Munir's Disney Retrospective -- Animated Classic #10: Melody Time (1948)

By Munir Abedrabbo.

Last Week's: Munir's Disney Retrospective -- Animated Classic #9: Fun and Fancy Free (1947)

Very similar to Make Mine Music in structure, Melody Time nonetheless manages to provide a much more satisfying experience than the former. Whereas Make Mine Music featured uneven segments that leaves the viewer wanting, Melody Time showcases a very stable selection of shorts that are fun and entertaining without become tiresome or redundant. Shorts like The Legend of Johnny Appleseed, Pecos Bill and Blame it on the Samba are sure to delight any Disney fan or casual viewer. While Melody does not match the quality of Fun and Fancy Free, it is nonetheless one of this period's better offerings. Rating: 3.5/5.

Next Week: Animated Classic #11 Review: The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)

Munir's Disney Retrospective -- War Period Introduction

By Munir Abedrabbo.

War Period: The Anthology Films (1943-1949)

Overview

After a far too short period of developing and innovating animation techniques and completely changing the animation industry with ambitious projects, World War II took its toll on the Disney Studio. Pinocchio, Fantasia and Bambi weren't as successful as Walt had hoped and, out of a need to keep the studio afloat during and after the War, he had to cut expense. Disney then released a series of inexpensive shorts, encompassed in various feature films. Universally known as the Anthology Films nowadays, this period is rather obscure for the casual Disney fan that tends to jump from the end of the Golden Age with Bambi to the Silver Age with Cinderella. Nonetheless, even if these films aren't widely known, and even if many of them offer uneven experiences to the audience, they are certainly worth a look and they’re an important part of the studio’s history during that difficult time.

 

Tomorrow: Animated Classic #6 Review: Saludos Amigos