found on Disney XD sometime this year make its way to Netflix as well in the future?

[IMAGE: Starwars.com]

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MEZCO’s 2014 Toys

toyfair_2014Toy Fair 2014 is just days away.  To get in the mood last Saturday Mezco showed off their new line of toys at their headquarters.  Check out their brand new Sons of Anarchy line of products, as well as new Breaking Bad, South Park and Axe Cop toys! Not to be forgotten those Living Dead Dolls turn 16 this year with the 27th series of dolls. Check out the photos!

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New ‘Star Wars: Rebels’ character revealed – Kanan

sw_rebels_nycc0A new Star Wars: Rebels character has been introduced, Kanan.  Kanan has been described as a “Jedi Cowboy” and will be voiced by Freddie Prinze, Jr.

He carries a blaster, is a little sarcastic, and keeps his past a secret. “I like to call Kanan ‘the cowboy Jedi,'” says executive producer Dave Filoni. As shown in this video, his Jedi robes are long gone, replaced with armor and a holster, though a samurai-like ponytail hints at his Jedi Knight origins.

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