TRICK OR TREAT ( Released to Theaters USA 1952)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Trick or Treat—cute Walt Disney Halloween short film—uses Donald Duck and his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie to tell its story. The animation still stands today and the story is presented and portrayed well. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  A witch sees that Donald Duck does not give Huey, Dewey, and Louie candy for Halloween. She decides to fix their problem.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Jack Hannah for directing effort. Thank you to  Walt Disney for making the film possible. Cast includes June Foray, Clarence Nash, and the Mellomen.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a well done story and worth a watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH (Released to Theaters USA 1970)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  The Phantom Tollbooth—creative and complicated—seems built more for the older teen and adult viewer due to its storyline which will be understood by an older viewer but leave the younger viewer with animation and no comprehendible story. There is a crossover between live action and animation that is fresh and exceptionally well done in the beginning scenes and ending scenes. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A boy enters a tollbooth and encounters two kings, one who thinks that letters are the most important and the other thinks that numbers are the most important. Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Chuck Jones, Abe Levitow, and Dave Monahan for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Chuck Jones for making the film possible. Cast includes Butch Patrick, Mel Blanc, Daws Butler, Candy Candido, Hans Conried, June Foray, Patti Gilbert, Shepard Menken, Cliff Norton, Larry Thor, and Les Tremayne.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Overall, the movie is a creative offering for the older audience and presents concepts that are uniquely handled.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN (Released to Television USA 1969)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Frosty the Snowman—very young children's watch—becomes so simple that it loses all audience range. Everything in this work is a suitable to okay short film.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A group of young grade school children finds that an inept magician's hat brings a freshly made snowman to life. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass for making the film possible. Voice Cast includes  Jimmy Durante, Billy De Wolfe, Jackie Vernon, Paul Frees, and June Foray. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. A better film for the child/adult Christmas share is How the Grinch Stole Christmas,  Ron Howard's live action film. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

FRACTURED FAIRY TALES: THE PHOX, THE BOX, AND THE LOX (Theatrical Release USA 1999)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

Fractured Fairytales: The Phox the Box, and the Lox—interesting animated short film—doesn’t have a lot of storyline but ‘kind of’ teaches a small lesson about being careful about what one acts upon. Sometimes it is wiser to rely on something in print rather than words spoken into the air. The voicing is quite good. This short film was added to the beginning of the 1999 Brendan Fraser DVD Dudley Do-Right movie as an extra entertainment piece. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A wily fox tries to get a cursed box opened by using someone not so bright as he. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Steve Moore for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Tiffany Ward for making the film possible. Voicing cast includes: Scott Weil, Keith Scott, Jeff Bennett, and June Foray. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It’s cute and watchable, not terrible.

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers