Sorcery in the Sky- How many versions?

[EPCOT Explorer]

Hey all, bit of a History question that's been bugging me for quite a bit, and that I've tried, unsuccessfully, to solve.

Somehow, I think you already know the query in question. :lookaroun It seems that there were several versions of the show, though I only remember one, which might have been the last one, in the late 90's. It featured a narrator with a deep voice, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Close Encounters, and of course, the HUGE finale with Fantasia and Sorcerer Mickey emerging from the ramparts of Grumman's Chinese Theater. Truly a spectacle.


However, in my findings, it appears that there were other versions! Different Narrators (Vincent Price?), Music from Rocky and other films, and also, it seems a Holiday version. There's even the Version played over the BAH!

Can any my fellow Disney Historians shed a bit of light on the other versions, perhaps even a movie or pictures? It's greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

-EE

 

[marni1971]

The recent late last decade versions were really the show in name only; the content and display changed so much since the original it may have well been called something else - and eventually was.

The first, back in May 1990 was the Vincent Price version.

The second, I think around 1993, was James Earl Jones.

Chariots of Fire was indeed replaced, I can now confirm this, it was by `Out There` from The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Later, in the early 2000's, the JEJ version (with Chariots reintroduced) also had a New Years Tag with 2001: A Space Odyssey and Auld Lang Syne.

A Multi angle video of the 1990 version is at Mousebits :wave:

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

The recent late last decade versions were really the show in name only; the content and display changed so much since the original it may have well been called something else - and eventually was.

The first, back in May 1990 was the Vincent Price version.

The second, I think around 1993, was James Earl Jones.

Chariots of Fire was indeed replaced, I can now confirm this, it was by `Out There` from The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Later, in the early 2000's, the JEJ version (with Chariots reintroduced) also had a New Years Tag with 2001: A Space Odyssey and Auld Lang Syne.

A Multi angle video of the 1990 version is at Mousebits :wave:

Yes, I used your 90 tribute for reference.

Cool stuff, though! Any idea why they changed to Jones? I rather liked how Price sounded.


Also...At the end of your 90 Tribute, as the news reporter is interrupted lol you can hear Zipa dee do dah playing to the fireworks. Yet another version, perhaps unknown?

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Anyone? :lol: Any information you have to Sorcery would help.

 

[WDW Vacationer]

I tried an Internet search and went through some stuff and I can't find anything Martin hasn't said.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I tried an Internet search and went through some stuff and I can't find anything Martin hasn't said.

That's what I've been doing for the past few weeks! :lol:

 

[_Scar]

Stars Wars going into 'Out There' is SO amazing. SitS is one of my favorite fireworks shows- and I've nly seen it on Youtube! Do they still run it on special events?

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Stars Wars going into 'Out There' is SO amazing. SitS is one of my favorite fireworks shows- and I've nly seen it on Youtube! Do they still run it on special events?

Not this version, I beleive, just the NYW one. Steve posted a vid a while back.

Sorcery was a VERY amazing show. Perfect blend of Disney and Hollywood and topped off by awesome IN PARK launches. This predated Wishes, Believe and Remember....And let me tell you, it was MUCH closer. :lol: Those comets flew OVER you, not in front,and it really was awe inspiring. The BAMickey emerging at the finale just pushes it over the edge.


Can you tell that I REALLY miss this show?

 

[WDW Vacationer]

BAMickey!:ROFLOL:

It was a great show,but Fantasmic! Is much better.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

BAMickey!:ROFLOL:

It was a great show,but Fantasmic! Is much better.

I can't say I agree with you....Though Fant! does have a awesome sequence with Sorcerer Mickey, whom I have a soft spot for, there was something MUCH better about having the finale of the night be universal in moth terms of Hollywood and Disney..The two core themes for the park. As it is, Fant! is only Disney and generically so. Though I do enjoy it, SitS had so much more shock value to it. Like I said, the BAM, and the close proximity of the launches.


Did you ever see the show?

 

[WDW Vacationer]

I can't say I agree with you....Though Fant! does have a awesome sequence with Sorcerer Mickey, whom I have a soft spot for, there was something MUCH better about having the finale of the night be universal in moth terms of Hollywood and Disney..The two core themes for the park. As it is, Fant! is only Disney and generically so. Though I do enjoy it, SitS had so much more shock value to it. Like I said, the BAM, and the close proximity of the launches.


Did you ever see the show?

I might have seen it many years ago.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I might have seen it many years ago.

Might? :lol:


Last saw it in 1997....The next year, it was gone.


*sigh* In a perfect World, we would have both, Fant AND SitS. Kinda like how DL has Fant! and Remember.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Aaaaaanyone?

 

[marni1971]

Also...At the end of your 90 Tribute, as the news reporter is interrupted () you can hear Zipa dee do dah playing to the fireworks. Yet another version, perhaps unknown?

Nah - that was an end of show outtake, using Zip a Dee as the end of show music.

I don`t know why they didn`t stick with Price. Contract? Him being peeved that DLP dropped him from Phantom Manor?

 

[wdwmagic]

Him being peeved that DLP dropped him from Phantom Manor?

That was a nightmare move. The Price DLP PM intro was awesome.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Nah - that was an end of show outtake, using Zip a Dee as the end of show music.

I don`t know why they didn`t stick with Price. Contract? Him being peeved that DLP dropped him from Phantom Manor?

Ahhh. Cool stuff, and a very funny clip, BTW.

As for the other voice over..It isn't James Earl Jones..Voice isn't deep enough. I compared the two last night. This guy's voice is more jubilant, anyway.

Steve- What replaced Price at PM?

 

[wdwmagic]

Steve- What replaced Price at PM?

A french bloke who speaks in french - BOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

A french bloke who speaks in french - BOOOOOOOOOOOOO

:lol: Spooky!


I need to get myself to DLP, regardless. DL, too. And Tokyo. And HK. :lol:

 

[surfsupdon]

Sorcery in the Sky was a good show. The old MGM deserves to have a fireworks extravaganze nightly. The pyro at F! just does not cut it. The show relies too heavily on the gimmick of water projection screens. It's a snooze.


Bring us back a fireworks show!! You can tell I'm in the (growing) minority when it comes to not liking F!

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Oh, one more question...Sorry...


The BAMickey...How'd they do that? It obviously needed some internal structure to fire the pyro from his finger.

BTW, THAT has got to be one of the top moments for me in the parks. Seeing that was pure magic. I thought it was fake.

Sorcery in the Sky was a good show. The old MGM deserves to have a fireworks extravaganze nightly. The pyro at F! just does not cut it. The show relies too heavily on the gimmick of water projection screens. It's a snooze.


Bring us back a fireworks show!! You can tell I'm in the (growing) minority when it comes to not liking F!

Agreed in full! Maybe the screens would be better if they were like DL's...DH and concise, not misty.


Fant! isn't my fave either, though I do have a soft spot for the Sorcerer Mickey finale.