My, how time flies. 31 today. Still don't feel old, but how many of you would disagree? XD
Not much planned for today except for dinner out with the family. Might be able to coerce my supervisor to let me out a little early (fingers crossed). Did most of my fun last Sat. with the annual visit to the nearby corn maze farm. Was quite surprised with a special guest: A veteran Disney artist who appeared for photos and mini sketches. I requested an Aladdin from him. Guess it was the best choice, for he said that was his favorite movie that he worked on. We struck up a nice conversation of being fellow artists, and I expressed great appreciation of sharing his talents and time with me and the other patrons present. As I left he said "Let's continue to save the world together" I liked that :D
And speaking of Disney, time for a sudden new Retro Review! :XD: October appropriate:
"The Adventures of Icabod and Mr. Toad"
If you haven't seen the Nostalgia Critic's brief recap of this movie, I'd suggest seeing it after reading this (if you will ^_^)
If you're unfamiliar with this classic, that's quite understandable. It certainly doesn't get as much praise and notoriety as several others, but it at least earned it's own Disneyland ride! Back in a time when several Disney movies came in the form of anthologies and package films, this was the last one to break a long cycle of them for a good while. It centers around two classic books 'The Wind In The Willows' by Kenneth Grahame and 'The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow' by Washington Irving, narrated respectively by Basil Rathbone and Bing Crosby.
'The Wind In The Willows' segment presents an interpretation of the madcap adventures of the excitable, yet greatly irresponsible, J. Thaddeus Toad who's thrill-seeking way of life puts him in a great deal of trouble when he gains a sudden interest in motorcars. After he is caught in a stolen car and is given a sentence to a long imprisonment, he and his friends must discover the truth behind his latest escapade and bring to justice those who've supposedly set him up to take a fall. Although, with all the destruction he's left in his wake with his past endeavors, the list of suspects is surprisingly high!
The story is a bit fast paced, but very enjoyable. The characters are entertaining and well defined with their most basic but strong personalities, and the action is throughout is exciting. From Toad's escape from jail and the chase of the police in hot pursuit to the final confrontation within his own mansion. The story also shows the first instance of Disney having weasels as the villainous element, which they would continue to use years later in such stories as 'The Prince and the Pauper' and of course, 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit?' The fight itself is certainly one you wouldn't find in modern Disney today: Knives and daggers flying like arrows and falling like rain, sword and axe slashes aimed directly toward the neck; these weasels were out for BLOOD!
'The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow' segment has definitely become one of my favorite classic Disney works, considering how unique it is. Based on what's possibly (in my opinion) the greatest ghost story of all time, it covers the famous legend of Icabod Crane, the new Schoolmaster of Sleepy Hollow, New York and his encounter one Halloween night of the legendary Headless Horseman! For the most part, Bing Crosby's narration of the story provides the vast majority of dialogue, as nearly all the characters never say a thing! And if they do, it's mainly thanks to a chorus singer, or Bing himself as he shares his unique singing voice of which he was most well known for back in his day. In a way, the character's actions literally speak louder than words. The first 3/4 of the story at least appears very comedic as it centers on Icabod's arrival to town and winning the hearts of all the ladies as well as the admiration of most of the townsfolk. While local bully Brom Bones does his best to try to keep him down and away from his romantic interest, Katrina Van Tassel, who the two are in love with.
As entertaining and funny as the story appears to be, it's the climax that we ALL remember the most. After hearing of the Headless Horseman from Brom during a Halloween party, Icabod departs for home through a very spooky trek through the woods during the witching hour. The scary atmosphere is incredibly well done, and unsettling at times. Classic Disney held nothing back with their spooky slow paced music and array of creepy sound effects. Once Icabod finally encounters the ghostly Headless Horseman himself, what follows is a heart-pounding chase through the woods that's sure to get your eyes wide. As if the tense music along with the ghost's relentless pursuit wasn't enough, his evil laugh will HAUNT your recollection for a long time afterward. It's not doubt one of, if not the BEST, wicked laugh in animation history!
And now for no other reason than to share my CRAZY attention to detail, here's some random/useless facts of trivia of 'The Adventures of Icabod and Mr. Toad'
-Several animated actions throughout the film were later recycled in a number of later Disney films. A portion of the fight between Mr. Toad and his friends against the weasels was reused in the Jungle Book during Baloo and Bagheera's rescue of Mowgli from King Louie and the monkeys.
-One of classic Disney's most reused sound effects, a sudden 'GASP', was used five times throughout the entire film. 3 times in 'Mr. Toad' and 2 times in 'Icabod'
-While 'Mr. Toad's Wild Ride' in Disneyland centers around Toad's crazy ride in his stolen motorcar, the actual movie shows absolutely NO FOOTAGE of his actual ride while in possession of the car! All that's shown is a newspaper photo if Toad being caught by the police in it.
-Aside from the Fantasia films, segments of 'Legend Of Sleepy Hollow' include some of the longest Disney animated segments with no dialogue from characters.
-The Headless Horseman is one of very few villains to have ever fully succeeded in their actions. He's never defeated, and is responsible for Icabod's inevitable disappearance.
Finally, and probably the MOST OBSCURE OF ALL
-In MLP-FIM S1E26 'The Best Night Ever', if you were to listen VERY CAREFULLY after the first dialogue exchange between Twilight and Celestia, you can hear Mr. Toad's laugh somewhere among the gala crowd. I DARE you to go and hear for yourselves. I've replayed enough times myself to know it's the exact same laugh he gives in the movie. ^^;
'Tis a Halloween tradition for me to re-watch this classic along with so many others. It could very well become (or remain) one of yours as well!
