1951- "Alice in Wonderland"

Alice in Wonderland is an American animated film produced by Walt Disney and based primarily on Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland with a few additional elements from Through the Looking-Glass. Thirteenth in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, the film was released in New York City and London on July 26, 1951 by RKO Radio Pictures. The film features the voices of Kathryn Beaumont as Alice (also voice of Wendy Darling in the later Disney feature film, Peter Pan) and Ed Wynn as the Mad Hatter. Made under the supervision of Walt Disney himself, this film and its animation are often regarded as some of the finest work in Disney studio history, despite the lackluster, even hostile, reviews it originally received, especially in the United Kingdom.- Info. from wikipedia.org

"Everything is what it isn't!" is pretty much the sum of "Alice in Wonderland". I think that Kathryn Beaumont (who returned to Disney as Wendy in "Peter Pan") is a PERFECT fit for Alice.

I noticed that the movie just kind of jumps right into the story. The book does this as well, but it seemed to lack an introduction.

Random ramblings:
-The part where the oysters got eaten still makes me sad to this day.
-I don't understand why the white rabbit calls her Maryanne. ?!?
-I love the little flower that says "I think she's pretty!" He sounds so cute!
-STERLING HOLLOWAY yet again, plays the Cheshire Cat. Although the cat frightens me. i.e.- His line, "You may have noticed that I am not all there myself....."
-"The Unbirthday Song" ranks as the most famous song from this movie.
-The Mad Hatter is voiced by Ed Wyn who plays Uncle Albert in "Mary Poppins".
-The poor white rabbit's watch gets destroyed...=(
-The white rabbit is voiced by Bill Thompson who plays Mr.Smee in "Peter Pan" and is famous for voicing Droopy the dog in "Droopy".

I love this movie! A lot of people think it was made while Walt Disney was on drugs, but NO it was not!!! I love how it's just so different from any other Disney film. It's odd and not easy to really understand, but that's what makes it so great! I'm so excited to see the Tim Burton version! It's gonna be AMAZING!!! =D =D =D

1950- "Cinderella"

Cinderella is a 1950 American animated film produced by Walt Disney and based on the fairy tale "Cendrillon" by Charles Perrault. Twelfth in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, the film had a limited release on February 15, 1950 by RKO Radio Pictures. Directing credits go to Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton Luske and Wilfred Jackson. Songs were written by Mack David, Jerry Livingston, and Al Hoffman. Songs in the film include "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes", "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo", "So This Is Love", "Sing Sweet Nightingale", "The Work Song", and "Cinderella."- Information from wikipedia.org

"Cinderella" is one of my childhood favorites! I used to rent it all the time from the video store. I had the beginning narration memorized and would recite it to my mom.

"A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" is my favorite Disney song.(Well one of them)

Gus' name is really Octavius. He is my favorite character in the whole movie. My Grandma thinks I could imitate him, but I really can't.
Lucifer always makes me soo mad. I never liked him. I just don't like cats in general.
I think the king is a bit too into the whole marriage and grandkids thing. Reminds me of my family. LOL
"Cindrelly" was my favorite song when I was a child. I loved watching the mice make her dress.
The part where the stepsisters tear her dress is a bit traumatizing. I really don't understand how obnoxiously cruel those characters can be.
Fairy Godmother will always hold a special place in my heart!!!

Everyone should watch "Ciderella", it's a must-see classic!!!

1949- "The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr.Toad"

he Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad is an animated feature produced by Walt Disney and released to theaters on October 5, 1949 by RKO Radio Pictures. It is the eleventh animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, and the final of the six package films produced by Disney, following Saludos Amigos, The Three Caballeros, Make Mine Music, Fun and Fancy Free, and Melody Time.

The Wind in the Willows
The Adventures of Mr. Toad is based on Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows (narrated by Basil Rathbone). In this story, the charismatic J. Thaddeus Toad, Esq., is the happy-go-lucky, wealthy proprietor of Toad Hall. Toad believes in fun, adventure and travelling to "Nowhere in Particular"; He has built a great deal of debt from disregarding the financial responsibilities of his insatiable love for transportation vehicles, such as gypsy carts and (subsequently) the newfangled motor car. His friends Ratty (Water Rat), Moley (Mole) and Angus MacBadger, try to help him when his mania leads to the loss of the deed to Toad Hall, and a charge of car theft. Toad is thrown into prison due to the perjured testimony of Mr. Winkie the tavernkeeper. Later, Toad's loyal horse Cyril Proudbottom pays a visit and assists him in escaping. Toad makes good his escape and manages to get back to Ratty's home on Christmas Eve. There Toad, Ratty and Moley are informed by MacBadger that evil Winkie (who sold Toad the car), and several criminal weasels, have taken over Toad Hall. With his friends' aid, Toad redeems his good name by recovering the deed to the estate from the very hands of its captors. Toad, touched by the loyalty and kindness of his friends, promises to reform; but is shown (at Ratty, Moley and MacBadger's New Year celebrations) relapsing by recklessly flying a 1908 biplane along with Cyril at the end of the story

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
The story of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman, based on Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (narrated by Bing Crosby). The gangly and lanky Ichabod Crane is the new schoolmaster in Sleepy Hollow. His somewhat odd behavior makes him the ridicule of the rambunctious and robust town bully Brom Bones. Despite his odd appearance, Ichabod quickly proves to be a ladies' man charming all the eligible local ladies. Finally, however, Ichabod discovers the local town beauty, Katrina Van Tassel. Katrina is the beautiful young daughter of Baltus Van Tassel, the wealthiest farmer in the area, and Brom's intended. Katrina is a coquette by nature, but sees Ichabod as an opportunity to break from the monotony of Brom scaring away every other potential suitor. Ichabod has his eye on the Van Tassel wealth, and is infatuated by Katrina's beauty and grace as well. After a number of comically unsuccessful efforts by Brom to dispose of Ichabod, including a scene at the Van Tassel's Halloween party where he tries to switch his short overweight dance partner Tilda with Katrina, the situation changes when Brom decides to take advantage of Ichabod's strong belief in superstitions. Brom musically tells the tale of the Headless Horseman to frighten the teacher. That Halloween night, Crane's lonely ride home becomes exceedingly frightening because of his exposure to the possibility of encountering the ghost. The atmosphere of fear increases in intensity, until it breaks the tension at a false alarm, whereupon Ichabod and his horse laugh hysterically in relief. Immediately, the true (?) Headless Horseman appears, laughing maniacally, riding a large black horse that bears a strong resemblance to the one owned by Brom. Then follows a spectacular chase scene wherein the visually impressive Horseman pursues Ichabod with wild abandon, only to be deterred when Ichabod crosses a bridge near the local Dutch graveyard (the bridge being the point beyond which the horseman cannot go, according to the tale). The Horseman then hurls his own severed head (shown to actually be a fiery Jack-o-lantern), at Ichabod. The jack-o-lantern is seemingly hurled right at us, bursts into flames as it strikes, and everything is lost to darkness. The next morning, the only things found by the bridge are a shattered pumpkin and Ichabod's hat. Brom shortly thereafter marries Katrina. It is later rumored that Ichabod married a rich, plump widow with many children (who all resemble Ichabod to an amazing degree), in the next county. But the simple, common denizens of Sleepy Hollow firmly deny this; they all know that Ichabod was spirited away on Halloween Night by the ghoulish Headless Horseman.
Later, this portion of the film was separated from the companion Mr. Toad film, screened, aired, marketed, and sold separately as starting in 1958.- Information from wikipedia.org

I have never seen the "Mr. Toad" segment of this movie. I thought Mr. Toad's horse's accent was really comical. The Rat and Mole characters are also used in "Mickey's Christmas Carol".

"Sleepy Hollow" used to scare me when I was a kid. I never realized that Ichabod is kind of a shallow jerk. He uses his students to get free meals, and he only likes Katrina because she's beautiful and has money. The "handsome jerk" kind of reminds me of Gaston from "Beauty and the Beast". I love the little fat lady, but I feel sorry for her since all the guys are jerks to her.

I don't recommend this movie to anybody. I was rather bored with it. I'm glad a gave it a chance though.

1948- "Melody Time"

Melody Time (first released on May 27, 1948) is an animated feature produced by Walt Disney and released to theatres by RKO Radio Pictures. Made up of several sequences set to popular music and folk music, the film is, like Make Mine Music before it, the contemporary version of Fantasia, an ambitious film that proved to be a commercial disappointment upon its original theatrical release. Melody Time, while not meeting the artistic accomplishments of Fantasia, was a mildly successful film in its own right. It is the tenth animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series and the fifth package film following Saludos Amigos, The Three Caballeros, Make Mine Music, and Fun and Fancy Free.

This particular film has seven segments:
"Once Upon a Wintertime" features Frances Langford singing the title song about two romantic young lovers in December. The boy shows off for his girl, and near-tragedy and a timely rescue ensue. This short was also featured in Very Merry Christmas Songs which is part of Disney Sing Along Songs as a background movie for the song Jingle Bells.
"Bumble Boogie" is a surrealistic nightmare for a solitary bee trying to escape from a visual and musical frenzy. The music is courtesy of Freddy Martin and his orchestra (with Jack Fina playing the piano) and is a swing-jazz variation of Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee", which was one of the many pieces considered for inclusion in Fantasia.
"The Legend of Johnny Appleseed" is a retelling of the story of John Chapman, who spent most of his life roaming Mid-Western America (mainly Illinois and Indiana) in the pioneer days, and planting apple trees, thus earning his famous nickname. Dennis Day narrates and provides all the voices.
"Little Toot" is based on the poem by Hardie Gramatky, in which the title protagonist, a small tugboat, wants to be just like his father Big Toot, but can't seem to stay out of trouble. The Andrews Sisters provide the vocals. Out of all the musical segments, this one is the most famous.
"Trees" is a reciting of the famous Alfred Joyce Kilmer poem by Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians with the lyrical setting seen through the seasons.
"Blame It On the Samba" has Donald Duck and José Carioca meeting with the Aracuan Bird who introduces them to the pleasures of the samba. The Dinning Sisters provide the vocals while organist Ethel Smith plays the organ.
"Pecos Bill" is the finale about the famous hero from Texas, the biggest and best cowboy that ever lived, his horse Widowmaker, and how he was brought back down to earth by a woman named Slue-Foot Sue. This retelling of the story is courtesy of Roy Rogers, Bob Nolan, and the Sons of the Pioneers to Bobby Driscoll and Luana Patten. This segment was later edited on the film's NTSC video release (but not the PAL release) to remove all scenes of Bill smoking a cigarette. The entire scene with Bill rolling the smoke and lighting it with a lightning bolt was cut and all other shots of the offending cigarette hanging from his lips were digitally removed.- Information from wikipedia.org

I unfortunately was unable to find a copy of this film. I did some research though, so enjoy! (If anyone has a copy that is a friend of mine.....could I borrow it?)

1947- "Fun and Fancy Free"

"Fun and Fancy Free" (first released on September 27, 1947) is a feature film produced by Walt Disney and released by RKO Radio Pictures. It was one of the "package films" (feature-length compilations of shorter segments) that the studio produced in the 1940s. It is the ninth animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, and it's the fourth package film by Disney.

This film features two segments:
Bongo: The story of a circus bear cub, who runs away from the circus to the wild and the adventures there that follow. This was based on an original story by Sinclair Lewis.
Mickey and the Beanstalk: An adaptation of Jack and the Beanstalk with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy as peasants who discover temperamental Willie the Giant's castle in the sky through the use of some magic beans.- Information from wikipedia.org

I thought it was nice to hear a lady narrate a story in a movie for once. Dinah Shore sang the story of "Bongo". It was a cute story, but the slapping was a little obnoxious. LOL

I love the dummies at the beginning of "Mickey and the Beanstalk". They have such a sarcastic sense of humor which adds so much to the Disney magic. I don't have much to say about this movie, but I remember watching it on my way to Disney World. So it holds a special place in my heart!

1946- "Make Mine Music"

Make Mine Music is an animated feature produced by Walt Disney and released to theatres by RKO Radio Pictures on August 15, 1946. It is the eighth animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series.
During the Second World War, much of Walt Disney's staff was drafted into the army, and those that remained were called upon by the U.S. government to make training and propaganda films. As a result, the studio was littered with unfinished story ideas. In order to keep the feature film division alive during this difficult time, the studio released six package films including this one, made up of various unrelated segments set to music. This is the third package film, following Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros.
The film was entered into the 1946 Cannes Film Festival.

This particular film has ten such segments:
"The Martins and the Coys" features popular radio vocal group, King's Men singing the story of a Hatfields and McCoys-style feud in the mountains broken up when two young people from each side fall in love. This segment was later cut from the film's video release due to comic gunplay.
"Blue Bayou" features animation originally intended for Fantasia using the Debussy musical composition Clair de Lune.
"All the Cats Join In" is one of two segments to which Benny Goodman contributed. An innovative shot in which a pencil draws the action as it is happening, and in which 1940s teens are swept away by popular music.
"Without You" is a ballad of lost love, sung by Andy Russell.
"Casey at the Ba"t features Jerry Colonna, reciting the famous poem by Ernest Thayer, about the arrogant ballplayer whose cockiness was his undoing.
"Two Silhouettes" features two live-action ballet dancers, David Lichine and Tania Riabouchinskaya, moving in silhouette with animated backgrounds and characters. Dinah Shore sings the title song.
"Peter and the Wolf" is an animated dramatization of the 1936 musical composition by Sergei Prokofiev, with narration by actor Sterling Holloway. A Russian boy named Peter sets off into the forest to hunt the wolf with his animal friends: a bird named Sasha, a duck named Sonia, and a cat named Ivan.
"After You've Gone" again features Benny Goodman and his orchestra as four anthropomorphized instruments parade through a musical playground.
"Johnny Fedora and Alice Blue Bonnett" tells the romantic story of two hats who fall in love in a department store window. When Alice is sold, Johnny devotes himself to finding her again. The Andrews Sisters provide the vocals.
"The Whale Who Wanted To Sing At the Met" is the bittersweet finale about a Sperm Whale with incredible musical talent and his dreams of singing Grand Opera. But short-sighted impressario Tetti-Tatti believes that the whale has simply swallowed an opera singer, and chases him with a harpoon. Nelson Eddy narrates and performs all the voices in this segment. As Willie the Whale, Eddy sings all three male voices in the first part of the Sextet from Donizetti's opera, Lucia di Lammermoor. In the end Willie is harpooned and killed, but the narrator softens the blow by telling the viewers that he sings on in heaven- Information from wikiepedia.com

Make Mine Music is pretty much the same concept of Fantasia, except it used lyrics along with the music. Peter and the Wolf was one of my favorite cartoons. I really enjoyed all the songs in this film and would love a copy of the soundtrack.

1944- "The Three Caballeros"

The Three Caballeros is a 1944 animated feature film, produced by Walt Disney and distributed by RKO Radio Pictures. The seventh animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, that plots an adventure through parts of Latin America, combining live-action and animation. This is the second of the Disney package films of the 1940s.
The film was produced as part of the studio's good will message for South America, but is less obviously propagandistic than others. The film again starred Donald Duck, who in the course of the film is joined by old friend José Carioca, the cigar-smoking parrot from Saludos Amigos (1942) representing Brazil, and later makes a new friend in the persona of pistol-packing rooster Panchito Pistoles, representing Mexico. The music of the Mexican part was written by Mexican composer Manuel Esperon, who wrote the score for over 540 Mexican movies in the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema. Walt Disney, after having seen his success in the Mexican movie industry, called him personally to ask him to participate in the movie. The main song for the Mexican part is "Ay Jalisco, No Te Rajes!", one of Esperon's most famous songs.
Several Latin American stars of the period appear, including singers Aurora Miranda (sister of Carmen Miranda) and Dora Luz, as well as dancer Carmen Molina.
The film is plotted as a series of self-contained segments, strung together by the device of Donald Duck opening birthday gifts from his Latin American friends.
The film premiered in Mexico City on December 21, 1944. It was released in the USA on February 3, 1945. It was re-released in the USA on April 15, 1977.
The film received two Academy Award nominations for Original Music Score and Best Sound.

I love the "Aves Raros" clip. Sterling Holloway made it again into Disney's film as the narrator for that segment. Birds are my favorite animals, so I found this entire movie really enjoyable. It also made me happy that it was centered around Donald.

The Aracuan!!!! I always laugh when I hear his little song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0yjlAZS8jU

I really love Jose's singing voice in "Baia". It is a really pretty song and I would love to have a recording of it. I also really liked the "Yaya" dance number.

"The Three Caballeros" song is only one very miniscule part of the movie. I feel that Walt Disney must have had a real appreciation for Latin American culture. He made two films based on it within the span of 3 years.

I really liked this film! Watch it if you love Donald Duck! Haha!