THE STORY OF ANYBURG U.S.A. (Released to USA 1957)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  The Story of Anyburg U.S.A.—Walt Disney—creatively examines whether problems lie in the machine or in the man operating the machine. It's interesting that Walt Disney examined this argument in 1957, an argument relevant over 65 years later. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A small city thinks automobiles are causing  challenges in their community and suggests the community eliminate automobiles.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Clyde Geronimi for directing effort. Thank you to  Producer Disney for making the film possible. Cast includes Hans Conried, Dal McKennon, Thurl Ravenscroft, Bill Thompson, and Bill Ravenscroft. Buy a Ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. This short movie tells a sensible story. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

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

PIGS IS PIGS (Released to Theaters USA 1954)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Pigs is Pigs-—cute short film—artfully uses a type of singing narration to tell its story. This unique story relies on good animation, presentation, and portrayal.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A railway station worker conducts his work strictly by the rules. But, when faced with a shipment of two Guinea Pigs he eventually finds strict rules do not always work. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Jack Kinney for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walt Disney for making the film possible. Cast includes Bill Thompson,  Rhys Williams, Dallas McKennon, and The Mellomen Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It is a suitable story and the animation is good. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

SUSIE THE LITTLE BLUE COUPE (Released to Theaters USA 1952)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  Susie the Little Blue Coupe—cute short film—tells a good story. It still holds its ability to entertain despite its age. It has good flow and uses a good narrator, Sterling Holloway, to make the story work.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  A blue coupe is bought off the show room floor. Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Clyde Geronimi for directing effort.  Thank you to Walt Disney for making the film possible. Cast includes Stan Freberg, Clark Lagerstrom, and Bob Jackman.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This cute short film has been very well done and serves the whole family well.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

HAWAIIAN HOLIDAY (Released to Theaters USA 1937)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì Hawaiian Holiday—cute, suitable watch—does not have the comical element like other short, animated films. It is a bit bland but still serves as a fair watch. Look for Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto the dog, and Goofy the Dog in this movie.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto the dog, and Goofy the Dog all go to a Hawaiian beach to have fun.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Ben Sharpsteen for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Walt Disney and John Sutherland for making the film possible. Cast includes Walt Disney, Marcellite Garner, Pinto Colvig, and Clarence Nash. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It's good to see the Mickey Mouse gang in one movie. This is a suitable short animated film. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE LITTLE WHIRLWIND (Released to Theaters USA 1941)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  The Little Whirlwind—better watch than Hawaiian Holiday—has good animation, presentation, and portrayal. The timing is well-coordinated.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Mickey Mouse is walking a dirt road and the smell of Minnie Mouse's baking a cake catches his attention. He follows his nose and finds the unfrosted cake cooling on her windowsill.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Riley Thomson for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walt Disney for making the film possible. Cast includes Walt Disney and Marcellite Garner.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This short, animated film is cute and makes a good watch overall. The dynamics between Mickey and Minnie are well portrayed. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

SOCIAL LION (Released to Theaters USA 1954)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Social Lion—cute watch—has an interesting story to tell. Know that the audio is suitable with subtitles but without subtitles it is difficult to hear some of the dialogue.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A lion is captured by a safari and put on a ship to the USA. The lion's crate breaks while unloading, but the busy city people seem unaware of the loose lion.      Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Jack Kinney for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walt Disney for making the film possible. Cast includes Stan Freberg, Paul Frees and James MacDonald.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This short film earns a watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

MOOSE HUNTERS (Released to Theaters USA 1937)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Moose Hunters—comical and funny short film—portrays Goofy, Donald Duck, and Mickey Mouse combined in one toon. It has well-colored animation and good presentation.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Goofy the Dog, Donald Duck, and Mickey Mouse go moose hunting.    Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Ben Sharpsteen for directing effort. Thank you to Walt Disney for making the film possible. Cast includes Pinto Colvig and Clarence Nash.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a nice mix of three cartoon characters who usually appear in their own toons. The mix provides a good watch.   Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

DONALD'S DECISION (Released to Theaters USA 1942)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì Donald's Decision—short, animated film—is cute and fun to watch.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Donald Duck is told through a radio broadcast that he needs to take his money and spend it on war bonds to help WWII US soldiers win WWII.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Ford Beebe for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walt Disney for making the film possible.  Cast includes Clarence Nash, John Dehner, and Don Brodie.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes.  This is a time-encapsulated 'toon' and provides a good look at ways the USA used different kinds of media to sell war bonds. It is cute and fun. Thank you to everyone involved in producing this very nice piece of history. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

BELL BOY DONALD (Released to Theaters USA 1942)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Bell Boy Donald—cute, animated, short film—has the first appearance of P.J., the son of the cartoon character, Pete. P.J. becomes Max Goof's best friend in later movies and television series. In this movie, he is younger and quite obnoxious to Donald Duck. P.J.'s voice moves from the gravelly voice in this film to a softer voice in later films. P.J. is not used in later films until the series of Goof Troop and in toon movies.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Donald Duck is a bell boy and has one last chance to be nice to the hotel guests. But then he meets Pete and Pete, Jr. (P.J.) and the story is on.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Jack King for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walt Disney for making the film possible.  Cast includes Clarence Nash, John McLeish, Glen Couch, and John Dehner.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a cute short film that tells a sweet, comical story. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers