Please Read This Review....

lrrap

I am astounded at the level of vitriol and self-inflated arrogance displayed by many of the IMDb "reviews" of MELODY TIME.

MELODY TIME is a delightful compilation/potpourri of 7 episodes that showcase POPULAR MUSICAL ARTISTS of the day. And despite Disney's temporary post-war decline in quality, I challenge anyone to cite another example of animation that is so GLORIOUS and flawlessly rendered; it is a true feast for the eye, and contains some of Disney's absolutely best visual work. True, the film lacks the narrative cohesion of a single-storyline feature but---GUESS WHAT??--- that's the way the studio designed it!

A few specific reactions.

1.) "Once Upon a Winter" -- the overall design is as sumptuous and gorgeous as anything you will ever see; the studio designed this in a post-Deco visual style that was used in 1940's Christmas cards and graphics. It is stunning (the sky, the trees, the horses, the use of light and shadow, etc).

I find the story a bit too crude and slapstick-y, especially where the young lady is concerned, which works against this segment's overall elegance and beauty. Frances Langford and the expert singing of the chorus are also first-rate.

2.) "Johnny Appleseed"-- A continual marvel to look at and listen to. Gorgeous pastels, pinks, blues, apple-blossom clouds, landscapes, vistas, rivers, wind-rain-snow storms....the visual design of the pioneer's covered-wagon procession is another example of Disney's artists at their very best. And popular Irish tenor/comedian Dennis Day's virtuoso vocal performance (he portrays all of the characters) is a whimsical delight. And yes, Johnny's main song, with its graceful melody and charming whistling refrain, is happily titled "The LORD IS GOOD TO ME". How about THAT?!

3.) "TREES" -- with the ever-popular Fred Waring Chorus (ever heard of them? Look 'em up. A little research might broaden my fellow reviewer's appreciation of "Melody Time's" appeal to audiences of its day).

TREES is the "nature/concept" segment of the film and simply stunning in its visual design and execution. Seriously, show me anything that surpasses it in terms of its beauty. It's like a fantasy on the best parts of "Fantasia's" Beethoven Pastoral Symphony...but expanded and amplified.

4.) I find "Little Toot" a bit tedious, since it's so predictable. But it's very well-done, great for the kids, and features the iconic Andrews Sisters of the '40's (ever heard of THEM?....)

5.) "BLAME IT ON THE SAMBA!!!" --Must be seen to be believed. Donald Duck and his parrot-pal Joe Carioca in a hallucinogenic tropical-fantasy that echoes Disney's bizarre "Pink Elephants on Parade" from "Dumbo"...but in a South-American jungle-cafe setting. Totally, joyously insane...and very sophisticated in its design.

The unhinged goofiness is highlighted by the combination of live-action footage of ETHEL SMITH, a popular and fabulously talented Organist of the day, who specialized in Latin Dance Music. Ethel floats in a big mojito glass, Ethel dances with our two bird-brain friends, Ethel plays the congas, Ethel gets a hot foot (with a stick of dynamite) from that crazy Aracuan bird, Ethel's organ EXPLODES, comes raining down and magically reassembles itself... Wildly imaginative and hilarious.

OH YES....in case any of our reviewer colleagues are interested, "Blame It" also includes the fantastic singing of The DINNING SISTERS--- another popular female trio of the era, whose technical accuracy and flawless vocal blend is ANOTHER bonus in this delightful musical journey. (Incidentally, the lyrics of the song mention three Brazilian folk percussion instruments, here used as part of the "recipe" for the Samba: CABASA (a gourd/shaker), PANDERO (tambourine), and PUITA (a little drum with a string device that produces a curious "groaning" sound).

6.) "PECOS BILL" -- with Roy Rodgers and the SONS OF THE PIONEERS, the greatest Western harmony group of all time. Check their history, should you be interested. It's good to see them together on screen and in color. And, in response to a couple of IMDb negative swipes at the two young child actors in the prologue, Luana Patten and Bobby Driscoll were among the most talented kids of the day (Bobby, especially). Read about his accomplishments and his tragic end here on IMDb; you may want to reconsider your snarky comments about his talents.

Most of the PECOS BILL animated segment is pretty over-the-top in tone; it's almost off-putting, since it's characters are SO grotesque and exaggerated. However, the present-day ninnies at Disney, obsessed as they are with political-correct "enlightenment", chose to CENSOR the first verse of the rollicking "Ballad of Pecos Bill" on this DVD release---WHY? Because the animators dared to show Pecos Bill lighting a cigarette as he tames a cyclone.

But all is not lost: the night-time imagery of the desert in this segment---the moon and stars, the echoing wail of coyote, etc etc, are simply STUNNING. It's hard to believe that a mere cartoon could evoke such a magical, otherworldly atmosphere. And the combination of the Sons' legendary performance of "Blue Shadows on the Trail" with Disney's artwork HAS to be one of the most enchanting, ravishingly beautiful things ever put on film.

There is SO MUCH to treasure in MELODY TIME...not only its visual perfection, but the way in which it preserves 7 great performances by popular musical artists of the day in their prime. If anyone ever makes it through all of the other pathetic, ill-tempered, short-sighted, dismissive "reviews" here on IMDb and reads my comments, I hope you will be convinced to decide on the merits of MELODY TIME for yourself.

LR

score 9/10

lrrap 15 February 2016

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3415929/