Before I married Whitney, I was quite accustomed to doing my own laundry.  I would knock it out in one day and in 3-4 loads.  (I wear a lot of clothes and change them often.)

I would separate whites, darks, lighter darks, sheets and towels.  Some were washed in warm, some in cold.  Some got the quick dry and some got the everlasting easy care cycle.  I don’t know why I cared to that end.  

After I got married, it took me a while to merge the laundry washing style I have with the more practical style of Whitney who washes whites with mostly whites and lighter darks with real darks.  I cringed at first, but I’ve come to realize it isn’t that big of a deal.  No change necessary.

The bigger change came however in the folding of the t-shirt.  I’ve never been great at folding t-shirts but I never considered myself bad at folding them.  I was of the chin-it, sleeve it, fold-it, done group.  This is your group if you 1) grip the neckline of the t-shirt with your chin, 2) fold the sleeves back, 3) fold it in half, and you are 4) done.  It looked like a big rectangle.  Or square.  Or trapezoid.  It didn’t really matter.  The job was done. (I did go through a t-shirt rolling phase, but that’s because I had no dresser.)

One day I was folding my t-shirt and Whitney just stared at me.  The stare that was more than a stare.  It was the kind of stare that talked.  ”What are you doing?” asked her stare.  

“What?” I asked.

“That’s not how you fold a t-shirt.”

“Why not? It’s folded.”

“Give it to me.”

Sometimes, in married life, these four words are incredible to hear.  Sometimes, it’s a warning sign that change is coming.  For example, if I was holding a checkbook, or keys, the phrase “Give it to me” means something completely different than what we (men) most often hope it means.

In this scenario, I’m holding a t-shirt.  And I realize that everything I thought I knew about folding a t-shirt is about to change.  You see Whitney, folds the shirt with an extra fold.  And the t-shirt is laid flat.  And the resulting product is a tiny compact square.  

This is a better use of space sure.  But it took me a while to adjust.  To change.  

I thought I knew how to fold a t-shirt. I didn’t know a thing.

We are embarking on this great experiment of watching all 51 Walt Disney Studio Animated Features before the 52nd, Wreck it Ralph, is released this fall.  Our last installment was Make Mine Music.  As we watch, we’ll make note of our thoughts or comments, write them down, and post them after. Aaron’s comments are in blue.  Whtiney’s comments are in this pinkish hue.  Anything in black is a quote or will help reference what was on the screen at the time.

Feature: Fun and Fancy Free
Release: 1947
Viewing: Gold Collection DVD

Fun and Fancy Free!

You said it, so it gets typed.

So does that.

How cheery.

Oh boy Mickey Mouse.  Voiced by…

…Walt Disney!

That’s right!

I didn’t see him credit himself though.

That’s because he’s not in it.  Mickey Mouse is.

Jiminy Cricket’s back!

Oh yeah – I forgot about Jiminy Cricket.

Cleo!

Yeah.

But not really Cleo maybe.  They’re not at Gepetto’s house.  Unless he got rich all of a sudden.

Or got a time machine to the future.

That’s not Figaro.

So that’s probably not Cleo.

They’re in Hollywood.

Why are they so sad? (Stuffed bear and girl doll)

They are sad because they do not have fun and fancy free.

Bongo!

Oh.  I thought the other one was first.

No.

I’ve never seen a real record player.

What?  Are you kidding?

No.

Oh goodness.  I used to have one.

BONGO

This will turn their frowns upside down.  There’s no bears in the circus now.

You’re right.  I wonder why that is.

It’s like Dumbo.

They are so mean to him though.  When he goes back there.

I guess animals in the circus get bad treatment.

That’s what they want you to believe.  That train looks a lot different than Dumbo’s train.

It said it was sung by Dinah Shore.  She’s just talking.

You’re right.  But there is a song…eventually.

I don’t remember how he gets out (of the train).

A circus bear free in the forest.

Fun and fancy free!

Chip and Dale!

That’s not Chip and Dale.

It looks like them.

He doesn’t have any bear claws.

How many times have they said “fancy free” in this movie so far? It’s only been on for ten minutes.

It’s the name of the movie.  It’s good “brand messaging”.

Now comes the singing.

Pretty.

Now the forest animals love him.

He (Bongo) forgave them awful quick for making fun of him.

That bird just got a spanking.

Where did the rabbits come from all of a sudden?

Oh everywhere.

Creepy trees…(yawning)

He’s not going to be able to sleep…

…with the wilderness noises.

Poor Bongo.  Bear versus wild.

He should have stayed on that train.

That was no life Aaron.  Now he’s living!

See, he’s cold.

That doesn’t make any sense.

Why?

Bears have a big fur coat.  That bird isn’t cold.  He should be fine.

I bet the circus trimmed his fur so he could wear his circus jacket.

Maybe…

I thought it was spring.  There were all those flowers and butterflies.

What do you mean?

There was ice on that water.

He’s on top of a mountain.

He’s hungry.

The circus would have fed him.

See.  She just laughed.

Just like Feline.

Yes.  Because that is what they all do.  They just giggle in a high pitched voice.  All flirty and twitterpated.

She’s a tease.

Another song.

Those are strange.

They’re cherub bears.

How polite.  (Bongo took off his jacket so the girl bear wouldn’t get her feet dirty on a cloud of love.)

If there was a Bongo ride at Disney World, it would probably be like a tunnel of love with cherub bears.

I would go on it with you.

Oh no.  A real bear doesn’t know how to  ride a unicycle Bongo.

Especially on clouds…of love.

Uh-oh.  (enter the jealous, bigger, wild bear)

He’s too big for that little bear.  He doesn’t love her.

He could eat her.

Girl power.  She’s telling him.

Lulabelle? (the narrator suddenly clues us in to the girl bear’s name)

When did we know that?

I forgot about that.  How the bears hit each other to show they are in love.

Right…

I think maybe when we’re in public I’ll smack you.

They smack each other in the face.

But that’s how you’ll know I love you.

I guess so…

Dinah Shore is not singing this song.

Jiminy Cricket..he’s misleading.

Oh.  There she is.

It’s like a country bear jamboree.

Oh no.  I don’t want to go there.

It’s closed for a reason.

Why do you say it’s closed?

Isn’t it closed indefinitely at Disney World?

I don’t think so.

It was awful.  I hate that Country Bear Jamboree.  I hate that Country Bear Jamboree!

Bongo can use his circus tricks.

For love.

I have some circus tricks I can use too…

What is his (the bad bear) name again?  We know their names.  What was that girl’s name?  Dinah…

Lulabelle.

Oh.  I almost called her Dinah-lou.  But Dinah’s that lady narrator’s name.

Right.

The music makes things so much more dramatic.

The circus ended up saving his life.

You’re right.

Those trees are going to make a heart.

You think so?

You’re right.

JIMINIY CRICKET INTERLUDE

Oh now the doll and the Teddy Bear are happy.

That’s kind of scary.

The invitation you mean? (on the table)

The “house across the way”.  Sounds like the title of a horror movie.  Well, not when they sings a cheery song about it.

(Now the movie pans across a neighborhood and into a living room with a ventriloquist, a little girl celebrating her birthday, and three ventriloquist dummies.  This is a live action sequence to set up the next story.)

OH NO!  I FORGOT ABOUT THIS PART!  I hate this part!  You can see his mouth moving!  I’m going to have nightmares.  Why did this man invite this girl to his house across the way with all the puppets!  That’s the scariest hand-puppet ever.  It looks like death.  Don’t take cake from a stranger!  YOU CAN SEE HIS MOUTH MOVING!  I guess back then that was a good ventriloquist.

He’s like the Jeff Dunham of the 40’s…

What’s his name?

Mortimer.

No no.  The ventroliquist’s name.

I don’t know.   Creepy guy.

He’s not creepy.

How did we go from Bongo to this?

Burgen.  I don’t know who that is.  But I’m sure he was famous back in the day.

I’ll look him up.

Well look, now the story has started.

MICKEY AND THE BEANSTALK

Edgar Bergen.

Was he important back in the day?

Looks like it.

He was in The Muppet Movie and the Muppet Show.

What a happy day.  Those look like the crows from Dumbo.

No  The crows in Dumbo were big and wore clothes.

Happy Valley sounds like a salad dressing.  (That was an Arrested Development reference…)

Donald’s not singing with a Spanish bird in this one.

Oh no.  I don’t’ want them to come back (back to Edgar Bergen).

Why did they need someone to tell the story like this?  Why couldn’t Dinah Shore do it again?

That’s a violent way to kill a cow.

He might as well talk to himself.  (Ventriloquist failings..)

Goofy and Donald will be mad at him (Mickey, who sold the cow for magic beans).

I like the beanstalk.  It looks cool.  I forgot about this part.

Where they get picked up by the leaves?

It’s so clever.  I love it.

Well this is better than the Puss in Boots.

What?

Where they get the magic beans.  In Puss in Boots.

I’ve blocked most of that movie out of my head.

Ah!  Foreshadowing!  (as the narrator mentioned the fairy tale Cinderella)  They were dropping hints!

You think so?

Nobody thinks his puppets are funny but him.

That’s so mean.

You think they are funny?

I think they were back then.

Jell-o is weird.  What is it?

It’s water and this powder.  Sugar.

Yeah but what’s in that powder.

Gelatin.

Oh.  I forgot the princess is a harp.

That’s why the valley was a Happy Valley.  She sang for everyone but then she was stolen.

Is pistachio a gravy?

I guess it can be.

That’s a weird twist on the story.

That the giant can turn into anything with his magic words?

Yes.

Why can’t you just enjoy the Mickey Mouse tale?

I’m enjoying the Mickey Mouse tale.  I’m not enjoying the puppets interrupting.

There’s Dinah.

Is that Dinah?

It sounds like her.

He has giant hands like Casey.

I wasn’t there for that.  But I remember what you’re talking about.

Snuff.  (In the giant’s pocket).

That was a close one.

I like this one better than the Bongo story.

I forget what happens to the giant.

That’s kind of a strange ending.

Cue the Fun and Fancy Free song.

I guess we liked Mickey and the Beanstalk better because we talked less during it.

I guess.

We are embarking on this great experiment of watching all 51 Walt Disney Studio Animated Features before the 52nd, Wreck it Ralph, is released this fall.  Our last installment was The Three Caballeros. As we watch, we’ll make note of our thoughts or comments, write them down, and post them after. Aaron’s comments are in blue.  Whtiney’s comments are in this pinkish hue.  Anything in black is a quote or will help reference what was on the screen at the time.

 

Feature: Make Mine Music
Release: 1946
Viewing: Gold Collection DVD

Why has it been edited for content?

Well – they took out one of the animated shorts because of content.  Somebody thought it was offensive.

What was offensive?

It was about the Martins and the McCoys – a feuding family thing.

Well, this was supposed to be in full screen but our Bluray player has decided otherwise for some reason.

A lullaby.

This is the first segment: Blue Bayou.

Blue Bayou

Is this kind of like Fantasia?  Just singing and pictures?

Sort of.  It’s stories with songs set to them.  Or songs with stories set to them.

Pretty.

So far, is it better than the Three Caballeros?

Yes.

See – its cutting off the head of the…

Stork thing.  Crane.

Are they going to be in love?

Maybe.  You always say that whenever there is two of the same animal on the screen.

A Jazz Interlude

 “All the cats join in”

“This concerns a jukebox and a cat.”

This one’s fun.

Yeah.

Goodness!

Scandalous!

She didn’t have any panties or a bra on.  Oh – now she does.

This song is catchy.  I like it.

That’s a packed car.  They’re not wearing seatbelts.

Oh – a soda fountain.

I like this cartoon – it’s fun.

A Ballad in Blue

Awe.  This one looks sad.

Could you read what the letter said?

No.  Should we rewind it?

What is that?

I don’t know ripples?  Oh – Shadows of trees on the snow?  Water?

Well, that was sad.  But not very sad.

And it was weird.

That was a big difference than the one before it.  Maybe we get a fun one now.

Casey at the Bat

Play ball.

That was funny.

They were mean about women (the song said they don’t know a strike from a hit, they were just coming to see Casey)

This one isn’t really a song.

Just at the beginning it was.

Why is he crying?

I don’t know.

Now Casey comes to bat with a song.

Violence against umpires.

(Grating teeth) – Aaron cringed.

I don’t like that noise either.  Casey is pretty cocky.

What?  What happened?

Well – it’s saying that he didn’t make it.  That’s how the poem goes.

And let that be a lesson to you.

That was kind of random at the end.

Two Silhouettes

Pretty.

OH interesting.

What?

Well, it just looks like they filmed real people and then made silhouettes to interact with the animated world.  Kind of cool.

Mm-hmm.

Yeah, see?

Mm-hmm.

That was neat.

Mm-hmm.

Did you have any other thoughts?

Ummm…I liked that one.

That’s kind of weird – the two cupid angels turning into a heart.

That’s how it started though.

Oh right.

Peter and the Wolf

It seems like it’s a happy one and a sad one or something.

Do you know about Peter and the Wolf?

No.

Well, you’ll learn then.

What about the wolf?

There.  See?

What instrument is that?

Several.

Scary.  Does Peter die?

You have to see.

It’s a Russian story.

Sneaky.

The wolf!

Oh no!

Ah!  He’s scary.

He’s so scary.  How is he going to get him with that little cork gun?

He got her.  He got the duck.

Oh. I didn’t think any of them would go.

Where’s the little bird?  Oh.

Grandpapa?

Nope.  Not grandpapa.

Hunters?

Yep.

How come only that little duck had to die?

Only?

Yeah – the bird and the cat got to live.

Yeah, I don’t know.

Oh good!  He just tricked them!

He’s not dead!  Everyone’s happy now.

Oh good.

After You’ve Gone

Instruments on parade.

How is this different from Melodytime?

I don’t know.  I haven’t seen Melodytime.

I don’t like those finger legs.

They’re creepy.  They are like something you’d see in Beetlejuice.

I wasn’t allowed to watch that.

Oh.

This one is kind of random.  What was it called?

After You’ve Gone.

I like the music but the cartoon is not very fun.

A Love Story

Oh!  I’ve heard of them. (This song is sung by the Andrews Sisters.)

Yeah.

A love story of hats.

A hatbox palace.

Maybe someone will buy him and then they (the people) will fall in love.

What did it say?

Love’s Reunion ( a sign blocking Johnny Fedora from getting to Alice Blue Bonnett)

He got picked by a drunkard guy?

Oh.  He’s cold.

Oh no.  Oh no.  Oh no.  (as Johnny Fedora is swept from the street and almost ends up in the sewer.)

That was cute!  What a good story.

The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met

This is funny.  An opera about a whale who wants to sing in the opera.

Tetti-Tatti.  (A professor who…

Jonah and the Whale!  (…suspects the whale has swallowed an opera singer…just as Jonah was swallowed…)

That song is probably inappropriate today.

Yeah…

I wish I could go out to the ocean and see a whale.

And now we care about opera without even realizing it.

Why do the sailors not have feet?

That’s weird.  I didn’t notice that.

Who came up with this idea?

I don’t know.

It’s so random.

This one’s funny.

What?!  Oh no!

Oh no.

Poor Willie.

I’m very sad.  I was really hoping he would get to sing at the Met.

I didn’t want him to die.

Me either.  That was rotten.  They made me care about a whale who could sing opera…

…And then they just killed him.

Why does he have green wings?  (in “whale heaven”)

That was the end.

Oh.

The end.

We are embarking on this great experiment of watching all 51 Walt Disney Studio Animated Features before the 52nd, Wreck it Ralph, is released this fall.  Our last installment was Saludos Amigos.  As we watch, we’ll make note of our thoughts or comments, write them down, and post them after. Aaron’s comments are in blue.  Whtiney’s comments are in this pinkish hue.  Anything in black is a quote or will help reference what was on the screen at the time.

Feature: The Three Caballeros
Release: 1945 (USA Premiere)
Viewing: “Classic Caballero Collection” DVD

I’ve never seen this one either.

What does “caballeros” mean in spainish?

I don’t know…a quick google search says “knight” or “gentlemen”

So, it’s Donald’s birthday…

On Friday the 13^th!

And he gets three presents.

Strange birds?

So educational…

That’s the Winnie the Pooh voice!

Yeah.

I like how they make penguins look so fun here but then in March of the Penguins they are shown dying…back then we see these penguins eating and having happy lives.

So weird.

I’m not sure what Antarctica…

I know – has to do with South America?

The penguin’s name is Pablo?

Oh he’s going to the Galapagos islands.  Are there penguins there?  Wait – now he’s passing Chile.  Maybe he’s just travelling around to teach us about South America.

I just don’t understand this movie.  It seems like people were so excited about Disney movies and that this one would be kind of a let down.

Happy Feet can swim; so can you!  (As the penguin’s tub-boat sinks…)

The Galapagos islands.

That doesn’t make any sense.  That quote: “That’s human nature for you.  Even if you’re a penguin.”

Ah.  I guess making love didn’t mean the same thing back then… (After the narrator says that the toucans have a hard time making love because of their big beaks)

Ooh.  Flamingos!

Remember when we watched that Disney flamingo thing…except for that one that died…because of the salt around his legs.  IS THIS ALL ABOUT BIRDS?!  I’m not enjoying this movie very much.

We said we were going to do every movie.

I can have an opinion about it right? And I like some better than others. And this one will probably be my least favorite.  Well, maybe.

They are trying to make it funny I guess.

I guess.  What? Is that?  A flying donkey?  He looks like the thing from Fantasia.  And like Small One.  (Explanation by Aaron: “Small One” is a Disney animated short set in Bethlehem on the eve of Christ’s birth.  A boy must sell his donkey, named Small One.  After some offers from people who do not see the value in such a small donkey, one pair of travelers from Nazareth happen upon him and offer to buy Small One.  It’s a great animated short for Christmas time.)

Awe.  Why did you bring that up?  It’s too sad.

It’s so good.

It’s too sad.

I hope that people didn’t think there were really flying donkeys in South America if they didn’t know anything about it from seeing this movie…

A flying, whistling burrito…wait…burro..

No, he called it a burrito a minute ago.  Maybe it means like a small donkey…

No…I think that was a joke.

It said at the beginning of this the goucho was going to sing us a song.

What is a goucho?

Like a cowboy.

How do you spell goucho?

Like couch – o with a g…like nacho… (That’s incorrect.  It’s “gaucho”)

What?  No.

See he did say Burrito!

Did he say Dorito?

No!  He said Gouchito. (Again…”gauchito”)

They all end in “o”.

Oh goodness…it’s like Dumbo.

If I was Donald Duck, and I got that for my birthday…I would be upset.  And the cowboy never sang.

Second present.

A dancing parrot.

That’s Joe.  He was in Saludos Amigos.

I must have fallen asleep during that part.

You did.

So far this movie hasn’t made me want to visit there.  Was that the point?

I don’t know if that was the point.

I liked him in Saludos Amigos.  He was my favorite part.

What did he do?

He sang a song.

You’re yawning already.

Not from being tired.  It’s pretty colors.

Do you remember the ride at Epcot, that has all three of them?

Yes.  That was probably my least favorite ride of all the rides on our vacation.

Oh goodness.

What was that other stupid ride at Epcot on that side?  I feel like there was one.

There was one in Norway.

We got Fast Passes for it and never rode it.  It was like pirates or something…

Vikings.

Yeah.

Disney changed it’s Fast Pass policy.

Worse, or better?

Worse.

What’s the new one?

You have to go back in the specified time.

That’s not bad

Yes it is. Because before… (lengthy fast pass discussion…link to this article instead…)

What? They are in a book?

It’s gonna get weird.

What do you mean?  Cookies?  What do you mean it’s going to get weird?  Oh.  (live action singer with animated backgrouds…) Ach..

It looks awful.  It’s like they filmed her in front of a screen.  They probably had to.  It was the 40’s after all.

Why do they need real people in this movie?  Is the only movie with real people in it?

No.  Fun and Fancy Free has people introducing the stories. And so did the last one.

Which one?  Fantasia?

Well that did too..but I meant Saludos Amigos.

Why is this is a big deal?  Was this the first time this had been done?  What’s the big deal?

No.

Was it before or after Mary Poppins?

Way before.

Why are there more people….?

You are asking so many questions!

 I just…ach…this is the worst one.

I can’t type as fast as you are talking.

You don’t have to write down everything.

Just stop talking for a second…

Okay.  All caught up sort of.

Yeah…oh goodness.  I just don’t know about this movie…

Look.  Dancing instruments and shakers…and craziness…isn’t that entertaining to you?

Purple people.  Ah….I don’t like this movie.

You are on the phone.  You aren’t even watching.

You’re on the computer.

What?!  I’m typing.  I’m looking at the tv.

Well…this movie is weird.  I’m trying to stay awake.  How can you blame me?

He has one more present.

That sounded like rapping.

This is so bizarre.

Yeah.  I just can’t take it.

The present is Mexico!  Are you excited?

Mmhmm…yay…Mexico.  Penny was excited too…wait, no.  She thought the movie was over.  They have instruments in Mexico!

Are you being sarcastic?

Hmm…

The third caballero.

I don’t know his name.

Didn’t they say at the beginning.  Isn’t it Panchito?

Yes.  That’s right.

“Now we’re three gay caballeros!”

Gay?

Singing – “we’re three gay caballeros”

Oh – how times have changed.  That word is just changed for everyone.

What are they trying to kill him for?

They are trying to get him to stop singing.

A piñata.

The staple at birthday parties for generations.  I  never had a piñata at my birthday party.  Did you?

No…wait!  Patrick and Vesal brought me one that one time.

Yeah…

They are starting to get angry.  An angry mob of children…now they are happy.  Too happy.  Scary happy.

I like how none of that was animation really.  Just pictures.

Seems like a lot of trouble.

What?

Having a piñata at a birthday party.  You have to watch out for people not get hurt…and if you don’t have a tree…like we don’t have a tree…

(Panchito explains the flag of Mexico, and the legend of Mexico City)

See that was educational.

Well I didn’t know that.  Unless they made it up.

I don’t think they made it up.

What?! (As they ride a magic carpet…)

Oh.  Aladdin!  That would be more fun right now.

So in the piñata was the book about Mexico?

Yeah.  What kid would want to get that if it was really in a piñata?  Well – I might would pick that before I would pick this movie if it fell out…If there was like a list rating them 1 to 51 this would have to be the last one or in the last five.

How do we start with penguins and end with this?

I don’t know.

“Pretend you’re dancing with a duck in a sailor outfit…”  

“Pretend you’re playing an instrument with Mexico birds…” 

“No se…”

She gets to be the star of the show.  Other girls probably hated her.

“Wave to a flying poncho…”

I’ve been there.  Acalpulco.

Good.  Oh goodness.  Scandalous.

Donald can pick up all the chicks.

What’s that audition like?  What would the director say?

“Run from three *twitterpated* birds”  (Except she didn’t say twitterpated.  Twitterpated as you know is the word from Bambi when the animals were falling in love at spring time. She use an adjective used to often describe dragons or toads.)

I can’t type that.  What should I write?

Twitterpated I guess.

That was a good answer.

“Flirt with Donald Duck in a swim suit.”

I wonder what was really falling into the blanket.

I was just wondering that too.

Where did that random little boy come from?

I don’t know.

“I gotta bring Johnny to work with me today…

….so can he be in the movie?”

We already had a song about Mexico City.

I hope it doesn’t sink back into the water one day.

Who’s that neon-constellation lady?

Why are all those arrows pointing at her?

I don’t know it makes her kind of scary looking.

This is like the cheapest animation ever from Disney.

Well – this was when they couldn’t afford to do much, right?

Right.

Clearly…

How long is it?

Like one hour and six minutes.

Almost done then.  This movie is so weird.

That is so creepy!  (Animated flower with live action head…singining…)

Ahh….I don’t like this movie…

Why are those women blindfolded?!  What is this?!

Do we have like a copy someone messed with?  Why do they keep bringing back flower lady?

Inaudible voice in the movie…

Are they saying “booty girls”?

That’s what it sounded like!

I would rather watch that stupid cat movie that Chad made us watch. (Referring to “Cat’s Don’t Dance”)

You know people watch Alice in Wonderland and are like “they must have been high when they mad this movie”.  This one is way more trippy.

They must have spent all their money on drugs.

A gouchita. 

Is that even a word?

No.  I made it up.  But I thought it sounded like girl cowboy.

A girl cowboy?!  Can we just say “cow girl”?

If you don’t want to type girl cowboy.  I guess.

Okay see, the mailman in Bensen’s neighborhood is a lady.  But I feel like I’m confusing him so much.  I guess you are supposed to say mail person instead.  Like firefighter, or police officer.  I don’t know what’s politically correct in that situation.  Cow girl? Cow boy?

Cow person?

I don’t know what you call them to be generic about it.  Cow-?  Cow-?  I don’t know.  Cow human?

This has got to be almost over.  I thought we were done with the blind-folded girls.

Fin.  Fin.  The end.

(We both sigh a sigh of relief.)

We are embarking on this great experiment of watching all 51 Walt Disney Studio Animated Features before the 52nd, Wreck it Ralph, is released this fall.  Our last installment was Bambi.  As we watch, we’ll make note of our thoughts or comments, write them down, and post them after. Aaron’s comments are in blue.  Whtiney’s comments are in this pinkish hue.  Anything in black is a quote or will help reference what was on the screen at the time.

Feature: Saludos Amigos
Release: 1943 (USA Premiere)
Viewing: “Classic Caballero Collection” DVD

What does Saludos Amigos mean?

Hello friends!

Why didn’t they just say Hola Amigos?

It means “greetings friends!”

When did they start having credits at the end of movies?

I don’t know.

“What is Lake Titicaca?”  From Groundhog Day.

It’s animated and not animated?

Yes.

Were kids supposed to like this?

I guess.  It was a movie that was made to build relationships between the US and Mexico and other southern countries.  Before then there wasn’t really anything.

Who’s narrating it?

I don’t know.

Is it Walt Disney?

No.

Look.  Kuzco.  (Llama drawings on screen)

This is Donald Duck’s first time on the big screen.  Well, in a feature I mean.

Oh.  I like him.

I want to learn how to play the pan flute.  It’s true.  I do.

Okay…

I don’t know what to say during this little movie.

What do you mean?  Is it too bizarre?

It’s like they are trying to make a documentary fun?

Yeah, sort of I guess.

I like Donald Duck though.

Is that him?

Who?

Walt Disney?

No..

I wonder if they went back and watched this movie to make that new Pixar movie – Planes that’s coming out.

I’m sure they didn’t.

Does it really have a face on it (the mountain)?

I have no idea.  I doubt it.  But maybe.  I suppose you’d have to go back and watch the Walt and El Grupo documentary.  It was on Netflix for a little while but I don’t think it is anymore.

Oh Pedro the plane.  Nobody remembers you.

I never even knew about him.

Oh no.  He lost the mail.

Oh goodness.  You’re stuck on a rock!  (To Pedro…on the tv…)

He’s out of gas.

Does he die?

I don’t think they can kill a baby plane.

See.  He brought the mail.  Wow.  What a great plot.

Are you being sarcastic?

Ooh.  Buenos Aires.

So random.

No, no.  Not really.  You’re talking of South America.

There’s Walt Disney right?

Yes.

He’s smoking!

Well he can.  He’s not Goofy.

What’s that white girl doing there (dancing)?

Learning how to I guess.

Wow.  I like seeing them draw.

They can just draw it.  Just like that.

There’s Goofy.

Is this his first time ever?

What do you mean?

Has he been animated before?

Yes.

This is where it’s edited.  He’s not smoking here.  They just erased the cigar basically.  Because kids can’t see Goofy smoke.

That would be the downfall of a hero.

My phone’s ringing.

Who’s calling you at 11pm at night?

Can we eat like that?

Sure.

Aw.  Poor bird.

I don’t think that’s really Goofy singing.

It’s not.  Not like in the Goofy Movie at least.

Oh.  Clever.

Oh.  There’s the gag.  (A record player, with Goofy mouthing the words.)

Now to Brazil.  Or Brasil as they spelled it.

Oh goodness.  He’s smoking too.

I wonder if any of these people are still alive and have this movie or if they were excited they were in a Disney movie.  Because not many people are in a Disney (animated) movie.

Watercolor of Brazil.

Cool.

It’s a fun song.  I have no idea what he’s singing.

Donald!

Joe.  The parrot.

They are so happy to meet each other.  Are you sleeping over there?

No.

It’s a short movie you shouldn’t fall asleep.

I’m not asleep.

Well Joe is fun.  And you are sleeping.

No. I’m not sleeping.

You’re eyes are closed.

They are open.

No they were not.

Why does he get to smoke and Goofy doesn’t?

Yeah.  That’s not fair.  Maybe it’s like in Pinocchio where it’s not good right here…

Maybe it’s cultural.  I don’t know.

Even though it’s just a drawing I want to go there.

Mexico.

That was Brazil.

I know but…I don’t know.

‘Cause you’re asleep.

Well that was the end.  A very short, short, animated feature.

What did you think?  That was your first time seeing it.

I didn’t like it very much.  Maybe I’ll like the next one better.  Did you like it?

Um.  It was different.

We are embarking on this great experiment of watching all 51 Walt Disney Studio Animated Features before the 52nd, Wreck it Ralph, is released this fall.  Our last installment was Dumbo.  As we watch, we’ll make note of our thoughts or comments, write them down, and post them after. Aaron’s comments are in blue.  Whtiney’s comments are in this pinkish hue.  Anything in black is a quote or will help reference what was on the screen at the time.

Feature: Bambi
Release: 1942
Viewing: Diamond Edition Blu-ray

(For the first time, typed by Whitney)

These cushions on this side of the couch are so sunk in.

You don’t type that part.

But we were at the menu.

No we weren’t.

Oh.

Ok, here we go. Let’s go back to 1942? 1?

What if you walked in the woods and there were like, you know, choirs singing? It would probably make it more magical…

Don’t watch me type!

Can you watch, and respond, and type all at the same time?

Yes!

See how long it took you to say yes?!

The wise old owl.

“Wake up, friend Owl!” I like how they call him friend Owl.

Is he in charge of the forest somehow?

No. He’s not in charge of anything. He’s just been around. He’s smart.

Why is it that the deer are the royalty of the forest?

Um…well…I don’t know.

Bambi. He’s so cute.

That would scare me if an owl jumped in my face.

This is the first Disney movie all about animals so far.

I guess Dumbo did have humans in it. Is that what you mean?

Yeah.

See? The owl is in charge of them I guess.

So I was right.

I wonder what Bambi means?

The book is French I think. I have a copy upstairs.

Of course you do.

Aw.

Oh I do love Thumper!

You don’t meet many of the fathers.

Bambi’s father!

Oh right.

The squirrel! That was a dad!

What squirrel?

The squirrel that says “Walking already!”

Oh yeah.

Thumper pretty much just states the obvious in the whole movie.

Bird!

A skunk is like the opposite of a flower. So cute.

That’s not a girl though?

Flower is a boy. It’s very confusing.

And Bambi is a boy and that’s confusing.

I like this song!

Me too!

“Drip drip drop little April showers…”

I wish we got to stop everything when it was raining.

That would be nice.

Oh and then it turns not happy anymore. With the lightning and such.

Yeah.

Crash!

That’s pretty. (reflection of the sunset in the pond)

Yes.

I like Bambi’s voice.

He sounds a little bit like Pinocchio, don’t you think?

No…maybe a little.

She tells him that the meadow is like the most wonderful place ever, and then they get there, and she acts like the meadow is the scariest place ever.

It’s like ocean. It’s pretty and fun, but it’s dangerous too.

I guess you’re right.

Oh I like this part.

Look at Thumper’s face. So funny.

What’s her name?

Feline.

Feline. She gets on my nerves. She just laughs. That high-pitched squeally laugh.

I wouldn’t want to be her friend.

She turns out ok.

She’s just flirting with him.

It’s annoying. See how annoyed he is?

She gets hers. And now they’re having fun.

Bambi’s daddy.

He has more points on his antlers than all of the other ones, you know?

He’s lived longer.

He didn’t say anything to Bambi.

Nope.

I wonder how she got him?

Well, how is he the Great Prince of the forest and Bambi is the prince?

He’s the Great Prince.

Well who’s the king?! That’s my question.

This music is so ominous. When man enters the forest.

It’s illegal to shoot fawns though, right?

Yeah. I think. Are you really asking me a hunting question? I’m sure it is though.

Now it’s fall.

There’s those two leaves that there was that deleted scene about!

They both die?

Yes.

And now winter.

See…there he goes showing off again. That Thumper.

That would be fun. Ice skating.

We went ice skating. And you complained the whole time.

I meant with a deer! And a rabbit.

I want to sleep all winter!

I know!

That would be so cozy!

Aw…no food.

Oh no!

Ominous music.

I don’t like this part.

Why doesn’t she just run right away?!

Why were they so far away from the edge?!

Poor Bambi.

They were just enjoying delightful spring grass, and now it is a blizzard again.

Hmmm.

I’m sad.

What if you went to go see this in 40s with your mom and you got home and your dad was like “I killed a deer today!”

That would be awful!

Do you think hunting decreased that year?

It did!

You know that?

Yes. It was either that year or one of the years it was re-released.

Spring again.

Has a whole extra year passed?

I don’t know how fast deer grow up.

Twitterpated! I’m not gonna get twitterpated!

You’re not?!

Ok…maybe to you.

It is one word?

Yes.

What did Grumpy say again? About women?

They’re full of wicked wiles! See how that rabbit is seducing Thumper?! With her song and dance? She’s like a siren.

A what?

A siren! Like from Homer’s Odyssey!

*Blank stare*

Oh goodness.

This part’s weird. The dancing in the clouds all of a sudden.

Yeah.

Oh…they are walking on air. Like Friend Owl said they would.

Oh.

Uh oh. Here comes trouble.

He’s older than Bambi. He has more horns on his head. Points I mean.

He’s scary.

I love the way this is animated though! It’s drawn so cool!

He won her.

Nature’s confetti.

Now it’s fall again?

I guess so.

What’s he doing?

He hears something or smells something.

She thinks she got stood up.

Ominous music again!

Oh no!

Oh goodness. I hate this part! That quail’s gonna die!

I hate man in the forest!

Oh no!

That’s a lot of dogs.

Just a flesh wound. Girls always get you in trouble.

But it’s worth it, right? Right?

You mean worth getting shot?

I don’t know…the trouble?

Yeah.

Aw!

He got up! Don’t fret!

His dad saved him!

Uh huh.

The whole forest is going to burn down! It’s awful!

Then Smokey the Bear came to save them though.

Something like that.

I guess we don’t really know if the hunters escaped.

I hope they didn’t.

That’s so mean!

Skipping to the end now…

Two!

They’re twins!

So now there’s the Great Prince, and Prince Bambi…what are the new ones?

More princes I guess.

Maybe one’s a girl!

Well, then a princess! I don’t know.

The end.

We are embarking on this great experiment of watching all 51 Walt Disney Studio Animated Features before the 52nd, Wreck it Ralph, is released this fall.  Our last installment was Fantasia.  As we watch, we’ll make note of our thoughts or comments, write them down, and post them after. Aaron’s comments are in blue.  Whtiney’s comments are in this pinkish hue.  Anything in black is a quote or will help reference what was on the screen at the time.

Feature: Dumbo
Release: 1941
Viewing: 70th Anniversary Edition Blu-Ray

Okay here we go.

Here we go!  I didn’t really say that with like…excitement.  I mean, I am excited.  But I didn’t say, “here we go!” with an exclamation point in my head.

I think my mom must have fast forwarded credits for me when I was little.  I don’t remember any of them being so long.

Oh – I like this song.  (Look Out for Mr. Stork) I think parts of this song are lost on children.

Yeah.  Awe…the babies…

I like this one.  (Hippo baby)

If only it were that easy.  Just have a baby fall from the sky.

Oh.  She (Dumbo’s mom) wants a baby too.

She had such a sad face.

Choo-choo!  That one I did say with an exclamation point.

Do you think the hippos in the circus really get water in their train car?

I don’t know.

She’s so sad.

I haven’t seen any hippos in the circus.

I don’t like that guy.  (Ringmaster guy)

(Whitney makes train noises….during Casey Jr. song…)

That’s a fun song.  “Time for lemonade and cracker jack.”

You don’t understand the songs when you’re a kid.

She’s so mean (you know who..that mean elephant lady.)

Open him! (When Mrs. Jumbo gets her stork package…)

I never knew that Jumbo Jr. was his name.  How does he get Dumbo as a name?

They give it to him as a joke.

Don’t you mess with that baby or mama Jumbo will lay the smack down!

Oh.  I love Dumbo.

I never really understood what the train was saying when I was a kid.

I don’t like when they make the elephants set up the circus.  Do they really make elephants set up the circus?

No.

I can’t really understand what they are saying in this song.

That’s like animal labor.  Poor elephants.

The circus was not this cool when we went.

Yeah – they don’t do parades when the circus comes to town anymore.

I hate clowns.

You don’t hate them.

They scare me a little bit.

Oh no.  Poor Dumbo.

His mom loves him.

Stupid boy.  That mama is going to get mad at you.

No!  (When Mrs. Jumbo gets whipped for spanking the boy.)

Her eyes weren’t red before.

She’s angry.

Are you crying?

I’m so upset.

That is so mean.  (When the elephants are gossiping about Mrs. Jumbo.)

They are so awful.  He just needs his mom.

Does Dumbo talk in this movie?  He doesn’t talk does he?

No. I don’t think so.  He’s just a baby.

What’s his name?

The mouse?  I don’t remember.

Me either.

Did he say 17 elephants?

I don’t know.

Are they all going to balance on that ball?  That’s so weird.

This isn’t really a pyramid.  It’s more of a tower.

Oh no.

It serves them all right though. (As the elephants tumble to the ground.)

What’s with all the hats from the crowd?

Why does she call Dumbo an assassin?

I don’t know.  She’s so mean.

He waves his little flag still.

I like how being a clown is punishment for Dumbo.

I told you.

They (old elephants) are awful.

They really are mean.  They are a Disney villain no one thinks about.  But they really are mean.

Do they get a punishment?

I don’t remember.

That’s mean too.  (As the clowns splash water in Dumbo’s face.)

They are so mean.  He’s just a baby.

That was a cross-dressing clown.

Are you crying again?

Well…I didn’t remember all of these parts.

Are you going to fall apart during the song?

See how happy he is to go see his mom?!

Oh no… (Whitney crying…)

It is sad.

It’s more of a zoo than a circus.

You’re right.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen hyenas in a circus.

Or ostriches.

Why does he have to leave her already?

Elephants do have feelings.  Maybe that’s why I hate clowns.  Because of this movie.

They were being made fun of in this movie.  That’s why the clown said, “elephants are made of rubber.”

No!  There’s champagne in that.

Alcohol for minors is illegal.

Why is it that in cartoons, being drunk just means you have hiccups and you walk funny?

Oh no.  Crying does give you hiccups.

Crying gives you hiccups?

I just had a hiccup.

Pink elephants on parade!

So weird.

I need to go get a tissue.

This is so bizarre for a Disney movie.  A drunk elephant seeing imaginary pink elephants on parade.

I don’t like this song.

It just has nothing to do with the rest of the movie.

It’s very psychedelic.

Maybe it was supposed to be in Fantasia but they put it in this movie.  So weird.  It went from snow, to salsa dancers, to lightning.

And Egypt.

And cars.

It’s trippy.

It seems like they did drugs.  Not alcohol.  Well, I don’t really know what happens when you do drugs, but…you know.

Now they have a hangover and they don’t know how they got there.

Maybe Dumbo really was the first party movie.  You know?

They can’t go anywhere without getting picked on.

But they teach him how to fly, don’t they?  They give him the feather.

What a great phrase.  “The very things that keep you down are going to take you up, up, up!”

That’s a cute song.  (When I See an Elephant Fly)

“They made him a clown.  Socially he’s washed up!”

I’m glad Dumbo has that mouse as his friend.

We rode on Dumbo at Disney World.

Oh good. I got nervous.  I forgot if he failed on more time.  (When Dumbo flies in the circus tent for the first time.)

Who’s laughing now, clowns!

Oh they do get theirs.  He shoots those old lady elephants with peanuts.

Timothy!  That’s the mouse’s name!

I’m so glad his mom his back with him.

That was a short movie.  He only flies twice.  But that’s all you remember when you are a kid.  That Dumbo is a flying elephant.  It has a run time of an hour and three minutes.

The end.  Any closing thoughts?

Nope!