Reports of childhood obesity, health concerns called "misrepresentation"
As reported at this link (see May 13, 2005 update), Disney and McDonald's will dissolve their marketing agreement for McDonald's Happy Meal film promotions this summer. Reports today hinted that it may not be for reasons cited in our report last year.
Earlier reports had suggested that McDonald's would seek to end the exclusive agreement in order to pursue other film properties with other studios, but the most recent reports claim the decision was made due to Disney's "concerns over childhood obesity and poor eating habits."
McDonald's spokesman Jack Daly today said the most recent reports are "based on Hollywood hearsay from unnamed sources, and the entire premise is a misrepresentation of the truth." Daly went on to call the Disney/McDonald's decision "mutual." Last summer McDonald's disclosed that it would not renew the pact when it expires.
"Cars" and "Dead Man's Chest" are expected to be the final McDonald's/Disney Happy Meal film/toy tie-in promotions under the current arrangement. McDonald's restaurants and snack carts in Disney's theme parks and elsewhere on Disney properties are not expected to be affected by the announcement.
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Press Release
Hollywood's legendary El Capitan Theatre gets its 80th anniversary off to a flying start with a special two-week engagement of Disney's Oscar®-winning animated classic, "Dumbo," from May 25th - June 7th, it was announced today by Lylle Breier, senior vice president of worldwide special events for Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. "Dumbo" is celebrating its 65th birthday this year, and a new deluxe "Big Top Edition" DVD release of the film is scheduled for June 6th. For this engagement, a pristine new transfer of the film was made, and it will be digitally projected for an enhanced theatrical experience. Adding to the fun of this special anniversary event will be a live in-theatre appearance by Winnie the Pooh (who is also celebrating his 80th birthday this year), and a showing of the 1966 Pooh animated featurette, "Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree." The engagement will kick-off with a special filmmakers' panel on Thursday, May 25th at 7:00 pm that will include veteran Disney animator Eric Goldberg, Academy Award®-winning songwriter Richard Sherman (who wrote many songs for the "Pooh" films including the featurette, "Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree")and film music historian Miles Kreuger (president of the Institute of the American Musical), among others. Tickets for the "Dumbo"/"Winnie the Pooh" engagement can be purchased at the box office, online at this link, or by calling 1-800-DISNEY6.
To further commemorate this landmark anniversary, Disney's Soda Fountain and Studio Store (located next door to the theatre) will be offering a special El Capitan 80th Anniversary commemorative pin. They will also be serving up a special "El Capitan Sundae," a delicious waffle bowl dipped in homemade chocolate, filled with two delicious scoops of Dewar's vanilla fudge ice cream, and drizzled with caramel, topped with whipped cream and a chocolate covered strawberry, and dusted with a shimmering gold powder.
Commenting on the announcement, Breier said, "Our audience is always telling us how much they love coming to the El Capitan Theatre to see their favorite Disney classics presented in state-of-the-art conditions and we're always happy when we can bring them what they want. 'Dumbo' is one of the most delightfully entertaining films in our library, and our 80th anniversary seemed like a great time to show it along with some special 'Pooh' anniversary activities. In addition to the much anticipated summer release of Disney/Pixar's new computer-animated feature, 'CARS,' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest,' we're looking forward to celebrating the El Capitan Theatre's special anniversary with a variety of exciting events throughout the year."
(source: Buena Vista Pictures)
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ed note: the following is provided to Keep To The Code News by Zizzle Toys and is the last in a series of sneak previews of their Pirates of the Caribbean licensed merchandise. All images and descriptions are © Zizzle.
Davy Jones' Haunted Locker Bank
X Motorized lid lifts up and sounds and lights are activated when coin is dropped in
X Davy Jones sings the Yo Ho Pirates song and laughs as his heart beats in the locker
Davy Jones' Micro Pirate World Treasure Chest
X Treasure chest opens up to a micro play world
X Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, Cannibal Chief and Captain Norrington micro figures included
X 5 different sections of micro play
X Magnetic boat chase in the center of the playset
7" Scale Pirate Fleet Ships with Micro Figures
Edinburgh Trader with Elizabeth Swann, Captain Bellamy and Will Turner micro figures
X With the hidden wheels under the hull, the pirate fleet ships can move over flat surfaces with ease
X The island name Tortuga appears--just like in the movie--when the grillwork is spun
X Deck collapses when rudder is pulled
X Children can replay their favorite scenes from the movie
Flying Dutchman with Davy Jones, Bootstrap Bill Turner and Maccus micro figures
X With the hidden wheels under the hull, the pirate fleet ships can move over flat surfaces with ease
X The cannon's eyes turn fiery red when the wheel turns
X A pop up pirate guards the brig
X Children can replay their favorite scenes from the movie
Black Pearl with Jack Sparrow, Will Turner and Gibbs micro figures
X With the hidden wheels under the hull, the pirate fleet ships can move over flat surfaces with ease
X A pirate pops up to uncover the hidden treasure
X The rudder moves back and forth to remotely bring the cannons into their ports
(source: Zizzle Toys)
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