{"id":34323,"date":"2014-08-26T08:59:53","date_gmt":"2014-08-26T12:59:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/?p=34323"},"modified":"2022-02-06T00:09:47","modified_gmt":"2022-02-06T05:09:47","slug":"movie-review-make-mine-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/movie-review-make-mine-music\/","title":{"rendered":"Movie Review: Make Mine Music"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"DVD
DVD Cover \u00a9Disney<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Make Mine Music<\/em> was released on April 20, 1946 as the eighth full-length animated feature in Disney history and the third in a string of six consecutive package films produced by the studio. The package films incorporated numerous short segments based around a common theme, in this case music, instead of a single plot-based story.<\/p>\n

Structure<\/strong><\/p>\n

The flick utilizes 10 musical animated shorts: \u201cThe Martins and the Coys,\u201d \u201cBlue Bayou,\u201d \u201cAll the Cats Join In,\u201d \u201cWithout You,\u201d \u201cCasey at the Bat,\u201d \u201cTwo Silhouettes,\u201d \u201cPeter and the Wolf,\u201d \u201cAfter You’ve Gone,\u201d \u201cJohnnie Fedora and Alice Bluebonnet,\u201d and \u201cThe Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met.\u201d Because of \u201ccomic gunplay\u201d that was deemed unsuitable for children, Disney cut \u201cThe Martins and the Coys\u201d from its 2000 Gold Edition DVD release of Make Mine Music<\/em>. \u201cBlue Bayou\u201d immediately follows the opening credits on that DVD.<\/p>\n

Music<\/strong><\/p>\n

A variety of music styles, including love, Benny Goodman swing, ballet, and opera, are incorporated in Make Mine Music<\/em>. The purpose of the music differs among the shorts. In some of the segments, such as \u201cBlue Bayou\u201d and \u201cAll the Cats Join In,\u201d the music is the primary focus with the visuals essentially following suit; these segments contain no real story. In \u201cBlue Bayou,\u201d birds beautifully move to the tune of peaceful vocal music. In \u201cAll the Cats Join In,\u201d various human characters, not cats, \u201cgo with the flow\u201d of the swing music, basically reacting on impulse to keep the segment moving. The elemental synchronization of these shorts is artful.<\/p>\n

Other portions, including \u201cCasey at the Bat,\u201d \u201cJohnnie Fedora and Alice Bluebonnet,\u201d and \u201cThe Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met,\u201d feature more developed plots with music helping aid their respective stories. In the latter short, Willie the Whale has a dream of performing at the Metropolitan Opera House and sings numerous songs to showcase his talent.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeter and the Wolf\u201d possesses a strong plot but is also music-driven with different instruments representing different characters. For example, scenes involving Peter, the title child, are accompanied by a string quartet, while segments featuring Ivan the cat are accompanied by clarinet tunes. I have mixed feelings regarding the execution of this short. The use of the instruments is clever and noticeable, but I thought the narration by Sterling Holloway distracted from the music at times. Holloway is a classic Disney narrator, and he added some humor, but I think this short would have been better served by allowing the instrumentation to speak for itself.<\/p>\n

Animation<\/strong><\/p>\n

The animation style and quality varies widely amongst the shorts. Some segments are beautifully animated, while others are uninspired in this regard.<\/p>\n

I found the animation of \u201cBlue Bayou\u201d and \u201cWithout You,\u201d respectively, to be nostalgia inducing with gorgeous images of night skies. The rainy night in \u201cWithout You\u201d perfectly complements the short\u2019s somber love song.<\/p>\n

Conversely, I thought \u201cAll the Cats Join In\u201d was poorly animated. With generic characters and sketchy backgrounds, this short didn\u2019t scream \u201cDisney\u201d to me.<\/p>\n

Finally, \u201cTwo Silhouettes\u201d and \u201cAfter You’ve Gone\u201d utilize visually-appealing abstract animation. \u201cAfter You\u2019ve Gone\u201d showcases dancing instruments and semi-bodies against colorful backdrops, including a boxing ring. Who you got; the woodwind or the string?<\/p>\n

Humor<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cCasey at the Bat\u201d is potentially hilarious for baseball fans. Aspects of normal happenings on the diamond, including base running and sign calling, are afforded some whimsical touches. You may decide to grow a long beard after watching this short because\u2026you\u2019re safe!<\/p>\n

Sterling Holloway\u2019s narration adds some sarcasm to \u201cPeter and the Wolf.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finally, in \u201cThe Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met,\u201d we encounter argumentative academics and seemingly-hypnotized harpoonists.<\/p>\n

Suspense<\/strong><\/p>\n

The most suspenseful portion of\u00a0Make Mine Music<\/em>\u00a0occurs toward the end of \u201cCasey at the Bat.\u201d Here, Casey faces a 0-2 count with both his perfect batting average and the game on the line. A hit will make Casey a bigger hero than he already is; an out will transform him into a proverbial goat. The tension is enhanced by loud and rapid narration coupled with slow pitch delivery.<\/p>\n

\"Make<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cPeter and the Wolf\u201d is suspenseful because of the wolf. Can the various characters survive the wolf\u2019s wrath?<\/p>\n

Finally, in \u201cJohnnie Fedora and Alice Bluebonnet,\u201d the two lovers from the department store window are separated after being purchased by different people. Will the hats reunite and live happily ever after?<\/p>\n

Relationship to Other Disney Films<\/strong><\/p>\n

Because of its music focus, Make Mine Music<\/em> is comparable in scope, not scale, to Fantasia <\/em>(1940).<\/p>\n

Another whale, Monstro, plays a significant role in Pinocchio<\/em> (1940). Sadly or otherwise, Monstro doesn\u2019t sing opera.<\/p>\n

The 2013 Pixar short \u201cThe Blue Umbrella\u201d is similar to \u201cJohnnie Fedora and Alice Bluebonnet\u201d in that inanimate objects fall in love before enduring separation.<\/p>\n

Swing music returns with actual cats impersonating Benny Goodman in The Aristocats <\/em>(1970).<\/p>\n

Holloway is one of the most notable voice actors in Disney history. In addition to narrating such shorts as \u201cSusie the Little Blue Coupe (1952)\u201d and \u201cLambert the Sheepish Lion (1952),\u201d Holloway voiced the Stork in Dumbo<\/em> (1941), Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland<\/em> (1951), Kaa the snake in The Jungle Book <\/em>(1967), Roquefort the Mouse in The Aristocats<\/em>, and Pooh in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh <\/em>(1977).<\/p>\n

In the Parks<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cCasey at the Bat\u201d inspired the \u201cCasey\u2019s Corner<\/a>\u201d restaurant at Walt Disney World\u2019s Magic Kingdom. Located at the end of Main Street USA, this counter-service eatery serves traditional ballpark fare, including hot dogs, fries, Cracker Jack, and cotton candy.<\/p>\n

Also at the Magic Kingdom in Fantasyland, you can find a poster of Willie the Whale performing in the queue while waiting at “Mickey’s PhilharMagic.”\u00a0 The attraction is a 3D show, featuring Donald Duck causing mischief while you are transported to different Disney movies along the way, told through song.<\/p>\n

At Disneyland, guests can enjoy an upscale meal at New Orleans Square\u2019s \u201cBlue Bayou Restaurant<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Overall<\/strong><\/p>\n

The shorts in Make Mine Music<\/em> are inconsistent in quality, but they\u2019re fun, and the music is diverse and excellent.<\/p>\n

What do you think of Make Mine Music? Let me know in a comment!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sponsored Ad:<\/strong>\u00a0 Would you like to help support The Mouse For Less website in continuing their mission of being THE Disney vacation planning resource?\u00a0 You can do so by purchasing Make Mine Music from our Affiliate Link through Amazon<\/a>. Thanks so much for your support!<\/span><\/p>\n

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