‘Melody Time’ sings, swings, tells tall tales
“Melody Time” is a musical anthology that might remind viewers a bit of “Fantasia,” but with what they called modern music in the 1940s. The seven shorts feature musicians such as the Andrews Sisters, Roy Rogers, organist Ethel Smith giving us samba action and “Flight of the Bumblebee” — but make it swing jazz. There's a lot going on, but none of it lasts very long in this feature, the latest subject of our Disney Plus reviews of the films that are appearing on the platform in the order in which the Disney animated films were released. The movie gets arty with animation and music developed for Joyce Kilmer's “Trees” poem, but it ventures into folklore, too, with Johnny Appleseed and Pecos Bill, who is nothing if not a tall Texas tale.
The basics: Each segment is introduced visually with a paintbrush that spells out the singers and title. Some segments are nature-driven with wintry scenes, and we learn about the many uses of apples. The most cartoonish of the lot is the finale with Pecos Bill, a character raised by wolves.
The legacy: Somewhere along the way, scenes featuring tobacco use were removed from “Melody Time,” but they're back in the Disney Plus version. Also, “Melody Time” is the last big-screen appearance by the Andrews Sisters.
The flashback: Well, it rains, of course. And there are forest creatures that look familiar, including that partridge family again. In sort of a foreshadowing move (reverse flashback?), the tugboat characters in “Little Toot” reminded me of the “Cars” crew.
Adult art of animation appreciation: In multiple segments, the use of color is explored. It conveys anger on ice skates and literally feeling blue before samba perks up Donald Duck and his Brazilian parrot pal Jose Carioca. The animated bumpers between segments tie the film together in a way that previous “package films” by Disney were not.
The “Bumble Boogie” segment (Music by Freddie Martin and his Orchestra with Jack Fina on piano) is the trippiest, with fresh interpretations of keyboards gone bad.
Parental guidance/kid stuff: Native Americans are portrayed as you might guess in the 1940s, and with feathers in their hair. The Pecos Bill segment is a little rough. There is a reference to a woman's “chassis,” which they manage to rhyme with “classy.” And in its live-action introduction, Rogers says that Bill's horse is named Widowmaker. “That's a funny name,” giggles a young actress. Hmmm.
What brought me back to reality (a.k.a. coronavirus alert): Pecos Bill briefly has a mask, like a bandit — or a grocery shopper — might wear.
Burning question: Whatever happened to Jose Carioca? After three Disney film appearances, he drops out of sight until “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” in 1988.
Meanwhile, back in Orlando: In 1948, “Melody Time” played at the Roxy and at the Beacham (still standing) in downtown Orlando, according to ads in the Orlando Evening Star. A review calls it “very nearly a super-colossal musical.” Also playing nearby: “Sitting Pretty” and “Scudda-Hoo, Scudda-Hey,” both of which sound like fictional films from “Seinfeld.” (“Sack Lunch,” anyone? “Rochelle, Rochelle”?)
The theme-park angle: At Magic Kingdom, Frontierland visitors can eat at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café. Bill's image is right there on the sign over the door. Allegedly, there are more character images inside, but that's difficult to fact check right now.
Up next: Disney Plus skips right over “So Dear to My Heart” (1949) to “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad,” the final Disney animated film of the 1940s.