History and Review Written by Michael J. RuhlandYear Released: 1946
Michael's Movie Grade:B+
History
After the financial success of Saludos Amigos, and the financial disappointment of many other recent Disney features, it was decided to make another film along the lines of Saludos Amigos. In other words a collection of cheaper made cartoon shorts, put together to make a feature. The theme this time around would be music, however it would not be specifically classical music like Fantasia, nor would it include the experimentation of that film. This was of course so it would not be subject to either the criticisms Fantasia revived, or be as big of a box office failure. Though the Blue Bayou segment, and the Peter and the Wolf segment were originally intended for a future installment of Fantasia (Read my post on Fantasia, if you don't understand what I mean by that), this film as a whole would bare little resemblance to that film. This desire to be different from Fantasia lead to a big change being made to the Peter and the Wolf segment. This change was an addition of narration by regular Disney voice artist Sterling Holloway (The Cheshire Cat, Winnie the Pooh, Mr. Stork, Kaa, and many narrators).
The music selection would be varied. Performers included such names as The Andrew Sisters (Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B, Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree, also known for appearing with Abbott and Costello in the films, Buck Privates, In the Navy and Hold That Ghost, they would also later provide another song for the Disney film Melody Time) The King's Men (Probably best known for providing the Munchkins' sing voices in 1939's The Wizard of Oz), Nelson Eddy (Shortnin' Bread), Benny Goodman (Two O' Clock Jump), Dianah Shore (Blues in the Night, she would also do a voice in another Disney film, Fun and Fancy Free), and The Ken Darby Chorus (Ken Darby had interestingly been the singing voice for the Munchkin mayor in 1939's Wizard of Oz). The cartoon shorts would be directed by Disney regulars Clyde Geronimi (Casey at Bat, Peter and the Wolf, The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met), Jack Kinney (All Cats Join in, After You've Gone, Johnnie Fedora and Alice Bluebonnet ) Hamilton Luske (The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met), Joshua Meador (Martins and the Coys, Two Silhouettes), Sam Armstrong (Martins and the Coys, Blue Bayou).
Make Mine Music was reasonably successful both financially and critically, encouraging the studio to keep making films of this kind. The short cartoon segments would later be re-released as individual short films. Though this film is mostly forgotten today, many Disney buffs still praise Jack Kinney's direction and Fred Moore's animation on the All Cats Join in segment, and the whole The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met segment.
Review
Since this movie is a collection of short cartoons put together to make a feature film, I will review each cartoon individually.
Blue Bayou: Beautiful animation match with beautiful music. However it does not measure up to the best of Fantasia. This is because it doesn't ever create it's own atmosphere, and feels like it is trying hard to be artsy, unlike Fantasia or Bambi, which felt more natural. However as it is it's quite lovely. Grade: C
All Cats Come in: The best segment of the film. The character designs are fantastic, and match the setting perfectly. The music and animation could not be matched up better, no matter how hard the filmmakers tried. Most of all though this cartoon is overflowing with energy. That energy is certainly contagious and this segment leaves you with a smile. Benny Goodman's music is fantastically fun and catchy, and only adds to the fun. This is sheer Disney cartoon fun at it's best. Grade: A+
Without You: While this short does contain some beautiful animation, it is fairly lifeless. Again like Blue Bayou this segment is consciously trying to be artsy instead of naturally being that way. Here though that is much more obvious and the whole short just feels forced. However I applaud Disney for experimenting with a segment like this. Grade: D
Casey at Bat: Decent cartoon is nothing special besides some great work by Mary Blair. However there is nothing bad about this cartoon, and it does have some really funny moments, and features some great cartoony animation. Grade:C
Two Silhouettes: Visually interesting segment, is a worthwhile experiment. This segment has a very unique look. The segment is enhanced heavily by the beautiful voice of Dinah Shore, and the song writing of regular Disney song writers, Charles Wolcott and Ray Gilbert. While this experiment doesn't fully work it has a unique charm to it. Grade: B
Peter and the Wolf: Sadly, this cartoon is bogged down by unnecessary narration. As big of a fan as I am of Sterling Holloway, this would be a much better cartoon with no narration. In fact narration goes against the entire point of Peter and the Wolf, where a story is supposed to be told by instruments. However as it is it is a very enjoyable short. The animation is quite likable, and it has some really good laughs. Grade: C
After You've Gone: Fantastic treat of imagination and animation. This is music coming alive personified. This is almost a companion piece to the Pink Elephants on Parade scene from Dumbo. Pure surrealist cartoon fun. Grade: A+
Johnny Fedora and Alice Blue Bonnet: A quite charming cartoon, that gets you to actually care about a couple of hats. This segment is enhanced heavily by a great performance from The Andrew Sisters. Very sweet, charming, and fun. Grade: A
The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met: At times quite funny at others very emotional. A beautiful and funny cartoon, that stands as a classic on it's own. A real treat. Grade:A+
Film Credits
Directors: Robert Cormack, Clyde Geronimi, Jack Kinney, Hamilton Luske, Joshua Meador
Writers: Homer Brightman, Dick Huemer, Dick Kinney, John Walbridge, Tom Oreb, Dick Shaw, Eric Gurney, Sylvia Moberly-Holland, T. Hee, Erdman Penner, Dick Kelsey, James Bodrero, Roy Williams, Cap Palmer, Jesse Marsh, Erwin Graham
Performers: Nelson Eddy, Dinah Shore, Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, The Andrews Sisters, Andy Russell, Sterling Holloway, The Pied Pipers, The King's Men, Ken Darby Chorus, Thurl Ravenscroft
Voices: Jerry Colonna (Narrator), Sterling Holloway (Narrator)
Silhouette Dancers: Tatiana Riabouchinska, David Lichine
Producer: Walt Disney
Music: Eliot Daniel, Oliver Wallace, Charles Wolcott
Production Supervisor: Joe Grant
Assistant Directors: Rusty Jones, Ted Sebern, Bee Selck
Songwriters: Make Mine Music: Ken Darby and Eliot Daniel (Music and Lyrics) The Martins and the Coys: Al Cameron and Ted Weems (Music and Lyrics) Blue Bayou: Bobby Worth and Ray Gilbert (Music and Lyrics), All the Cats Join In: Eddie Sauter (Music), Alec Wilder and Ray Gilbert (Lyrics) Without You: Osvaldo Farrés (Music), Ray Gilbert (Lyrics), Two Silhouettes: Charles Wolcott (Music), Ray Gilbert (Lyrics) Peter and the Wolf: Sergei Prokofiev After You've Gone: Turner Leighton (Music), Henry Creamer (Lyrics) Johnny Fedora and Alice Bluebonnet: Allie Wrubel (Music and Lyrics), Ray Gilbert (Lyrics)
Art Supervisors: Mary Blair, John Hench, Elmer Plummer
Color Consultant: Mique Nelson
Effects Animators: Jack Boyd, Brad Case, Andy Engman, Don Patterson, George Rowley
Special Effects: Ub Iwerks
Background Artists: Claude Coats, Merle Cox, Al Dempster, Ray Huffine, Ralph Hulett, Art Riley, Jimi Trout, Thelma Witmer
Layout Artists: Ed Benedict, Don DaGradi, Hugh Hennesy, John Niendorff, Lance Nolley, Kendall O'Connor, Charles Payzant, Charles Philippi, Al Zinnen
Animators: Hal Ambro, Al Bertino, Jack Campbell, Les Clark, Phil Duncan, Hugh Fraser, Ollie Johnston, Bill Justice, Milt Kahl, Ward Kimball, Hal King, Eric Larson, John Lounsbery, Tom Massey, John McManus, Fred Moore, Cliff Nordberg, Ken O'Brien, John Sibley, Harvey Toombs, Judge Whitaker, Al Coe, Harry Hamsel, Jerry Hathcock, Murray McClellan, Milt Neil, Noel Tucker, Karl Van Leuven, Cy Young
Resources Used
http://www.awn.com/mag/issue4.01/4.01pages/allanmake.php3
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038718/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
-Michael J. Ruhland
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