{"id":34854,"date":"2014-10-21T09:01:07","date_gmt":"2014-10-21T13:01:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/?p=34854"},"modified":"2022-02-05T23:52:26","modified_gmt":"2022-02-06T04:52:26","slug":"movie-review-fun-fancy-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/movie-review-fun-fancy-free\/","title":{"rendered":"Movie Review: Fun and Fancy Free"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"DVD<\/a>
DVD Cover Copyright Disney<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fun and Fancy Free<\/em> was released on September 27, 1947 as the ninth full-length animated feature in Disney history and the fourth in a string of six consecutive package films produced by the studio. The package films combined multiple short segments based around a common theme, in this case having fun, as opposed to a single plot-based story. Fun and Fancy Free<\/em> is 73 minutes in length.<\/p>\n

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

The flick\u2019s thread is none other than Jiminy Cricket, the famed conscience of the title puppet from Pinocchio <\/em>(1940). In Fun and Fancy Free<\/em>, Jiminy introduces the two shorts, \u201cBongo\u201d and \u201cMickey and the Beanstalk,\u201d which were based on Sinclair Lewis\u2019 1930 short story \u201cLittle Bear Bongo\u201d and the English fairy tale \u201cJack and the Beanstalk,\u201d respectively. \u201cBongo\u201d is a charming story of an unhappy circus bear who escapes performance life for nature, while \u201cMickey and the Beanstalk\u201d features Mickey, Donald Duck, and Goofy attempting to save a kidnapped harp princess from the castle of Willie the Giant.<\/p>\n

Quality<\/strong><\/p>\n

In his 1997 book The Magic Kingdom: Walt Disney and the American Way of Life<\/em>, Professor Steven Watts of the University of Missouri bluntly observed that the package films arose in part from Walt Disney\u2019s \u201ceroding artistic vision\u201d during the 1940s. (1) The New Yorker<\/em>\u2019s review of Fun and Fancy Free<\/em> upon its release was decidedly scathing, saying, \u201cWalt Disney, who seems to have been determinedly aiming at mediocrity in his recent productions, has not even hit that mark [with Fun and Fancy Free<\/em>].\u201d (2)<\/p>\n

I agree that Fun and Fancy Free<\/em> lacks in quality and would say that it is the worst animated movie that Walt Disney was involved with. First off, aside from his itinerant nature, there is no real reason for Jiminy\u2019s presence. He is amusing but serves no purpose in augmenting a story. In fact, there is no comprehensive story or thread; \u201chaving fun\u201d is a weak theme.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the \u201cMickey and the Beanstalk\u201d segment is just bizarre. The short follows a live-action scene where ventriloquist Edgar Bergen entertains a young girl with the help of his puppets Charlie and Mortimer. I had no knowledge of these puppets prior to viewing the film and thought they were controlling themselves, like live-action versions of Pinocchio; it was rather awkward to behold. The craziness continues when Bergen begins narrating \u201cMickey and the Beanstalk.\u201d The short itself is satisfactory\u2014not particularly inspired\u2014but frequent interruptions by Charlie become tiresome and detract from the cartoon. The puppet inserts numerous corny jokes that are more cringe-worthy than funny. It\u2019s like watching a movie next to a person who feels the need to add his or her own commentary instead of letting the action speak for itself.<\/p>\n

To be fair, though, I\u2019m probably as corny as Charlie and thus being hypocritical in my negative remarks.<\/p>\n

Themes<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cBongo\u201d shows that looks and feelings can be deceiving. While the bear appears happy performing in the circus, he is mistreated behind the scenes and wants to escape to the wild.<\/p>\n

Several connections can be made between \u201cMickey and the Beanstalk\u201d and larger cultural situations. The drought and poverty that arose after the kidnapping of the harp princess are reminiscent of 1930s American hardships, most notably the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Also, the differing reactions by Mickey and Donald to Mickey trading a cow for \u201cmagic beans\u201d can be compared to politics at the Disney studio. Mickey\u2019s gamble is akin to the numerous visionary risks taken by Walt Disney over the years, while Donald\u2019s doubt relates to the fiscal conservatism displayed by Roy O. Disney.<\/p>\n

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

Played during the opening credits, \u201cFun and Fancy Free\u201d is an upbeat number that expresses the film\u2019s goals. \u201cIf you should have a chronic ache, pills won\u2019t make you strong; the only tonic you should take is a teaspoon full of song!\u201d In other words, watch the movie and be happy!<\/p>\n

\u201cBongo\u201d contains several good songs. An upbeat yet soothing number, \u201cLazy Countryside\u201d fits well with the film\u2019s natural images, such as mountains, plains, and forest animals. Additionally, \u201cSay it With a Slap\u201d should hit\u2014no pun intended\u2014the spot even you\u2019re not in the mood for a hoedown.<\/p>\n

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

As in \u201cBongo,\u201d a circus setting is featured in Dumbo<\/em> (1941).<\/p>\n

In Pinocchio<\/em>, Jiminy proved to be a mediocre conscience. His morals remain suspect in Fun and Fancy Free <\/em>because he reads another person\u2019s mail even after questioning himself.<\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

In a display of dramatic irony, Charlie mentions Cinderella, the title character of Disney\u2019s 1950 animated feature. Similarly, Charlie adorns a pirate hat; Treasure Island<\/em> (1950) became Disney\u2019s first entirely live-action picture.<\/p>\n

The opening moments of \u201cMickey and the Beanstalk\u201d reminded me of a combination of Cinderella<\/em>, Beauty and the Beast<\/em> (1991), and The Lion King<\/em> (1994) because of the imagery and mood.<\/p>\n

Mickey reads Willie\u2019s palm lines. A similar scene occurs between Quasimodo and Esmeralda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame<\/em> (1996).<\/p>\n

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

A circus setting can be found in Fantasyland at Walt Disney World\u2019s Magic Kingdom.<\/p>\n

Sir Mickey’s in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom is themed after the “Mickey and the Beanstalk” short. You’ll even be able to catch the giant, if you look close enough.<\/p>\n

Mickey, Donald, and Goofy make regular appearances throughout both Walt Disney World and Disneyland.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re in a pirate mood, be sure to ride \u201cPirates of the Caribbean,\u201d an elaborate boat ride at both the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park.<\/p>\n

In the style of \u201cBongo,\u201d performing bears star at the Magic Kingdom\u2019s \u201cCountry Bear Jamboree.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the end of Fun and Fancy Free<\/em>, Bergen consoles a depressed Mortimer by telling the puppet that Willie is just a \u201cfigment of imagination.\u201d Guests at Epcot can experience \u201cJourney into Imagination with Figment,\u201d a track ride through the five senses.<\/p>\n

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

Fun and Fancy Free<\/em> is a haphazard effort, but it is still worth a watch. \u201cBongo\u201d is entertaining, and you may enjoy Bergen and \u201cMickey and the Beanstalk\u201d more than I did. Also, Walt Disney voiced Mickey for the final time in this film. Ah, nostalgia!<\/p>\n

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

1) Watts, S. (1997). Disney\u2019s Descent. The Magic Kingdom: Walt Disney and the American Way of Life<\/em> (). Columbia, Missouri: University of Missouri Press, p. 249.<\/p>\n

2) Ibid., \u00a0p. 250.<\/p>\n

What do you think of Fun and Fancy Free? Let me know in the comments!<\/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 Fun and Fancy Free <\/em>from our Affiliate Link through Amazon. <\/a>Thanks so much for your support!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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