Here's a tip that will make some animation buff very happy…and don't thank me. Leonard Maltin just told me about it. Disney Home Video has been releasing a series called "Walt Disney Treasures," which feature rare Disney films and cartoons on DVD. These are the ones that come packed in those little tin boxes, and they are starting to go out of print. As they do, they begin selling on eBay for…well, for a lot more than Carl Gottlieb's pants. If you missed them, you missed some terrific, must-have video gems. Obtaining the first seven now could run you $350 and up.
There is, however, an alternative. Disney has put together a slipcased set of the first seven called "The Walt Disney Treasure Chest." You don't get the tin boxes but you do get the first seven DVDs in a cardboard sleeve for $124.99. What's the catch? Just this: You have to belong to Costco. This set seems to have been produced only for them as a Christmas item. It may not be available anywhere else and it may not be available once Costco finishes selling whatever quantity they've purchased. It should be in the Costco stores any day now if it isn't already there, or you can pay postage and get one from the Costco website (Do a search for "Disney Treasure"). If you aren't a member, you can either pay 5% extra or join Costco, which costs $45.
By the way: Costco is also selling that new Pioneer DVD-TiVo I mentioned recently for $779.99. If you've been thinking of getting one, that's a pretty good price. I'm still quite happy with mine.