Jim On Film
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My Own Home (The Jungle Book, 1967)--A quiet song at the end of a splashy musical extravaganza may not sound like the ideal conclusion, but there’s something catchy and serene about My Own Home that catches the ear and allows it to swim about the mind for awhile.
There are Those (The Happiest Millionaire, 1967)--Who would ever think that a duet performed by two elderly women would be a minor gem from a spectacular song-filled delight like The Happiest Millionaire (whose soundtrack has finally been released). Like Merrily On Our Way, its wit carries the tune as the two women face off in the battle of the century: New York vs. Philadelphia, New Money vs. Old Money, and Dukes vs. Drexels and Biddles.
Mrs. Duke: There are those who grace the pages of the blue
book.
Aunt Mary: Never heard of it. Is it a new book?
Mrs. Duke: Simply anyone who is anyone is listed.
Aunt Mary: Oh, you mean the New York telephone directory.
Mrs. Duke: Hardly.
The Rock couldn’t have said it any better himself.
The Happiest Girl Alive (The One and Only Genuine, Original Family Band, 1968)--A lilting song that establishes the character of Alice Bower, The Happiest Girl Alive is Lesley Ann Warren’s chance to shine in this happy film. The Sherman brothers, in writing it, reached down into Alice’s fears and created a song that expresses universal emotions on the subject of dating and relationships. Furthermore, Lesley Ann Warren has such a stunning voice, one must wish she had had the opportunity to perform as a Disney animated princess.
Scales and Arpeggios (The AristoCats, 1970)--Hands down, this is the cutest song in the entire Disney canon. Cute kitties (often a criticism of the film, but who can resist kitties?) singing a cute song performed by cute kids’ voices accompanying cute images. It doesn’t get any cuter than this.
Eglantine (Bedknobs and Broomsticks, 1971)--Also finally and thankfully released on CD, this charming tune from Bedknobs and Broomsticks is carried by a peppy yet simple tune and catchy lyrics. David Tomlinson begins it, but it is musical genius Angela Lansbury who makes it irresistible, giving the song a character-driven interpretation as she sings:
But the spell I can’t get on
Is the lesson that is gone
It’s disappeared!
And you’re the one to blame.
Your suggestions are rash
And your manner is brash
And I’ve no time to waste Mr. Brown
If I am to proceed
It’s that book that I need.
Don’t let me down!
He doesn’t let her down, and Ms. Lansbury doesn’t let us down either.
Bill of Sale (Pete’s Dragon, 1977)--More so than any song in any Disney film, Bill of Sale can get stuck in your head. Sung by the Goggins (headed by Shelley Winters) and Nora (Helen Reddy) over the custody of little Pete, from the mix between memorable lyrics, Helen Reddy’s heavenly voice, and the gaudy Goggins, it doesn’t take much to be singing:
We got a bill of sale right here
That says he belongs to us.
We bought him fair and square last year
And we own the little cuss.
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-- Jim Miles
Jim On Film is published every other Thursday.
The opinions expressed by our guest columnists, 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 of Disneyland and the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.
-- Posted September 5, 2002
Copyright Jim Miles. Licensed to LaughingPlace.com.