Absolute Classics part 1

What do you think the term classic means? Is it something that stand the test of time? Award-winning? Hailed by critics? Something nostalgic? Or is it something that is simply beautiful and you wouldn’t imagine it any other way? No matter your definition, there are all kinds of movies that are considered classics. Some of the most widely accepted classics today, however, were not an “instant classic” when they were released. In this blog, I’d like to tell you about some of them, continuing with more next week. 

When The Wizard of Oz was released in 1939, the film didn’t exactly take everyone who saw it “Over the Rainbow.” Some moviegoers thought that Judy Garland was just a little too old to play L. Frank Baum’s 12-year-old Dorothy Gale. A reviewer of The New Yorker named Russell Maloney wrote that the film displayed “no trace of imagination, good taste, or ingenuity,” and was a “stinkeroo.” Although the film grossed a total of $3,017,000 (that’s both the US and worldwide—a lot of money in 1939), because of its high production costs and various distribution and other costs, it put Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) $1,145,000 in debt. In 1956, however, CBS purchased the rights to air the film on television, and it was on television that the film began to gain iconic status. Many adults young and old were “raised” on the annual network television event that it became-and its popularity only continued to grow when it was released on VHS in 1980, DVD in 1997, and Blu Ray in 2009.

In December of 1946, the term “Christmas holiday tradition” was given an entirely new meaning with Frank Capra’s sentimental classic It’s a Wonderful Life. Sadly, not everyone at that time saw the “wonderful” value of the film, and it lost $525,000 for its distribution company RKO. A critic named Bosley Crowther, wrote in for the New York Times, “The weakness of this picture from the reviewers point of view is the sentimentality of it-its illusory concept of life. Mr. Capra’s nice people are charming, his small town is a quite beguiling place and his pattern for solving problems is most optimistic and facile. But somehow, they all resemble theatrical attitudes rather than average realities.” Another film critic named Manny Farber wrote “To make his points (Capra) always takes an easy, simple-minded path that doesn’t give much credit to the intelligence of the audience,” and he added that it has only a “few unsentimental moments here and there.” The Oscars were kind enough to give the film a total of five nominations, but four out of those five nominations went to William Wyler’s The Best Years of Our Lives (1946). Just like with “Wizard of Oz,” seven years earlier, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” gained popularity when airing on television, though that didn’t happen until 1976. There it gained positive reception , and along with being released on VHS in the ‘80s, DVD in 2001, and Blu Ray in 2009, it is widely considered a “must” for Christmas-time viewing.

MGM produced Singin’ in the Rain in 1952. This film was only a moderate hit when it was first released, grossing $5.5 million in the US and internationally, though it did earn MGM a profit. And although the film provides “Best Picture Oscar” quality, in reality the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences only nominated the film for Best Original Score and Best Supporting Actress for Jean Hagen for her performance as spoiled screen diva, Lina Lamont. The film’s male lead star, Gene Kelly, previously made An American in Paris (1951) and that film was much more successful, winning the Best Picture Oscar that year, as well as five other Oscars. In 1989, however, Singin’ in the Rain was among the first 25 films to be inducted into the National Film Registry for films that are considered “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant,” whereas “An American in Paris,” wasn’t inducted until 1993. This film was later readapted for the Broadway Stage in 1985, and was released on VHS in 1992, DVD in 2002, and Blu Ray in 2012. 

Today each of these films are included on AFI’s (American Film Institute’s) Top 100 Movies with “It’s a Wonderful Life,” at #20, “The Wizard of Oz,” at #10, and “Singin’ in the Rain,” at #5. Please feel free to comment on any of these movies and tune in again when we continue our tribute to underrated classics.  

Real Life Mickeys and Minnies

There have been dozens and dozens of talented people throughout Disney’s history who were fortunate enough to be hired by the studio to work on and/or perform in films and TV. Some were married couples, even working closely together, and occasionally on the same show! The tradition began at the studio during Walt’s time, and continues today. Here are some examples:

Marc Davis was one of Walt’s “Nine Old Men” and he animated many “leading lady” characters at the studio including Cinderella in Cinderella (1950), Tinker Bell in Peter Pan (1953), and Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty (1959). His widow, Alice Estes Davis, was a costume designer for Disney, and designed the Briar Rose costume for Sleeping Beauty. They were married in 1956, three years before “Beauty” was released, and not long after, Alice met with Walt Disney himself, who was blown away by her work. Walt also asked her to design costumes for the live-action film Toby Tyler or Ten Weeks With a Circus (1960) as well as the beloved Disney Parks attraction “It’s a Small World.” The Davises also worked together designing the animatronics and costumes for “Pirates of the Caribbean.” and “The Haunted Mansion.”

John McIntire and Jeanette Nolan were actors who were married for 56 years. They first appeared together in the Alfred Hitchcock classic Psycho (1960), and the film Cloak and Dagger (1984), as well as in television shows like Wagon Train (1957-1962), The Virginian (1962-1971), and The Fugitive (1963-1967). They made their first appearance for Disney in The Rescuers (1977) in which McIntire voiced Rufus the Cat and Nolan voiced Ellie Mae the Mouse. They did voice work again in The Fox and the Hound (1981) (McIntire voiced Mr. Digger the Badger and and Nolan played the Widow Tweed). McIntire also appeared in Disney’s Herbie Rides Again (1974) and the Touchstone Pictures film Turner & Hooch (1989) and Jeanette Nolan appeared in a made-for-television film called “The Sky’s the Limit,” which aired on The Wonderful World of Disney (1954-present).

Julie Andrews was cast in Mary Poppins (1964) as a result of impressing Walt Disney in her portrayal of Queen Guinevere in Lerner and Lowe’s Camelot. Not long after she was hired, Walt asked her then-husband, Tony Walton, what he did for a living, and he explained that he was a costume designer. That being the case, Walt also hired him to serve as a design consultant and a costume consultant for “Poppins,” and he received a Best Costume Design Oscar Nomination for his efforts, along with his wife who received a Best Actress Nomination for her performance as the magical nanny, and also won. Although Tony lost the Costume Design Award to Cecil Beaton in My Fair Lady (1964), he won a Best Art Direction Oscar 15 years later for the film All That Jazz (1979), an award that he also shared with Philip Rosenberg, Edward Stewart, and Gary J. Brink. 

When ABC Studios (which is owned by Disney) green-lit Once Upon a Time (2011-2018), Ginnifer Goodwin was cast in the role of Mary Margaret Blanchard, aka “Snow White” and Josh Dallas was cast opposite her in the role of David Nolan, aka “Prince Charming.” It ironically led to a real life romance between Dallas and Goodwin and they were married on April 14th, 2014. They continued portraying their characters on “Once,” for the entire run of the show, though only appeared in the series finale episode of the show’s 7th season. In addition to “Once,” both Goodwin and Dallas provided voices to Disney’s Oscar-winning animated feature Zootopia (2016), in which Goodwin voiced leading character Officer Judy Hopps and Dallas voiced the Frantic Pig. Goodwin has also lent her voice to the Disney Channel/ Junior Series Sofia the First (2012-2018) and the direct-to-video movie Tinker Bell and the Legend of the Never Beast (2015) and Dallas portrayed Fandral in Marvel’s Thor (2011). 

It’s fun to find out that people who share their private lives together were able to collaborate in their field of expertise. That it happened inside Disney’s wonderful world makes it even more special!       

Adventures from Odyssey to Disney

If you grew up in the ‘90s, like I did, and went to church you might have at some point either listened to the radio series or watched the video series Adventures in Odyssey from Focus on the Family. Focus was founded in Southern California, but based in Colorado Springs, CO. Both programs told stories about faith in the Lord through the adventures of some kids who frequented an arcade and ice cream shop called “Whit’s End.” The continues, and now in its 32nd year. The show featured characters who were brought to life by talented voice actors, but, interestingly, many of those voice actors, in addition to lending their voices to “Odyssey,” also did voices for Disney!

• Hal Smith originated the role of John Avery “Whit” Whitaker from 1987 until his death in 1994. Before his unfortunate death, Smith explained that role of Whit was one of the most rewarding these he’s ever done in his life, and that Whit was also one of his all-time favorite roles. Smith was also generous enough to help fellow other actors at Disney be cast in “Odyssey.” Previously, Smith originated the role of Owl in the “Winnie the Pooh,” franchise at Disney at 1966 and continued to voice that character from 1966-1991. He was cast as Owl around the time he wrapped up eight seasons of playing his trademark role of Otis Campbell on The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1966). Smith also voiced Winnie the Pooh himself for nine years after “Pooh,” originator Sterling Holloway retired in 1977. Smith voiced Belle’s horse Philippe in Beauty and the Beast (1991) and Jafar’s horse in Aladdin (1992) as well. After his unfortunate passing, in the role of Whit was assumed by Paul Herlinger, who portrayed the character from 1996-2008. Whit is currently voiced by Andre Stojka, who coincidentally is Disney’s current voice of Owl in “Winnie the Pooh.”
• Will Ryan has voiced a variety of characters on “Odyssey,” though his best known role is that of brainiac Eugene Meltsner. On “Odyssey,” he also voiced Harlow Doyle, Officer David Harley, and over 100 others. For Disney, Will Ryan is the current voice of Willie the Giant, (the Giant from Fun and Fancy Free (1947)). He began voicing the character in 1983 for Mickey’s Christmas Carol, in which he also voiced the villainous Pete. Ryan also voiced Tigger, Rabbit, and was the singing voice of Eeyore in the Disney Channel Series Welcome to Pooh Corner (1983-1986), which also featured the voice of “Odyssey,” co-star, Hal Smith. In addition to lending his voice to shows, Ryan, who is also a gifted musician, co-wrote music for a Disney album called “Goin’ Quackers,” and has done voice-work for Disney Park Attractions, i.e. Gepetto at Pinocchio’s Daring Journey attraction and the Weasel at Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin, both of which are located at Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland. Besides all of his Disney roles, Will Ryan also voiced Digit the cockroach in An American Tail (1986) and Petrie the Flyer in The Land Before Time (1988), both of which were directed by former Disney animator, Don Bluth.
• Katie Leigh was cast in the role of “Odyssey” youth Connie Kendall in 1987, even though in reality, Leigh was a legal adult at the time. For Disney, Leigh provided the voice of Dumbo the Flying Elephant on the Disney Channel Series Dumbo’s Circus (1985) which also featured the voices of Hal Smith and Will Ryan, as well as Jim Cummings, who voiced the character of Darkwing Duck in Darkwing Duck (1991-1992), in which Leigh voiced the character of Honker Muddlefoot. Prior to that show, Leigh, Cummings, and Ryan also lent their voices to Disney’s Adventures of the Gummi Bears (1985-1991). Outside of Disney, Leigh is also known for being the speaking voice of the Maharaja in Steven Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) and she also originated the role of Baby Rowlf in the CBS Series Baby Muppets (1984-1991).
• Alan Young was hired in 1994 to provide the voice of Whit’s college buddy, Jack Allen, in 1994. Long before he was cast in that role, however, he was already a Disney Veteran for voicing Donald Duck’s greedy uncle Scrooge McDuck, a role he began voicing in 1974 and continued voicing till his death in 2016. He also made a brief appearance in the film The Cat From Outer Space (1978), and later voiced Hiram Flaversham, father of Olivia Flaversham in The Great Mouse Detective (1986). Young also helped write the Disneyland Records 1974 Album An Adaptation of Dickens’ Christmas Carol, performed by the Walt Disney Players, where he voiced both Scrooge McDuck, and ironically Mickey Mouse! Besides his Disney roles, one might also recognize him as Mr. Ed’s Jockey, Wilbur Post from Mister Ed (1961-1996) or from The Time Machine (1960), and he also made a cameo in the remake which was released in 2002.           

These four actors are talented in everything that they do and the characters they voice are enduring because of them. I’m sure we can call agree that both Disney and Focus on the Family were lucky to have hired them.