tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759137971748822612.post3732935774222363402..comments2024-03-09T16:26:15.033-06:00Comments on Waking Snow White: “Funny, Nothing Ever Happens Nowadays”Breannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03231587539814108744noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759137971748822612.post-10704034177753217912011-02-17T19:34:24.845-06:002011-02-17T19:34:24.845-06:00Mickey and the Beanstalk stands out in my memory f...Mickey and the Beanstalk stands out in my memory from this film. I first saw it on TV sometime in the late '80s or early '90s as part of a television triple feature along with Dumbo and Elmer the Elephant. Willie was a rather endearing giant, I feel. That scene where Donald goes insane is just hilarious, and the pink bunny rabbit still makes me laugh.La Belle Evangelinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14653512250386404065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759137971748822612.post-45778054131858258202010-11-06T16:44:21.424-05:002010-11-06T16:44:21.424-05:00So I really enjoyed watching this. It's been a...So I really enjoyed watching this. It's been awhile since I've seen it.<br /><br />Dinah Shore's voice sounds really great. There's such a mellow voice. As for the slapping thing, it didn't really bother me. In fact, I hadn't even though about it til reading the blog. But then again I like to attack my own friends with "violent love" so I can't really say much. <br /><br />Mickey and the Beanstalk is my favorite as well. I feel like the harp reminds me of Cinderella in some ways though. I think it's her hairstyle. Charlie's comments about killing the cow were quite funny.<br /><br />I have to agree with jonTK, when I was watching this, I was thinking about the fact Edger Bergen wasn't a very great ventriloquist either. <br /><br />As for Jiminy, his song at the beginning is great! Though I almost feel like his message of "Don't worry til it's here," seems a little out of character from the conscience we saw in Pinocchio. But I think it's just that he never had to really tell Pinocchio not to worry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759137971748822612.post-85426408597903182132010-11-06T15:42:32.404-05:002010-11-06T15:42:32.404-05:00I remember both of the segments very well from the...I remember both of the segments very well from their separate video releases as a kid. The "Mickey and the Beanstalk" on it's individual video release was reframed with Professor Ludwig Von Drake replacing Edgar Bergen. Most of the silly lines are intact in some way, and it's a funny alternative if it's still out there somewhere. Though there's one very odd moment where the little girl's "OH!" is left in, and you have no idea who said it. <br /><br />I like both parts, but I prefer Beanstalk over Bongo. Not that Bongo is bad. I don't think it would have lasted as a feature; I'm not sure there was enough material. And the slapping thing never bothered me. <br /><br />The use of Jiminy also is one of the first times a character from a proper "narrative" feature is used elsewhere. Certainly Mickey, Donald and Goofy have recurred in a few features, but none of the ones from other existing worlds had. Re-introducing Jiminy Cricket outside the world of Pinocchio is interesting. First, it's not too far a stretch since he served as a present-day narrator for us in that film. And next, it began the grand tradition of that sort of cameo appearance on television, with his appearances on "The Mickey Mouse Club" or TinkerBell's constant use as a sort of mascot for "Disneyland" et al.<br /><br />There are so many 1940s references in this film that would just seem normal to that audience but need explanation now. Like the fact that Bongo is told on a record. While there's a sort of framework here, there's not much to connect the two stories thematically. Bongo is to cheer up some toys (which strangely works), and Beanstalk is a party story for a little girl.<br /><br />Walt did end up voicing Mickey a bit more for "The Mickey Mouse Club", but for the most part, yes this was his last performance.<br /><br />I like Edgar Bergen, and all the humor of the sequence, but I feel I must point out that he's not a great ventriloquist. You can see his mouth moving. I suppose it's easier being a ventriloquist by radio. But film is a good medium for him because it allows cuts to the puppets, giving them more individual life. They feel more like party guests. The illusion even carries further when in a few scenes they seem to have switched heads on Charlie, allowing him different expressions.<br /><br />Now for the bit that makes me feel weirdly uncomfortable. I know it was the 1940s, and I know he was a celebrity, but look at this... The basic framework is that the little girl from Song of the South is invited to a party at Mr. Bergen's house. Then we go there, and it's just him and her and some puppets. No parents, no other guests. In what universe is it okay for a middle-aged celebrity to sit around in a party hat at night with a little girl and no other adults, offering her cake? "It's okay; we're not alone, I have my puppets with me!" SKETCHY!!jon TKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04738915806502002447noreply@blogger.com