It is now clear that no synopsis or idea, placed in the hands of Disney, can be a resounding failure, except to turn out to be a great success in terms of public and criticism at best, in an interesting and decidedly pleasant experience in all the others. For example, let Disney do a self-congratulatory docu-fiction e a series full of nostalgia and childhood wonder will be born.
Discovering cinematic magic
A new documentary will be made available on Disney + from May 1st full of good humor and imagination entitled Props (originally titled Prop Culture, pun between pop culture and the cinematic prop, the prop), a series that explores the history, characters and professionals of some of the most loved Disney films, through precious collectibles, archival items and numerous curiosities. The series will be hosted by collector Dan Lanigan (best known for a very successful documentary short film on Matt Groening's Futurama series, Fan-O-Rama: A Futurama Fan Film of 2016), who will accompany us in this anthological series with a strong post-postmodern taste. Starting from an article from his personal collection or from a film he particularly loved, Lanigan guides us through an uneven network of industry professionals who have contributed to the making of some of the most beloved films of our childhood and beyond (including, just to name a few, composer Danny Elfman and stop motion master Henry Selick)
There is talk of one film per episode, also in this case uneven by gender and historical period; from Mary Poppins to Pirates of the Caribbean, from Tron to The Nightmare Before Christmas and other beloved classics including Who Framed Roger Rabbit? o The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Lanigan talks about the genesis of this project:
“I've been working in television production for a while. Meanwhile, I've been collecting props, original costumes, and movie memorabilia for over 20 years. However, I have always had the impression that in this industry there were countless people who, despite doing a very important job, never got the spotlight. So I thought it would be great to do a show that celebrated them. Even if the show is called Prop Culture and the focus of the series is the props seen in the various films analyzed, the real protagonists of the whole are actually the people behind those objects. "
The episodes are followed with extreme curiosity, able to keep glued to the screen thanks to the many information, anecdotes and genuine interest that is forming behind each of the Disney classics. The series, of course, would not have been able to offer the same charisma if a good idea had not been followed by a good host: Lanigan enters the scene with strength, manages to appear just like the viewer eager to discover as many notions as possible of his favorite work. After all, we are talking about a thoroughbred collector, a lover of the rich world of Disney cinema who first of all wants to enter those worlds that have so fascinated him and, above all, to put his hand and admire precious collectibles and antiques. Speaking of his passion for collecting, the man also stated:
“I started collecting when I was just a kid. Like many kids my age, I had a lot of Star Wars figures. When I was in my teenage stage, my mother gave them all to my brother's children. And I wasn't happy with it. It was always in the back of my head, like… why do these things mean so much to me? I wasn't playing with them anymore, but they were still important to me.
As I got older, I began to collect pieces such as replicas of props. I've always looked behind the scenes [specials], and I've always been interested in the people who have worked in this world, but the idea of being able to somehow be part of it by owning a piece and preserving it over time I find very fascinating. So, long story short, I collected what I thought was an original pistol obtained from a person who worked on the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit ?. It was sold to me as an original piece with some maquettes of the bullets. Many years later, I discovered that it was a replica, a gift offered to the staff and it disappointed me deeply… but at the same time, it helped to make me even more eager to explore this world. "
Prop Culture is a very pleasant product, certainly devoid of great ambitions, but still worthy of praise. Disney does not press excessively on its typically sugary taste that has distinguished most of its works for years, but the nostalgia factor is at times decidedly balanced and at times almost overwhelming. Cinephiles and they will probably not find themselves at ease, except perhaps being disappointed by the rambling trend and the short duration of the episodes, perhaps unable to reach their maximum potential or to get the best out of all the magnificent personalities and the means made available.
