Munir's Disney Retrospective -- Animated Classic #15: Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Last Week's: Munir's Disney Retrospective -- Animated Classic #14: Peter Pan (1953)

For his next feature film, Walt Disney departed fairy tales and magical lands, instead focusing on a more down-to earth story about two dogs that fall in love. Set against a lovely turn of the century town, Lady and the Tramp is the quintessential love story. Two dogs from different classes fall for each other, but have to overcome a lot of obstacles in order to be together. That may not sound all too great, but the truth is that Lady and the Tramp is one of the most compelling stories ever created by the studio (and the first one created in the CinemaScope format allowing for a wider aspect ratio). The romanticism in the movie is brilliantly executed without becoming obnoxious, and the ‘Bella Notte’ scene is one of the best ever created for film. It's hard not to fall in love with this movie when every aspect of it is a labour of love. Rating: 5/5.

Next Week: Animated Classic #16 Review: Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Munir's Disney Retrospective -- Silver Age (Part 1) Introduction

By Munir Abedrabbo.

Silver Age (1950-1977)

The 50s

Overview

After a very difficult decade, Walt Disney returned to the feature-length animated form, which he hadn't visited since Bambi in 1942. What followed was a decade of great expansion, not only in the animation department, but also in the introduction of television, - which brought forth a new area of interest for Walt. Also, the culmination of his largest undertaking yet, Disneyland - a long gestating dream which can easily be called the peak of the decade for Walt. But, even with Walt's interests in other areas, the animation department produced five films that can arguably be called classics by today's standards. From the studio-saving Cinderella, to the ambitious and one of a kind Sleeping Beauty, the 50s was a return to form for Walt and his studio and another achievement in his illustrious career.

Tomorrow: Animated Classic #12 Review: Cinderella (1950)

Related posts: Animation Essays - Disney at War, and the Importance of Cinderella

Merry Christmas from A113Animation

Yes, the season is upon us once again. It may not be a white Christmas (not here, anyway), but it feels like it's going to be a good one. If there's one thing we can all agree on, it's that Christmas TV is a gift to us all; case in point, Lady and the Tramp is on BBC1 right now!

So, from all of us here at A113Animation, have a very Merry Christmas and a happy and loving holiday - no matter how you choose to celebrate it. Thank you for visiting us over the past year, and I look forward to wishing you the same seasonal joy this time next year. After all, as Kermit says, there's only one more sleep 'til Christmas.



God bless, and Merry Christmas from A113Animation.