That Flitterin' Song-Fest

The charming Summer Magic recording below is one of the most unusual Disney records made available in that it was not released on Disneyland nor Vista—Disney's two labels in 1963, the year Summer Magic was issued to theaters.  Instead, as you can see from the front cover of this EP, it was released by Alcoa Wrap as a premium tied-in with the release of the film on July 7, 1963. Alcoa had previously offered a Babes in Toyland premium (a punch-out that formed "6 table decorations") and this time around, as the Summer Magic press book put it, "Alcoa will bring the sound of 'Magic' into millions of homes." The aluminum giant promoted the Summer Magic record (and Alcoa Wrap) in full-color ads run throughout the summer (when else) in such publications as TV Guide, Family Circle, Women's Day and Reader's Digest. The special Alcoa recording of course promoted not only the film but the new songs by Richard  Sherman and Robert Sherman—and included recordings off the Cast Recording (not a true Original Soundtrack Recording but new performances with new orchestrations with the film's cast) off the official Vista Records release. (Interesting that Hayley received top billing in the film but on the recordings—and sheet music—it was Burl whose name was headlined above hers—most likely because such charted recordings as The Versatile Burl Ives!, a big selling 1961 LP. Want more Summer Magic? See my new article on D23.com all about "Walt Disney's New Movie," replete with charming nostalgia, heartwarming cast chemistry, seven Sherman Brothers songs—and let's not forget "That Wonderful Hayley!" (This is a D23 Members Only article—but now D23 offers a FREE Membership level. Details are here.)  Celebrate summer in these final weeks of the season with "The Pink of Perfection: Walt Disney's Summer Magic" by Jim Fanning, newly posted on D23.com.