{"id":34474,"date":"2014-09-09T08:55:13","date_gmt":"2014-09-09T12:55:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/?p=34474"},"modified":"2022-02-06T00:05:04","modified_gmt":"2022-02-06T05:05:04","slug":"movie-review-melody-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/movie-review-melody-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Movie Review: Melody Time"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"DVD<\/a>
DVD Cover \u00a9Disney<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Melody Time <\/em>was released on May 27, 1948 as the 10th<\/sup> full-length animated feature in Disney history. The 75-minute flick was the fifth in a line of six consecutive package films released by the studio. The package films combined numerous short segments based around a common theme, in this case music, as opposed to a single plot-based story.<\/p>\n

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

Melody Time<\/em> incorporates eight short segments, \u201cOnce Upon a Wintertime,\u201d \u201cBumble Boogie,\u201d \u201cJohnny Appleseed,\u201d \u201cLittle Toot,\u201d \u201cTrees,\u201d \u201cBlame It on the Samba,\u201d \u201cBlue Shadows on the Trail,\u201d and \u201cPecos Bill,\u201d which showcase diverse music and animation styles.<\/p>\n

Towards the end of the opening credits, the narrator gleefully tells viewers to \u201ccome on in, and join the fun; there\u2019s something here for everyone!\u201d This line summarizes Walt Disney\u2019s goal in creating the package films: to offer different styles of a similar concept such as to appeal to a broad audience. (1)<\/p>\n

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

The music style changes amongst the segments to account for different themes and moods. For example, \u201cOnce Upon a Wintertime\u201d features a soothing love song, \u201cLittle Toot\u201d utilizes swing, and \u201cPecos Bill\u201d brings country western to the mix. The songs were performed by notable contemporary musicians, including Frances Langford, The Andrews Sisters, and Roy Rogers.<\/p>\n

Some of the segments artfully synchronize the music to the on-screen action. In \u201cOnce Upon a Wintertime,\u201d the lady sliding down the ice is accompanied by a long note; the man scraping the ice is accompanied by a sharp note; and the angry walk of the lady is accompanied by short notes. Similarly, in \u201cTrees,\u201d the notes increase in duration as the ripple effect grows in the water.<\/p>\n

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

Melody Time <\/em>utilizes different animation styles in different segments. While \u201cOnce Upon a Wintertime,\u201d \u201cJohnny Appleseed,\u201d \u201cLittle Toot,\u201d and \u201cPecos Bill\u201d use a typical Disney approach to tell a plot-based story involving characters in real-world settings, \u201cBumble Boogie,\u201d \u201cTrees,\u201d and \u201cBlame It on the Samba,\u201d are more abstract in nature. These latter shorts are visually enticing with surreal backgrounds but possess no real story.<\/p>\n

All of the segments are adequately animated, but I thought \u201cTrees\u201d stood out in this regard. Various aspects of the forest, including the tree, the sky, and a pond, are beautifully executed and exude a peaceful feeling. I think \u201cTrees\u2019 would be enjoyable to watch even without music.<\/p>\n

Additionally, \u201cBlame It on the Samba,\u201d \u201cBlue Shadows on the Trail,\u201d and \u201cPecos Bill\u201d incorporate live actors into the cartoons.<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

Lessons<\/strong><\/p>\n

Life lessons are depicted through \u201cJohnny Appleseed,\u201d \u201cLittle Toot,\u201d and \u201cPecos Bill.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJohnny Appleseed\u201d demonstrates the power of faith as well as the Golden Rule. Though Johnny is far from the strongest man in terms of muscles, he nonetheless succeeds because of his determination and passion surrounding the planting of apple trees. Applying the Golden Rule aids Johnny when he first ventures into the forest because the animals are willing to cooperate with the respectful settler. If Johnny was mean to the critters, he would have likely been bear chow, but I digress.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Toot\u201d exudes the importance of hard work and maturity. It also shows that one\u2019s decisions can impact others and that redemption is possible. The title character, a young tug boat, only realizes the detriments of his inappropriate behavior after being arrested and \u201cdisgrace[ing] his father\u2019s name.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPecos Bill\u201d shows the flaws in seemingly good people\u2026and, well, horses. Ah, personification at its best. Anyway, to get back on track, Bill\u2019s horse, Widowmaker, becomes dangerously jealous when the human\u2019s girlfriend, Slue-Foot Sue, begins to occupy most of Bill\u2019s time.<\/p>\n

\u201cPecos Bill\u201d also incorporates several geography and science lessons, but I\u2019m not sure they\u2019re entirely accurate; more on this in the next section.<\/p>\n

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

Have you ever wondered why wolves howl, or how the Gulf of Mexico and the Rio Grande came to be? Well, I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that \u201cPecos Bill\u201d provides answers to these questions. The bad news is that the answers are comically inaccurate.<\/p>\n

Bill is incredible at imitating animals. He can run with an antelope, hop with a jackrabbit, and scare a rattlesnake into a worm.<\/p>\n

The apple celebration segment in \u201cJohnny Appleseed\u201d is rather amusing. This scene demonstrates why biting an apple that\u2019s hanging by a thread isn\u2019t a good idea.<\/p>\n

The abstract works contain numerous bizarre visuals. For example, the bee in \u201cBumble Boogie\u201d rides a keyboard that morphs into a snake and is nearly crushed by quarter notes. Similarly, in \u201cBlame It on the Samba,\u201d Donald Duck and Jose Caricoa ride an eighth note into a whole\u2026err, hole.<\/p>\n

On that note, let\u2019s move on!<\/p>\n

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

Some scenes in Melody Time<\/em> may push you to the edge your seat.<\/p>\n

Will the lady in \u201cOnce Upon a Wintertime\u201d be rescued before she drifts over the waterfall? Will the curious skunk spray Johnny Appleseed such as to banish him from the forest? Will Slue-Foot Sue survive her intentional ejection from Widowmaker?<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll have to watch the movie to find out!<\/p>\n

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

As related figures, such as Paul Bunyan and Davy Crockett, are addressed at the start of \u201cJohnny Appleseed,\u201d so too are they at the commencement of both portions of The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad<\/em> (1949).<\/p>\n

The stars of \u201cBlame It on the Samba,\u201d Donald Duck, Jose Carioca, and Panchito Pistoles, were the title characters of The Three Caballeros<\/em> (1944). Donald and Jose Carioca originally appeared in Saludos Amigos<\/em> (1942).<\/p>\n

Similar to Pecos Bill, human characters were raised by animals in both The Jungle Book<\/em> (1967) and Tarzan<\/em> (1999).<\/p>\n

Bobby Driscoll, who appeared as the live-action cowboy child in the final two segments, later voiced the title character in Peter Pan<\/em> (1953).<\/p>\n

\u201cPecos Bill\u201d reminded me of \u201cGaucho Goofy\u201d from Saludos Amigos<\/em> because of the cowboy theme and silly antics.<\/p>\n

A pair of Siamese cats appears in \u201cPecos Bill.\u201d Such felines play an important role in Lady and the Tramp <\/em>(1955).<\/p>\n

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

Donald Duck, Jose Carioca, and Panchito Pistoles lead guests on a boat ride, \u201cGran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros,\u201d through Epcot\u2019s indoor Mexico pavilion.<\/p>\n

Guests at Walt Disney World\u2019s Magic Kingdom can enjoy lunch and dinner at Frontierland\u2019s \u201cPecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Caf\u00e9,\u201d a counter service restaurant with a legendary toppings bar.<\/p>\n

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

Melody Time<\/em> is fragmented, but the individual segments are enjoyable. It may be best to watch the film over multiple viewings such as to better judge the various shorts on their own terms. For example, if you dislike \u201cBlame It on the Samba,\u201d your displeasure may transfer to \u201cPecos Bill.\u201d A break might be beneficial in such a situation to clear your head.<\/p>\n

Notes<\/strong><\/p>\n

1) Watts, S. (1997). Disney’s Descent. The Magic Kingdom: Walt Disney and the American Way of Life<\/em> (). Columbia, Missouri: University of Missouri Press, pp. 248-9.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What do you think of Melody Time? 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 Melody Time from our Affiliate Link through Amazon.<\/a> Thanks so much for your support!<\/span><\/p>\n

Incoming search terms:<\/h4>
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