Double feature today. Melody Time and Make Mine Music mark the last of the Disney Compilation features of the 1940's. After sitting through Three Cabelleros, Saludos Amigos, Fun and Fancy Free, and The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, I'm glad to be moving on. Both Melody Time and Make Mine Music feature animated shorts set to music sung by popular artists of the day and it works to a certain degree.
Melody Time is by far the stronger film. It features shorts about Johnny Appleseed and Pecos Bill, both of which are highlights for me. The animation in Melody Time is consistently creative and stunning, spanning several artistic styles. The Flight of the Bumblebee sequence is outstanding, as is the opening winter ice skating scene. After watching this film I was very excited to see what hidden gems would be hiding in Make Mine Music. I would be disappointed. The highlight of MMM is Peter and the Wolf. Other than that, it's the opposite of Melody Time. The final sequence of MMM involves the zealous murder of a whale who can sing opera. That's the closing number. Not good, not good at all....
Oh well, with the exception of Fantasia 2000, it's all narrative features from here on out. Up Next, Lady and the Tramp!
Melody Time - 7/10
Make Mine Music - 3/10
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