Toon Talk Mailbag
Page 3 of 7

(c) Disney

102 Dalmatians, posted April 6, 2001:
The lack-luster, D-rated sequel to the live action version of the animated classic.
Click to read review

"While I agree with with everything you said, you are a bit a De Vil yourself!" -- Wilbear64

Everyone's a critic ...

"I knew this one was a loser when it didn't sound good in Disney Magazine.  I didn't like the live action 101 Dalmatians, and 102 didn't sound like an improvement.  I do appreciate your efforts to analyze why this movie was a flop.  Now I don't even need to waste the money to rent it." -- Lee "Mousebear" Suggs

Glad I could save you some money ... now I know having to sit through this film twice was worth something!

(c) Disney

The 50 Greatest Animated Disney Movie Moments, posted April 20 and 27, 2001:
The first Toon Talk special was very well-received, inspiring subsequent endeavors.
It was a very challenging piece, but definately rewarding.
Click to read article: Part One • Part Two

"Wow!  An excellent list.  I can't wait to see what comes out on top.  I'm hoping the opening sequence from The Lion King is #1.   Nothing thrills me more than watching that one scene.  I also hope the ballroom scene from Beauty and the Beast is near the top." -- J.D. Stearns

Well, as you now know, "The Enchanted Ballroom" was #1, with "The Circle of Life" #6.

"Thank you for providing a trip down memory lane, now I have a reason to check out these films again ... I'm torn between "Jessie's Story", "Man in the Forest" and "The Wildebeest Stampede" as being the most emotionally wrenching scene in a Disney movie.  I think that I'd have to give the edge to "Jessie's Story" as I found it to be a modern parable, bringing attention to the tendency of many parents to emotionally abandon their children when they reach junior high age ... I would probably have put "Chernabog Awakes" at the top of the list as the most powerful Disney moment.  Such a powerful depiction of the power of evil, and the power of a simple prayer to defeat it." -- Lee "Mousebear" Suggs

As always, very nicely put, Mousebear.  Your description of "Jessie's Story" is very thought-provoking.  

"I salute your work on creating the top 50 list.  While I don't disagree with your choices, I would try and slip one into the mix:  The Horned King awakening the Black Cauldron's evil green mist.  This scene was incredible. I would be curious where you might have this on your list ... Maybe you might keep expanding the list all the way up to the top 100." -- Ed

Frankly, 50 was hard enough to come up with!  I agonized over what to include and where to place it on the list.  In the end though, I feel that it is a very comprehensive list.

And honestly, The Black Cauldron isn't high on my list of favorites (the Witches of Morva will be after me for that comment, I'm sure!), but the Horned King may make an appearance on an upcoming "Villains" list.

"I have just seen the completed list and I agree with almost all of it.  I'm so glad you put "Hellfire" in the Top 10.  Its the most demonically dramatic and mature piece of animation since "Night on Bald Mountain." -- Jhump50

I wasn't sure of the reaction of placing "Hellfire" in the top 10, considering it's controversial history. 

"I think Mickey and Pluto in the dog show is the best Disney moment." -- Andrew

The article was for feature films only.  There may be a similar article for shorts sometime in the future.

"As I read each entry, I remembered the scenes and all the memories and warm fuzzy feelings returned.  I still get chills when I watch "This is Halloween", "The Cave of Wonders", "Part of Your World", and the list truly goes on!" -- Kerry

I'm glad that so many readers picked up on what I was trying to accomplish with the descriptions of the scenes, to recreate the memories and emotions of first watching them.

"I thought the chase and fight scene at the end of The Emperor's New Groove deserves a spot at the top 50.  Also, the scene in Lady & the Tramp where Lady asks "What is a baby?" is probably one of the most haunting Disney scenes I can remember. Until today I still don't know why that scene bothers me so much." -- Scott Johanas

The article could have very easily been twice as long, but then my head would have exploded ...

"Number one ... definitely should be Pinocchio's "When You Wish Upon a Star" scene with Jiminy Cricket singing....a scene no one will ever forget!" -- Annie

Except me ... Seriously though, that scene wasn't included mostly because the bulk of the song was over the opening credits.  It did, of course, make an appearance in the recent Top 101 Disney Songs special.

"Your writing captured the flavor of every scene described perfectly!  And since everyone else will be sending you a "What About THIS Scene...", here's mine:  Kaa singing his lethal lullaby to Mowgli in The Jungle Book. After being grilled by Shere Khan as to the mancub's whereabouts, he sniffs "Picking on a poor defenseless boy..." then remembers, with a sly grin, who he has in his coils in the treetops!" -- Jeff S.

Other suggestions for the list included the Beast's transformation in Beauty & the Beast, "Savages" in Pocahontas, Mulan's return home in Mulan, the Big Ben finale of The Great Mouse Detective, "Why Should I Worry?" from Oliver & Company and the Magic Carpet ride in Aladdin.