FANTASIA (Released to Theaters USA 1940)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

Fantasia ushered in an entirely new way to enjoy music while demonstrating Disney Studios' early stage, high level artistic endeavors. The imaginative journeys this film opens to the viewer are endless. The vast scope of this 8-segment film cannot be captured in words alone. It performs as a visual prophecy of what Disney would become to the world as he gradually drew unlimitedly talented people into his creative circle.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Additional Thanks

Than you to Directors Norman Ferguson, James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, Ford Beebe, Jr., Jim Handley, T. Hee, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, Bill Roberts, and Paul Satterfield. Thank you to Producers Walt Disney and Ben Sharpsteen for making the film possible. Cast includes: Violinist Paul J. Smith, Conductor Leopold Stokowski, Narrators Deems Taylor and Corey Burton, Percussionist James McDonald, Singer Julietta Novis, and Mickey Mouse (voiced by Walt Disney).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This first film creates a masterful stream of music and animation from the early days of animated creativity. One of the best films of that era, it deserves a standing ovation and clapping for an extended period of time.  This movie, like no other, deserves every Bravo! and Encore! it receives.   

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FOOD WILL WIN THE WAR (Released to Theaters USA 1942)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Food Will Win the War—interesting short, colored film—shows what the United States was capable of for food production at the beginning of World War II.  Walt Disney and his team  engaged in much research to make this film and that effort shows.   Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb  Storyline  An overview of how much food the United States was able to produce during WWII.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Hamilton Luske for directing effort. Thank you to Walt Disney for making the film possible. Cast includes Fred Shields as the narrator.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. This is a good watch for viewing the concerns of that era and how those concerns were addressed. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE RELUCTANT DRAGON (Released to Theaters USA 1941)

Note: This critique is on the biopic about how Robert Benchley pitched The Reluctant Dragon to Walt Disney Studios. 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Reluctant Dragon— is a fictional biopic on how Robert Benchley pitched The Reluctant Dragon to Walt Disney, with a tour of the Disney production staff, studios, and how they make cartoons. This film is wonderful and tells a wonderful story. An easy way to explore the background of what it takes to make a cartoon, to meet some of the actors who make Donald Duck and Pluto live on screen. Watch for the special cameo appearance of Walt Disney himself. This is one of the better biopics on the market.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

Robert Benchley, with his wife's tremendous encouragement, reluctantly tries to pitch his book, The Reluctant Dragon to Walt Disney studios.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Alfred L. Werker, Hamilton Luske, Jack Cutting, Ub Iwerks, Jack Kinney, for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walt Disney for making the film possible. Cast includes Robert Benchley, Frances Gifford, Buddy Pepper, Nana Bryant, Claud Allister, Barnett Parker, and Billy Lee. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a wonderful biopic and tells a wonderful story. It is great to see what makes Disney Studios work and what goes into the production of some of this studio's most iconic characters and cartoons.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

 

SALUDOS AMIGOS (Theatrical Release USA 1943)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Saludos Amigos—great family show—shows a sweet side to the Disney animation team’s wartime tour of South America. It’s a nice reminder of the softer animation techniques used with traditional characters of Donald Duck and Goofy and introduces the various countries with an appreciation of their cultural backgrounds. It’s great to see the introduction of a new Disney character, Jose ‘Joe’ Carioca, who was later used in The Three Caballeros movie. Clean, sweet comedy with no unwanted surprises. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Animators travel South America and discover a rich tapestry of human culture and animal culture to interpret on artists’ canvas. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Norman Ferguson, Wilfred Jackson, Jack Kinney, Hamilton Luske, and Bill Roberts for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Walt Disney for making the film possible. Cast includes: Walt Disney, Norman Ferguson, Frank Graham, Lee Blair, Mary Blair, Pinto Colvig, Clarence Nash, Jose Oliveira, Frank Thomas, and Fred Shields. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good show and worth watching.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers