Just in time to mark its 65th anniversary, Peter Pan is being inducted into the Walt Disney Signature Collection with a release on Digital and Movies Anywhere (May 29) and on Blu-ray (June 5). Fans will be able to return to Neverland to experience one of the classics of Disney’s golden age, accompanied by more than two hours of bonus features and brand-new extras.
Based on the stories by Scottish novelist and playwright J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan follows the Darling children — Wendy, John and Michael — as they are whisked away by the heroic Peter Pan to the magical world of Never Land. After flying with Peter and the delightfully impish Tinker Bell past the “second star to the right and straight on ‘til morning,” they explore the enchanted island and Peter’s secret hideout with the Lost Boys, and leap into high-flying battles with swashbuckling pirates and the infamous villain Captain Hook.
The traditionally animated feature was directed by Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson and Hamilton Luske and produced by Walt Disney. It featured the voices of Bobby Driscoll (Peter Pan), Kathryn Beaumont (Wendy), Paul Collins (John), Tommy Luske (Michael), Hans Conried (Captain Hook) and Bill Thompson (Mr. Smee); the late, great June Foray also leant her voice to one of the mermaids and Tiger Lily’s mother. Margaret Kerry performed the live-action reference for the silent Tinker Bell under the supervision of animator Marc Davis.
New Signature Collection bonus features include:
- Stories from Walt’s Office: Walt & Flight – “Think of the happiest things, it’s the same as having wings.” One thing you’ll notice inside Walt Disney’s office are all of the models and pictures of airplanes. Walt loved planes and was an aficionado of flying. As a continuation of the “Stories from Walt’s Office” series, we’ll soar into the world of one of Walt’s favorite pastimes and look at the history behind the company airplane he used to scout Central Florida looking for the perfect place to build his second theme park.
- A “Darling” Conversation with Wendy & John: Kathryn Beaumont and Paul Collins – Join Disney Legend Kathryn Beaumont (the voice of Wendy) and Paul Collins (the voice of John) as they reunite for the first time in many years to reminisce and discuss their experiences working on Peter Pan, meeting Walt Disney and learning to fly … literally.
- “You Can Fly” – A new “Oke” rendition and graphic look of the classic Disney song, “You Can Fly,” with fun lyrics on screen and lots of your favorite Peter Pan characters.
- “Never Smile at a Crocodile” – A new “Oke” rendition and graphic look of the deleted song, “Never Smile at a Crocodile”, with fun lyrics on screen and highlighting the relationship between Captain Hook and Tick-Tock the Crocodile.
Legacy bonus features include DisneyView, singalong version, Growing Up with Nine Old Men, deleted songs (“The Pirate’s Song,” “Never Smile at a Crocodile,” “The Boatswain Song”), deleted scenes (“The Journey Home,” “Alternate Arrival”), Disney Song Select, audio commentary hosted by Roy Disney, “Never Land”: The Lost Song, music videos (“Never Land” performed by Paige O’Hara, “Second Star on the Right” performed by T-Squad), You Can Fly: The Making of Peter Pan, In Walt’s Words: “Why I Made Peter Pan,” Tinker Bell: A Fairy’s Tale, The Peter Pan That Almost Was (with Ron Clements & John Musker), and The Peter Pan Story (1952)
While Peter Pan has been one of Disney’s best loved films for more than half a century, the adaptation and source material have come under scrutiny in recent years due to the racial stereotyping and slurs against the Native American “Indians.” Peter Pan has nevertheless received multiple theatrical re-releases over the years and is the 130th top-grossing film of all time when adjusted for inflation, according to BoxOfficeMojo.
