I grew up between the two golden ages of Disney animation, when less-loved creations like ‘The Rescuers’ (’77) and ‘The Fox and the Hound’ (’81) portended a protracted slump from which the studio wouldn’t emerge until ‘The Little Mermaid’ leapt ashore at the end of ’89.
I was more or less an adult by the time of ‘90s marvels like ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘The Lion King’ and (my fave by far) ’The Hunchback of Notre Dame,’ which means my sense of childlike wonder remains with the masterpieces that came before I was born. Especially those from the ‘50s, as I had little patience for or appreciation of ‘Fantasia’ and’ Pinocchio’ and such until I was older. There’s a heightened playfulness within the Disney framework that starts seeping in with ‘The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad’ (’49) and ‘Cinderella’ (’50) and then takes permanent root once the measured mania of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ arrives in July ’51. Its enriched palette, wittier spirit and sharpened character clarity (even for fleeting but indelible cameos, like the Cheshire Cat’s) is detectable in virtually everything that followed until at least the studio’s digitally enhanced renaissance. I wish they’d made this a double to include Oliver Wallace’s score, rather than simply showcase Fain & Hilliard’s lovely songs. But I’ll take what I can get. Still high among the movies I treasure most, and forever a Disneyland attraction I’m always game to ride, even when the line is as long as Peter Pan’s. ’Twas one kinda trip when I was a kid; became another once weed entered my life at 30.
#SoundtrackSunday 007:
‘Alice in Wonderland’
Walt Disney, 1951 / picture disc pressing, 2016
d: Sharpsteen / Geronimi / Jackson / Luske
s: Oliver Wallace / Sammy Fain / Bob Hilliard