By TIMOTHY KENNEDY
'The Wonderful World of Disney,' a family classic that entertained viewers from the 1950s through the 1980s, is returning to TV this fall. The new Disney program will offer a variety of blockbusters and made-for-television movies that will entertain both young and old.
The series, which will begin airing on ABC (Channel 4, locally) Sunday, Sept. 28, will feature as its lead-off movie 'Toy Story,' the Academy Award-winning computer-animated movie featuring the voice talents of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen.
In addition to 'Toy Story', The Wonderful World of Disney will feature other blockbuster movies this season including 'The Santa Clause', 'Babe', 'Casper', 'Rudyard Kipling's 'The Jungle Book'', and 'Pocahontas'.
The Wonderful World of Disney will also premiere a variety of made-for-TV-movies. These movies have been specifically created for this new season of The Wonderful World of Disney and star some of the biggest names in Hollywood including Whoopi Goldberg, Mia Farrow, and Leslie Nielson.
Some of the more exciting made-for-TV-movies to watch for this season are a re-make of the classic Disney film 'The Love Bug', an updated version of 'Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella' starring musical sensations Whitney Houston and Brandy, and 'Angels in the Endzone', a follow-up to the Disney film 'Angels in The Outfield' starring Christopher Lloyd.
Hosting this year will be Michael Eisner, the Walt Disney Corporation Chairman and CEO. He is one of two hosts that have introduced the series, the other being Walt Disney himself.
The Wonderful World of Disney was launched by Walt Disney on October 27, 1954. Orginally known as 'Disneyland', the program has undergone a variety of name changes over the years. However, 'The Wonderful World of Disney', regardless of the name or form has always maintained a strong emphasis on family entertainment.
Eisner affirms that the new series will attempt to recapture the magic and energy of the original Disney series, leaving viewers feeling 'that they have just had a great time -- that they've been together, they've enjoyed themselves and have had an exciting, quality experience.'
In addition to the new series, Disney will launch a Web site dedicated to 'The Wonderful World of Disney' series. The site will contain video clips, sound bytes, and a variety of behind the scene 'video trips' showcasing the stars, location, and the usual Disney 'movie-magic'. The site is located at www.disney.com and can be accessed beginning September 21.