Disney Sing-Along Songs is a series of videos on VHS, betamaxs, laserdiscs and DVDs with musical moments from various Disney films, TV shows and attractions…..as lyrics for the songs are displayed on-screen with the Mickey Mouse icon as a “bouncing ball”. Early releases open with a theme song introduction….as written by Patrick DeRemer….while containing footage featuring Professor Owl and his class….as seen originally in 1953 in two Disney shorts, Melody and Toot, Whistle, Plunk, and Boom which was voiced then by Bill Thompson. Professor Owl…who is now voiced by Corey Burton….hosts some of the videos….while either Ludwig Von Drake or Jiminy Cricket host others….along with later volumes, as well as the two Christmas videos, which did not have a host at all. The footage of Von Drake and Jiminy Cricket were taken from several television programs including the Walt Disney anthology television series and Mickey Mouse Club featuring the characters in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
Issued beginning on December 23, 1986….there have been four distinct series….with the 1st launched in 1986 with Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah….and followed by five more volumes….as the 2nd series began appearing in August 1990 with Under the Sea and Disneyland Fun….while the 3rd series, beginning in 1994 with Circle of Life, saw another new package design and the re-release of all previous volumes.
The Fun With Music sing along songs volume was released in 1989….which included the Blue Danube Waltz performed by the Snore Band….was co-hosted by Professor Owl and Ludwig Von Drake…..when at the beginning of the program, Professor Owl hosts….then after “All in the Golden Afternoon” ends is when Ludwig Von Drake takes over as host…..and finally, after “Blue Danube Waltz” is over, Professor Owl takes over as host for the rest of the program.
