Toon Talk: Walt Disney Treasures: Silly Symphonies
Page 3 of 6
FAVORITE CHARACTERS:
Three Little Pigs
May 27, 1933. Directed by Gillett.
Summary: Once upon a time there were three little pigs ...
Behind the Scenes: An allegory for the Great Depression, this short won the Oscar, launched Disney's first song hit "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf" and became one of the longest running, and the most beloved, cartoon of all time.
The Big Bad Wolf
April 14, 1934. Directed by Gillett.
Summary: The wolf returns, this time hungry for Little Red Riding Hood.
Behind the Scenes: Despite Walt's claims of "you can't top pigs with pigs", this was the first of three sequels to Three Little Pigs.
Three Little Wolves
April 14, 1936. Directed by Hand.
Summary: The Big Bad Wolf enlists his three sons in the hunt for the three little pigs.
Behind the Scenes: Love the German-sung menu of porcine delights.
The Wise Little Hen
June 9, 1934. Directed by Jackson.
Summary: The title character can't get any of her friends to help her plant her corn.
Behind the Scenes: Donald Duck's screen debut. He would, of course, go on to eclipse even Mickey Mouse in popularity. Peter Pig (the "fifth Beatle" of Toondom) was never heard from again.
Toby Tortoise Returns
August 22, 1936. Directed by Jackson.
Summary: Toby and Max Hare are back, this time in battling it out in the boxing ring.
Behind the Scenes: A slew of Silly Symphony alumni cameo as audience members at the match, including Elmer Elephant, Dirty Bill and Jenny Wren, who coos "I like a men who takes his time" to our slow-paced hero.
The Practical Pig
February 24, 1939. Directed by Dick Rickard.
Summary: It's their older brother to the rescue as Fifer and Fiddler Pig are once again captured by the Big Bad Wolf.
Behind the Scenes: That wolf sure spends a lot of time in drag. The fourth and final Three Little Pigs short.
Easter Egg: From the "Captions" menu, the lower left-hand water baby. Walt talks about the popularity of the Three Little Pigs characters.
LEONARD'S PICKS:
Each disc includes five of Maltin's favorite Silly Symphonies, with added commentary explaining his choices. Disc 1 highlights Three Little Pigs, The Flying Mouse, The Tortoise and the Hare, The Grasshopper and the Ants and Wynken, Blynken and Nod.