Thanksgiving movies?

Why aren't there Thanksgiving movies? Various tv channels have weeks dedicated to Halloween movies and then Christmas ones (actually it's like a month worth of Christmas movies!)...but what about the holiday in between???? I guess it isn't as commercial as the other season: Halloween candy and Christmas is all about the gifts, but still where is the love for Thanksgiving? There are barely any Thanksgiving songs.... Work on that Hollywood!

"We've got ANOTHER holiday to worry about. It seems Thanksgiving Day is upon us."
"I haven't even finished eating all of my Halloween candy."

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973) minutes

Peppermint Patty invites herself, Marcie, and Franklin to the Brown's for Thanksgiving...unfortunately Charlie Brown (and family) is supposed to go to his grandmother's for dinner. Linus suggests having two dinners: a small one for their friends and then grandma's house for the real dinner with family. With Snoopy and Woodstock's help, they get the table and food ready. Will their guests be satisfied with the "feast"?
A stable Thanksgiving film....they always show it on TV. Honestly, it isn't a holiday without a Peanut's special. My only problem...where's Lucy?

It's America Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyages (1988)

Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Woodstock, Lucy, Linus, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Schroeder, Sally and Pigpen are pilgrims traveling on the Mayflower, beginning in England. They survive the wilds of the ocean and the sickness onboard, and learn from the Native Americans they meet. Finishing with the first Thanksgiving feast and a rendition of the classic Peanuts song with Schroeder on piano, Lucy on trumpet, and Snoopy beating the drum.
The Peanuts characters are involved in all aspects of life on the Mayflower and at the New World. They interact with the historical figures, and add some of their own humor to different situations.

My Top Disney Films #6

#6 The Emperor's New Groove

"Uh-oh."
"Don't tell me. We're about to go over a huge waterfall."
"Yep."
"Sharp rocks at the bottom?"
"Most likely."
"Bring it on"

Arrogant emperor Kuzco (Spade) has everything he could want: a man to sing about him, Theme Song Guy (Jones) and people to do everything he says. When he fires his "scary beyond all reason" advisor Yzma (Kitt), she tries to kill him...but with the "help" of her assistant Kronk (Warburton) she turns him into a llama instead. Kuzco, the llama, ends up seeking help from llama herder Pacha (Goodman) who he hates.
Pacha and Kuzco begin the journey back to the palace. Meanwhile, Yzma has declared herself the new emperor, until she learns that Kuzco is still alive...so she goes looking for him with Kronk, which involves getting directions from a squirrel.

Squeaky, uh, squeak, sqeaker, squeakin'.

In the middle are Pacha's pregnant wife Chicha (Malick), daughter Chaca (Kelso), and son Tipo (Linnetz).

The reason I chose this film:
There are so many memorable lines in this film! While you expect a cute kids movie, this film delivers clean adult humor and a complicated but incredibly funny story. David Spade's dry humor lends itself to the story and makes Kuzco even funnier. While the story is about Kuzco, Kronk and Yzma get more laughs. The dialogue between Eartha Kitt and Patrick Warburton (who delivers every time) is smart and funny and moves at a fast pace. Kronk is probably my favorite character. I want to become a Junior Chipmunk and be versed in all woodland creatures, lol.  Also, this is my roommate's favorite Disney movie and in her top 5 favorite movies.

The Emperor's New Groove (2000) 78 minutes
Director: Mark Dindal
Starring: David Spade as Emperor Kuzco
John Goodman as Pacha
Eartha Kitt as Yzma
Patrick Warburton as Kronk
Wendie Malick as Chicha
Kellyann Kelso as Chaca
Eli Russell Linnetz as Tipo
Tom Jones as Theme Song Guy

My Top Disney Films #7

#7 Hercules

"Aren't you...a damsel in distress?"
"I'm a damsel, I'm in distress, I can handle this. Have a nice day."

In Greek mythology one character stands out above the rest, Hercules (Donovan). Herc is born with incredible strength and impressive parentage: Zeus (Torn) and Hera (Samantha Eggar), the king and queen of the gods. However, his jealous uncle Hades (Woods) sends his imbecilic, shape shifting cronies Pain (Goldthwait) and Panic (Frewer) to get rid of the infant. They end up making him mortal (although he is still incredibly strong) and is raised by mortals.
Growing up with incredible strength that he can't control, Herc learns about his true parentage and sets out to become a hero so he can go home. With his winged horse Pegasus and satyr Philoctetes (DeVito), takes hero training. As Greece watches, he is able to face and defeat every foe he encounters...but he has one weakness: (see below)

Megara (Egan). Meg works for Hades, who is still trying to get rid of Herc.

Reason I chose this film:
This is the first in a long line of Disney films that openly mocks itself and Disney in general...and it works. The characters are entertaining, especially James Woods as Hades. And the music is amazing! The muses, who essentially tell the story, sing most of the songs and are voiced by Broadway stars...making their songs even more powerful and entertaining, although the best song is Meg's "I Won't Say I'm in Love." It isn't like any other Disney film...and it changed the look of Disney, although it doesn't receive as much recognition as other Disney films.

Hercules (1997) 92 minutes
Director: Ron Clements and John Musker
Starring: Tate Donovan as Hercules
Danny DeVito as Philoctetes
James Woods as Hades
Susan Egan as Megara
Bob Goldthwait as Pain
Matt Frewer as Panic
Rip Torn as Zeus
Charlton Heston as the Narrator

The Muses

Lillia White as Calliope the Muse of Epics (Lead Muse)

Vaneese Y. Thomas as Clio the Muse of History (Muse with ponytail)
Cheryl Freeman as Melpomene the Muse of Tragedy (Muse with long hair)
La Chanze as Terpsichore the Muse of Dance (Muse with frizzy hair)
Roz Ryan as Thalia the Muse of Comedy (short Muse)

My Top Disney Films #8

#8 Sleeping Beauty

"Well, I'm really not supposed to speak to strangers, but we've met before."

The birth of Princess Aurora brings forth all the magical creatures in the area. The three good fairies, arrive to bless the princess. Flora (Felton) in pink, gives the gift of beauty, Fauna (Allen) in green, gives the gift of music, but Merryweather (Luddy) in blue is interrupted by the prescence of the evil Maleficent (Audley) who curses the princess: when she turns 16 she will prick her finger on a spinning wheel and die. The good fairies are unable to do Maleficent's curse, so Merryweather uses her gift to alter the story, Aurora won't dies, she'll sleep until she is awoken by a kiss from her true love.
The fairies, and the King and Queen, know that Maleficent won't allow her plan to be changed, so they form a secret plan (see below)

But I don't want tea!

to save her life. The fairies put away their magic wands, and under the cover of darkness, leave the castle with the baby. Sixteen years later they prepare for Aurora (now Briar Rose)'s birthday, while she walks through the forest singing with her animal friends. While she is strolling around, she is met by the handsome Prince Phillip (Shirley) to whom she is bethroved (although they do not know each other), and they fall in love. Back at the cottage, the fairies try to make a perfect birthday gown and cake for their beloved Rose/Aurora, but their efforts are in vain. So Merryweather breaks out the wands, and Flora and Merryweather fight sending magical sparks up the chimney, alerting Maleficent to their location.

Reason I chose this film:
I love the fairies*...they are very funny and endearing, and my favorite part of the film. I love the story, and the way it is drawn. Maleficent was always incredibly scary, as are her minions, so while I always liked this film, it was never my favorite because she was a bit to intense for me. I'm not a fan of the song, maybe it's Aurora's voice, or maybe it's just the song...it's memorable, but not my favorite.

*I love the fight between Flora and Merryweather. I like Merryweather more, but the pink dress is prettier (I'm a pink girl)...but I can accept the blue

Sleeping Beauty (1959) 75 minutes
Director: Clyde Geronimi
Starring: Mary Costa as Princess Aurora / Briar Rose
Bill Shirley as Prince Phillip
Eleanor Audley as Maleficent
Verna Felton as Flora
Barbara Luddy as Merryweather
Barbara Jo Allen as Fauna

Run Fatboy Run

"Go on then, run!"
"Isn't there some kind of like... special technique?"
"Well... yeah... you put one leg in front of the other over and over again really really fast."

Five years ago Dennis (Pegg) ran away from his pregnant girlfriend Libby (Newton) at the altar. He continues to disappoint her by continually messing up, although she has allowed him to be a part of their son Jake's (Fenton) life. Dennis still has feelings for Libby, but their relationship is complicated by the arrival of her new boyfriend Whit (Azaria) who is the opposite of Dennis. Whit is in top shape, and preparing to run a 26 mile marathon...Dennis is out of shape (although he is not fat, he just has a little gut), but to prove himself, he decides to run the marathon as well. Dennis has never finished anything, smokes and drinks a lot, and has never run a marathon.

His best friend, Libby's cousin Gordon (Moran) is a gambler, and bets his card buddies that Dennis will finish the race. To protect his investment he becomes Dennis' coach, despite being out of shape himself. He also enlists Dennis' landlord Mr. Goshdashtidar (Patel) as the assistant coach. Dennis is behind on his rent and is continually locked out of his apartment by Mr. G or his daughter Maya (de Beaufort). If he finishes the race his overdue rent will be overlooked, otherwise he will be out on the street. With the race just 3 weeks away Dennis must train for the grueling 26 miles, and find a sponsor for the race (it is for charity).


Enjoyable...I liked Simon Pegg's other big films, Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead, better, but still an entertaining film. The best scenes involved Gordon (who was in Shaun of the Dead). You never know what he'll do, and the anticipation helps him steal the show. Simon Pegg is a likeable slacker, and his charm saves Dennis, making him likeable and even sympathetic. This is the first time I've seen Hank Azaria play the straight-man (or a straight man), and I feel like his talents are being wasted as Whit.

Ultimately you know how the film will end, and can predict some jokes (like the blister scene, which was shown in the trailer), but there are surprises throughout. Dennis' relationship with Jake is endearing, and almost tearful...as is the marathon scene (the later parts). There are big laughs in the spin class (see pic above) and the training scenes (and his scary short shorts). A good Friday night movie (after a long week).

Rent it: it's Simon Pegg, I think that's really all I need to say
Dude, it's quotable: most of Gordon's lines are hysterical, along with some other zingers

Run Fatboy Run (2007) 100 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for some rude and sexual humor, nudity, language and smoking.
Director: David Schwimmer
Starring: Simon Pegg as Dennis Doyle
Thandie Newton as Libby
Hank Azaria as Whit
Dylan Moran as Gordon
Harish Patel as Mr. Goshdashtidar
India de Beaufort as Maya G. Das
Matthew Fenton as Jake

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

"Do you want to put some clothes on!"
"Oh, would you like to pick out the outfit that you break up with me in!"

Peter (Segel) has a good life. For the last five years he has been writing music of a successful C.S.I.-esque show and dating the lead, Sarah Marshall (Bell). She arrives at their apartment, and proceeds to break up with a nude Peter (it is awkward, and the quote above is part of their conversation). She leaves, and he is left to wallow. Everything in the apartment reminds him of their 5 years together, and on television he learns that she has a new beau, rocker Aldous Snow (Brand). Peter's step brother Brian (Hader) suggests a vacation, so Peter decides to go to Hawaii to forget about his misery.

Of course, he ends up staying at the same resort as Sarah and Aldous. He divides his time between crying and drinking, but eventually decides to interact with people. He takes surfing lessons from stoner Chuck (Paul Rudd) and begins a friendship with the hotel receptionist, Rachel (Kunis), and learns how to have fun again.


This is my first Judd Apatow film...well, the first one I finished (I watched the majority of "Superbad"), and I don't really feel like I was missing much. This film was a little too raunchy for my tastes: we see Peter naked twice, lots of sex (mostly played for laughs), and there is a subplot about newlyweds Darald (McBrayer) and Wyoma (Thayer) which is all about their sex life. There were laughs, like Peter's Dracula "rock opera" with puppets (probably the funniest part of the film), and the dinner scene (with the four main characters). Overall, while some parts were funny, it was hard to connect with all the characters. I like Jason Segel (I love "How I Met Your Mother") and he had some good moments, and I like Jack McBrayer (he is incredible on 30 Rock) but I just couldn't enjoy his scenes here (even though the characters he plays are similar). The interactions with Peter's step brother and his wife (Cackowski) weren't particularly interesting or funny...and Jonah Hill stalking Aldous was just weird. Russell Brand was probably the most memorable character, while the two main women (Kristen Bell and Mila Kunis) just didn't seem plausible... I can appreciate aspects of the film, but I don't think I would watch the whole thing again. I am curious about other Apatow films (like "Knocked Up"), but based on this film, and the parts I saw of "Superbad" and "Walk Hard," I don't think I'm missing much.

--: It was o.k., but definitely not for everyone....if you like this kind of humor, go for it..
--: I can't recommend this film...but it hasn't really changed my opinion of the actors involved... if they cut out the nudity (I don't need / want to see it...what happened to the whole "less is more" scenario?) and the newlyweds subplot it would be better....

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) 112 minutes
Rating: R for sexual content, language and some graphic nudity
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Starring: Jason Segel as Peter Bretter
Kristen Bell as Sarah Marshall
Mila Kunis as Rachel
Russell Brand as Aldous Snow
Bill Hader as Brian Bretter
Liz Cackowski as Liz Bretter
Maria Thayer as Wyoma
Jack McBrayer as Darald
Jonah Hill as Matt (the Waiter)
Paul Rudd as Chuck

My Top Disney Films #9

#9 Finding Nemo

[exasperated] "Who's that? Who else would it be? It's me!"
"Are... are you my conscience?"
[sighs] "Yes, I'm your conscience. We haven't spoken for a while. How are you?"
"Eh, can't complain."
"Good. Now, Dory, do you see anything?"
"Yes, I see... a light. Hey, conscience, am I dead?"
"No, I see it too."

Marlin (Brooks) is a cautious fish. His wife and all but one of his children are killed by larger fish. His surviving child, Nemo (Gould) has a crippled fin, and is overprotected. On his first day of school, after being publically embarassed, Nemo goes into open water and is captured by a diver. Marlin swims after their boat, but isn't fast enough. Luckily, he meets Dory (DeGeneres) a fish with short term memory problems, who can read and saw the direction the boat was heading. On their journey to Sydney, Australia they have run ins with sharks, a whale, jellyfish (see below)

Squishy!

and some surfer-dude turtles.

Meanwhile, Nemo is the newest addition to the fish tank in a dentist office. The leader of these fish, Gil (Dafoe) is a master of escape, and begins formulating a plate to liberate the occupants of the tank which involves Nemo taking a risk, and everybody getting a little dirty.

Reason I chose this film:
This is my favorite Disney / Pixar film. I had the opportunity to see this film in theaters twice and was impressed by the technical advances (it looks pretty impressive). There are lots of apparent themes (or as my father says, "themes for parents"). Plus, this film is willing to laugh at itself and similar types of films.

Finding Nemo (2003) 100 minutes
Director: Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich
Starring: Albert Brooks as Marlin
Ellen DeGeneres as Dory
Alexander Gould as Nemo
Willem Dafoe as Gil
Brad Garrett as Bloat
Allison Janney as Peach
Austin Pendleton as Gurgle
Stephen Root as Bubbles
Vicki Lewis as Deb / Flo
Geoffrey Rush as Nigel

My Top Disney Films #10

#10 The Lion King

"Let me get this straight. You know her. She knows you. But she wants to eat him. And everybody's okay with this? [jumps up suddenly] Did I miss something?"

The Pride Lands are ruled by King Mufasa (Jones), who has a son Simba (Thomas) to carry on his legacy. Mufasa, and his assistant Zazu (Atkinson), teach Simba about becoming king...with hands-on pouncing lessons. While things seem to be going well for the royal family, darkness lurks around the corner in the form of Mufasa's brother Scar (Irons). With a little help from Scar (and a herd of wildebeest), Mufasa is killed and Simba is on the run.

After running away, Simba is rescued by an unlikely pair: smelly but sensitive warthog Pumbaa (Sabella), and the "brains of the outfit" meercat Timon (Lane) who teach Simba (Broderick) "hakuna matata: it means no worries" (see below).

Don't you sing with all your friends?

They are happily living in the present, until Simba's past catches up with him and literally knocks some sense into his head.

Reason I chose this film:
There is so much to talk about in this film. The songs are strong and memorable (Elton John and Tim Rice), you relate to the characters, there is a good balance between serious storytelling and humor. Timon and Pumbaa steal the show...hands down, and are voiced by two talented actors. You can't help but react to the death of Mufasa and other important events, and the film takes you through a series of emotions. It is a good film, not my favorite, but still good.

The Lion King (1994) 89 minutes
Director: Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff
Starring: Matthew Broderick as Adult Simba
Jonathan Taylor Thomas as Young Simba
James Earl Jones as King Mufasa
Jeremy Irons as Scar
Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa
Nathan Lane as Timon
Robert Guillaume as Rafiki
Rowan Atkinson as Zazu
Moira Kelly as Nala
Whoopi Goldberg as Shenzi
Cheech Marin as Banzai
Jim Cummings as Ed

My Top Disney Films #11

#11 Oliver & Company

"Picture the city. 8th and Broadway. The crowd's hustling. The traffic's roaring. The hot dogs are sizzling."
"I love a story with food in it."

A homeless kitten named Oliver (Lawrence) can't find food, so he teams up with the streetwise dog Dodger (Joel) who runs off without sharing the profits. Oliver follows him, and learns that Dodger and his canine pals steal from humans to survive. The gang is Rita (Ralph) the sassy female, Francis (Browne) the soap opera lover with a broad vocabulary, Einstein (Mulligan) the big dumb one, and Tito (Marin) the fiery Chihuahua. They live on a barge, and need to make a huge profit because their "owner" Fagin (DeLuise) owns money to the slimy Mr. Sykes (Loggia). Sykes comes to collect, bringing his two evil dobermans. While Fagin negotiates with Sykes, the gang defends Oliver against the dobermans...and they decide to let him join their gang.

The next day, during their heist, Oliver gets stranded. Thankfully, he is found by a little girl named Penny (Gregory) who immediately falls in love, and takes him home, must to the chagrin of her pampered dog, Georgette (Midler, see below).

I'd like a different mirror, please

Georgette doesn't like sharing the spotlight, and is thrilled when the gang shows up to rescue Oliver. Oliver is not happy, but he is the key to Fagin's salvation.

Reason I chose this film:The music is great...and it should be with Billy Joel and Bette Midler in the cast. I am currently listening to "Why Should I Worry" on my iPod (I like Billy Joel). This is an updated version of Charles Dicken's classic Oliver Twist, with animals in the main roles. The dogs are funny, but Midler's Georgette manages to steal the show. From her opening number ("Perfect Isn't Easy") to her response to Tito's advances (she calls him a "bug-eyed creep) she is the funniest character on the screen. Tito is a close second, he has some classic lines. I saw this film when it was originally in theaters, and I even had a Dodger ornament (it was pretty hard core). 

Oliver and Company (1988) minutes
Director: George Scribner
Starring: Joseph Lawrence as Oliver
Billy Joel as Dodger
Cheech Marin as Tito
Richard Mulligan as Einstein
Roscoe Lee Browne as Francis
Sheryl Lee Ralph as Rita
Dom DeLuise as Fagin
Robert Loggia as Sykes
Natalie Gregory as Jenny
Bette Midler as Georgette

My Top Disney Films #12

#12 AristoCats

"We were just practicing biting and clawing."
"Aristocats do not practice biting and clawing, and things like that. It's just horrible."
"But someday, we might meet a tough alley cat."

Duchess (Gabor) and her talented children live a pampered life. Daughter Marie (English) is a diva in training, son Berlioz (Clark, the gray one) is a piano virtuoso, and Toulouse (Dubin, orange one) is a master painter. They live with their wealthy owner, Madame (Baddeley), and have their every need met by her butler Edgar (Maude-Roxby). When Madame's lawyer Georges (Lane) comes to write her will, she decides to leave everything to her cats. Edgar overhears the plan, and decides to get rid of the cats.

He drugs the cats, and drops them by the side of the road. Thankfully, they are found by the street wise alleycat, Thomas O'Malley (Harris) who offers to show them the way home. Along the way they meet a slew of interesting charcters: the geese sisters Abigail and Amelia and their "marinated" Uncle Waldo, and a bunch of swinging cats (see below).

Don't eat me...I just want to learn how to be a cat!

Meanwhile, back at Madame's their mouse buddy Roquefort (Holloway) tries to keep tabs on Edgar and find the cats before it is too late.

Reason I chose this film:
These are a bunch of swinging cats...the music is great (Everybody Wants to be a Cat). My brother likes to quote the line "You're not a lady...you're nothing but a sister." There are lots of good lines between the siblings, plus, they are completely adorable. The supporting characters are great: Scat Cat and the band, the geese, and the two dogs...and they almost manage to steal the show.

AristoCats (1970) 78 minutes
Director: Wolfgang Reitherman
Starring: Phil Harris as O'Malley
Eva Gabor as Duchess
Sterling Holloway as Roquefort
Scatman Crothers as Scat Cat
Dean Clark as Berlioz
Liz English as Marie
Gary Dubin as Toulouse
Charles Lane as Georges Hautecourt
Hermoine Baddeley as Madame
Roddy Maude-Roxby as Edgar

My Top Disney Films #13

#13 Peter Pan

"All of this has happened before, and it will all happen again.

Wendy Darling (Beaumont) is a storyteller. She often tells her brothers, the studious John (Collins) and the young Michael (Luske), stories about a boy who never grew up, Peter Pan (Driscoll). But her stories (and use of their fathers good cuff links and shirt front) frustrate their father (Conried), and she will be moved out of the nursery so she can grow up. Their parents leave for the evening, and Peter Pan appears and decides to take the children to Never Land with him. With a little help from his fairy friend, Tinkerbell, sprinkles them with pixie dust and teaches them how to fly.

In Never Land they are attacked by the pirate, Captain Hook (also Conried), and then by the Lost Boys (see below).

Yes, I am an animal lover...

Peter banishes Tinkerbell (who is jealous of Wendy), and takes Wendy to meet the mermaids, while Michael and John go hunting for Indians with the Lost Boys, while Captain Hook and his first mate Mr. Smee (Thompson) plot.

Reason I chose this film:
There have been many versions of J.M. Barrie's story...and many different film versions (2003's live action Peter Pan, and 1991's Hook). Having never read the book, I can't say how close this is to the story (according to imdb.com, this is the farthest from the original story), but it has a certain charm. No it is not politically correct (there is a song "What Makes the Red Man Red"), but if you can overlook that, you will witness the charm of the story. Never Land is beautiful and without this film Disney wouldn't have Tinkerbell, their mascot (who opens all of their films...well, she used to). Captain Hook is mostly played for laughs, as is the crocodile, but overall it is very entertaining.

Peter Pan (1953) 77 minutes
Director: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske
Starring: Bobby Driscoll as Peter Pan
Kathryn Beaumont as Wendy Darling
Hans Conried as Captain Hook / Mr. Darling
Bill Thompson as Mr. Smee / Other Pirates
Heather Angel as Mrs. Darling
Paul Collins as John Darling
Tommy Luske as Michael Darling
Candy Candido as Indian Chief
Tom Conway as Narrator

My Top Disney Films #14

#14 Cinderella

"Oh, that clock! Old killjoy. I hear you. 'Come on, get up,' you say, 'Time to start another day.' Even he orders me around. Well, there's one thing. They can't order me to stop dreaming."

Cinderella (Woods) lives as a servant in her own house after her father dies and she is left in the care of her evil stepmother, Lady Tremaine (Audley). Every day she waits on Lady Tremaine and her two obnoxious stepsisters, Drizella (Williams) and Anastacia (Bliss), and their evil cat Lucifer. While her life isn't great, she still has hope: her entourage of singing animals (mice, birds), her dog Bruno, and her dreams.

Meanwhile, the King and Grand Duke (both Van Rooten) are looking for a way to get Prince Charming (Phipps) married. They decide to have a ball, where every "eligible young woman" is invited, and he gets to pick. The Tremaine's get all dolled up and destory Cinderella's hopes of going to the ball (her mice design a suitable dress, but her jealous stepsisters rip it to shreds, literally). Luckily, her Fairy Godmother (Felton) shows up and fixes everything with a little magic. A pumpkin carriage with mice as horses, the horse as coachman, and Bruno (the dog) as the other attendant, and a sparkly new dress (below).

Oooo sparkly!

BUT she only has until midnight to dance her heart out.
Reason I chose this film:
Apparently, this when this was rereleased in the 1980s this was my first Disney experience (in theaters, but I don't remember...so it doesn't count). While Snow White is the first Disney film (which I can respect as such, but it isn't one of my favorites), and the first Disney princess...this film is much more interesting, and the first definitive Disney Princess film (in my opinion). The mice, Jacques and Gus (both MacDonald), practically steal the entire film. They are the funniest characters and the most endearing (I didn't like cats for awhile because of Lucifer chasing the cute mice...not that I liked mice).

Besides that, there is so much to look at, and it pioneered many technical aspects used in later Disney films. According to imdb.com, this film was a gamble for Disney: Snow White was their only hit, and they didn't have much money...and none of those problems show. This film stands the test of time, and still gives little girls the hope that they too can become a princess! It was also the first Disney film to become a live action musical (Rogers and Hammerstein in 1957, starring Julie Andrews).

Cinderella (1950) 74 minutes
Director: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske
Starring: Ilene Woods as Cinderella
Eleanor Audley as Lady Tremaine
Verna Felton as Fairy Godmother
Rhoda Williams as Drizella
James MacDonald as Gus / Jacques
Luis Van Rooten as King / Grand Duke
Lucille Bliss as Anastasia
William Phipps as Prince Charming

My Top Disney Films #15

As I have stated before, I enjoy Disney films... Looking at my personal collection of films, I own quite a few few Disney animated films (and I'm not ashamed to admit that). In honor of that I have decided to talk about my top 15 Disney Animated Classics (includes Pixar films).

____________________________________________________________________
#15 Robin Hood

"One more, one more hiss out of you, and you are walking to Nottingham."
"Snakes don't walk: they slither. So there."

With King Richard (Ustinov) the lion away at the Crusades, his brother Prince John (also Ustinov) has taken control of the English crown. Prince John has a terrible temper, but is a big momma's boy. With the aid of his assistant Sir Hiss (Thomas) and the evil Sheriff of Nottingham (Buttram) he is overtaxing the people of Nottingham. The people can barely scrape enough money together to buy food, or new clothing for themselves. Saving them from starvation is the fox Robin Hood (Bedford) and his best pal Little John (Harris). They repeatedly rob Prince John, with their various disguises, and give the money to the people. After Robin Hood publically humilates the Prince, the taxes are tripled and most of the town is arrested. It's up to Robin to save the day (and the town).

The love of his life, Maid Marian (Evans), also helps out the people by befriending the kids below

Aren't they adorable?

after they shoot an arrow into the castle grounds. And by her side is the outspoken Lady Cluck (Shelley) who likes to cause trouble. My favorite characters are the Sheriff's vulture cronies Trigger (Lindsey) who carries a cross-bow and has an itchy trigger finger, and Nutsy (Curtis) the dumb one.

Reason I chose this film:
Even though many characters / scenes (such as the Dance) are from previous films, it still has an energy to it. There have been many versions of Robin Hood, but this is probably one of my favorites. This is the one I have seen the most (my brother used to love this Disney film)...and the characters are feisty. The children are adorable (as the picture above shows). The songs aren't the best or entirely memorable, but they are o.k. Most of the songs are performed by Roger Miller (the Rooster), who also narrates the story.
It might not be the best, but for nostalgia sake, I still enjoy it!

Robin Hood (1973) 83 minutes
Director: Wolfgang Reitherman
Starring: Roger Miller as Allan-A-Dale (Rooster)
Peter Ustinov as Prince John / King Richard (Lions)
Terry-Thomas as Sir Hiss (Snake)
Brian Bedford as Robin Hood (Fox)
Monica Evans as Maid Marian (Fox)
Phil Harris as Little John (Bear)
Andy Devin as Friar Tuck (Badger)
Carole Shelley as Lady Kluck (Chicken)
Pat Buttram as Sheriff of Nottingham (Wolf)
George Lindsey as Trigger (Vulture)
Ken Curtis as Nutsy (Vulture)