The ABC's of Disney movies, as told by me (F/G)

2 more letters today! Here’s hoping I continue this 2-letter trend!

F –

Fantasia (1940)

I love this movie because of the fact that it is animation molded to pre-existing music. Besides the fact that it is comprised of many beautiful and classical music pieces, it was one of the most innovative and creative movies of its time, even if it wasn’t received well at first. To me, this is so much more than a movie. It was a breakthrough for the animation and sound industries alike. Furthermore, I’ve always admired the hard work that everyone put into matching up the animation with the music so seamlessly; that could NOT have been easy. Plus, it’s where the iconic Sorcerer Mickey made his first appearance!

Fun Facts:

During production, the animators were given no instructions for coloring. Walt Disney instructed them to use any colors they wanted, a first.

The animators secretly modeled elements of the Sorcerer in "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" on their boss, Walt Disney. The raised eyebrow was regarded as a dead giveaway.

This is the only Disney animated feature film to date that reaches the two hour mark.

Fun quotes:

What’s interesting about this movie, more than what’s mentioned above, is the fact that there is no dialogue aside from the narrator! So I thought I’d just put in the interaction between the conductor and Mickey. :)

Mickey Mouse: [Pulling on Stokowski's coat] Mr. Stokowski! Mr. Stokowski!
[Mickey whistles to get Stokowski's attention]
Mickey Mouse: My congratulations, sir!
Leopold Stokowski: [shaking hands with Mickey] Congratulations to you, Mickey!
Mickey Mouse: Gee, thanks! He, he! Well, so long! I'll be seeing ya!
Leopold Stokowski: Goodbye!

Runner-up
Flubber (1997)

I haven’t seen this movie in so long! I should go watch it again because I remember watching it a lot when I was younger. It’s really a hilarious movie about a professor (played by Robin Williams who provides the voice of Genie in Aladdin) who invents a substance that can mold into anything and bounces everywhere, it even seems to have a personality of its own. The professor called it flying rubber, or flubber. And I didn’t know this before, but Jodi Benson (The voice of Ariel) also provides the voice of Weebo.

Fun Facts:

Sound designer 'Andrew M. Somers' created the sound of Flubber by using a rubber balloon filled with water, Metamucil, and air. The Metamucil became "gloopy" and in the balloon, it helped make a rubbery, gurgly sound. The voice of Flubber was performed by Scott Martin Gershin, and was processed to raise the pitch to sound small and squeaky.

According to Wil Wheaton, in the scenes that he was in with Robin Williams, they would film a take the way it was supposed to be filmed. After that take, Williams would often want to improvise scenes differently than the script, just for fun. Those scenes were not added to the actual film, but there were enough scenes to make an entirely different movie.

Fun Quotes:

Phillip Brainard: Weebo - - I've just solved all our problems!
Weebo: [showing an image of Dumbo on her display screen] I'm all ears.

Rutland Coach: Hey, are you blind? They're doin' something illegal out there.
Referee: Coach, nowhere in the rule book does it say anything about jumpin' too high. Now sit down!

G –

A Goofy Movie (1995)

This is one of the best movies ever. It’s so adorable and everyone I’m sure can relate to a parent constantly humiliating you or at least once in a while, right? It’s got a ton of catchy songs (Helllooooo Powerline!) and it’s a wonderful movie no matter what your age is. This movie is basically, for lack of a better word, goofy. :P

Fun Facts:

During the Powerline Concert, Mickey Mouse can be spotted in the crowd in the lower left portion of the crowd shot immediately after the Stage manager is thrown into the DiamondVision screen.

During the song "On The Open Road" Goofy's key chain has the famous Walt Disney's logo "D" on it.

In the second scene before Goofy walks in, Max has a Mickey Mouse phone on his dresser.

Fun Quotes:

[Goofy enters Max's room]
Goofy: Mornin', son!
Max: [in his underwear] Dad!
Goofy: Whoops. I forgot.
[exits, knocks then re-enters]
Goofy: Mornin', son!

Max: My life's a living...
Lester: Hello, little buddy!
[a man in a Lester Possum costume comes up to Max. Max turns his back on him and tries to ignore him. Lester comes around to Max's front]
Lester: Who's your favorite possum?
Max: Don't touch me!
Lester: Aw, why such a long face? You're so sad! Boo hoo hoo! I know! You need a big hug from Lester!
Max: Don't even think about IIIIIITTT...
[Lester gives Max a giant hug]
Lester: See? Now you feel all good inside!
Max: [Max slaps Lester which turns his false head backwards] BEAT IT, Doofus!

Goofy: Hey, Maxie. Let's play a game. You think of someone and I'll try to guess who it is. Man or woman?
Max: Aw, man.
Goofy: Man? Hmm... That's a toughy... let's see... Walt Disney!
Max: Right.
Goofy: Boy, I'm good at this! Now I'll think of one.

Runner-up
George of the Jungle (1997)

This movie is really funny (the narrator is a riot!) and especially heartwarming. One of the funniest/ most interesting aspects of the entire movie to me is how intelligent Ape is and how….not so intelligent George is, even though Ape raised him from infancy. It’s kind of ironic. Anyway, Brendan Fraser plays George and I think he does a wonderful job at it. You honestly can’t help but love him; he’s too charming not to.

Fun Facts:

When George is cornering the horses at Ursula's parents' party, the woman that makes a comment about finding a man like that is Brendan Fraser's wife, Afton Smith. So she did find a man like that.

The ground in the jungle was made out of mashed potatoes.

The production designers added an automatic juicer, elevator, love seat swing, comfy hammocks and running water in George's tree house.

Fun Quotes:

Narrator: And so, onward and upward the tired trekkers trudged on feverished footsies over perilous paths. When they beheld the mighty Ape Mountain, they reacted with awe.
Group: Awwww...
Narrator: I said, "Awe." A-W-E.
Group: Ooh...
Narrator: That's better.

[After taking his first shower]
George: Bad waterfall. First water get hot, then George slip on this strange yellow rock.

Narrator: Don't worry. Nobody dies in this story. They just get really big boo-boos.

Quick update in the world of the Disney College Program (I know, I’ve been neglecting my college program updates as of late): I have my character auditions tomorrow! So, I’ll probably be posting as much about that experience as I’m allowed in my next post. Here’s hoping all goes well!

Until next time,


HAVE A MAGICAL DAY!