Toon Talk Mailbag
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(c) Disney

The Toon Talk Top 101: The Best Disney Songs, posted August 17 and 24, 2001:
Or:  Mr. Holt's Opus.
Click to read article: Part One • Part Two

"You did include one of my favorite Disney tunes, "Fortuosity"!  Just a note:  "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" was written in 1963 or 1964 for the 1964 New York World's Fair.  It first appeared in Disneyland in the Carousel of Progress in 1967." -- Mike

In my research, I found contradictory information in regards to this song's first appearance.  I went with the date listed in the CD collection Disney's 75 Years of Music & Memories, 1967.

"I am thrilled that you included so many of my favorite Sherman Brothers songs, like "Fortuosity" and "West Of the Wide Missouri."  Sadly, many of these songs have been forgotten by the general public - but I am so glad you brought them up!  They are truly wonderful Disney songs!" -- Jessica

There are a lot of great songs from the Disney live action musicals that are not available on CD.  Hopefully one day they will release soundtracks for Happiest Millionaire, Family Band, Bedknobs & Broomsticks, Pete's Dragon, et cetera.

"I understand that everything is subjective, but it seems that you are far more partial to tunes from the last 20 years.  Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan have only one song each ... " -- Yavn

This was the big controversy, odd since the "50 Greatest Moments" list was similarly divided.  The list was intentionally split to, more or less, reflect the two basic eras of Disney music:  the classic and the contemporary.  I touched on this in the introduction to part one of the article.

"With regard to a few of the Beauty & the Beast entries:  "Beauty  & the Beast":  people should be referred to the (Diamond Rio) version on The Best of Country Sings the Best of Disney.  The mandolin adds a unique flavor to the song.  "If I Can't Love Her":  a note makes reference to the Australian production with Hugh Jackman (where he played Gaston).  A cast recording CD is available of that production and can often be found on E-Bay."  -- David Stinson

I purposely did not list an alternate track for "Beauty & the Beast" because Angela Lansbury's is, without a doubt, the definative version.  But I do agree that the Diamond Rio rendition is a unique and enjoyable cover of the song.

I was not aware that Hugh Jackman played Gaston in Australia.  He did play the Beast in London.

Missing songs, according to readers, included:  "Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee" and others from Pinocchio, "The Unbirthday Song" from Alice in Wonderland, "You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly!" from Peter Pan, "My Pretty Irish Girl" from Darby O'Gill & the Little People, "The Beautiful Briny" from Bedknobs & Broomsticks, "The Best of Friends" from The Fox & the Hound, "Once Upon a Time in New York City" from Oliver & Company, "Home Is Where the Heart Is" from Tale Spin, "In Harmony" from The Little Mermaid television series, "Carrying the Banner" and others from Newsies, "The Bells of Notre Dame" and "Hellfire" from The Hunchback of Notre Dame, "Strange Things" from Toy Story and "Son of Man" from Tarzan. 

The one song that I thought for sure I would get called on for not including, the Sherman brothers' "The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room" (which I find much more annoying then "It's A Small World"), was surprisingly never mentioned.

•  •  •

Coming to Toon Talk in the next couple of months will be more reviews (Snow White and Dumbo on DVD; Monsters Inc. and Beauty & the Beast in theaters), specials (best live action actors; the greatest Disney villains) and a few surprises. 

Thanks again to all who have written in with their comments, questions and feedback.  It is always appreciated.

Stay tooned ...

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-- Kirby C. Holt

-- Posted September 6, 2001