Ask women of a certain age all over America who their role model was growing up, and a great majority will say “Annette.” Likewise men of the same age will name Annette as their first romantic crush.
Like Elvis, Cher and Madonna, Annette Funicello was a star that rapidly gained single name status with American audiences. From her early days on the Mickey Mouse Club to present day, Annette has a loyal fan base. We are saddened by her ongoing battle with MS, and wish her well from our hearts.
In this collection we have a great opportunity to see Annette as she was featured on the Mickey Mouse Club in one of its famous serial productions.
Mickey Mouse Club viewers of the 1958 season were surprised and delighted by the serial “Annette” that ran from February 11, 1958 to March 7, 1958. For viewers used to historical fiction such as the old west setting in “Corky and White Shadow,” or children’s adventures outside the everyday such as “Spin and Marty” at camp, or “The Hardy Boys” solving mysteries, “Annette” was something totally new.
This was a story of a modern girl (1950’s) facing some modern problems in attending a new high school. “Annette” was adapted from a novel “Margaret” written by author Janette Sebring Lowrey, most famous for her children’s book “The Pokey Little Puppy.”
“Annette” is the story of teenager Annette MacLeod who comes to live with her aunt and uncle who before the day she arrives never knew she existed. Annette is the daughter of their estranged brother, and she has been raised deep in the country on a farm. Her rural upbringing hasn’t prepared her for city ways, but she is kind, honest, truthful and eager to learn.
This might be the 1950’s, but mean girls existed even back then. Some of the “in group” try to befriend Annette, but queen bee Laura (Roberta “Jymme” Shore) a new comer herself, isn’t willing to share the attention. The viewer is never quite certain that Laura didn’t engineer the event that causes Annette so much difficulty through her early days at her new school.
“Annette” starred fellow Mouseketeers Tim Considine, Sharon Baird, and Doreen Tracy, and it is fun to see a young Shelley Fabares just before she joined the Donna Reed Show. This serial also had music.
Roberta Shore sang and played the piano with “Readin’ Writin’ and Rhythm” and Annette sang the ballad “How Will I Know My Love” that started her recording career. Other musical numbers were featured as the students planned a talent night, went on a hayride, and met at the malt shop after school.
Walt Disney Treasures “Annette” is presented on 2 discs that have all 20 episodes of the serial as well as some good special features. The entire Mickey Mouse Club episode that began and ended the series is included. There is a featurette “Musically Yours, Annette” that was filmed in 1993 for the release of Annette’s CD.
Annette was interviewed for this special, and had just announced her MS to the public. On the second disc is a featurette tribute to the star from many of her friends called “To Annette, With Love.”
For Disney collectors and Annette’s fans, this is truly a treasure, with historical perspective and introduction by Leonard Maltin, and the serial in crisp clear visual, with very good sound.
Walt Disney Treasures: The Mickey Mouse Club Presents Annette - 1957-1958 Season (Collector's Tin) is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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