Anthomation Assesses The Top 5 30’s-40’s Disney films

Howdy guys, Anthomaton here. Today, I shall start a new series with my Top 5 lists, and it has something to do with the House of Mouse. This list will be the Top 5 Disney animated films from the 1930’s and 1940’s. I will be doing a lookback at every decade in the illustrious history of Walt Disney Animation Studios, and recall the best films in each chapter of the story. Without further ado, the best of the 30’s and 40’s.

5. Bambi (1941):

A young deer named Bambi joins his new friends, a rabbit named Thumper and a skunk named Flower, in exploring his forest home. As a boy, he learns from his doting mother and his father, The Great Prince of the Forest, that there are dangers in the open meadows where hunters can spot the animals, and he meets a beautiful young doe named Faline. As Bambi grows up, he learns that there is tragedy as well as beauty and joy in his forest world and on the path to adulthood. What I love the most about this film is that it is not afraid to show both the joyous and devastating moments of growing up. The scene where Bambi’s mother dies is still one of the saddest moments in animation history. But the part of that scene is how it shows that death is sadly a part of life and there is a place for both mourning and acceptance. Still one of the all time greats to this day!

Score:

9.5/10

4. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937):

Jealous of Snow White’s beauty, the wicked queen orders the murder of her innocent stepdaughter, but later discovers that Snow White is still alive and hiding in a cottage with seven friendly little miners. Disguising herself as a hag, the queen brings a poisoned apple to Snow White, who falls into a death-like sleep that can be broken only by a kiss from the prince. Obviously every 2D animated film from Disney is drawn with great detail, but there may never be another film that matches the color scheme and backgrounds of this film. Every frame encapsulates so much about the story. The one complaint I hear about this movie is that the story is too basic. In this case, the narrative is simple because it’s the visuals that tell the story. When Snow White is running through the wicked forest, her fright shows what she is scared of right in front of her AND her fright of the evil queen. It’s a classic tale turned into a classic feature!

Score:

9.5/10

3. Pinocchio (1940):

When the woodworker Geppetto (Christian Rub) sees a falling star, he wishes that the puppet he just finished, Pinocchio (Dickie Jones), could become a real boy. In the night, the Blue Fairy (Evelyn Venable) grants Geppetto’s wish and asks Jiminy Cricket (Cliff Edwards) to serve as the wooden boy’s conscience. But the naive and trusting Pinocchio falls into the clutches of the wicked Honest John (Walter Catlett), who leads him astray to the sinful Pleasure Island. Narrative wise, this is about as complete of a film as they come. Every scene, from Pinocchio coming to life to his misadventures with Honest John to him being turned into a donkey to him finally being turned into a real boy, are all so iconic in their own right. Anyone of these scenes could make or break any random film. But all of these scenes are in one film. That makes it one of the most remembered films of all time, period.

Score:

9.5/10

2. Dumbo (1941):

A young circus elephant is born with comically large ears and given the cruel nickname Dumbo. One day at a show, he is taunted by a group of kids, inciting his mother into a rage that gets her locked up. After Dumbo’s ears cause an accident that injures many of the other elephants, he is made to dress like a clown and perform dangerous stunts. Everything changes when Dumbo discovers that his enormous ears actually allow him to fly, and he astounds everyone at the circus with his new talent. As far as full length animated features are concerned, this might be the biggest emotional roller coaster I have EVER been on. Dumbo being made fun of by the other elephants makes the audience furious, seeing Dumbo’s detained in a prison is an absolute tear-jerker, and Dumbo using his ears to fly will take everyone out of their seat in excitement. It has amazing characters, flowing animation, a great story, and many laughs and tears to spare. 

Score:

9.5/10

1.Fantasia (1940):

Bringing to life his vision of blending animated imagery with classical music. What had begun as a vehicle to enhance Mickey Mouse’s career blossomed into a full-blown feature that remains unique in the history of animation. When I think of the masterpiece in every sense of the word, I think of this film. The animation is absolutely gorgeous. With flowing character movements, vivid colors,  awe-inspiring backgrounds, every frame leaps off the screen. The characters are not only memorable, but purely iconic. Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey Mouse is the flagship character at his grandest scale. The contrast of the devil on Night on Bald Mountain and the church bells of Ave Maria might be the most captivating moment in American animation history. The music for all of the segments match up perfectly, but this segment in particular is just so awesome. To be quite honest, it’s one of those moments where I can’t take my eyes off the screen because it is that extraordinary. In my opinion, it is the BEST Disney animated film EVER made!

Score:

10/10