The Reluctant Dragon (1941)

Title: The Reluctant Dragon
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 14 minutes
Release Date: June 20, 1941
Genre(s): Animation, Biography
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Alfred L. Werker, Hamilton Luske
Starring: Robert Benchley, Frances Gifford, Buddy Pepper


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone deeply interested in Disney history and behind the scenes.

What is this about?
A writers want to pitch his story to Walt Disney and winds up getting a tour of the animation studio.

When would be a good time to watch this?
If you must...

Where does it take place?
Walt Disney Animation Studio.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I needed an R for the A to Z Challenge and it's Disney.

How did I like this?
This is one of those "movies" that doesn't translate well into today's audience. I enjoyed seeing Goofy as he's meant to be (not this scary swamp monster of new) and it was a creative way to show how the cartoons come to life

Thankfully there is a dragon.

Have you seen The Reluctant Dragon? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)

Title: The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 8 minutes
Release Date: January 4, 1949
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Short Film
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: James Algar, Clyde Geronimi
Starring: Bing Crosby, Basil Rathbone, Eric Blore


Who would I recommend this to?
Classic animation fans.

What is this about?
Exactly what the title suggests...

When would be a good time to watch this?
Eh...

Where does it take place?
Sleepy Hollow and somewhere...

Why did I decide to watch this?
I have very vivid memories of watching this as a kid, but not actually paying attention to it. Some things never change...

How did I like this?
This is one of those movies that doesn't age well. I didn't enjoy it as a kid and I didn't enjoy it now. It's simultaneously chaotic and boring.

I do enjoy Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in Disneyland though. I always make sure to ride it when there.

Have you seen The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?.

Bambi (1942)

Title: Bambi
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Release Date: August 21, 1942
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: James Algar, Samuel Armstrong
Starring: Hardie Albright, Stan Alexander, Bobette Audrey


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of cute animal movies.

What is this about?
A baby deer growing up without his mom.

When would be a good time to watch this?
When you need a good cry.

Where does it take place?
The forest.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It's a Disney movie, so duh. I remember watching it as a kid and being really upset by it, but I was obsessed with Flower.

How did I like this?
This one is as cute as it is sad. Disney loves killing mothers. But Bambi, Thumper, Flower and Faline are all adorable little critters.

Have you seen Bambi? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Dumbo (1941)

Title: Dumbo
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 3 minutes
Release Date: October 31, 1941
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Musical
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Samuel Armstrong, Norman Ferguson
Starring: Sterling Holloway, Edward Brophy, Herman Bing


Who would I recommend this to?
No one, really. Watch the live action instead.

What is this about?
A baby elephant that's stolen from his mother, made fun of, and exploited.

When would be a good time to watch this?
If you're doing a classic animation marathon (like I am) or for research purposes.

Where does it take place?
A traveling circus somewhere...it goes through Florida at the beginning...

Why did I decide to watch this?
Like I said, it's part of my marathon. I don't remember the first time I watch it; I was super little.

How did I like this?
This is one of very few Disney animations that I don't like. I don't know if I liked it as a kid either. The story isn't interesting at all, the songs are boring, and it's kind of depressing. Dumbo, the character, is adorable though.

On top of that, it's racist as hell. Disney+ even has a disclaimer that pops up before the movie.

Have you seen Dumbo? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Pinocchio (1940)

Title: Pinocchio
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
Release Date: February 28, 1940
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Musical
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Norman Ferguson, T. Hee
Starring: Dickie Jones, Christian Rub, Mel Blanc


Who would I recommend this to?
Disney classic animation fans.

What is this about?
A wooden puppet wants to become a real boy.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever you need some Disney magic.

Where does it take place?
"A quaint little village." Possibly Italy?

Why did I decide to watch this?
I saw it when I was really little, but I watch it every few years just because.

How did I like this?
This is one of those movies that I like more as an adult than as a kid. I just find it utterly charming and the songs are catchy.

It's also crazy to watch this and compare it to modern animation. Pinocchio escaping from Monstro versus any ocean scene in Moana...crazy.

Have you seen Pinocchio? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?