Silent Beginnings (Birthday Episode): Snow White (1916)

When a tale as old as time is retold... for the pedants of Cracked dot com.

With the help of friend and @shoottheflick co-host Frankie Sparks, Wyatt trudged thru the swamps of 2010s live-action remakes. Boy, are you in for a wild ride.

References:

Abramovitch, Seth. “Original ‘Lion King’ Screenwriter Apprehensive of Remake: ‘I Wasn’t Thrilled with “Beauty and the Beast.”’” The Hollywood Reporter, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Dec. 2018, https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/linda-woolverton-lion-king-remake-beauty-beast-1165869/.

Ellis, Lindsay. “That Time Disney Remade Beauty and the Beast.” YouTube, YouTube, 31 July 2018, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpUx9DnQUkA.

Sideways. “The Problem with Auto-Tune.” YouTube, YouTube, 2 Oct. 2020, http:www.youtube.com/watch?v=05hTQC1CZko&t=1010s.

“Why the Music in the Live Action Disney Remakes Is Worse than You Thought.” YouTube, YouTube, 29 Feb. 2020, http:www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaO3M-zZR8E.

Tingen, Paul. “Inside Track: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.” Sound on Sound, June 2017, https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/inside-track-disneys-beauty-and-beast.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Long time no hear, but I return with the archetypal romance of 1950's Cinderella. With the help of friend/fashion historian Marley Healy, we break down the lewks of the Royal Ball, as well as the depiction of romance in early Disney films. In this case, it helps if your Prince Charming's a Christian Dior stan.

References:

Disney, Walt and Corey Burton. “In Walt’s Own Words: The Envisioning of Cinderella.” Cinderella: Signature Collection, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, 2019. Blu-ray Disc.

Mason, Heather. “Ilene Woods ‘So This Is Love’ (1949 Promotional Single).” YouTube, YouTube, 23 July 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgpzDzby9gM.

Lugli, Emanuele. “Tear That Dress Off: Cinderella (1950) and Disney’s Critique of Postwar Fashion.” Bright Lights Film Journal, 15 Feb. 2018, https://brightlightsfilm.com/tear-that-dress-off-cinderella-1950-and-disneys-critique-of-postwar-fashion/.

Perk, Hans. “Prod. 2063 - Cinderella (XIV)  - Seq. 04.0 - King & Duke at Ball.” A. Film L.A., 14 May 2011,  https://afilmla.blogspot.com/2011/05/prod-2063-cinderella-xiv-seq-040-king_14.html.

“Prod. 2063 - Cinderella (XV)  - Seq. 4.1 - Clock Strikes.” A. Film L.A., 15 May 2011, https://afilmla.blogspot.com/2011/05/prod-2063-cinderella-xv-seq-41-clock_15.html.

"Heigh-ho, the merry-o!" Our first episode of 2024 takes us back into the story of Pinocchio. Joining Wyatt is children's literature professor and head of DisNet operations, Rebecca Rowe!

References:

Allan, Robin. “Marionettes.” Walt Disney and Europe: European Influences on the Animated Feature Films of Walt Disney, John Libbey, London, 1999, pp. 74. Book.

Kaufman, J. B. “Fame--and Stromboli.” Pinocchio: The Making of the Disney Epic, The Walt Disney Family Foundation Press, San Francisco, CA, 2015, pp. 182-185. Book.

Flood, W. H. Grattan “The Conscription of Choristers for the Chapel Royal from 1400 to 1700.” The Musical Times, vol. 57, no. 884, 1916, pp. 466–67. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/910236.

Soth, Amelia. “Her Majesty’s Kidnappers.” JSTOR Daily, JSTOR,  17 Sept. 2020, daily.jstor.org/kidnapping-for-the-queens-choir/.

Subtitled Plays. “Pinocchio with Cliff Edwards 📻 Lux Radio Theater.” YouTube, YouTube, 25 Sept. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GILNZUmn-Yc&t=2333s. 

Yup. This is our holiday episode. Scholar Abigail Fine returns to share her expertise on fairy godmothers with Wyatt as we break down Sequence 3 of Walt Disney's Cinderella.

References:

The78Prof. “1947 Hits Archive: Chi-Baba Chi-Baba - Perry Como (a #1 Record).” YouTube, YouTube, 14 May 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIiSXQ9QCDE.

Ander, Cost.  “Perry Como Presents Cinderella (Live, 1950).” YouTube, YouTube, 11 Dec. 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ-n5mJqS2E.

Cadelago, Christopher. “Obituary: Mary Alice O’Connor.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2010, https://www.latimes.com/socal/burbank-leader/news/blr-obit061210222020-story.html.
 
Solomon, Charles, and Marc Davis. “Chapter Two: Cinderella.” The Disney Princess: A Celebration of Art & Creativity, Chronicle Books, San Francisco, CA, 2020, p. 53. Book.

The Disney Archives. “Cinderella - The Real Fairy Godmother.” YouTube, YouTube, 23 Dec. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CBJy5ClmzQ&list=PLhOndNwQYfNAkf3KALs78KigHeeA_d-pS&index=4.

Disney, Walt and Corey Burton. “In Walt’s Own Words: The Envisioning of Cinderella.” Cinderella: Signature Collection, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, 2019. Blu-ray Disc.

Huver, Scott. “The Real-Life Romance That Inspired ‘Cinderella’s’ Fairy Godmother.” NBC Connecticut, NBC Connecticut, 2 Oct. 2012, https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/national-international/the-real-life-romance-that-inspired-cinderellas-fairy-godmother/1915785/.

Lugli, Emanuele. “Tear That Dress Off: Cinderella (1950) and Disney’s Critique of Postwar Fashion.” Bright Lights Film Journal, 15 Feb. 2018, https://brightlightsfilm.com/tear-that-dress-off-cinderella-1950-and-disneys-critique-of-postwar-fashion/. 

Perk, Hans. “Prod. 2063 - Cinderella (Xiii)  - Seq. 03.0 - Fairy Godmother.” A. Film L.A., 13 May 2011, https://afilmla.blogspot.com/2011/05/prod-2063-cinderella-xiii-seq-030-fairy_13.html?m=1.

 Renaut, Christian. “Fairy Godmother (Sequence 08.00).” The Best of Disney’s Animated Features, vol. 2, Christian Renaut, 2022, pp. 211-252. Book.

It may not be the end of the world as we know it. But with 2005's Chicken Little, we uncover an earth-shattering moment in Disney animation. It's a tale of corporate upheaval, creative fatigue, and artistic change which Raeley is poised to recount for everyone... to Wyatt's disgruntlement.

References:

Animation Compendia. “Chicken Little - Teaser Trailer #1 (March 30, 2004).” YouTube, YouTube, 4 Sept. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ymn_XI2GdU&list=PLfQnigF_xmZHXuz6_V-7nVIlG0qRZvGDM&index=2.

justin Quintanilla. “Chicken Little Shop Commercial.” YouTube, YouTube, 14 Oct. 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrAgwCAdris&list=PLfQnigF_xmZHXuz6_V-7nVIlG0qRZvGDM&index=29. 

Lee, Michael J. “MARK DINDAL & RANDY FULLMER on ‘CHICKEN LITTLE.’” Radio Free Entertainment, 16 Oct. 2005, https://movies.radiofree.com/interviews/chickenl_mark_dindal_randy_fullmer.shtml.

ScreenSlam. “Chicken Little: Production Broll Part 1 of 2 .” YouTube, YouTube, 10 July 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty0FwxcQseI&list=PLfQnigF_xmZHXuz6_V-7nVIlG0qRZvGDM&index=11.

“Chicken Little: Production Broll Part 2 of 2.” YouTube, YouTube, 10 July 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy-eZcSMz4I&list=PLfQnigF_xmZHXuz6_V-7nVIlG0qRZvGDM&index=12.

Taylor, Drew. “Chicken Little: Inside the History of Disney’s First CGI Movie.” Collider, 9 Nov. 2020, https://collider.com/disney-chicken-little-history-explained/.

WonderLand. “Chicken Little 2005 Behind the Scenes.” YouTube, YouTube, 8 Nov. 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvkGUZTr47Y.

Back at it again with the magic mirrors! Apologies for the runtime, but Dr. Bee Eldridge joins Wyatt to discuss the rivalry between Queen Grimhilde and Snow White.  We also break off into tangents about a Shakespearean (or "all-male") version of Snow White and the logistics of public restrooms.

References:

Croonr1. “One Song (1938) - Kenny Baker.” YouTube, 18 July 2013, https://youtu.be/Ctqa7kAdAvI?si=pZeV_qjEuPl8Kru0.

Danley, Michael Sky. “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - First Mirror Scene, February 14, 1935.” Sky Danley Productions, 15 Apr. 2020, https://www.skydanley.com/snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs-first-mirror-scene-february-14-1935/. 

Johnson, David. “Bob Cook.” Snow White’s People: An Oral History of the Disney Film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, edited by Didier Ghez, vol. 1, Theme Park Press, Las Vegas, NV, 2017, pp. 194–195. Book.

Kaufman, J. B. “Snow White Meets the Prince.” The Fairest One of All: The Making of Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Walt Disney Family Foundation Press, San Francisco, CA, 2012, p.104-109. Book.

                         
“I’m Wishing.” Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Art and Creation of Walt Disney’s Classic Animated Film, Walt Disney Family Foundation Press, San Francisco, CA, 2012, p.38-57. Book.

                     
  “Unusual Suspects: The Prince.” The Walt Disney Family Museum, 4 Apr. 2013, https://www.waltdisney.org/blog/unusual-suspects-prince.

Perk, Hans. “Prod. 2001 - Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs (I).” A. Film L.A., 20 Oct. 2009, https://afilmla.blogspot.com/search/label/SnowWhite?updated-max=2009-10-21T13%3A00%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=20&start=23&by-date=false.

Robert. “The Good Housekeeping Serial.” Filmic Light - Snow White Archive, 4 Dec. 2012, https://filmic-light.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-good-housekeeping-serial.html?m=1.

Happy Halloween, daaaarlings! To celebrate this annual tradition, Wyatt and Raeley turn the clock back to 1929. We witness the birth of the Silly Symphony cartoon, the shady business practices of a Mr. Pat Powers, and share our thoughts on the best country music stars of 2023. Truly a celebration of all things Disney.

References:

Johnson, Mindy. “Mary Tebb & Disney’s Groundbreaking The Skeleton Dance.” Mindy Johnson Creative, mindyjohnsoncreative, 11 June 2018, https://www.mindyjohnsoncreative.com/single-post/2018/06/11/mary-tebb-disneys-groundbreaking-the-skeleton-dance.

                                      “Tracing & Opaquing.” Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation, Disney Editions, Los Angeles, CA, 2017, p. 59-60. Book.

Korkis, Jim. “The Skeleton Dance Story.” MousePlanet, 15 Oct. 2020, https://www.mouseplanet.com/12776/The_Skeleton_Dance_Story.

Lee, Micah. “The Skeleton Dance Song.” YouTube, YouTube, 24 Oct. 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV_FGV1CWkw.

Merritt, Russell, and J. B. Kaufman. “The Skeleton of an Idea.” Walt Disney’s Silly Symphonies: A Companion to the Classic Cartoon Series, 2nd ed., Disney Editions, Glendale, CA, 2016, pp. 5–8. Book.

The Musicologist. “The Skeleton Dance (1929) - Cartoon Music Analysis.” YouTube, YouTube, 23 Jan. 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4K9S587qwU.

Thomas, Bob. "The Cartoon Maker: 1923-1934."Walt Disney: An American Original. Disney Editions, Glendale, CA, 1994, p. 99-103. Book.

We (and by "we," I mean me, Wyatt) at Disney Reel to Reel love a good guilty pleasure movie. High School Musical: The Concert: All Access Pass is more than that. It's a time capsule, in all its uncomfortable, sparkly glory. Frankie Sparks of @shoottheflick joins me on this trip through 2006-2007 pop culture.

You can find the show @disreeltoreelpodcast and host Wyatt @goldenafternoon51 on Instagram!

Feel free to write in at disneyreeltoreel@gmail.com.

Sound the trumpets! Wyatt simply couldn't wait any longer (THOUGH THIS EPISODE WAS RECORDED IN JUNE)! In this introductory episode to Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, he is joined by co-host of @shoottheflick, Frankie Sparks! A chaotic intro to a movie that Wyatt remains beside himself with joy over!

You can find the show @disreeltoreelpodcast and host Wyatt @goldenafternoon51 on Instagram!

Feel free to write in at disneyreeltoreel@gmail.com.

References:

Ambervale. “Disney’s 1937 Snow White ‘Overture’ Musescore 4.” YouTube, 17 Apr. 2023, https://youtu.be/6PWDSBqq9w4.

Kaufman, J. B., and Gordon Legg. “Once Upon a Time.” The Fairest One of All: The Making of Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Walt Disney Family Foundation Press, San Francisco, CA, 2012, p. 99. Book.

Johnson, Mindy. “Dorothy Ann Blank.” Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation, Disney Editions, Glendale, CA, 2017, p. 128. Book.

Robert. “1938 UK Snow White Pressbook.” Filmic Light - Snow White Archive, 5 Feb. 2016, https://filmic-light.blogspot.com/2016/02/1938-uk-snow-white-pressbook.html?m=1.

                  “The Good Housekeeping Serial.” Filmic Light - Snow White Archive, 4 Dec. 2012, https://filmic-light.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-good-housekeeping-serial.html?m=1.

The Music Box Station. “With a Smile and a Song (Music Box Version).” YouTube, 9 Oct. 2022, https://youtu.be/4B4RBu2g4aM.

The Complete Story of Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 50th Anniversary ed., Harry N. Abrams, New York, 1987, pp. 3–5. Book.

The stars shine bright this Saturday as Wyatt is joined by fashion history writer, Marley Healy (@bastion_of_fashion), to discuss the iconic sequence in 1940's Pinocchio, where Ginger Rogers brings a doll to life and appoints little Fred Astaire as the doll's conscience. Well, that's my head-canon, at least.

Check out her numerous fashion history articles at bastionoffashion.com.

You can find the show @disreeltoreelpodcast and host Wyatt @goldenafternoon51 on Instagram!

Feel free to write in at disneyreeltoreel@gmail.com.

References:

Allan, Robin. “Characterisation.” Walt Disney and Europe: European Influences on the Animated Feature Films of Walt Disney, John Libbey, London, 1999, pp. 82–88. Book.

Formichella, Janice. “Glamour Escapism: 1930s Fashion.” Recollections Blog, 21 Jan. 2023, https://recollections.biz/blog/glamour-escapism-1930s-fashion/.

Fortson, Beth, and Kelsey Noel. “Original Costume Sketches for a Production of Pinocchio, 1939.” National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives and Records Administration, 19 Jan. 2016, https://unwritten-record.blogs.archives.gov/2016/01/19/original-costume-sketches-for-a-production-of-pinocchio-1939/.

Kaufman, J. B. “The Blue Fairy.” Pinocchio: The Making of the Disney Epic, The Walt Disney Family Foundation Press, San Francisco, CA, 2015, pp. 76–80. Book.

                                 “The Novachord.” Pinocchio: The Making of the Disney Epic, The Walt Disney Family Foundation Press, San Francisco, CA, 2015, p. 135. Book.

Mayerson, Mark. "Pinocchio Part 3." Mayerson on Animation, 10 Mar. 2007, http://mayersononanimation.blogspot.com/2007/03/pinocchio-part-3.html.
 
                                        “Pinocchio Part 3A.” Mayerson on Animation, 11 Mar. 2007, http://mayersononanimation.blogspot.com/2007/03/pinocchio-part-3a.html.

Renaut, Christian. “The Fairy turns around to address Pinocchio.” The Best of Disney’s Animated Features, vol. 1, Theme Park Press, Monee, IL, 2020, pp. 63–67. 

                                            “The light turns into a Blue Fairy and she first addresses Gepetto and Figaro who are sleeping.” The Best of Disney’s Animated Features, vol. 1, Theme Park Press, Monee, IL, 2020, pp. 61–63. Book.

Subtitled Plays. “Pinocchio with Cliff Edwards 📻 Lux Radio Theater.” YouTube, YouTube, 25 Sept. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GILNZUmn-Yc&t=2333s.