Toon Talk: Dumbo 60th Anniversary Edition DVD - Oct 26, 2001

Toon Talk: Dumbo 60th Anniversary Edition DVD
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Sound Design:
In an excerpt from The Reluctant Dragon, sound technicians show a mugging Robert Benchley how the vocal and sound effects for Casey Junior were created. The animated footage is in black and white and was the "little train with personality's" film debut, about four months prior to the release of Dumbo.

Original Walt Disney Television Introduction:
A very short black and white lead-in for the 1955 Disneyland presentation of the film. Interesting to note Walt's lack of enthusiasm ... it has been said that Dumbo was not one of his favorites due to the fact that it out-performed the three films he was more directly involved with, Pinocchio, Fantasia and Bambi.

Dumbo's Big Discovery DVD Storybook:
Kids can read-along or to themselves with this animated storybook retelling of how Dumbo learns how to fly. The voices of the the circus animals are a hoot.

Exclusive Look at Dumbo II:
Behind the scenes with the makers of the upcoming direct-to-video sequel, discussing the storyline and new characters. No actual scenes are shown.

Publicity Materials:
The original 1941 theatrical trailer is practically identical to the 1949 re-release trailer, scratched prints and all. The second one lists the many "memorable songs", including "I've Seen Everything" ... funny, I don't remember that one. (It can be assumed they are referring to "When I See An Elephant Fly").

Animated Shorts:
Two Silly Symphonies with similar themes to Dumbo are offered:

  • The Flying Mouse (1934) tells the tale of a mouse who's wish is granted by a good fairy - he wants to fly. But when he sprouts wings, everyone mistakes him for a bat.
  • Elmer Elephant (1936) is another silent pachyderm with a prominent facial feature - his nose. But when a fire breaks out, he puts his formidable trunk to good use, saving his sweetheart Tillie Tiger.

Sing-Alongs:
Talk about padding: "Look Out for Mr. Stork" adds a repeat verse, while "Casey Junior" includes animated train footage from other source material.

DVD-Rom:
Features accessible with your computer's DVD-Rom drive.

Final Word:
"(It's about) finding the very thing you dislike the most about yourself and realizing it's something to celebrate."
   -- Lisa Keene, on the enduring affection for Dumbo, 60 years after it's debut, from Celebrating Dumbo.

Toon Talk Rating: A-

•  •  •

Toon Talk Trivia:

  • This film was Sterling Holloway's Disney debut, as the befuddled Mr. Stork. He went on to be heard as Flower, the Cheshire Cat, Kaa, Winnie the Pooh, and a host of other characters in features and shorts.
  • Cliff Edwards, the legendary voice of Jiminy Cricket, moonlighted as the voice of Jim Crow in-between Pinocchio and Fun & Fancy Free.
  • Dumbo's score by Frank Churchill and Oliver Wallace won the Oscar for Best Scoring of a Musical Picture, the only Disney film to do so without also winning Best Song, for which "Baby Mine" was nominated.

Discuss It

Related Links

-- Kirby C. Holt

Kirby is a lifelong Disney fan and film buff. A frequent contributer to the LaughingPlace.com Discussion Boards, he currently resides near one of the Happiest Places on Earth: Orlando, Florida.

Took Talk: Disney Film & Video Reviews by Kirby C. Holt is posted whenever there's something new to review.

The opinions expressed by our Kirby C. Holt, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.

-- Posted October 26, 2001
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