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 Alice in Wonderland.  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: Peter Pan
Release: 1953
Viewing: Platinum Edition DVD

 

Brought to you in advanced Disney Home Theatre Mix

I love Peter Pan.

Me too.  This is probably the one the I have seen the most times.

Why?

Because I used to watch it with kids I babysat a lot.  Amanda is upset that we haven’t put up Alice in Wonderland yet.  What if she is upset that we are doing this one and we haven’t put up that one yet?

Oh well.

The mermaids are so mean to Wendy.

All these credits are at the beginning. 

There’s a handful more that are like that I’m sure.

Have you read the book?

Yeah – you lent it to me.

That’s right.  It’s required reading to marry me.

I love Nana.

Me too.

I want a Nana dog.

That’s just like something my dad would do. (Mr. Darling knocks over the blocks stacked by Nana.)

Poppycock.  That’s a word that should come back.

Poor Nana.

No not the blocks.  Oh no.

I like how all that stuff happens to him (the dad) and they are like  “poor nana”.  That’s just what we would do to my dad growing up.

It makes me want to cry.  (About Nana being forced outside.)

It turns out okay for her in the end.

Did they leave them without a babysitter?

I guess so, because Nana  is outside.

In the live action one their aunt is there, right. 

Yes.

There he is.  I like his theme music.

Me too.  I always wanted to learn how to play a pan flute because of this movie.  But I never did.

There’s Tinkerbell. 

Oh vanity, vanity.  (Tinkerbell looking at her self on the mirror on the vanity.)

I’m glad he doesn’t cry in this one like he does in the book. 

He’s too cocky to do that.

Yes.  Well he is in the book too, she just catches him.

“Girls talk a lot.” That’s the truth.

“Well, get on with it girl.” – That’s my favorite line in the movie. 

This is the first time a boy played Peter Pan. 

Faith, trust, and a little bit of Pixie dust.

How did Disney make all those fairy things with Tinkerbell when they don’t even call her a fairy in this movie  – just a pixie.  Do they ever call her a fairy? (referring to the relentless Tinkerbell merchandise, and direct to video movies being churned out)

I don’t know.  Good point.

I always wanted to fly. 

Yeah.

I would play Peter Pan when I was a kid and pretend I was him.

There it is.  I like Mr. Smee.

Yeah. 

I like when he accidentally shaves that bird.

I don’t think they could say “redskins” today.

No…you can’t really say “indian” either.  You have to say “native americans”.

But they aren’t native americans – they’re from Neverland.

Poor guy. 

He gets shot.  Captain Hook just murdered somebody.

Poor bird. 

Tinkerbell is so mean in this.  Why do they want all the little girls to be like her?

I’ve always wondered how that water is like that – opposite of the lost boys in the hide out.   See?  (there is a strange shot of them under the tree with some lost boys that look like they are underground, but in water?)

Yeah.  I don’t know – because it’s underground, I guess…but that still doesn’t make too much sense…

Fairies don’t know.  They only are big enough for one emotion at a time.

Oh no.  (The boys getting stalked by a tree…filled with the indian tribe about to ambush them)

They won’t listen to him.

Poor Michael. 

Maybe they’ll learn their lesson and leave the Indians alone.

Poor Bear (getting dragged along).

Mermaids!

Peter Pan is good with the ladies – or at least the half-ladies, half-fishies.

Those mermaids aren’t very nice.

Poor Tiger Lily.

Princess Tiger Lily is never included in the princess line-up.

I love Peter Pan – he’s so clever!

I never quite understood why he had that little dagger and Captain hook had that big sword. 

I guess he didn’t want to carry around a big sword while he’s flying.

I guess.

He forgets things like I do. 

He saves her at the last minute.

I never got that before really.

What?

That Smee wanted to get to sea because of the “women trouble”.

They said “pixie” again.

Smoking of children – I mean children smoking…

Right.  Big difference. 

Poor Wendy.  Learning her place again.  (She can’t dance – has to get the firewood).

I guess I never got that before either.  (Saying “ugh” when the indian saw his mother in law).

It’s a trap. 

Oh no.  This is where he drops the bomb!

All the pirates start crying.

I forgot about Smee’s tattoo (that says “mother”)

I want to play the pan flute.

Peter Pan will save them. 

No splash!

That’s two people Captain Hook has murdered.

Smee is the smart one (making off with the loot)

Nobody calls him (Peter Pan) coward.

I like that crocodile.  He’s patient.

I like the part when the ship goes.

Yeah, it’s so pretty. 

It’s like at Disney world in the ride. 

I’m still not ready to grow up and I’m 29.

I don’t want to grow up, I’m a Toys’R Us kid…

Yeah…

Where’s John and Michael?

Back to sleep I guess.

Did they show them?

Not at the very end.

Oh .  I like this movie. A lot.

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 Cinderella.  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.

For this viewing, we had our good friend Amanda Ivey over.  Her comments are posted in green.

Feature: Alice in Wonderland
Release: 1951
Viewing: Masterpiece Edition DVD

 

I’ve never watched this all the way through

Me either I always fall asleep. 

I think you are really lame for that.  Both of you.

Is it the same thing that happens in the real movie?

This is the real movie.

I mean with the real people

Basically.

Credits at the beginning still.

We are paying attention to when they swtich to the end.

They don’t have them at the beginning and the end?

No.  Just dvd credits and additional credits added later.

I mean it makes sense because no one watches the credits.

Yeah – movies today should do that….

Except tthat then it’s 10 minutes of credits before the movie starts…

Pink hedgehog is a chaser.

Is that a vinylmation thing?

Yes.

I love the pink hedgehog.

Is this her mom?

I don’t know. I never know

Isn’t it her educator or something?

Like her governess.

She is Gaston. (Because Alice only likes books with pictures)

Books with pictures?

That is exactly what they say in the new one. Tweedle dee and tweedle dum..

Well it’s probably from the book then isn’t it?

I guess…

There’s that place in Asheville that has the caterpillar –

The blue one?

Yes..

Is it like a hookah bar?

I think so..

If I had a hookah bar the blue caterpillar would be there.

I love the white rabbit – he’s so punctual or tries to be.

I think he’s about to be in Once Upon a Time and I’m very excited. 

So she’s already dreaming…

No…oh wait yes…because she wakes up under the tree right?

Did the guy that played the rabbit play Mr. Smee?

Sounds like it –

Yes – Ed Wynn – right?

This is on Blu-ray.  We don’t have it yet…

When I was a kid I always though my skirt would do that if I jumped because of this movie.  (as Alice is falling down the hole, her skirt acts as her parachute to slowly lower her down)

I always fall asleep at the end – or before that when it’s crazy..

I don’t remember any of this so far…

Not any of it?

Hardly. 

You remember this right – where she has to eat things and get bigger and smaller..

Yeah…

They make door knobs like that – you can buy door knobs like that.

I do that all the time (give myself good advice)

Oh bummer.   (door locked)

She’s Wendy, isn’t she?

It sounds like her…

I don’t know.

She is Wendy Darling.

Did you look that up?

I just did…

Not during the movie – after the movie.  You don’t look it up during the movie.

I have an app for that. 

This is where I fall asleep all the time. Right here.

So you make it like 10 minutes?

I still don’t really remember any of this.

He always falls asleep in Great Mouse Detective all the time too.

Really?

And the Aristocats.

And the Aristocats?! What is the matter with you?

I had like five pieces! (All the popcorn in the bowl.  Gone…)

You were typing. You had McDonald’s.  I had soup.

If this is the kind of dream she’s having she must have been tripping…?

Well they’re weird. (the Tweedles)

Do you not remember them?

I knew their names..

They just said their names.

I knew them before they said them.

They are like dog toys.  (The sounds they make)

The oysters.  It’s so sad. 

It’s creepy. 

I had to memorize the walrus and the carpenter in high school.

How did you know this if you fell asleep?

I memorized it from the book.

Oh.

I can’t understand wht they are saying

Turn on the captions.

No…

Is he going to eat them?

Yes.

Spoiler alert.

It always weirded me out they had shoes but not legs.

Well they are oysters.

Why do they need shoes? They have arms. Why not legs?

Oh. I don’t want the baby oysters to die.

They will.

Does eating oysters make you cry?

No…

Then why was he crying?

He’s sweating because he didn’t want the carpenter to get mad.

I never can tell if he’s mad because he wanted to eat them or because the walrus ate them and he wanted to be their friend.

I don’t know…

Didn’t he want to eat them?

Why did they tell her that story again?

Because she is curious…I’m telling you she’s tripping…

Learn your lesson Alice. (eating the biscuit)

Everything is bunny shaped at his house – it’s like the Playboy mansion.

I like that the roof looks like her hair.

Hey – he’s in the Great Mouse Detective isn’t he?

The lizard?

Yeah. Isn’t he?  He’s in something else…

Ed Wynn wasn’t them  it was bill Thompson.  Ed Wynn was the Mad Hatter.

Bunny chair.

Who’s Isabelle?

Who is he talking to?

Isabelle?

Didn’t he just say Isabelle?

I don’t know.

What?

I’m so confused.

The flowers are mean.

Those little ones creep me out.

I always think of them as the Jackson brothers.

Jackson brothers?

Jackson five – because they always sing in unison.

What?

Creepy.

I think this is where I usually fall asleep. (yawning)

She’s falling asleep.  (Alice falls asleep from the singing flowers.)

The director flower is falling asleep.

It’s like a Wake Christian concert. (For the record, we all graduated from there and participated in said concerts…)

The queen flower is falling asleep.

And the hand bells…

When are they mean to her?

They decide shes’s a weed probably because of these notes he’s hitting.

Did those flowers just commit suicide? (cymbal flowers)

They did all for that one note. 

Ahh..that one’s cute.  (the barking one)

Isn’t he supposed to be doing drugs kind of?

Hookah. 

They wouldn’t be allowed to do that today right?

They don’t allow any smoking now hardly.

But they did in the live action one.

But she means in animated movies.

Oh.

Back then they didn’t care as much.

I think I fell asleep because it was boring.

I don’t remember it taking this long to meet the cheshire cat.

And she still has to meet the Mad Hatter and the Queen…and is there a big battle at the end of this one?

No. Just with the cards

And the big court date.

Oh she killed him.

That’s creepy.

That is not how it works.  (when he turns into a butterfly)

Oh she done made him mad.

Maybe she should eat them both at the same time –

Is that what she does?

Here he is.  (Cheshire cat.)

This movie is weird…

Yeah.

Yeah – it’s like I told you – she’s on drugs.

Creepy..(“All mad here…”)

Creepy – and that’s why people hate cats.

Yes, yes everything is curious.

What do the numbers mean on the side of his hat?

Hat size?

Is it?

Thought so.

No..is it?

Are you looking it up?

You know I am.

You do stuff like that.

AFTER the movie!

It’s a price tag.

What does it mean?

10 schillings and six pennies.

Six pence!

Can I have one of those parties?

Crazy party?

Yes. An unbirthday party and then I can make people move down – whenever I want.

He’s the cutest thing –  Love the mouse.

Please catch him now…

Oh I’d be so pissed.

If you were two days late?

He just dipped his watch in tea and she’s going to put jam in it..and butter! A clock sandwich. 

He’s mad.

He’s crazy.

Oh I don’t remember it going black and white when he smashed the clock.

Is it supposed to do that?

I don’t know – I’m going to have to go home and find out

Was it a mistake?

She just said STUPIDEST in a Disney movie.

She just cussed her out in whatever that was (Mother horn duck thing fussed out Alice…)

Those things are so cool –

What?

Those little bird umbrella things and the glasses things that hop around.

Is he digging a grave?

Why would he be doing that?

Because he’s crazy.

He eats them.

Oh no.

That bird looks like Toucan Sam.

Every song she sings is like a freaking lullabye.

I’m sleepy now.

It’s a nap time movie.

That’s when I watched it at my cousins house – at nap time.

No kid could withstand it.

Penny is falling asleep.

Look how long her pity party lasted. Everyone is gone.

And now it’s night.

No –its the cheshire cat.

Oh goodness

Thank goodness. (the short cut)

The short cut into the maze.

Listen – the animators got lazy here – they just scribbled the leaves on those bushes.

Why are they painting the roses red? Are they dying?

No, they were supposed to plant red ones but they planted white ones so they are fixing it.

Oh.

This is like pink elephants on parade. 

I was just thinking that.

Yes!

No one’s excited about the king.

Uh-oh!

He is a primordial dwarf! Is this Kennedy’s crown?

It’s like Simon Says.

I do not play croquet.

I like croquet.

Oh no – poor little thing..(hedgehog)

Will you buy me a baby green hedgehog?

No.

I’ll buy you a hedgehog vinylmation though.

Just buy a white one and dye it.

He just starts rolling before getting hit.

It’s like getting detention.

His poor legs. That poor flamingo

Can I have a pink one? A pink hedgehog?

No.

She should have picked the orange one. He would have behaved better.

He’s so weird. (the king)

No one likes the king – no love for the king.

“…and the king”

That dormouse is drunk mouse.

Dumbo was drunk in his movie.

Yeah he was.

It’s just like – all right – movie’s over.

It’s like a final bow – everyone has to be there.

I thought he was a butterfly.

He is.

A pink one.

Well he changes colors – he was red when he was really mad.

Oh.

And this is where I would wake up. Probably because she was like “wake up, wake up”.

Does she live In that castle? What is that random castle back there?

Maybe it’s a clock tower.

Here are some more credits

Was that supposed to her sister?

Oh – is that the case?

Do the credits say that?

Yes.

Oh.

See the credits do teach us something.

You made it through and didn’t fall asleep.

We all made it through.

 

 

 

 

 

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 Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.  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: Cinderella
Release: 1950
Viewing: Platinum Edition DVD

Okay…here we go!

The girls are ready! (says Whitney of herself and Penny)

It sounds so good.

Just think of how it will be in Blu-ray. 

Yeah.

I love Cinderella.

I know.

There was someone named Thor.

We still have to pay attention to when they stop doing the credits at the beginning.  I know they do for 101 Dalmatians.  And Peter Pan.

Yes.  Interesting.

That’s a giant castle for a tiny kingdom.

That reaches to the clouds.

Snobby girls…(of the stepsisters)

Evil…(of the stepmother)

That’s how I want to be. (Like Cinderella)

“Ever gentle and kind in the face of adversity”?

Yeah.  And she gets bird friends.

But a dream isn’t a wish.  (When Cinderella says she can’t share her dream.)  Oh wait!

A dream is a wish your heart makes, Aaron!

I know.  I realized it when I said it.  Sorry…

I like this little mouse (with the knot in his tail).

But that clock will change your life (as Cinderella scolds the clock at the start of her day)

I was always so confused as to how her hair got wet and then dried so fast.

Well, she’s a princess.

Yeah.  There’s perks.

I like Gus-Gus.

Me too.

I hate the end when they have to climb all those steps.

I know – with the key.

Stupid stepmother…

I forgot his name was “Octavius” (Gus-Gus’ assigned name)

Oh that cat.  It’s a brat. 

I like that dog.  What’s his name?

Bruno.  Awww.

Cinderella is so good. 

That cat is so mean.

Oh Gus-Gus. 

I like the chickens.

What?

I like the chickens.  I just think they are funny when they try to get the corn before the mice.

Oh Gus.  Too many pieces of corn. 

I hate this part because it gets Cinderella in trouble.

I know.  It’s the cat’s fault.

Porridge.

Who eats that?

I like that face that he makes. (When the cat is finding Gus-Gus under the cups)

There she goes losing her shoe, for the first time.

That Cinderella.

They (step-sisters) are so mean to her.

I love this first scene with the step-mother.

She looks so scary.

I know that’s why I love it.

She’ll get hers.

I like the king to, and the…uh…what’s his name?

I don’t know. 

There’s only like 7 people in the whole movie. 

The duke.  That’s his name.

I always wondered what happened to the queen.

I don’t know.

Even Lucifer can’t stand their singing.

Cinderella’s singing is magical.

This is the part with the bubbles.  I love it.

Lucifer’s so mean still.

I forgot about this little guy (the messenger).

She’s so icky.  (The stepmother…)

Don’t the mice sound like munchkins?

Yeah.

I don’t think you’re supposed to say munchkins anymore.

Probably not.

I like this part when they sew the dress for Cinderella.

Oh no…that cat…

Gus-Gus is always getting them into trouble, scattering things all over the ground.

He tries. 

They are so clever (sewing the dress).

That’s a late ball.

Eight o’clock?

I don’t know.  I guess that’s when balls start.

You just wait! (Whitney says to the stepsisters.)

Oh goodness.  Their big butt things.

I hate this part.  I hate this part.

Aaron!  I hate that part…(Whitney says it with tears beginning to form in her eyes…)

And she just wants her daddy probably.

Probably.

Well that’s where they were at the beginning of the movie – at the fountain.  And now it’s fallen into disrepair.

You’re right.  Good observation.

Oh boy!  At least she gets an even better dress.

I like how she was supposed to rhyme “dress” with “guess” but she didn’t.  She faked us out.

The fairy-godmother is only in this movie for like three minutes, but that’s a big thing people remember about this movie.

But without her, she wouldn’t become the princess.

I never noticed that before.

That the guards’ eyes turn?

As Cinderella walks by.  Yeah.

This song was at our wedding. (“So This is Love”)

Yeah.  We danced it to it. Wasn’t it the last one before we left?

Yep.

It’s a tiny kingdom though.  (When the Prince says, “How will I ever find you?”)

Those horses are so evil looking!  With red eyes! (Chasing after Cinderella to stop her from leaving.)

Poor Duke. 

Why does he (the king) sleep with all the lights on?

Maybe he’s afraid of the dark.

That candlestick looks like Lumiere!

“If the shoe fits…” Do you think that’s where that expression comes from?

Do you think?

There’s another expression about it.

What?

That one shoe can change your life… (long story…)

With their big old ugly feet…

I know it!

She’s so mean.  Let’s throw away her Vinylmation.

No!  We’ll need it when we get the other ones.

Hold it over a burning flame.

No!

Penny thinks so too.  She’s scary.

That silly little man. (The messenger)

It’s such a long proclamation.  Clever.

This part makes me so nervous.

Why?

Because she reaches her hand in her pocket.

Poor Jaq.

Ohhhh.. They have so many stairs!

Poor Gus!

Why don’t they get the birds to help?!

I know, right!

Hurry Bruno!

She’s so mean!

Hooray!

Always losing those slippers.  That’s the third time she lost her shoe.

The first two led to disaster.

No.

Well – the first one – if she hadn’t lost it, she would have gotten the cat out of the hallway.

I guess.

And the second time…well I guess that turned out okay.

Oh, there are credits.

These were added after for the DVD release and restoration.  They don’t count.  Closing thoughts?

I love Cinderella.

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 Melodytime.  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 Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
Release: 1949
Viewing: Gold Collection DVD

Are you ready?  Two adventures are you ready?

 Mmhmm. Two adventures?  I thought it was just one movie. 

No. It’s two stories. 

 What are the two stories?  Ichabod and what?

The Wind in the Willows.

Is Mr. Toad not the horse?

No!  What on earth?

I just thought that since the horse was on the cover, and usually the people on the cover are in the title.  So I thought Mr. Toad was the horse.

 Oh my goodness…

There used to be a ride at Disney World, “Mr Toad’s Wild Ride” but then Winnie the Pooh replaced it.

I kind of remember that.  So, Mr. Toad is a toad?

Yes…

Jiminy Cricket? (Narrator begins)

No.

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS

Hey – he’s in something…oh they are in Mickey’s Christmas Carol!

Yes.

Is this a story from a book?

Yes.

Oh – I think he’s in Robin Hood.

Same kind of guy,  yes.

(Speaking of Mr. Toad) He always breaks stuff and that’s why he owes people money?

He always finds things to do – McBadger is explaining now – and he does stuff, like whatever he wants without taking responsibility.  So, he owes people money.  He just takes up “manias” and moves on from one thing to the next.

So he does stuff like that (Toad trotting through the town breaking lots of things)

What do they want him to give up?

His horse and cart.  It’s his new “mania”.

 Oh no.  (As Toad sees a motor car)

 He’s like um…that movie…with Russel Brand…Arthur.

Yeah, a little bit.

 He has Motor Mania!

 He didn’t listen to his friends. (Toad steals a car)

I like Mole. 

He’s cute.

A Motor Car!

Weasels.  They look like the ones in Roger Rabbit.

I haven’t seen Roger Rabbit.

 Oh my goodness.  We’ll have to fix that.

There’s lots of dust on this film. 

 That’s cause it’s an old movie and they didn’t have ways to keep it from getting dust.  Because it wasn’t all digital.

 But they didn’t clean it for this release.  So if it’s ever on Blu-ay we’ll have to get it.

Why didn’t he save that deed?

I have manias…

I know.

A train chase!

That wasn’t a good idea.  (As Toad jumps into the river)

 Why?  He’s a frog.

 Oh yeah.  But wait – frogs can’t always breathe under water. 

Not for long…

 So, wait – he died?

Just watch.

There’s booze and guns in this movie.

Maybe they should just send one of them…(to steal the deed from Winky)

 Why did the lower the fattest one? (Mole)

Because he’s the funniest!

A little lower.  Get the paper!

This is a good one. 

This was supposed to be a full length movie. 

But they ran out of monies?

 Yeah…basically.

But they didn’t get the paper!

 Just wait for it.

(So apparently, this one was so good that we stopped talking.  Of course, it all works out in the end and Mr. Toad moves on to his next mania, which is of course, airplanes.) 

THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW

Like Sleepy Hollow?  (After the narrator mentions Ichabod Crane)

Yes…

He gave free beer to everyone! (Which is apparently the only reason why Brom Bones is referred to as the town “hero”)

 What a fun little boring song…(about Ichabod Crane)

He sure likes food for someone so lanky.

He’s so ugly (as the song lyrics say “Who’s the town’s ladies man”)

That’s Bing Crosby you know.

Oh.

Do you know who that is?

A singer?

Okay…

That’s why I marred you, you know.  For the farm riches. (As it is hinted that maybe that is what Ichabod is really after…)

My dowry?

Yeah.

Are you awake over there?

Yes.

Has any character actually said anything yet?

No.

Just all narrated then?

Yeah.

Brom Bones is like Gaston.

Mmhmm.

Aww.  That’s so sad. (Brom Bones doesn’t want to dance with the unfortunate girl…)

That’s Bing Crosby too? 

He’s doing everything. 

It really is a morbid story to do as a fun cartoon.

Spooky.

Where is everyone else going home?

I don’t know.  A different way I guess.

That cloud was a like a giant hand.

So creepy. 

I like that horse.

Poor horse.  Mr.Toad…the horse…

Yeah…

What were those crickets saying?

His name.

Oh goodness.  He’s going crazy.

Is that the guy playing a trick on him?  Is that real?

You know this story don’t you?

Yeah, but I didn’t know if it was going to be different than the Johnny Depp one.

It’s going to be like the real story which you read in school.

I never read this in school.

You should have!

We couldn’t read stuff like this at Wake Christian…

Yes you did.

Did your students?

I’m pretty sure.  I read it there.

What?  That’s the end?

Yeah.

Weird.

Did you like it?

Yeah.

But no?

Yeah, I liked it.

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 Fun and Fancy Free.  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.

What is this about?  Melodytime?  I’m tired of these ones.  “Melodytime” (sing-songy song plays over opening credits).  You need to pay attention to when they move the credits to the end.

 Okay…

(Drawing on tv) Hat!  A…house!  A…cake! 

A theatre.  I win.

Scary.  Still scary.

 ONCE UPON A WINTER TIME 

A moon.  An ice-skating rink.

Stop that.  It’s not Pictionary.

That was mean.  I was just playing a game to keep myself interested.

Okay…

Look how pretty it is. 

That boy has big hips. 

What boy?

The boy in the show. Scandalous.

The show?

The movie show.

I was just going to say that.  I like the way this one is drawn.

Me too.  But did you see he just looked weird.

Boys try to be so funny.  And they just get us all dirty.

Oh no.  Oh no!

What? 

Horses are smarter than him.  Stuipd boy.

What do you mean stupid boy?  He wasn’t on the thin ice.

Is she frozen?

I don’t know.

She’s not moving.

She kissed his cheek.

 

BUMBLE BOOGIE

This is weird. 

Is that a snake or a caterpillar? (piano keys that turn into..?)

I don’t know.

Where did those butterflies come from?

I don’t know.  They were like the eyes that turned into butterflies.

Poor little bumble bee.  He doesn’t have any friends to help him.

That was a strange ending.

A waterfall!

No…

 

JOHNNY APPLESEED

That’s a bible. 

Well he said Holy Book.

Pittsburgh!  You like that.

Pitssburgh Town. 

What a fun song!

That’s a good song.

Yeah.

“The Lord is good to me!” (singing)

Wow.  Covered wagons.  They are going on the Oregon Trail I bet.

What is that? Who is that?  Oh.  An angel.

I’ve never had an apple pickle.  That sounds gross.

How fun.  The bible will see him through.

Johnny Appleseed.

He doesn’t have anything to keep him warm.

He has no covered wagon.

A skunk.

Oh no!  He accidentally hit that skunk on the head.

Are they going to grow?

They will.

What a neat story.  I always forget about Johnny Appleseed.

That looks like Chip from (Chip n’ Dale).

Well, now I want an apple to eat.

We don’t have any.

We should get some.

He’s like America’s first hippy.

He died.  That was sad.  That he died. 

That was a good one.

Are you going to play Pictionary again?

Hmm….

 

LITTLE TOOT

That’s a funny name for a cartoon…

Aww…a little tugboat. 

That’s a funny song. “Won’t you ever grow up Little Toot?!”

Little Toot destroyed a city.

Why is he in chains?

And now his dad hauls garbage. 

Is this the end?

No..

That would be sad.

If he grows up, do they call him Big Toot?

Maybe just Toot.

He rescued everyone.

“You’re a brave little toot.”

“You’re now a great big toot Little Toot.”

They did say Big Toot.

  

TREES

Pretty. 

Bambi!

That is not Bambi.

These are so like Fantaisa – just with singing and a little story.

And this one is like Bambi.

What?

Like the rain in Bambi.  And there’s animals.

That’s cool! (A reflection of a treeline in a raindrop on a branch.)

That was neat too.  I like this one!  This has good animation and art in it.

 

BLAME IT ON THE SAMBA

Oh boy.

Oh no.

It’s Donald and Jose! 

And that stupid bird.

He’s not stupid.

No – the other one.

This feels like it belongs in those other ones.

The one in Mexico.

You mean Saludos Amigos or the Three Caballeros?

Oh no!  Live action mixed with Jose and Donald again.

That was probably really clever when this came out.

But now we have Toy Story instead.

I can’t even understand what they are saying.

Why is she in a fish bowl?

Like Cleo!

No…

 

This is the last one.

With Roy Rogers and the sons of the Pioneers

 

PECOS BILL

This one is edited to remove Pecos Bill’s smoking habit.  They digitally took out his cigar.  Even though we just saw Jose smoke his for like…five minutes.

Right…

Oh no.  More live action.  Are you awake over there?

Mmhmm.

Colorful cowboys.

One more after this.  One more little short movie then Cinderella, right?

Is that the same girl from the one with the puppets?

Fun and Fancy Free?

It looks like her.

Where are their parents?

I don’t know.  They are just with the cowboys tonight.

He (Roy Rogers) looks so young.

What if I called you a “true thoroughbred from your head to your toes”?

No thank you.  That’s like a big horse.

But it was a compliment.  And it was sung so pretty.

Where did that girl come from?  Where did the other children come from all of a sudden?

Maybe all those cowboys kidnapped those children and they are holding them ransom.

Is Pecos raised by coyotes or something?

Ow.  How is he just laying on a cactus?

On top of all the pricklers.

Aww.  Poor horse.

Pecos will save him.

Vultures.  The look just like the ones in the Jungle Book.

That’s where they took it out.  He had a cigar in his mouth there in that shot.

That’s funny.

This one is fun too.  So essentially Pecos Bill is Texas.

Who?  Why is she riding a catfish? Why is he in love with her?

Poor Widowmaker (Pecos’ horse)

He’s lonely.

Pecos left him for the fish lady – Sweet Sue.

Would you like to wear one of those bustles?

No!

Poor Sweet Sue.  Is she still on the moon?

I never heard that’s why coyotes howl at the moon.  What a great story.  But sad.

 

We made it through Melodytime.

Yeah.  It wasn’t so bad.

No.  Better than that really dumb one.  The Three Caballeros and Saludos Amigos.

 

 

 

 

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.