1977 brings us to week 17
Week 17 was a somewhat tough decision.
I turned down:
Herbie Goes To Monte Carlo
Petes Dragon (I think is soooo overrated, with too long of a run time with a child actor who is awful)
Candleshoe ( As a child I liked this, so it was hard to turn down)
The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh (hard to turn down)
I went with the other animated movie from that year: The Rescuers.
I wanted an animated movie because looking forward, as Disney fans know, hard times are coming for the animated studio, until a little mermaid saves them and us from the drought. In fact this is one of the last movies animated by Disneys "Nine Old Men".
The Rescuers is a little underrated in moviedom. However I think this film holds a place in the hearts of Disney fanatics (just my opinion). Animators Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston (Jungle Book, Alice In Wonderland just to name a few) had said that The Rescuers was the best animated movie they worked on since Walt's death.
The Rescuers Is highlighted by great voice casting. It follows two mice: a janitor, Bernard, voiced wonderfully by Bob Newhart; and a member of the Resue Aid Society Miss Bianca voiced by Eva Gabor (also wonderful) as they go to rescue a little girl. The girl, Penny is being held captive by Madame Medusa (Geraldine Page). She is using Penny to help her find a valuable diamond.
It is an exciting adventure story, with plenty of bits and pieces for the entire family to enjoy. Aside from the main characters, we also meet many small characters (literally) that add humor, action and a little sweetness to the movie.
Before I move on to fun facts, I wanted to note, if you have ever seen Geraldine Page in "A Trip To Bountiful" (if not you must see it, it is slow, but she is wonderful and it will have you wanting to hug your mom afterwards) you will be taken back by how someone so sweet in one movie can voice such a nasty person in this one. It reminds you how great an actress she was.
Now fun and not so fun facts:
If Medusa reminds you of Cruella Devil, it may be because Cruella was originally suppose to be in this film.
The character Mr Snoops (Medusa's assistant) was based on film historian John Culhane. He used to come around the Disney Studios often and the animators nicknamed him Mr Snoops.
Joe Flynn, who voiced Mr Snoops, sadly passed away after the film was made. He was a fixture in many Disney movies at the time. Some may also remember him from Mchales Navy, he played Binghamton.
Also Jim Jordan, who played Orville, passed after the movie was made.
This was the first Disney animated movie to inspire a sequel. The Resuers Down Under.
Look for a hidden Mickey. A Mickey watch hangs on the wall at the Rescue Aid Society.
Michelle Stacey who voiced Penny, had many small memorable parts in movies such a the Demon Seed and Logans Run. She also did many spots in TV shows. In 1990 she became a student at USC and left acting. For what? I do not know.
Well enough said about the Rescuers the last of the wonderful animated movies from the studio for awhile to come. So a tip of the hat to that time period with 4 1/2 out of 5 Mickeys. A fun and exciting family film.
1978 starts some tough times for Disney leading up to Touchstone.
Thanks for taking the time.
Week 17 was a somewhat tough decision.
I turned down:
Herbie Goes To Monte Carlo
Petes Dragon (I think is soooo overrated, with too long of a run time with a child actor who is awful)
Candleshoe ( As a child I liked this, so it was hard to turn down)
The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh (hard to turn down)
I went with the other animated movie from that year: The Rescuers.
I wanted an animated movie because looking forward, as Disney fans know, hard times are coming for the animated studio, until a little mermaid saves them and us from the drought. In fact this is one of the last movies animated by Disneys "Nine Old Men".
The Rescuers is a little underrated in moviedom. However I think this film holds a place in the hearts of Disney fanatics (just my opinion). Animators Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston (Jungle Book, Alice In Wonderland just to name a few) had said that The Rescuers was the best animated movie they worked on since Walt's death.
The Rescuers Is highlighted by great voice casting. It follows two mice: a janitor, Bernard, voiced wonderfully by Bob Newhart; and a member of the Resue Aid Society Miss Bianca voiced by Eva Gabor (also wonderful) as they go to rescue a little girl. The girl, Penny is being held captive by Madame Medusa (Geraldine Page). She is using Penny to help her find a valuable diamond.
It is an exciting adventure story, with plenty of bits and pieces for the entire family to enjoy. Aside from the main characters, we also meet many small characters (literally) that add humor, action and a little sweetness to the movie.
Before I move on to fun facts, I wanted to note, if you have ever seen Geraldine Page in "A Trip To Bountiful" (if not you must see it, it is slow, but she is wonderful and it will have you wanting to hug your mom afterwards) you will be taken back by how someone so sweet in one movie can voice such a nasty person in this one. It reminds you how great an actress she was.
Now fun and not so fun facts:
If Medusa reminds you of Cruella Devil, it may be because Cruella was originally suppose to be in this film.
The character Mr Snoops (Medusa's assistant) was based on film historian John Culhane. He used to come around the Disney Studios often and the animators nicknamed him Mr Snoops.
Joe Flynn, who voiced Mr Snoops, sadly passed away after the film was made. He was a fixture in many Disney movies at the time. Some may also remember him from Mchales Navy, he played Binghamton.
Also Jim Jordan, who played Orville, passed after the movie was made.
This was the first Disney animated movie to inspire a sequel. The Resuers Down Under.
Look for a hidden Mickey. A Mickey watch hangs on the wall at the Rescue Aid Society.
Michelle Stacey who voiced Penny, had many small memorable parts in movies such a the Demon Seed and Logans Run. She also did many spots in TV shows. In 1990 she became a student at USC and left acting. For what? I do not know.
Well enough said about the Rescuers the last of the wonderful animated movies from the studio for awhile to come. So a tip of the hat to that time period with 4 1/2 out of 5 Mickeys. A fun and exciting family film.
1978 starts some tough times for Disney leading up to Touchstone.
Thanks for taking the time.