Toon Talk: 100 Years of Magic - 100 Movies, Part One
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#41. BUENA VISTA PRESENTS
A landmark documentary, The Living Desert (November 10, 1953) was the first True Life Adventure feature and the very first release from the newly created Buena Vista Distribution Company. Walt made the break from his usual distributor, RKO, over their hesitation of releasing a full-length nature film. The Living Desert became a huge financial success and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
#42. ADVENTURES IN MUSIC
Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom (November 10, 1953), the second (and last) in a proposed series of Adventures in Music (the first, Melody, released earlier in 1953, was the first 3-D cartoon), was the first cartoon filmed in CinemaScope. Along with the True Life Adventure featurette Bear Country, these last three films helped Walt to win a record four Academy Awards in one year.
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#43. IN (LIQUID) SPACE, NO ONE CAN HEAR YOU SCREAM
Disney's production of Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (December 23, 1954) has become the definitive version of the adventure classic. The first Disney feature filmed in CinemaScope, it was also the first time Walt cast "name" actors, such as Kirk Douglas and James Mason. Breathtaking special effects (including the thrilling squid battle) and gorgeous art direction won the film two Academy Awards.
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#44. PUPPY LOVE
A short story titled Happy Dan, the Whistling Dog was the basis for Lady and the Tramp (June 22, 1955), the first Disney animated feature to be filmed in CinemaScope; additional planning and animation were required for the new format. Lady and Tramp's moonlit spaghetti dinner is widely regarded as one of the most romantic movie moments ever.
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#45. BEST DOGGONE DOG IN THE WORLD
A mangy ol' yeller dog wanders on to the Coates family farm and eventually earns their love and respect in Old Yeller (December 25, 1957). Yeller has to be shot after contracting hydrophobia, in a heartbreaking scene that ranks as one of the most traumatic deaths in cinematic history. Yeller's pup returned for the 1963 sequel, Savage Sam.
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#46. ... OR COMA
Inspired by the Tchaikovsky ballet, Sleeping Beauty (January 29, 1959) was the most expensive Disney animated feature to date. Filmed in Technirama, the spectacular visual style was provided by renowned artist Eyvind Earle.
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#47. I WAS A TEEN-AGED HOUSE PET
Originally intended for television, The Shaggy Dog (March 19, 1959) was the first Disney live action comedy and an unexpected blockbuster for the Studio. It set the tone for every Disney comedy to follow, including it's sequel, The Shaggy D.A. (1976).
#48. THE SUM OF US
"Mathematics is the alphabet in which God wrote the universe." Thus quotes Galileo at the close of Donald in Mathmagic Land (June 26, 1959), the Academy Award-nominated short that would become the most popular educational film ever produced by Disney due to it's perennial inclusion in classroom curriculum nationwide.
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#49. GLAD TIDINGS
Eleanor H. Porter's Pollyanna was the best-known American novel since Uncle Tom's Cabin. When Walt filmed it, he cast a young Hayley Mills in the title role, which won her an Oscar and made her the Studios' newest star. Released on May 19, 1960.
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#50. SURVIVOR
Trapped on a deserted tropical island with no Tribal Councils, Immunity Idols or Jeff Probst in sight, the Swiss Family Robinson (December 21, 1960) had to rely on each other (and a cleverly constructed tree house) for food and shelter, in this, the greatest Disney family adventure,
Toon in next week as we conclude our countdown of 100 Years of Magic - 100 Movies.
Discuss It
-- Kirby C. Holt
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 November 26, 2001