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

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 

THE THREE CABALLEROS (Theatrical Release USA 1944)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Three Caballeros—an overview of the different cultures of South America and Mexico—uses Donald Duck as the primary animated character for the movie. A parrot named Jose Carioca adds variety and color to this anthology.  Donald Duck is shown as a character with high interest in attractive females, but this focus is child-watch friendly although it gets old in the overall series.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

An anthology of animated cartoons featuring Donald Duck on location in South America and Mexico. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Norman Ferguson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Walt Disney for making the film possible. Cast includes:  Aurora Miranda, Carmen Molina, Dora Luz, Sterling Holloway, Clarence Nash, Jose Oliveira, and Joaquin Garay, Frank Graham, Fred Shields, Nestor Amaral

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This animated anthology presents an interesting look at South American and Mexican cultures with strong emphasis on insights into those cultures.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers