The Best Of The Mickey Mouse Club (DVD, 2005)

As a clear sign that DisneyDVD management had no idea what they're doing, they proudly proclaimed that these "classic episodes" include the following:

"Fun With Music Day" - September 30, 1957
"Talent Roundup Day" - October 25, 1957
"Guest Star Day" - August 28, 1962
"Circus Day" - October 11, 1962
"Anything Can Happen Day" - November 12, 1964

Though the episodes may have been repackaged, syndicated and rebroadcast on the stated dates, absolutely NOTHING on these episodes was produced after 1957. In fact, co-host Bob Amsbury appears in an episode supposedly from 1962. Unfortunately, Mr. Amsbury died in an automobile accident in 1957.

On that same episode, DisneyDVD has decided to include a black & white cartoon of "Ferdinand the Bull" as part of the "Best of..." package. While this cartoon was a technicolor marvel in 1938 (winning the Academy Award for Best Cartoon), it is completely out of place and a black & white waste of time on this DVD presentation.

The bright spot on this DVD is found on "Anything Can Happen Day." The episode features the Mouseketeers as America first knew them in 1955. The segment with the Firehouse 5 plus 2 (with Disney animators Frank Thomas and Ward Kimball), along with Cubby O'Brian on drums is among the most wonderful ever presented for home viewing. The "Mousekartoon" of the day was "Mickey's Nightmare"... one of the best ever produced. Watching Mickey turn out the lights at bedtime is funny every time it's shown. Great gags throughout. Unfortuately, even this classic episode has already been issued in VHS format several times.

If you like Darlene Gillespie, there is more of her singing on this compliation that we've seen anywhere else. Though prominently featured on the packaging, our favorite Mouseketeer, Annette Funicello, is rarely featured.

Jimmie Dodd and his Mousegetar closes every episode. Let's just say that Jimmie Dodd is still our hero. As much as Walt Disney (if not more so), Jimmie Dodd WAS the Mickey Mouse Club.

Even so... if you can only buy one MMC DVD, get the Walt Disney Treasures boxed set. If you can't afford that one... then this one will still bring back many great Mouseka-memories.

Reviewed by Dave Mason for SaturdaysToys.com - eBay's premier shop for vintage Walt Disney and Disneyland collectibles.