With the creation of Disney's own streaming service came the elimination of the so-called Disney Vault. Now, Disney fans can enjoy a multitude of marvelous and magical entertainment from the studio. This is especially good news for those looking for those strange and unusual features audiences might have forgotten.
The catalog of films, series, and other features on the service is immense, but it has a veritable selection of Disney treasures not seen in stores today. Granted, anything can be found through eBay or Amazon, but take a look at these rare and obscure Disney flicks.
The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin (1967)
Though it's no Apple Dumpling Gang, this movie is one of Disney's most underrated westerns. When a butler and his family flee from Boston to San Fransisco, the posh and proper Eric Griffin becomes a wild-west hero through many slapstick and quirky scenarios. While the name might be lost on some fans, this film checks a lot of boxes for a classic live-action Disney movie, including a Sherman Brothers soundtrack.
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969)
Before he was the epitome of an action hero, Kurt Russell got his start in quite a handful of Disney features, some more obscure than others. In this film, a college student gets superhuman intelligence after a lab accident, he becomes the smartest man in the world and foils a gambling ring.
While many have seen Russell's Disney work in Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 2, this one definitely deserves some recognition.
Fun and Fancy Free (1947)
Definitely one of the many animated features lost in the Disney Vault, Fun and Fancy Free was one of Disney's package films that many fans have essentially seen without knowing about it. Half the film is the Mickey short, Mickey and the Beanstalk, the other is Bongo, a story about a circus bear experiencing life in the wild. The affair is hosted by Jiminy Cricket, then later Edgar Bergen and his charming, yet somewhat creepy, puppet crew. An odd film, but one worth watching.
Melody Time (1948)
Another package film, though one with a great deal more flow, is Melody Time. Think of this film as a fantasia with sequences more like "The Sorcerer's Apprentice."
Most of them tell a definite story and feature narration by popular artists of the time. Some segments are more enjoyable than others, but it's not without some merit. Perfect for a rainy day or just something pleasing for the background.
Saludos Amigos (1942)
Part documentary, part package film, all Disney. It's definitely one of the rarest finds on home video but thanks to Disney+, all fans can see a gang of Disney animators at work drawing inspiration from South American culture, and even Goofy as a gaucho. It pairs perfectly with The Three Caballeros and is certainly one of the more interesting forgotten Disney animated classics.
Frank and Ollie (1995)
One of the most enjoyable documentaries on Disney+'s library is without a doubt, Frank and Ollie. The story of Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston is one that will warm the heart of every Disney fan.
Not only does this film serve as an essential history course in Disney animation, but it's also a tale that explores the friendship between two of Walt's most talented artists. For fans who absolutely adore the history of Walt Disney Studios, this is a mandatory watch.
Candleshoe (1977)
One of the first films featuring Jodie Foster, this is definitely a rare find for any fan of Disney's live-action features. It's a fun little mystery featuring an old mansion, a pair of con men, and a treasure hunt all wrapped into one adventure. It checks all the boxes for a Disney family film, but it's a rarity worth checking out today for those looking for a standard slice of Disney action.
Disney’s True-Life Adventures
Definitely not something seen on DVD and Blu-Ray are Walt Disney's documentaries, Disney's True-Life Adventures. Fortunately, Disney+ has them ready for viewing. The African Lion, The Vanishing Prarie, The Jungle Cat, and more are all present and ed for.
While they might be somewhat dated by today's documentary standards, it's fun to know Walt dabbled in genres outside his standard field.
The Black Hole (1979)
This dark Disney cult classic is a sci-fi enigma that's not talked about nearly enough. At first glance, it may come off as an untidy mish-mash of elements from 2001: A Space Odyssey, but if approached from another angle, the film isn't a rip-off, but a tribute. The story might be hit and miss at times, but the visuals, performances, and effects are always entertaining.
Mr. Boogedy (1986)
This incredibly obscure and seriously strange flick is the answer. When a family moves into a haunted house full of ghosts, creatures, and the Boogedy Man, things go from spooky to silly with all the ghostly antics the spirits pull. It's one of those films that simply needs to be watched to be fully understood.
