This list covers all the Walt Disney Classics (or "Black Diamond") titles released from 1984 to 1994 and strangely, 1996.
Part of the Classics series (1984-1994)
Season One (1984-1988)
The original logo from the series was nicknamed the Cheesy Black Diamond.
December 1984
Disney was initially reluctant to release any of their animated classics that had only seen theatrical release on video, as it might put them at risk of losing reissue revenue. Robin Hood was picked as the first Classics release because the film itself was considered weaker in terms of story and animation compared to the other titles. Its disappointing performance in its 1982 reissue was also cited.
Copies printed between July-September 1984 started with a preview for The Sword in the Stone, which was meant to be the next title released in the Classics line.
Copies printed between September-December 1984 and after September 1985 had no previews at all.
Copies printed between December 1984-September 1985 ended with the "Walt Disney and You" promo.
This release uses the 1984 (1981 internationally) "Neon Mickey" WDHV logo.
Copies prior to August 1985 begin with the MPAA rating bumper and the 1960 Buena Vista logo (apparently sourced from the original 1981 master), while copies printed after omit them.
This release starts with the 1984 (1981 internationally) "Neon Mickey" WDHV logo, following a trailer for The Journey of Natty Gann, and ends with the "Walt Disney and You" promo.
Copies prior to early May 1986 start with the 1984 (1981 internationally) "Neon Mickey" WDHV logo, while copies printed after start with the Cheesy Black Diamond.
This is the only Classics title to come in a cardboard slipcover and be part of the Wonderland Sale promotion.
Same print master as the original March 1986 release, except the Neon Mickey logo is replaced with the Cheesy Black Diamond logo on this issue and the Walt Disney and You promo is omitted.
The 1984 Cheesy Black Diamond logo variation on this issue is the fade-short variant, although the red-orange FBI warning screens are still the regular variant.
This issue is in the standard clamshell variation, with bracket no. 36-5.
This issue retains the blue MPAA rating bumper and the Buena Vista logo at the beginning. Many copies of this issue still used the February 1988 print master, though.
Has the fade-short 1984 Cheesy Black Diamond logo variation.
Season Two (1988-1994)
When Disney updated the logo from this series in 1988, starting with “Cinderella”, the logo was basically Sorcerer Mickey at the beginning and then the Shiny Black Diamond with the yellow text saying “Walt Disney” on the top and “CLASSICS” on the bottom. The prototype shiny black-blue background variation appeared on the 1988 release of “Cinderella”, and later, select October 1992 titles, as well as the September 1992 demo VHS and retail laserdisc versions of “The Rescuers”.
In 1989, starting with “Bambi”, an official variation of the new logo was created, only with the background being plain normal blue. Then in 1992, starting with “101 Dalmatians”, a third variation of the logo was created, with the color slightly tinted to blue and clean audio.
Starting with “The Rescuers”, a fourth variation of the logo was created, with enhanced bass heavy audio.
This was the only time the film's original end credits were intact.
September 1990
This month of 1990 was the final time that Disney released their titles on Betamax, as well as the month that “The Little Mermaid” was released on Laserdisc.
This issue of the title still uses the original May 1990 print master.
Copies of this issue printed between late July-early September 1990 use the standard vertical sticker-label, while most copies printed after early September 1990 use the oversized Betamax-style horizontal sticker-label.
Some copies printed between late October-late December 1990 still utilize the standard vertical ink-label that was used on the original May 1990 issue of this title.
The earliest copies of this release of the title were printed in April 1991.
Copies printed between April-June 1991 use the shadowed variant of the red-orange FBI warning screens.
Copies printed between June-July 1991 have the cut-in/fade-out variant of the red-orange FBI warning screens.
Sell-thru release of the title.
However, copies of this title printed after December 1991 have the print code information titled “RESCUERS DOWN UNDER” instead of “SELL-THROUGH-(08/91)” or “SUMMER LEAD ‘91”.
This release is rumored to have went on moratorium on December 21, 1991, however, its verification status is currently unknown.
Copies of this release that came in Deluxe Collector's Edition boxsets do not come in any casings and have a gold yellow horizontal sticker-label, while standalone copies come in black clamshells and have either a horizontal ink-label, or a gold yellow vertical sticker-label.
Copies printed after early February 1992 open with a theatrical trailer for Aladdin, and closes with video trailers for The Great Mouse Detective and Beauty and the Beast.
The Buena Vista logo is intact at the end of the film, and transitions into the closing trailers and bumpers.
Copies prior to mid February 1992 use this logo twice, while copies printed after fix the error.
First Disney release to use the lilac bumpers, including the "Feature Presentation" screen.
The earliest copies of this release were printed in late December 1991, mostly with a vertical sticker-label, and lacked previews at the beginning and end. Also, the Walt Disney Classics logo used on those copies was the 1989 variation.
Originally planned for moratorium on April 30, 1993, select copies were being produced and released to video stores that didn't have enough copies of the release. The actual moratorium was in late 1994.
The case cover artwork on this issue is a slightly resized variation. Copies that use this variation use the green FBI warning screens and the regular 1988/1989 WDC logo, but lack previews at the beginning and end.
Copies of this issue that simply reuse the original September 1991 cover artwork still utilize the second version of the September 1991 print master.
Copies printed after early July 1992 open with theatrical previews for Aladdin and a scrapped Sleeping Beauty reissue, and a video preview for Pinocchio; and close with a video preview for 101 Dalmatians.
Copies printed between late May-early June 1992 have the Pinocchio preview at the end, before the 101 Dalmatians preview, while copies printed in June 1992 entirely lack the Pinocchio preview.
The earliest copies of this release were printed in May 1992.
The first title in the series to have a Proof of Purchase tab label printed above the back cover on the clamshell case.
Copies prior to late October 1992 have a prototype-shape variation, while copies printed after have a regular variation.
Copies that came in Deluxe Collector's Edition boxsets were packaged in black clamshell cases, while standalone copies were packaged in white clamshell cases.
Both issues still use the original July 1992 print master.
The 10-07-1992 issue has the same Proof of Purchase tab label variation as on pre-late October 1992 pressings of “Beauty and the Beast”, while the 10-30-1992 one has the regular variation.
The earliest copies of the 10-07-1992 issue were printed a day after the release date of the original July 1992 issue.
Opens with a theatrical preview for The Lion King and a video preview for Pinocchio.
Copies prior to July 1993 have the “Coming to Theaters” bumper before the “The Lion King” preview on-screen, while copies printed after omitted it.
Some copies, most notably those printed between May-August 1993, have the black-background “The Original Animated Classic!” flap on the front cover artwork, while other copies omitted it.
Opens with a theatrical trailer for The Lion King and a video trailer for The Return of Jafar.
Copies prior to February 1994 open with only the trailer for The Lion King.
The final installment in the Classics line.
The earliest copies of this release were printed in November 1993.
After April 1995, select copies were being produced and released to video stores that didn't have enough copies of the release, with the actual moratorium being around late 1996.
Part of the Masterpiece Collection series, but released with the Classics logo (1996)
February 1996
Strangely enough, the earliest copies of the 1996 VHS release of “Pocahontas” that were printed before mid December 1995 started with the second variation of the 1988/1989 Walt Disney Classics logo. On copies printed after mid December 1995, this logo was later replaced with the correct logo, which is the 1994 Masterpiece Collection logo.
Catalog number
Title
Country of origin
Original year
Length
Version
MPAA rating
Film format
Tape count
Tape break placement (if applicable)
Color
Released
Note(s)
5741
Pocahontas
USA
1995
81 min
Standard version
G
Matted 1.85
1
N/A
Color
February 28, 1996
The earliest copies of this release of the title were printed in early December 1995.
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