Summer of Magic- "Cinderella"

The 1950's may just be the greatest decade in Disney history. This prosperous time period saw the release of five genuine classic animated films, an increased focus on live action films from the studio, a new integral presence in television, and, of course, the opening of Disneyland. Every story, though, has a beginning, and this dynamite Disney decade began in 1950 with one risky animated film project entitled Cinderella. This was the studio's first full-length animated film since Bambi in 1942, and after a bevy of package films, many were wondering if Disney could recapture the magic they discovered with their first five features. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Disney rightfully reclaimed its throne on top of the animated and cinematic world with Cinderella, one of the crowning achievements in the studio's history.

Throughout the years, the story of Cinderella has been told time and time again with countless different interpretations, but Walt Disney's classic animated film is still the cream of the crop by far. This film is the poster child for Disney magic and imagination. From the innumerable classic elements on display here to the intricacies uniquely discovered upon each additional viewing, Cinderella is simply incredible. The opening scene with Cinderella awakening and flawlessly performing the iconic number, "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes," is everything you would expect and want from classic Disney. The following scenes match that wondrous standard as Cinderella is filled to the brim with blissfully masterful scenes.

Our leading lady, Cinderella, is a character for the ages. She is the perfect Disney princess. Her elegance, even in the midst of her adverse situations, never falters, and from the beginning, she knows exactly what she wants and will stop at nothing until she witnesses her dream coming true. She is a character anyone can relate to, and that is the main reason why Cinderella has stood the test of time and remains a classic in cinema. Her supporting characters are superb as well. The mice are some of the best sidekicks in Disney history, especially the selfless duo of Gus and Jack. Our villain, Lady Tremaine, along with her obnoxious daughters Anastasia and Drizella, are the perfect foils to Cinderella and her dream. Also, the Fairy Godmother is an outright legend, plain and simple. Her lone scene is perhaps the most iconic in the studio's history, and rightfully so.

The soundtrack for Cinderella is phenomenal. The aforementioned "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" deserves to be a co-anthem for Disney alongside "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Pinocchio. Its lyrics are simple, yet profound, which is why it works so well for this film. The legendary scene featuring Cinderella dancing with her Prince Charming for the first time is expertly coupled with the beautiful "So This is Love." Even the mice's song, "The Work Song," is infectious and an excellent opportunity for these instant legends to shine. Of course, the Fairy Godmother's "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" is one of the crown jewels of music for Disney in the first Golden Age without question. These songs never outshine the scene on display or the characters within that scene, which is a tremendous testament to Walt and his crew.

I truly cannot overstate the importance of Cinderella to the history of Disney. If it had failed, Disney may very well have shut down feature film production. Luckily for us, it succeeded in an unprecedented manner. As Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs did for Disney in 1937, Cinderella ushered in a brand new era filled with unprecedented critical and financial prosperity. For a variety of reasons, Cinderella is a genuine gem.

Rating: 10/10

Historical Significance: As I previously stated, if Cinderella had flopped at the box office, film historians and Disney insiders believe that Walt would have stopped making full length feature animated films and would have instead focused on live action films and television. The film cost the studio about three million dollars to produce, but it went on to gross ten million dollars during its original release and over $93 million over various re-releases. According to Box Office Mojo, adjusted for inflation, Cinderella grossed over half a billion dollars, topping such notable modern day hits as Finding Nemo, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of The King, and Spider-Man 2. With the profits from Cinderella, Walt began building Disneyland with confidence while continuing to finance live action and animated films. Notable films released by Disney in the fifties include Treasure Island (1950), 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954), and Old Yeller (1957) on the live action side with Peter Pan (1953), Lady and the Tramp (1955), and Sleeping Beauty (1959) on the animated slate.

Behind the Scenes: Ilene Woods provided the voice for Cinderella with exquisite mastery. Unfortunately, she suffered from Alzheimer's in the late stages of her life. During this difficult time, she failed to remember voicing the legendary Disney princess, but according to her nurses, she was extremely comforted by the words of "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes." The nurses would sing it to her as often as they could until her death in 2010 because she enjoyed it so much. Notably, Walt Disney claimed that the scene where Cinderella's dress is transformed from rags to riches by the Fairy Godmother was his favorite piece of animation.

Favorite Character: I have to go with Cinderella for this one. As I wrote before, she is the quintessential Disney princess. Disney doesn't give just any princess a castle inside the most visited theme park in the world. Cinderella is a legend not only for Disney, but for Hollywood at large. She is
hard-working, determined, and graceful all at the same time. She never complains about her situation (even though she has every right to do just that); instead, she just goes to work and still manages to find joy in life. She is a character that everyone should admire and love wholeheartedly.

Favorite Scene: I agree with Walt on this one. The Fairy Godmother's scene featuring "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" and Cinderella's transformation is pure Disney magic. The
deft blend of comedy, drama, imagination, and creativity is a spectacle to behold. The animation is gorgeous and the detail in this scene is absolutely stunning. This is one of my favorite scenes of all-time, and it deserves to be on the Mount Rushmore of animated film scenes (listen to the iconic song here).

Favorite Song: It has been a while since this section was included on one of my reviews, and I am so glad it is back because I love Disney music! The entire soundtrack for Cinderella is classic Disney at its finest, but "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" is a cut above the rest. This song, along with a handful of others, defines Disney magic. From the awe-inspiring animation to the beautiful vocals of Ilene Woods to the thematic material in every lyric, this song is one for the ages (do yourself a favor and listen to it here).

Updated Ranking: As you could probably guess by now, Cinderella is one of my favorite Disney films of all-time. Thus, its ranking supports that claims.

1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
2. Cinderella
3. Pinocchio
4. Dumbo
5. Bambi
6. Fantasia
7. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
8. Fun and Fancy Free
9. Melody Time
10. The Three Caballeros
11. Saludos Amigos
12. Make Mine Music

The greatest Disney decade was kicked off miraculously and triumphantly with Cinderella, a classic that only gets better with age. Again, its importance to the history of Disney cannot be overstated. This was and is a studio-defining film. Tomorrow, we will revisit another classic from this fabulous decade: Alice in Wonderland.

-Cody Fleenor

Summer of Magic- "The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad"

The era of the Disney package films came to a glorious conclusion in 1949 with the underrated classic The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. This is a genuinely great film with hilarity and morality to spare. Both segments are filled with exquisite animation and iconic characters that we can wholeheartedly relate to in some fashion. This is what Walt must have had in mind for his package film in the forties: excellent stories about legendary characters told with spectacular artistry.

The film opens with the infamous story of J. Thaddeus Toad, Esquire, and it is an absolute delight from beginning to end. Mr. Toad's story, The Wind in the Willows, is a moral tale undoubtedly with its caution against greed and obsession, but at the same time, this segment is downright entertaining. Mr. Toad himself is one of the best characters brought to life by the studio in its first Golden Age. His arc is so well developed with timely comedy and an evolution of character. The song performed by Mr. Toad and his trusty stead Cyril during this short, "The Merrily Song," is infectious and the perfect addition to this segment. I dare you to listen to it and not hum it for the rest of the day (accept my challenge and listen to it here!). Also, the supporting characters all have unique chances to shine, and shine they do. Mr. Toad's story is one for the ages as it stands the test of time as one for both children and adults alike. This may just be the pièce de résistance of the package films.

The second short tells the classic Washington Irving tale of the adventures of Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow. Like Mr. Toad, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is one of the best short films ever produced by Disney. The story is mature, yet thoroughly entertaining, and its characters are comedic and relatable. Plus, this segment features one of Disney's finest villains from the first Golden Age with the Headless Horseman. He's vicious, evil, and terrifying, and he accomplishes all of this with only about ten minutes of screen time and a chill inducing song performed by the short's other bad guy, Brom Bones (enjoy that tune here!). From the set up of the Horseman to the majestic first look of him, he is a instant Disney legend. Furthermore, the blurring of heroic lines with Ichabod Crane is one of the more fascinating dynamics at work in the short. Since the title features his name, one can believe that Ichabod is the hero of this story, but his character is brought to life in such a way that you are never quite sure. In the end, Ichabod is consumed by greed and covetous of the lovely Katrina's wealth, providing his motivation for the entire film, a classic villain character arc, not a heroic one. I encourage you to revisit this short and let me know what you think about Ichabod. For me, I don't think we are suppose to know for sure what Ichabod is, and that fact along with the intimidating presence of the Horseman makes this a extraordinary short film.

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad is not only an awesome package film; it is an awesome Disney film period. It has everything you would want from a Disney classic. Upon each viewing of this gem, I takeaway something entirely different than I did during the previous viewing. That is what makes this film a genuine classic in my book.

Rating: 8/10

Historical Significance: There is a legend about an animator who worked on The Wind in the Willows that claims he stopped working on the project to fight in World War II. Then, four years later, he returned to Disney and continued working on that exact same sequence for the film. This is an unconfirmed legend, but if it is true, isn't that just great? Also, Brom Bones from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow would later be the inspiration for another classic Disney villain: Gaston from Beauty and the Beast. Check out The Adventures of Ichabod & Mr. Toad and see if you can spot the resemblance.

Behind the Scenes: In The Wind in the Willows, Angus MacBadger tells Rat and Mole that Mr. Toad must stop spending too much money. It is widely believed that was a subtle reference to Walt's brother, Roy O. Disney, who often complained about Walt spending too much money on his various projects. Furthermore, the Headless Horsemen, along with Chernabog from Fantasia and the Horned King from The Black Cauldron, is often cited as one of the scariest villains in Disney history. The studio still receives complaints from parents about the character's impact on their children.

Favorite Character: Mr. Toad is a legend, in my book. As complex as Ichabod Crane is as a leading character. Mr. Toad is simply a classic. He is hilarious, rather innocent, and strangely human despite
his amphibious tendencies. Additionally, he can sing and entertain with the very best along with his partner in crime Cyril. Not many characters spawn their own Disney parks attraction, but that just goes to show you how incredible Mr. Toad really is even to this day.

Favorite Scene: Once again, as great as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is, The Wind in the Willows is one of my favorite Disney shorts of all-time. If you have not watched it in a while, or if you have never seen it before at all, I implore you to seek it out as soon as you can. I cannot adequately express in words how much I love this segment. It has heart, soul, and a message to proclaim. What more could you want?

Updated Ranking: The forties ended on an extremely high note with this film, but once again, it falls short of the original five. However, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad does finish as my favorite package film.

1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
2. Pinocchio
3. Dumbo
4. Bambi
5. Fantasia
6. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
7. Fun and Fancy Free
8. Melody Time
9. The Three Caballeros
10. Saludos Amigos
11. Make Mine Music

Historically, these package films are vitally important to the success of Disney. They serve as the bridge from the first five classics to perhaps the greatest Disney decade ever in the fifties. Without them, the studio may very well have not made enough money to stay afloat during World War II. One of the reasons we can enjoy such enduring classics as Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Sleeping Beauty is because these package films accomplished their goals: they kept Disney's name out there even in the midst of adversity. Therefore, I highly recommend that you check these films out and give them their just due. Tomorrow, we enter into one of the most prosperous eras in the history of the studio with the flawless Cinderella!

-Cody Fleenor

Summer of Magic- "Melody Time"

I am back! I have returned from my magical vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort and have been rejuvenated with Disney spirit, ready to tackle the rest of the studio's animated films throughout this summer! Today, we are in 1948 with Disney's fifth package film (and tenth film overall), Melody Time. Containing seven unique segments, Melody Time generally boasts consistent excellence across the board despite some minor shortcomings. In my opinion, five of the seven segments are genuinely great, featuring some of the best stories told by the studio in the forties. Melody Time is one of the studio's strongest package films.

The first segment, Once Upon a Wintertime, is an endearing story of a couple experiencing the joys of love in the cold of winter. With superb animation and solid musical accompaniment, this short sets the appropriate tone for the entire film, letting the audience know that these stories are meant to be told through expert craftsmanship from the animators and musicians alike. The following segment, Bumble Boogie, contains some predictably great animation, but comparatively speaking, this one just does not work for me. It falls into the trap that Make Mine Music did by allowing the music to overpower the story. However, Melody Time recovers nicely in the following short with perhaps the highlight of the entire film. The Legend of Johnny Appleseed is the perfect addition to this film as it retells this classic story with sheer brilliance. Proclaiming a powerful message to go along with some fantastic animation, this segment is one of the best scenes produced by the studio during the package film era.

Little Toot follows Johnny Appleseed, and while this short fails to live up to the superior tale of the apple farmer, it is still a well done short that connects the audience with its adorable protagonist. The abstract short, Trees, is, to be frank, a bore. I understand what the animators were trying to do here as they were attempting to recapture the magic of Fantasia, but it just did not work for me. Luckily, the last two segments are an excellent finale to this package film. Blame It on the Samba stars our now legendary caballeros, Donald Duck and Jose Carioca, as they become intoxicated with the allure of the samba. This is a really nice short that deftly blends music and beautiful animation. Pecos Bill rivals Johnny Appleseed as the film's highlight. The song performed by Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers is one of my favorite songs from the package film era. It is witty, clever, and quite hilarious. The segment is an absolute blast. If you are ever having a bad day, just watch Pecos Bill and I promise you will leave with a smile on your face.

Truthfully, I could really just apply that challenge to Melody Time overall. Even with the two segments that never quite come together, Melody Time is still an extremely well done package film that proves once again that the studio can make films like this work. Melody Time is everything Make Mine Music should have been and more. They seemingly learned from their mistakes, resulting in a film that should not be overlooked.

Rating: 7.5/10

Historical Significance: The Pecos Bill segment seen on home entertainment devices today is a heavily edited version of the original from 1948. In the original, Bill is shown smoking cigarettes quite often, including an entire sequence where one of Bill's cigarette's starts a tornado. In the newly edited version, Bill is not shown smoking at all. Interestingly enough, however, Bill's apparent obsession with gunfire is still included in the edited version.

Behind the Scenes: Ken Darby is best known in Disney lore as the vocal director for Song of the South, but he also was tasked by Walt to compose songs for the Johnny Appleseed segment. Upon first presenting his songs to the boss, Walt scorned Darby's songs for "sounding like New Deal music." Understandably angry, Darby fired back at Walt by exclaiming, "That is just a cross-section of one man's opinion!" Darby would finish his work on Melody Time and the following package film, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, but was then relieved of duties at the studio.

Favorite Character: I know I said that I would always pick Donald Duck as my favorite if he were in a movie, but Johnny Appleseed is the perfect role model throughout his segment and Donald never actually talks in his segment, so that makes Johnny my favorite character in this case. This is a man everyone should aspire to become like one day. He is virtuous, headstrong, and philanthropic. His story is one filled with worthwhile messages that are so rarely told nowadays that upon watching Melody Time, the tale becomes a genuine breath of fresh air. The Lord has been good to Johnny (you will understand that reference if you have seen this segment), and Johnny's story continues to be good to us.

Favorite Scene: As much as I love The Legend of Johnny Appleseed, I have to go with Pecos Bill as my favorite scene from the film. As I mentioned before, this short is too much fun to choose something over it. From the music to the animation to the rather subdue morality of it all,Pecos Bill is one of the crowning achievements of the studio during the forties.

Updated Ranking: Melody Time is a really good package film, but as I wrote with Fun and Fancy Free, even the best package films cannot live up to the first five.

1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
2. Pinocchio
3. Dumbo
4. Bambi
5. Fantasia
6. Fun and Fancy Free
7. Melody Time
8. The Three Caballeros
9. Saludos Amigos
10. Make Mine Music

Tomorrow, we will watch our sixth and final package film as Disney has saved one of their best for last with The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad! Welcome back to the Summer of Magic!

-Cody Fleenor

Summer of Magic- "Fun and Fancy Free"

Boasting two of the best short films ever produced by the studio, Fun and Fancy Free is a package film triumph. Featuring such classic characters as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Jiminy Cricket while also introducing a brand new classic character in Bongo the Bear, this film is without question one of Disney's best package films. Divided into two shorts, Bongo and Mickey and the Beanstalk, this film thrives because the magic is present from beginning to end thanks to the clever writing, beautiful animation, and, of course, those classic characters.

Fun and Fancy Free opens up on the legendary Jiminy Cricket serenading us with the infectious song, "I'm a Happy-Go-Lucky Fellow." The lyrics to this song are not only catchy, but also rather powerful. Jiminy begins like this: "I'm a happy-go-lucky fellow, full of fun and fancy free. You can make the whole world seem mellow if you take it in your stride like me." These words are so simple, and yet what an incredible message it proclaims in the process of setting the tone for the entire film. The purpose behind the creation of Fun and Fancy Free, as evidenced by this song, is to entertain us to the utmost in efforts to help us forget the troubles of this world if only for a little over an hour. Jiminy further explains, "Now, some folks like the heavy stuff with titles five feet wide. Not me, I'm always out for fun. I like the lighter side, yes sir!" Through these two superb shorts, that is exactly what Fun and Fancy Free does. It focuses on fun, and let's be honest: we can all use a little more fun in our lives especially given the turmoil around our world today.

The first short, Bongo, is an underrated Disney gem. Telling the story of a circus who longs to see life beyond the circus tent, Bongo is genuinely hilarious with some excellent psychical comedy at play. Upon finally escaping the circus, Bongo encounters something he never anticipated discovering: another bear named Lulubelle. As you might expect, they fall in love and Bongo is awestruck by her. Then, one day, Lulubelle slaps Bongo, an act Bongo perceives as absurd, prompting him to leave, but according to Lulubelle (and yet another catchy song you can watch here), slapping someone is a bear's way of showing them that they love you. A hilarious scene follows as Bongo tries to win Lulubelle back after a little miscommunication occurs among the other bears. This short is just extremely fun and absolutely delightful.

The second short, Mickey and the Beanstalk, is one of the finest shorts the studio has ever produced. Starring everyone's favorite trio of Mickey, Donald, and Goofy, Disney successfully tells the story of the legendary giant at the top of the beanstalk with hilarity and spectacular animation to spare. First of all, the narration provided by ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and his two dummies, Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snead, is simply amazing. The wittiness of the dialogue among the three men is second to none. Furthermore, the story itself is told expertly with Mickey, Donald, and Goofy at the center of it all, excelling at everything around every corner. Anytime I have the privilege of watching these three classic characters, I am beyond honored, and Mickey and the Beanstalk is a highlight for each one of them.

Fun and Fancy Free accomplishes what Make Mine Music usually failed to do. Instead of allowing the songs to overpower the story, in this case, the story is the reason we keep coming back for more. That is why this film just works. This is a package film for the diehard and casual Disney fans alike.

Rating: 8/10

Historical Significance: The song "I'm a Happy-Go-Lucky Fellow" was originally written for Pinocchio, but was cut after being deemed unnecessary for the story of that film. Besides Jiminy's popularity, this was the main driving force behind Disney's decision to include him as the emcee for Fun and Fancy Free. This film was also the final time Walt Disney personally provided the voice for Mickey Mouse. He recorded most of the dialogue for the short in the early forties, and when the film was issued to production for a package film at a later date, they kept Walt's voice instead of redoing the process.

Behind the Scenes: Ventriloquist Edgar Bergen was reportedly disappointed with his performance in the live action sequences of the film because when he was voicing the two dummies, his mouth was moving too much according to his own critique. Bergen, along with Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snead, were popular on the radio so Bergen did not have to worry about his mouth moving too often. Bergen, though, was satisfied with the film as a whole though.

Favorite Character: I said this when I reviewed Fantasia, but I'll say it again anyway. If Mickey Mouse is a character in a film, he will undoubtedly be my favorite, and Fun and Fancy Free is no
different. His heroism is on full display here as Mickey is always looking out for others, whether it be Donald, Goofy, or even the magic golden harp that Willie the Giant stole. Mickey has a mission, but he never allows his mission to interfere with his personal priorities. That is one of the countless reasons Mickey will forever be my favorite character.

Favorite Scene: While both shorts are awesome, I have to go with Mickey and the Beanstalk. There is just something extra magical about watching the classic trio at work. Bongo is great and one of my
favorite short films from Disney, but it is Mickey, Donald, and Goofy we're talking about here. They simply cannot be beat. Plus, the story is classic. Classic characters with a classic story is difficult to defeat in my book.

Updated Ranking: Thus far, Fun and Fancy Free is my favorite package film. With two more package films remaining, we'll see if that opinion holds up.

1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
2. Pinocchio
3. Dumbo
4. Bambi
5. Fantasia
6. Fun and Fancy Free
7. The Three Caballeros
8. Saludos Amigos
9. Make Mine Music

This review is currently being written on the eve of my vacation to Walt Disney World. Therefore, there will be no reviews for the next week. In the meantime, catch up on these nine films I have watched thus far and tell me what you think about them! The Summer of Magic will be back before you know it!

-Cody Fleenor

Summer of Magic- "Make Mine Music"

After the goodwill tour of Latin America was complete with Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros, Disney shifted gears to offer a new style of package film. In 1946, Make Mine Music arrived on the scene using popular music to generate stories. Divided into ten segments, Make Mine Music undoubtedly has moments of animated brilliance, but overall, the music overpowers the story as the film fails to find the appropriate balance of the two. To me, Make Mine Music is the weakest of the package films for that reason.

Five of the nine segments (Blue Bayou, All the Cats Join In, Without You, Two Silhouettes, and After You're Gone) are simply not that memorable. While the music is stellar and the animation is nice, the stories are not strong, if existent at all, as it seems like the studio was becoming really desperate for segments to include in the final product. Now, some will argue that was the point of Make Mine Music. It was never meant to make sense all the time, but it was intended to showcase the music and animation. To an extent, I agree, but do you really need nine segments to do that? While not a lengthy film, Make Mine Music could have benefited tremendously from some editing.

In fact, if the film would have just consisted of the four good segments, my opinion on the film would be radically different. Casey at the Bat is an excellent short featuring superb slapstick humor and physical comedy with an actual story to tell. Its hilarity is unrivaled throughout the film, and the narration coupled with the music is really great. The Peter and the Wolf segment works because of the expert blend of music and story. This one uses the music to compliment the story, not overpower. Aided immensely by the always spectacular Sterling Holloway providing the narration, this short is an absolute delight. Johnnie Fedora and Alice Bluebonnet is a short that anyone with a soul would thoroughly enjoy and fall for. On the surface, a story of two hats falling in love does not sound appealing at all, but it works because the amazing music is used to tell the story in an expert way. The finale, The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met, also boasts some incredible animation with genuinely great lead character.

I guess that is what frustrates me the most when it comes to Make Mine Music. Those four segments are really good shorts, a perfection display of Walt's vision for the film and the package films overall. Unfortunately, the other five are rather dull and unmemorable. If they had followed the model of Saludos Amigos and included only the best shorts, this one would have received a much higher rating from me, but due to the fact that nine segments are included, and five of them are not good, Make Mine Music is one of my least favorite Disney films to date despite the greatness that is found in those four good segments.

Rating: 6/10

Historical Significance: The Blue Bayou segment was originally intended to be included in Fantasia, the inspiration behind Make Mine Music and Melody Time in 1948. The reception of the segment was mixed, at best, as critics applauded the beautiful animation, but criticized its lack of story (sound like a familiar complaint?). Also, a segment entitled The Martins and the Coys was included in the film upon its original release, but was immediately hit with controversy as it was criticized for showing an abundance of gun violence and offensive stereotypes. This short was the first segment in the film upon its original release. but can no longer be found in the film on home entertainment platforms.

Behind the Scenes: Casey at the Bat is based on a poem written by Ernest Thayer entitled "Casey at the Bat: A Ballad of the Republic Sung in the Year 1888." Thayer was not a writer; he was a humorist for the San Francisco Examiner who occasionally wrote on sports. This poem is the only piece of literature Thayer is known for today. The Baseball Almanac calls it "the single most famous baseball poem ever written." Furthermore, Thayer maintained that Casey was not modeled after any baseball player in particular at the time but strictly imaginative.

Favorite Character: Johnnie Fedora is one of those characters that you simply cannot dislike whatsoever. Yes, he is a hat, but the animators did such an awesome job giving him a genuine
personality and real emotions. We can all relate to Johnnie's struggle to find and keep love, to some extent, but through Johnnie's simple story, we are not only entertained, but we find some hope. Plus, the song being performed to accompany Johnnie's story is fantastic.

Favorite Scene: The Casey at the Bat segment is the highlight of Make Mine Music. It is everything you are looking for in a first Golden Age short. It contains impressive animation, excellent narration, truly hilarious moments, and a memorable leading character. Casey at the Bat will leave a smile on even the most heartless of cynics.


Updated Ranking: As one of my least favorite Disney films, Make Mine Music finds its place at the bottom of my list today.

1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
2. Pinocchio
3. Dumbo
4. Bambi
5. Fantasia
6. The Three Caballeros
7. Saludos Amigos
8. Make Mine Music

Even in the midst of mediocrity, Disney finds a way to shine some sort of light. While Make Mine Music is far from perfect, it does contain some really nice shorts. Tomorrow, though, we'll return to a more cohesive package film as a fan favorite character returns to entertain us all in Fun and Fancy Free!

-Cody Fleenor

Summer of Magic- "The Three Caballeros"

Jose Carioca and Donald Duck stole the show so much in Saludos Amigos that Disney could not resist giving them their own movie just two years later in 1944 with The Three Caballeros, and this time around, they added another partner to round out the trio in Panchito Pistoles. As the spiritual sequel to Saludos Amigos, The Three Caballeros is an absolute delight from beginning to end. Featuring some of the most infectious music ever for a Disney movie, the terrific trio sing and dance their way into our hearts on their way to becoming instant Disney legends.

The film is separated into seven different segments set in South and Central America. Our first short film is The Cold-Blooded Penguin, which is such a good short with the incomparable Sterling Holloway providing a hilarious narration. The story of a penguin journeying to live on a warm beach is a wholly original story that is a perfect addition to this package. The second segment, The Flying Gauchito, tells the story of a little boy and his flying donkey named Burrito. Essentially acting as a fable, this short is a nice, extremely unique addition to the package.  Then, the scene shifts to Brazil, the home of Jose Carioca, as he attempts to teach Donald the art of dancing the samba in Baia. Of course, Donald takes his advice and runs with it, eventually using the samba to woo one of the women dancing, portrayed here by Brazilian entertainer Aurora Miranda. This is a charming short that brings out the personalities of the two caballeros perfectly. 

Once this short concludes, the scene shifts again as Panchito transports us to Mexico for the remainder of the film. Las Posadas kicks off this section as Panchito tells Jose and Donald the story of a group of Mexican children re-enacting the Christmas story, leading to various festivities including the breaking of a piñata. It is a touching, sweet moment in this package film that is full of music and bright colors. Donald, as you would expect, is then challenged by Jose and Panchito to break his own piñata, which, of course, leads to some excellent physical comedy. The next short shows the three caballeros taking an aerial tour of Mexico. This is the simplest of the shorts, but the live action scenery is beautiful and makes the short worth it. The following two segments, You Belong to My Heart and Donald's Surreal Reverie are good, but nothing truly special beyond the typically breathtaking animation.

Overall, The Three Caballeros is a really good package film that boasts some stellar animation with incredible music and songs. The three main characters are hilarious and everything you would expect them to be in their own films. If you have experienced the attraction in the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot, do yourself a tremendous and give its source material a viewing as soon as possible.

Rating: 7.5/10

Historical Significance: Legendary voice actor Clarence Nash, who provided the voice of Donald Duck for fifty years, recorded Donald's voice in the Spanish-dubbed version in addition to the English version. The usual tactic for the filmmakers would be to cast a native Spanish speaker to provide the Spanish voice, but Nash's Spanish-dubbed version gave Donald a nice American accent to compliment Jose and Panchito's accent. Also, it is worth pointing out here that our star, Donald Duck, is the current leader in Disney history for the most appearances by a single character in feature films.

Behind the Scenes: The song "You Belong to My Heart" was such a hit that Disney later included it in another short called "Pluto's Blue Note" in 1947 (Watch the classic short here!). Furthermore, Bing Crosby recorded his own cover of the song, reaching as high as #4 on the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart in 1945. Additionally, it is revealed during the opening of the film that Donald is celebrating his birthday on the unspecified date of "Friday the 13th." In 1949, the short film "Donald's Happy Birthday," confirms that Donald's birthday is March 13 (don't believe me? Watch the fantastic short here!).

Favorite Character: As I wrote in my review of Saludos Amigos, it is just really difficult to pick someone other than Donald Duck for this section. If these two films were the only two experiences
you had with the famed duck, I think you would have a great taste of his character and what makes him go. As great as Jose and Panchito are in this film, Donald is one of the best characters of all-time, and he proves that in The Three Caballeros/

Favorite Scene: When Panchito first arrives on the scene, the famous scene wear the title song is performed for the first time
takes place, and it is pure magic. The chaos of this scene is spectacular as I would expect nothing less from these three caballeros when they come together to sing. The song itself is like "It's a Small World," in the sense that once you hear it, you cannot get it out of your head for the rest of the day. It is the highlight of the film, and it just may be the highlight of the package films (Watch it here!).

Miscues: While each scene is unique and expertly animated, some of the segments are a little lengthy. Baia and You Belong to My Heart segments, in particular, are two shorts that could have been cut down significantly and their purposes would not have been lost. However, the length of these two segments allow the animators to show off their skills even more, so I guess it is a minor miscue at best.

Updated Ranking: Like with Saludos Amigos, I really enjoy The Three Caballeros, but not as much as the first five.

1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
2. Pinocchio
3. Dumbo
4. Bambi
5. Fantasia
6. The Three Caballeros
7. Saludos Amigos

The goodwill tour of Latin America is complete for Disney, but they are not finished with these package films. Although World War II ended in 1944 (the year The Three Caballeros was released), it took a while for the staff and resources to flood back into the studio and get a full-length motion picture back in theaters. Therefore, tomorrow, we introduce a new style of package film with Make Mine Music!

-Cody Fleenor 

Summer of Magic- "Saludos Amigos"

The films produced by Disney during the 1940's, after the first five classics, are never going to be at the top of a Disney fan's list, but that should not diminish their value and legacy. They are these "combination films," or, as more properly termed, "package films." When World War II engulfed the nation, Disney was suddenly left with very limited resources and a scant staff of animators. They simply could not produce full-length feature films while the war was going on, so instead of shutting down the studio entirely, Disney came up with this brilliant idea of combining short films that were much cheaper to produce to make one full-length film. Thus, the "package film" was born, and even though they are not the greatest of Disney's films, their importance to the history of Disney cannot be overstated. Without them, who knows what Disney would have done, if anything, to keep the studio afloat due to the scarcity of money.

The first of these package films was Saludos Amigos in 1942. This film consists of four short films that celebrate the culture of South America. Saludos Amigos, along with tomorrow's film The Three Caballeros, was created by Walt Disney during the war to improve America's relations with South America after being commissioned by the US State Department to take a goodwill tour of the continent. Film critic Alfred Charles Richard Jr. said that Saludos Amigos "did more to cement a community of interest between peoples of the Americas in a few months than the State Department did in fifty years." One reason this film worked in such a way is that it is such a delightful combination of films. Featuring appearance from such iconic Disney legends as Jose Carioca, Goofy, and Donald Duck, Saludos Amigos is no Snow White, but it certainly deserves a viewing from all fans of Disney animation.

The first segment is entitled Lake Titicaca in which Donald Duck acts as the typical American tourist as he meets with the locals around Lake Titicaca. Donald, as per usual, is hilarious, especially when he comes in contact with an uncooperative llama (trust me, just watch it). The second segment, Pedro, is the only one with solely originally characters. Set in Chile, Pedro tells the story of a young airplane who must deliver the mail over the monstrous mountain Aconcagua. This is a sweet short that will undoubtedly leave a smile on your face. The third segment stars the one and only Goofy in El Gaucho Goofy. In this short, Goofy is transported from the plains of Texas as the typical American cowboy to learn the ways of the native gauchos in Argentina. As you would expect, Goofy is incredibly funny as this is a remarkably great short. The final segment introduces Jose Carioca in Aquarela do Brasil. Teamed up with Donald Duck, the dynamic duo stroll down the streets of Brazil as they experience the delights of the Brazilian culture. It's Donald Duck and Jose Carioca, and therefore, this is a fantastic short. All together, Saludos Amigos is one fine package film.

Rating: 7.5/10

Historical Significance: While the animated segments rightfully receive a majority of the praise for Saludos Amigos, film historians have suggested that the live action segments featuring actual citizens of these South American countries had the most impact on American culture during the war. Capturing images of elaborate skyscrapers and beautiful landscapes, the perception of the South American culture was reversed tremendously upon the release of Saludos Amigos because Americans in the 1940's believed South America was a predominantly rural area inhabited primarily by peasants. The film received credit for changing the mindset of Americans towards South Americans during World War II.

Behind the Scenes: Occasionally, the film shows shots of the animators boarding the plane en route to South America. This footage was staged because once the crew originally returned from their trip, Walt Disney realized that they had no footage of the crew boarding the plane or interacting on the plane, so he ordered the exact same crew to dress in the exact same clothing they had wore on the plane in order for the film crew to capture this sequence for the final product.

Favorite Character: Donald Duck starring in not one, but two shorts in Saludos Amigos is a really neat aspect of the film. As we have come to expect from Donald, he is hysterical during every minute
of screen-time he is granted. If you're a fan of Donald Duck (and let's be honest: who isn't?), you must watch Saludos Amigos.

Favorite Scene: El Gaucho Goofy is my favorite scene of the film because it is such a classic take on Goofy. He is everything you
would expect Goofy to be in the short. Plus, the narration during the segment is quite hilarious as well. The physical comedy on display, as per usual in a Goofy short, is worth viewing in and of itself. It is an absolute delight.

Miscues: As delightful as Pedro is, with the other three segments featuring classic Disney classics, its inclusion in the package is quite odd, leading to the general consensus that it is the least favorite of the shorts. Since the other three segments star characters we all know and love, why shouldn't the fourth segment be the same way? I applaud the originality, but the consistency is broken with Pedro making the cut.

Updated Ranking: I really enjoy Saludos Amigos, but it is nowhere near the level of the first five films.

1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
2. Pinocchio
3. Dumbo
4. Bambi
5. Fantasia
6. Saludos Amigos

Tomorrow, we'll watch the compliment to Saludos Amigos with The Three Caballeros and complete Disney's goodwill tour of South America!

-Cody Fleenor

Summer of Magic- "Bambi"

If anyone ever tries to tell you that Disney movies are "just for kids," resist the urge to punch them in the face and instead, show them Bambi. This film, as is the case with many of Disney's classics, speak just as much to the heart and soul of an adult as it does the heart and soul of a child. Bambi is a bold and innovative entry into the Disney canon because it is unlike anything they have ever created even to this day, and that is what makes it such an incredibly well-done film. In just about seventy-five minutes, Disney brings the entirety of Bambi's live to the screen and omits absolutely nothing. From the perils of childhood to the blossoming of manhood to the responsibilities of adulthood, we witness and potentially learn from Bambi in such a unique way that upon each additional viewing, I walk away feeling more and more inspired and humbled.

Like Dumbo, Bambi is one of the best main characters ever brought to life by Disney. As we follow his journey through life, we feel like we have quite literally grown up with the young prince in this tremendous forest, and that is a testament to Walt Disney and his team with their amazing ability to create emotion within the audience upon watching a deer live his life. With hardly any dialogue to assist in his characterization (and the dialogue really is not necessary for Bambi), Bambi works his way into our hearts and makes us feel as if he is one of our very own. His sidekicks, Thumper and Flower, are simply scene-stealers. As Bambi grows, so does Thumper and Flower, and with this comes some genuinely hilarious and touching scenes, including the scene where the trio experiences winter for the time and the one where Friend Owl explains what it means to be "twitterpated" (Don't remember that scene? Do yourself a favor and watch it here).

One cannot review Bambi without mentioning the tragic, life-defining scene with Man in the forest. As Bambi and his mother wander through the meadow, Bambi's mother senses something awry. She implores Bambi to run and don't look back. The scene remains focused on Bambi as he frantically seeks shelter when suddenly, the noise no one wanted to hear rings out: a gunshot. We never actually see the act being committed, and that is what makes this scene all the more powerful. When Bambi finally arrives at his home, he exclaims, "We made it, Mother!" With that one sentence and the following moments, Bambi breaks our hearts like never before. Not only is this sequence one of the best in animation history; I would put this scene into the conversation of greatest scenes in cinema history period.

Bambi is a masterpiece. There is really no debate on that matter, in my opinion. From beginning to end, we are witnessing pure magic.

Rating: 10/10

Historical Significance: Bambi was originally scheduled to be Disney's follow-up to Snow White. However, Walt's dedication to perfection and total realism caused the project to be pushed back until 1942, after the releases of Pinocchio, Fantasia, The Reluctant Dragon, and Dumbo. One creative choice Walt made for Bambi during this delay was that he wanted actual children to voice the characters in their adolescence, something unheard of prior to Bambi as adults would just do children's voices normally. Another strategy was to encourage the animators to watch the real life movements of deer and the other animals in order to properly capture their essence.

Behind the Scenes: There are only about one thousand words spoken throughout the entirety of the film, but perhaps the most famous line comes from Bambi's mother after her first encounter with Man. She says to Bambi, "Man was in the forest." This would evolve into a code used by employees at Disney to warn others that Walt Disney was present and could be coming around to check out the work they were doing. Furthermore, Bambi is the final full-length feature film for Disney until 1950. Due to World War II, a majority of Disney's employees served their country in battle while the money used for materials became more and more scarce as well. This is why from 1942 to 1949, Disney released projects that consisted of a number of short films combined to make one film.

Favorite Character: I almost went with Thumper, but I have to go with Bambi here. As I mentioned before, Bambi is simply a gem of a character. His character is so well developed in every stage of his life that we can relate to his journey on a very personal level. We know what it's like to grow up with
all of its ups and downs. For some, we know exactly what Bambi is going through after losing his mother. We all know the dangers and joys of being "twitterpated" too. Bambi is a deer, yes, but his circumstances are very human.

Favorite Scene: The term "favorite" is quite misleading in this case because although the scene with the death of Bambi's mother is by no means a happy occasion, it is by far the best scene from Bambi.
It absolutely rips my heart out and crushes it into a million pieces, especially when Bambi cries a single tear through the snow after the Great Prince informs him, "Your mother can't be with you anymore." It is such an iconic scene and a masterclass in handling tragedy in films.

Favorite Song: Bambi is not your typical musical because none of the characters on screen actually sing. Instead, all of the songs are sung off-screen by a soloist or choir, and the songs performed in Bambi are the perfect additions to the film's tone and character.
I would have to single out "Little April Shower" as my favorite because when coupled with the animation, it truly transports you to this forest (Watch it here!).

Miscues: Once again, if you have a miscue for Bambi, you might be missing a soul.

Updated Ranking: Ranking these first five films is next to impossible because I love them all so much, but here is how they stand right now.

1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
2. Pinocchio
3. Dumbo
4. Bambi
5. Fantasia

As I previously stated, after Bambi, Disney is effected immensely by World War II. They no longer have the staff or the money to produce full-length feature films, so instead of shutting down the studio entirely, Walt begins to make what I call "combination films," as I described earlier. Tomorrow, we begin this uniquely important era in Disney history with our first combination film, Saludos Amigos!

-Cody Fleenor

Summer of Magic- "Dumbo"

Timothy Mouse excitedly explained to Dumbo upon realizing that the famous elephant can fly, "The very things that held you down are going to carry you up. and up, and up!" With this moment, along with countless other moments, Dumbo rightfully becomes one of the most charming and endearing classics in the Disney canon. Filled with beautiful animation and a lead character for the ages, Dumbo is a rare film that speaks to the hearts of children and adults alike. As challenging as it is entertaining, Dumbo deserves its place near the top of everyone's Disney movie rankings.

In such a short amount of time (Dumbo clocks in at a measly 63 minutes), you would figure that something would be missing, but that is certainly not the case as Walt Disney and company get right to the point and never let us down. The deft blend of emotion and hilarity is what makes Dumbo so classical. We are laughing hysterically during the first clown sequence and when Dumbo and Timothy meet the crows, but we also find ourselves on the verge of an emotional breakdown during the "Baby Mine" scene. Thus is the magic of Dumbo. There are no unnecessary scenes as every moment progresses the story and leaves the audience with an array of emotions.

The characters are superbly brought to life. Dumbo is a Disney marvel, instantly becoming a legend without even saying a word. From the moment the Stork unveils his presence to his mother to the final shot of the circus riding off into the sunset, Dumbo is a character that demands to be loved and adored for generations to come. Timothy Mouse is an excellent counterpart for Dumbo in the same way Jiminy Cricket is for Pinocchio. He is the ultimate encourager, fearlessly dedicated to Dumbo and his success. The crows appearing towards the end of the film are absolutely hilarious if you listen closely to their dialogue and song lyrics. Upon every viewing, I laugh harder and harder during that scene as their humor has grown as I have grown.

I could not write about Dumbo and not mention the iconic Pink Elephant sequence. While some may justifiably have a problem with such a scene, I think this scene is one of the hallmarks of Disney animation during the first Golden Age. The craftsmanship on display here from the animators is nothing short of extraordinary. Plus, it is the perfect way to bring us out of the emotional mess we are in after "Baby Mine." Dumbo is simply a gem. From start to finish, I just watch in amazement.

Rating: 10/10

Historical Significance: Following two financial losses with Pinocchio and Fantasia, Walt needed a film that would make money for the studio, which eventually lead to the shorter runtime for Dumbo. On a tight and scripted budget, Dumbo became the least expensive of all Disney's animated films as the film went on to gross more in its original release than Pinocchio and Fantasia combined. Also, this is the first Disney collaboration for Sterling Holloway and Verna Felton. Holloway voiced the Stork and Felton voiced the Elephant Matriarch. Holloway would go on to voice such iconic Disney characters as the Cheshire Cat (Alice in Wonderland), Kaa (The Jungle Book), and Winnie the Pooh (The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh) while Felton would later voice the Fairy Godmother (Cinderella), Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland), and Flora (Sleeping Beauty).

Behind the Scenes: Walt was originally not interested in making Dumbo. To spark his imagination, writers Joe Grant and Dick Huemer began to leave various parts of the film on Walt's desk every morning just to let him know what they were working on. One day, Walt reportedly ran into the story room with the daily Dumbo scene in hand and exclaimed, "This is great! What happens next?" From disinterest to highest praise, Walt would later state that Dumbo was his favorite film the studio ever produced.

Favorite Character: It has to be Dumbo. He just works into your heart and never leaves. He truly is a special Disney character because he really does it all, from making us laugh to making us cry. We
can sympathize with his struggles as we learn from his hardships and are therefore challenged in our own unique way. Through the eyes of this flying elephant, we are awakened to the potential cruelties that curse this world, and we are challenged to live our lives uniquely and not to conform to the society around us. And who said Disney films are just for kids?

Favorite Scene: As much as I love the Pink Elephant sequence, I have to go with the "Baby Mine" scene as my favorite. This is one of the greatest scenes in Disney history because of its power and its
simplicity. There is nothing melodramatic or bombastic about this scene. Instead, the emotion climax of the film, fittingly, occurs in a tender moment with Dumbo and his loving mother. When Mrs. Jumbo extends her truck to embrace Dumbo, I lose it every time.

Favorite Song: The crow's sarcastically entertaining finale, "When I See an Elephant Fly," is an awesome way to end such an incredible film. It's light, amusing, and
once again, it progresses the story as the crows finally help Timothy and Dumbo realize that Dumbo can actually fly. Plus, when Dumbo does finally take flight, we witness pure Disney magic right before our very eyes.

Miscues: As I wrote for Snow White, if you have a miscue for Dumbo, you have no soul.

Updated Ranking: Dumbo is a classic without question, but for today, Dumbo comes in behind Snow White and Pinocchio.

1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
2. Pinocchio
3. Dumbo
4. Fantasia

The first five films created by Disney are some of the greatest cinematic achievements in the history of Hollywood. Tomorrow, we'll see the fifth film from this legendary era of Disney animation as we watch Bambi!

-Cody Fleenor

Summer of Magic- "Fantasia"

Just two full-length feature films into his illustrious Hollywood career, Walt Disney decided to change the game once again. With Snow White and Pinocchio, the studio had already established itself as masters of storytelling, characterization, and song writing. Such songs as "Someday My Prince Will Come" and "When You Wish Upon a Star" were giant hits upon their release that remain anthems to this day, but Walt had another crazy vision: what if Disney could introduce children and their families to the power of classical music through animation? It was a bold vision that was no guaranteed success by any stretch, but over seven decades later, Fantasia remains one of Walt's crowning achievements. Through several iconic sequences, Fantasia entertains, excites, and teaches like no other film before or after it.

While every scene is beautifully animated and classic in nature, The Sorcerer's Apprentice and the Night on Bald Mountain sequences are so exquisitely brought to life with just animation and classical music telling these extraordinary stories. Disney has always had a knack for telling excellent stories, and the stories of the young apprentice and Chernabog's reign respectively are two of their best. For The Sorcerer's Apprentice, seeing Mickey Mouse on screen will never cease to amaze me. Complimented by perhaps the most iconic music in Disney history, Fantasia becomes the starring vehicle Mickey deserves as it also leads to Mickey's finest performance of his highlight-filled career. The Night on Bald Mountain sequence, similar to The Sorcerer's Apprentice, has some of the best music your ears will ever hear to accompany the story. Plus, Chernabog instantly becomes one of Disney's most menacing villains in the matter of minutes and without uttering a single word. His reign on Bald Mountain is so absolute and terrifying that we are genuinely scared from the first moment we catch a glimpse at the dastardly gargoyle. Additionally, the ending in which the orchestra plays Ava Marie is stunningly gorgeous and a perfect ending to the sequence and the film itself.

The other sequences, compared to The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Night on Bald Mountain, are simply just really good. The Rite of Spring scene depicting the evolution of life since the beginning of time as told by Disney is a lovely scene filled with surprisingly great action sequences. Dance of the Hours, featuring the classic Fantasia hippos and alligators, is blissful and a perfect addition to the film. The Pastoral Symphony with the mythology at play is so different that it really is a superb sequence for Fantasia. If I had to use one word to describe Fantasia, I would use unique. It is so unlike anything Disney has ever produced that it stands out among the rest, in a way. For some, listening to classic music for two hours will never be appealing even if it is coupled with Disney animation, and I can certainly understand that logic, but for me, The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Night on Bald Mountain are worth the viewing alone. The other sequences are nice, but those two will stand the test of time as two of the finest pieces of animation in cinema history. Fantasia is Walt's tour de force showcase of his skill and vision.

Rating: 8.5/10

Historical Significance: According to Walt himself, Fantasia came about purely by accident. He was at restaurant one day when he just so happened to run into Leopold Stokowski, the conductor for Fantasia. As they talked over dinner, Walt began to tell him of his plans to create animated scenes set to classical music (The Sorcerer's Apprentice was the highlight of those plans). Upon hearing these plans, Stokowski reportedly told Walt, "I would like to conduct that for you." Thus, their partnership was formed, leading to the creation of Fantasia.

Behind the Scenes: The animators working on the film secretly modeled the Sorcerer in The Sorcerer's Apprentice after Walt Disney. If you look closely at the Sorcerer, you will notice a significant eyebrow raise occasionally, supposedly a common mannerism for Walt. Furthermore, the Fantasia is that even to this very day, Disney receives complaints from parents claiming that the Night on Bald Mountain scene scared their children too much.
Sorcerer's name is Yen Sid, which of course, is Disney spelled backwards. To this day, no one knows if Walt knew that the animators did this or not. Another great fact from

Favorite Character: This one is a given, really. It has to be Mickey Mouse from The Sorcerer's Apprentice sequence. Basically everyone's favorite Disney character period is Mickey, so seeing him in a feature film is nothing short of spectacular. In Fantasia, Mickey is everything you would expect Fantasia is still the best appearance of the Mouse who started it all.
Mickey to be: carefree, wishful, loyal, determined, the list could go on. Throughout his career in shorts, films, and television,

Favorite Scene: It really is a coin flip between The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Night on Bald Mountain, but I give the slight edge to The Sorcerer's Apprentice due to the presence of Mickey. It is not everyday you get to see Mickey in a movie, and to see him with the legendary Sorcerer Hat, The Sorcerer's Apprentice here!).
commanding magic brooms and the waves in his dream, is more and more breathtaking upon each additional viewing. Plus, the music is sublime. I could listen to the composition on repeat for days and never grow weary of it (Watch

Updated Ranking: You can tell by the rating when compared to Snow White and Pinocchio where Fantasia is going to end up today. Snow White remains the Queen of the Summer of Magic thus far!

1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
2. Pinocchio
3. Fantasia

Three films to begin a career that just so happen to be classics to this day is not too shabby, and that is exactly what Disney accomplished from 1937 to 1940. Thus far, we have developed a connection with dwarfs, puppets, and crickets, and tomorrow, Disney will attempt to make us feel for a certain flying elephant.  

-Cody Fleenor

Summer of Magic- "Pinocchio"

Considered by many to be the crown jewel of animation, Pinocchio is a masterclass in expert storytelling and characterization. Walt Disney follows up his groundbreaking classic, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, with one of the most mature animated films ever created. Just as challenging to adults as it is for kids, Pinocchio is a rare gem that has something to say to everyone watching. Plus, the entertainment value is top notch, from the iconic songs to the variety of amazing settings to the gorgeous animation. With Pinocchio, Disney announced emphatically to the world that they were not going to be a one-hit wonder by any stretch of the imagination. When I was a child, I was rather indifferent about Pinocchio, but as I have grown, the film has grown with me, blossoming into one of my absolute favorites.

One cannot review Pinocchio without mentioning the de facto Disney theme song, "When You Wish Upon a Star." As the film transitions from the opening credits, we are pleasantly greeted by the legendary Jiminy Cricket (voiced superbly by the incomparable Cliff Edwards) serenading us with this classic anthem. Walt and his grew must have known that they had something special on their hands with this song because the way in which they set it all up, with a slow zoom in to Jiminy looking up at the stars, is one of the most magical sequences in the history of the studio. The lyrics are perfectly written and the music is composed with complimentary expertise as this moment becomes one of Walt's finest achievements.

Speaking of Jiminy Cricket, this is just as much his film as it is Pinocchio's. There is a reason Jiminy remains to this day one of Disney's most beloved characters, and that reason is because it is quite impossible to dislike him. He is witty, daring, and selfless, always looking out for Pinocchio, but what makes his characterization so incredible is that we see that Jiminy is by no means a perfect "conscience." He oversleeps on his first day with Pinocchio; he cannot unlock Stromboli's cage so Pinocchio can escape; he storms off after a standoff with Pinocchio at Pleasure Island. Jiminy may be a cricket, but in a real sense, he is just like me and you, a flawed soul helplessly devoted to his best friend. That, in and of itself, is a message worth proclaiming, but then Disney cautions against temptation and touches on the struggle to achieve manhood and you have one of the studio's deepest and most enthralling films in its history.

Rating: 10/10

Historical Significance: Following Snow White was no small task, but Walt Disney proved that he was here to stay with Pinocchio. He even received some recognition from the Academy Awards. Although Snow White garnered honorary Oscars, Pinocchio was nominated for and won two competitive Oscars (Best Original Song and Best Original Score), becoming the first animated film to win a competitive Oscar. On the financial side of things, however, Pinocchio was not as successful as Snow White. With a budget that inflated from $500,000 to over $2.5 million, Pinocchio became one of the most expensive films produced during this time period. Fortunately, Disney established himself as a such force to be reckoned with for years to come on the critical side of things that the studio just kept pressing on.

Behind the Scenes: Mel Blanc, the legendary voice actor of such iconic characters as Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, was brought in by Walt Disney to voice Gideon, Honest John's partner in crime. However, Walt decided, for reasons we still are uncertain about, that Gideon should be mute. ordering the crew to cut all of Blanc's dialogue. Blanc can still be heard, however, when Gideon hiccups in the tavern. Another hidden gem occurs in the aforementioned opening shot with Jiminy Cricket singing "When You Wish Upon a Star." If you look to the left of Jiminy, you will see two books entitled Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland. Obviously, these two books would later be adapted to the screen by Disney in the fifties, but this Easter egg shows that work had already begun on these two projects even in the late thirties.

Favorite Character: It has to be Jiminy Cricket, one of the best characters ever created by Disney, and the amazing part is that when production on this film began, Jiminy Cricket was not even in the original story as he was not introduced until nine months into production! That was one awesome
audible called by the crew. There is no need to repeat my praise of Jiminy here. Instead, just read what I said above to see why Jiminy is my favorite!

Favorite Scene: As a defining moment not only for Pinocchio, but for Disney in general, the scene where the Blue Fairy arrives to grant Geppetto's wish of turning Pinocchio into a real boy is pure magic. Disney's cinematic identity is forged with this one scene.
From the beautiful music being played in the background to the genuine reactions from Jiminy to the magical transformation of Pinocchio, this scene will undoubtedly stand the test of time as one of the greatest moments in the history of animation.

Favorite Song: As you could probably infer, I am going with "When You Wish Upon a Star," for this one. How could I not go with the anthem of Disney? Ever since its debut in Pinocchio, this simple yet profound song has continually encouraged dreamers of all ages to never stop wishing, and that is a
message that Disney can truly be proud of (Watch the opening credits transition to the classic song here!).

Miscues: If I had to select a miscue for Pinocchio, I could possibly argue that when the setting shifts to Pleasure Island, the film becomes too intense for young children, but that is a minor qualm at best. Pinocchio is practically a flawless film.

Updated Ranking: Both Snow White and Pinocchio have received a perfect rating from me, but I give the slight edge to Snow White today. The dwarfs and the overall song selection eventually leads the former to victory.

1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
2. Pinocchio

Disney hit two grand slams to begin its illustrious reign at the top of the animation food chain, but later on in 1940, Walt decided to experiment with something else that had never been done before. Tomorrow, we'll look at the innovative and remarkable Fantasia!

-Cody Fleenor

Summer of Magic- "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"

Otis Ferguson of The New Republic wrote, "To say of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs that it is among the genuine artistic achievements of this country takes no daring." To set a standard for an entire genre of cinema is no small task, but that is exactly what Walt Disney and company did with this timeless and endlessly entertaining adaption of the classic Grimm tale. I truly cannot overstate how perfect Snow White is. From beginning to end, Walt has us right in the palm of his hand, making us laugh, raising our adrenaline, and forcing us to fight back to tears. Disney's Folly is undoubtedly Disney's Masterpiece.

The characters are so well developed as each one has a chance to shine bright. Snow White is everything you would expect from a fairy tale princess, exhibiting sheer grace and elegance even in the midst of her adverse situations. She set the bar for arguably the best set of characters in Disney history. The seven dwarfs are simply legendary. The standouts, Grumpy and Dopey, are deservedly the crowd's (myself included) favorites, but each dwarf has a moment of hilarity and heartfelt sincerity that continually makes Snow White a film that offers so much upon each viewing. The Evil Queen/Witch is the quintessential Disney villain, setting the bar immensely high for all succeeding villains in the Disney canon. She is dastardly, yet sophisticated, with an agenda she is determined to accomplish no matter what the obstacles. The scene when the Witch visits Snow White with the cursed apple is one of the most awe-inspiring scenes in the history of animation.

The film is filled to the brim with classic, iconic scenes. In fact, just about every scene is an iconic scene that deserves to be studied and examined in an attempt to crack the code of how Walt mastered this generation-defining feat. The songs are simple sublime. There are no show-stopping numbers, but the songs that are included are perfect compliments to the story and the characters. The "Heigh Ho" sequence is one of pure bliss and joy. I dare anyone to not smile during "The Silly Song." Then, of course, when Snow White sings the emblematic "Someday My Prince Will Come," Disney tops his perfect creation off beautifully. The one that started it all still endures to this day as the unrivaled classic for audiences of all ages.

Rating: 10/10

Historical Significance: This is an obvious one. In 1937, no one believed that an audience would watch a cartoon for longer than a few minutes. As we know, however, Walt proved them all wrong as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs became the first full-length animated film in the history of cinema. When adjusted for inflation by Box Office Mojo, Snow White grossed over $935 million in the US, which places the film in the top ten of all-time in domestic grosses to this day (yes, even above Star Wars: The Force Awakens, for some perspective). With this new found abundance of money, Walt built his own studio, which would proceed to churn out classic after classic in the forties and fifties, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Behind the Scenes: One of my favorite stories relating to Snow White is that some people were so confused about how to approach a full-length animated film that some professional doctors wrote in newspapers that watching a cartoon for a lengthy amount of time could lead to blindness. Luckily, no one watched Snow White and left blind. Actually, I would say their eyes were opened even wider to the greatness of what they just witnessed and the potential for animation as a genre.

Favorite Character: There are so many wonderful characters in Snow White, but I would have to single out Dopey as my favorite. Without the assistance of a single word, Dopey makes us laugh
hysterically while also melting our hearts at the exact time. His physical and situational comedy is just superb. His numerous attempts to convince Snow White to give him a real kiss never ceases to make me smile.

Favorite Scene: The finale featuring Snow White's eternal vigil created by the dwarfs is one of the most chill-inducing scenes in Disney history. With a wide camera shot, we see the rays of sun shine
down on the sleeping beauty as the forest animals and dwarfs mourn the death of their dear friend. Then, suddenly, the Prince appears after searching for his one love everywhere to revive her back to life with true love's kiss to the absolute delight of the forest animals and dwarfs. This is the purest of Disney magic where we simply stand in awe of Walt's mastery.

Favorite Song: Every single song in Snow White is classical, but "Heigh Ho" is just too entertaining for me to mention another song in this section. Our first introduction to the dwarfs is an iconic one as we meet them in their mine digging for riches. Each dwarf's personality is displayed expertly here, here!).
which is why this is such a great song. Not only are the lyrics and music fantastic, but it progresses the storyline by introducing these exceptional and essential characters (Watch "Heigh Ho"

Miscues: None. Not a single one at all. If you have a miscue for Snow White, you have no soul.

Ranking: This ranking is an easy one considering it is the first one in our Summer of Magic, but I can envision Snow White remaining high on this list for quite some time.

1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Snow White set the precedent for Disney animation. Without its success, who knows what the studio would have done in efforts to recover from the financial hit. Fortunately, Snow White was a gigantic success in 1937 and continues to be a gigantic success today. Everything related to Disney owes its success to Snow White. So how do you follow such a masterpiece? Tomorrow, we will wish upon a star and find out as we witness the story of Pinocchio!

-Cody Fleenor