Disney War Propaganda Film

This World War II film, meant to send a message rather than entertain, is adapted from a book by Russian-born Major Alexander P. de Seversky. It starts out with a brief but interesting history of airplanes, starting with the Wright Brothers' first flight in Kittyhawk. We see aviation being explored by various nations for various purposes and then airplanes put to limited use in World War I, followed by a series of successes in flight, before finally moving on to World War II. The film talks about the history of Major de Seversky, who later explains about how the advent of aircraft spells change in the face of traditional warfare. It then goes on to explain how the Allies chose not to embrace the use of air power and instead, used old-fashioned methods of warfare to battle the Axis powers, who used aircraft to do their dirty work. The point the film makes is that the only way for the Allies to secure victory over the robust Axis is to make heavy use of military aviation, because, as we're told, fighting on the surface puts the advantage in the hands of Adolf Hitler. ~ From Wikipedia

During World War 2 the Disney Company made many entertaining and educational cartoons shorts for the war effort but only one feature-length film and that was Victory Through Air Power. It was the very first Disney theatrical release that featured not only animation but also live-action too. The film is based on the (then) controversial book of the same name by Alexander P. de Seversky which was published shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Unfortunately, it’s also the only Disney movie I’ve ever seen that’s not only dated but is actually kind of boring too. I think the only people that this educational film could hope to appeal to are history buffs and seriously devoted Disney fans. Because Air Power was put together in such a hurry, not even the animation could redeem this film for me. To put it bluntly: I was bored and had to make myself watch the last 30 minutes.

That’s not to say that maybe for it’s time it was good but I only watched it because the Disney name was attached. To me it seemed like one long lecture but I’m sure there were many people back then that the message impacted but I just didn’t care for it.

~You can now buy this film in the Disney Treasure’s DVD: On the Front Lines anthology along with other propaganda shorts such as Der Fuehrer’s Face and Donald Gets Drafted (that are much more interesting).

The Film that Became an Award-Winning TV Show

The Wind In The Willows has captured the hearts and imaginations of children and adults for nearly a century. Brought vividly and faithfully to life in this 1983 film adaptation, Kenneth Grahame's classic tales of Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad are available to home viewers for the first time.

An award-winning creation from the legendary Cosgrove Hall Productions (Danger Mouse, Count Duckula), The Wind In The Willows features eye-catching stop-motion animation and dialogue taken directly from the pages of the beloved children's tale. Experience the lively, song-filled adventures of Mole, Rat, Badger and Toad in an enchanting production as magical as the original book.


When Kenneth Grahame wrote The Wind in the Willows in 1908 I bet he never dreamed that it would be reproduced in so many forms. There are plays, book “sequels” by other authors, and of course films. Animated and live-action are the most common but in order to distinguish one above the rest; with so many different adaptations around, it would have to be dramatically different. So the people of Cosgrove Hall made their Wind in the Willows using stop-motion puppetry.

For some reason using such a different technique really did make the film stand out! It became so popular that Cosgrove made it into a TV series that ran from 1984-1987 then again in 1989-90. For the most part, that was before my time so I didn’t grow up with these characters like most people so I didn’t get the warm, fuzzy sense of nostalgia when watching it.

Actually, I didn’t find the film visually appealing at all. I thought it was very dated and the characters are kind of scary-looking! The movie did have one good thing about it and that was the music. The original dialogue and some of the songs from the book were used all throughout the film. I’ll even grudgingly admit that the voice work wasn’t too shabby either with the talents of the British actors Ian Carmichael as Rat, Richard Pearson as Mole, Michael Hordern as Badger, and David Jason as Toad.

However much I didn’t care for the overall look of Cosgrove’s Wind in the Willows, I have to admit that the story was (for the most part) a faithful rendering of the original tale. They did take a few liberties though and I still can’t stand the pompous Mr. Toad.

~ I also have posts on the original book by Kenneth Grahame, the animated Disney adaptation, and the 1987 Rankin/ Bass animated version as well.

The End Credits Song:

A Sensible Version of Wind in the Willows

Join Mole, Ratty, Badger, and of course, the irrepressible Mr. Toad in this hilarious adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic tale of friendship and mischief. Mole and Ratty set out for a fun-filled day on the river, but they soon meet up with Mr. Toad, whose obsession with cars only leads to big trouble! After a daring jail break, Mr. Toad joins his friends in a madcap battle to regain his home, Toad Hall, from the villainous weasels. The beautifully-animated film brings to life one of the best-loved children’s books of all time, and is sure to delight children of all ages.


Kenneth Grahame’s classic children’s book The Wind in the Willows has been adapted for films (animated and otherwise) for several decades now. I recently watched an animated version of the fabulous story that was produced by Rankin/Bass in 1987 (some sites and videos say ‘83). I felt like the animation could have been better (it’s not very pretty and resembles The Hobbit) but I got so caught up in the story I was able to ignore it.

I just adored this little feature! It follows the original Grahame story faithfully, more so than any other adaptation I’ve ever seen. There were a few minor changes of course but they left in the important things (including the Pan and Wayfarer sequence). The movie also had quite a few wonderful songs (a must for an animated film), lot of which used the verses and dialogue from the book!

This version of The Wind in the Willows starred many wonderful voice talents too including those of Roddy McDowall as Ratty (who was such a great actor that he had appeared in over 200 movies or voiced characters in them before his death in 1998) and Charles Nelson Reilly as Toad (who is probably best known for voicing Killer from All Dogs Go to Heaven). I suggest everyone should see this little gem! That is, if you ever can get your hands on it. Unfortunately it has never been released to DVD and the VHS tapes are rare now. I watched an old copy from my library.

~ I have a post on the Wind in the Willows novel by Kenneth Grahame and also a post on Disney’s animated adaptation.

It's Wonderful in Wonderland

Experience the magic, fun and adventure of Alice in Wonderland like never before in this new Masterpiece Edition 2-Disc set.

Join Alice as she falls into the madcap world of Wonderland and meets extraordinary characters such as Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts and the frantically late White Rabbit.

And the fun continues with new bonus features including the Virtual Wonderland Party, the newly discovered Cheshire Cat song "I’m Odd," Mickey’s Thru the Mirror animated short, plus sing along songs and all-new games. Your family will want to experience this timeless Disney masterpiece again and again!


For the longest time Disney’s Alice in Wonderland animated film was my absolute favorite childhood films. One I could watch a million times in a row and never get tired of. Maybe because it doesn’t make you sad or because it’s just plain fun with all the songs and vivid colors but I always believed it to be one of Walt Disney’s finest achievements.

Recently I’ve discovered that I just might have to agree with the big man himself that the film is a little cold because almost everyone in Wonderland is unkind to Alice at some point or another and she really doesn’t have anyone to act off of. That’s not to say that I don’t still find the story, the animation, the voice work, and the songs absolutely enchanting though.

One of my favorite things about Alice in Wonderland is how they used such unique voices and Disney Legends for the characters. Alice herself is played by Kathryn Beaumont who later went on to voice Wendy in Peter Pan. Then there’s Ed Wynn as the Mad Hatter (he appeared in several Disney films including Mary Poppins), Verna Felton as the Queen of Hearts (she played lead roles in Dumbo, Cinderella, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, & even The Jungle Book), and my personal favorite Sterling Holloway who of course played the Cheshire Cat (he has voiced many Disney characters but he’s most famous for Winnie the Pooh).

Another one of my favorite things about the thirteenth film (which did prove unlucky for Walt Disney originally) in the animated film canon is how creative and visually entertaining it actually is. Take those interesting creatures found in Tulgey Wood for example, those could have easily been scary for children but they aren’t! Even if I don’t enjoy this little film as much as I used to I have no problem telling you that it’s a genuine treasure that everyone should see.

~ Walt Disney’s Alice in Wonderland is very loosely based on Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll.

I recommend this 2-disc DVD to any Disney enthusiast as it includes many songs not used in the final film and quite a few Walt Disney specials like the One Hour in Wonderland and Operation Wonderland.

Reminder: As always, there are links behind the pictures. All you have to do is click on them to be taken to more information about this classic animated masterpiece.

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Disneyland Introduction:


Wonderful World Of Color Introduction:

A Furling Adventure

In this rousing, magical adventure filled with whimsy, laughter, and charm, a host of fun-loving characters takes you on an unforgettable journey in a land called Dapplewood. Three friends, Abigail the wood mouse, Edgar the mole and Russell the hedgehog, find their tranquil lives disrupted when a chemical spill destroys Dapplewood. When the toxic spill causes their best friend to fall ill, the three pals set off on an extraordinary journey to save both their friend and their home.


One of the most beautiful and heartwarming animated films about animals came out in the spring of 1993, it was called Once Upon a Forest. With such wonderful voice talent (featuring the voice of Phantom of the Opera star Michael Crawford), beautiful music by one of the really great composers James Horner, and incredible animation (the kind you want to frame and put on your wall), it’s seems wrong that this classic movie gets referred to as “kind of like Ferngully”.

I first watched this film when I was only 7 years old and only vaguely remembered seeing it so when I realized it was on TV today I just had to watch it! Surprisingly, it was even better than I thought it would be. There were very few songs (for James Horner anyway) but each were incredibly beautiful, especially Please Wake Up sung by Cornelius (voiced by Michael Crawford).

For such a wonderful film (it was even nominated for an Annie for Best Animated Feature), Once Upon a Forest didn’t go over too well with the parents or the critics when it first came out (most thought it too scary) but has since been recognized for it’s genius. There are fan sites available even today online. Hopefully I’ll live to see the day when animated films with heart and courage like this one are made again.

~ Once Upon a Forest is based on the Welsh story The Furlings by Rae Lambert

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