This may have been the aspect ratio of its theatrical exhibitions (and actually, documents on Disc 2 clearly state theaters were to display the film in 1.85:1), but it's pretty noticeably overmatted, as certain elements (or parts of elements) get cropped out of the top or bottom of the frame with some regularity. (dvdizzy.com)
Now the animators who were creating these films in the Academy Ratio must have known this and safe - guarded the frame so that it would be suitable to view with a small portion on the top and bottom of the frame hidden, for theatrical display. (dvdizzy.com)
It definitely needed some love — the metal branches on the top & bottom of the frame were broken off — but I'm always up for a challenge. (sippetsandsharpies.com)