Oh, Lady Be Good: ‘Lady and the Tramp’ Returns to Blu-ray

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The ’50s were a golden age for Walt Disney. The decade began with Cinderella and included classics such as Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Sleeping Beauty. And nestled in the middle was 1955’s Lady and the Tramp.

The film itself certainly needs no introduction, so I’m not even going to try reviewing it. You already know it and probably love it. Over the years, Lady and the Tramp has received numerous home video releases, and we can now add one more to the list since it was just added to the growing library of “Signature Collection” Blu-ray releases.

In keeping with the Blu-ray comparisons I’ve done for Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, Pinocchio, and Bambi, I’m going to take a look at how this new Signature Collection release of Lady and the Tramp compares to the previous Diamond Edition Blu-ray release from 2012.

First and foremost, I should say that, as is the case with most of the Signature Collection re-releases from Disney, the video is identical between the two versions. They look exactly the same (beautiful), and there’s really not a noticeable difference between the two. With respect to audio, they both also feature a 7.1 DTS-HD audio mix.

Fan of physical media? The on-screen menu is different, and the new Signature Collection version is utterly charming. It shows the different characters “come to life” from a series of sketches to finished animation. It’s a simple effect but really incredible to see.

Interested to know about the special features? Here goes…

What’s the same? The new version includes a selection of the bonus features from the previous edition.

• Both versions of the film are practically identical in terms of specs. They look and sound the same.
• Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad: This is an 8-minute short with Walt Disney’s daughter sharing memories of her dad and his Disneyland apartment.
• Never Recorded Song: “I’m Free as the Breeze”: A modern recording of a song (written in 1946) originally intended for Tramp that was ultimately cut from the movie.
• Deleted Scenes: Introduction of Boris, Waiting for Baby, Dog Show

What’s new? Aside from the menu, there are a few differences and special features that are new to the 2018 edition.

• Digital redemption code to add Lady and the Tramp to your Movies Anywhere collection.
• Walt & His Dogs: This is an 8-minute featurette with archival audio recordings of Walt Disney talking about the dogs he’s had throughout his life. The video follows a dog as it runs through The Walt Disney Family Museum, so it includes a lot of interior shots of the museum along with historical photos from Walt’s life.
• Stories from Walt’s Office: This is a 6-minute short about Walt’s office at the Disney Studio. It features the director of the Walt Disney Archives, Becky Cline, giving a tour of the office, which has been decorated just as it was in 1966.
• How to Make a Meatball and Other Fun Facts about Lady and the Tramp: This is a 9-minute short with Alexys Gabrielle (host of “The Oh My Disney Show”) and teen chef Amber Kelly making spaghetti and meatballs.
• Song Selection: Karaoke versions of five songs from the film and the scenes over which they play.

What’s missing (from the 2012 edition)? Curiously, a LOT is missing. They’ve made the decision to include most of these special features as digital extras in Movies Anywhere when you redeem your code, but they are NOT on the physical Blu-ray disc. The hourlong making-of documentary is a particularly noticeable absence.

• The now-defunct Disney Second Screen option (+ accompanying mobile app)
• Classic DVD Bonus Features, including
  • the 52-minute “Lady’s Pedigree: The Making of Lady and the Tramp“
  • the 13-minute “Finding Lady: The Art of the Storyboard” with Eric Goldberg
  • Original 1943 Storyboard Version of the Film
  • “The Siamese Cat Song”: Finding a Voice for the Cats
  • PuppyPedia: Going to the Dogs
  • “Bella Notte” music video
  • Theatrical Trailers (1955, 1972, and 1986)
  • Excerpts from “Disneyland” TV Shows
  • Deleted Scenes: Turning the Tables, The Arrival of Baby

Do I recommend the new Signature Collection edition of Lady and the Tramp? If you don’t already own a copy of the film, then it’s a no-brainer. It’s a classic that any Disney fan or fan of animation should own.

What if you already own the 2012 edition? If you’re pining for a digital version to stream anywhere, then go right ahead. Unfortunately, the new bonus features are really weak and not at all worth picking up on their own merit. And the fact that the disc doesn’t even include the making-of featurette is a big strike against it.

The film, though, is great. It’s a true Disney classic.

(Disclosure: GeekDad was provided with a review copy of this release. All opinions remain our own.)

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