My Review of "Fun and Fancy Free"

My Disney classic lessons continue. Today I was introduced to Fun and Fancy Free. It's a double feature film that came out back in 1947. Watching this today I start thinking how great hand drawn cartoons are. I have a great appreciation for the way they animated their cartoons back in the day especially Disney movies because the animation is so fluid.

For those that haven't seen this film it's basically a hodgepodge of ideas. Jiminy Cricket introduces the audience to a record. A record is a black vinyl disk that people used to use to play music. So he plays the record and the first short film begins. The first short film is about a bear named Bongo.

Bongo is a circus bear that wants to get out of the circus and become a regular bear. He escapes the confines of the circus and enters the forest. In the forest he finds that there's a lot he can't get used to but there's also a lot of love. In particular there is a female bear that he falls hopelessly in love with.

After the Bongo story it goes to a Edgar Bergen. He's a ventriloquist that has two puppets: Charlie and Mortimer. He's using these puppets to entertain a little girl by the name of Luana. There are a lot of old timey jokes that border on the line of dad jokes. I think a lot of people today would enjoy these jokes because dad jokes are really in nowadays.

Edgar eventually goes into a Disney version of the classic Jack and the Beanstalk story. This time it stars Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. In this rendition of Jack and the Beanstalk there is a golden harp that's vital in their flourishing kingdom. One day the golden harp was stolen and the kingdom has fallen under bad times because of it.

Three hungry farmers are struggling and they happen to be Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. These guys have starving and will do anything for food. They decide that they have to sell their only cow. So Mickey goes out and sells it but he comes home with magic beans and you basically know the story after that.

It's really a fun take on the story. There's tons of fun to be had and they have a catchy song that the giant sings that will stay in your head for a little while after the movie is over. Donald Duck is funny as ever. I really forget how funny Donald's character is. He was always my favorite Disney character and now I remember why.

The Bongo's songs weren't quite as memorable as the giant's song but it was enjoyable nonetheless. Some people might be overwhelmed by how lovey dovey the Bongo story is but it's cute and innocent. There will be a lot that enjoy it as well.

Thankfully there aren't any offensive situations that had not translated with the test of time. This is definitely a movie the whole family can enjoy. The ventriloquist puppets may be a little freaky though. Still there are two separate stories that are told in this film that will keep the attention of children. Edgar's narration of the Jack and the Beanstalk story is genuinely entertaining even for adults.

Overall, I was really impressed with the art and craftsmanship that was put into this film. The animation is wonderful and dumbfounding. I think this film can be enjoyed by everyone at any age group. That's why I have to give this film an 8 out of 10. If there are little kids around I will definitely get them to watch this film. Some adults will also enjoy the Jack and the Beanstalk story as well.