EEK! a mouse! this movie is so off the wall and gets trippier every time i see this weird little piece of Disney nostagia. it probably doesn't deserve 10 stars like 'Fantasia' or some of the other Disney feature length classics from the 40's, but it's so good and such excellent cinema, not to mention a classic gem, that i had to give it the very best rating.
this film really is a pseudo tour of the original Burbank studio (i consider the Burbabk studio to be Walt's first because he didn't create the Hyperion building he only leased it). it's not a real documentary or actual tour, it's really live-action, animated entertainment in disguise. it's main goal seems to be to entertain the viewer than actually inform them on the real life workings of the studio. almost every process they depict is fictionalized to some degree.
and the whole effect is very entertaining. not to mention very magical, whimsical and colorful. they really make the 1940's Burbank studio seem like a fairy tale fantasy world. the film even has a magical switch from B&W to color a la 'Wizard of Oz'. and the scene where Clarence Nash and the voice of Clara Cluck perform is hilarious and fun. the film's central character, Robert Benchley playing himself, is bumbling and funny doing his usual comedy routines. and of course, there is an appearance by a thirtyish looking Walter E .
the title cartoon 'Reluctant Dragon', is some of the funniest and best animation ever produced by the studio. the animation is every bit as accomplished and imaginative as any 'Silly Symphony'.
every Christmas (dont know why xmas)i sit down and watch this and am always amused. it's one of cinema's best photographed and clever, psychedelic mind blowers.
this film really is a pseudo tour of the original Burbank studio (i consider the Burbabk studio to be Walt's first because he didn't create the Hyperion building he only leased it). it's not a real documentary or actual tour, it's really live-action, animated entertainment in disguise. it's main goal seems to be to entertain the viewer than actually inform them on the real life workings of the studio. almost every process they depict is fictionalized to some degree.
and the whole effect is very entertaining. not to mention very magical, whimsical and colorful. they really make the 1940's Burbank studio seem like a fairy tale fantasy world. the film even has a magical switch from B&W to color a la 'Wizard of Oz'. and the scene where Clarence Nash and the voice of Clara Cluck perform is hilarious and fun. the film's central character, Robert Benchley playing himself, is bumbling and funny doing his usual comedy routines. and of course, there is an appearance by a thirtyish looking Walter E .
the title cartoon 'Reluctant Dragon', is some of the funniest and best animation ever produced by the studio. the animation is every bit as accomplished and imaginative as any 'Silly Symphony'.
every Christmas (dont know why xmas)i sit down and watch this and am always amused. it's one of cinema's best photographed and clever, psychedelic mind blowers.