Bambi/Cinderella

Now we are starting to get really good, because today we are going to look at “Bambi,” released in 1942. One of the most timeless and universal coming-of-age films ever, “Bambi” is up there with the some of the best Disney classic masterpieces, next to “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves,” “Pinocchio,” and “Fantasia.” Steven D. Greydanus mentioned in his review, “Loosely based on the unsentimental novel by Austrian Jewish writer Felix Salten, Bambi regrettably reflects none of the source material’s religious themes, but it resonates with the same sense of reverence and wonder at the splendor and cruelty of nature and life itself, and likewise reflects darkly on the sometimes destructive relationship between man and nature.”

The teaching of growing and learning is often looked over in plot-driven coming-of-age films like “The Lion King.” As the antithesis, “Bambi” is nothing else. With the patient single-mindedness of a child learning to walk or talk, the film’s main focus is on the young deer, voiced by Bobby Stewart as a baby, Donnie Dunagan as a child, Hardie Albright as an adolescent, and John Sutherland as an adult, and him trying to stand himself on his deer legs, to hop over a log, to speak, to know one color or flying thing from another. We see Bambi making friends (Sam Edwards, Stan Alexander, and Will Wright), getting scared at a thunderstorm, meeting girls (Cammie King), and, in one of the most sad and shocking moments that will be seen later in “The Lion King” to “Finding Nemo,” loses his mother (Paula Winslowe). We see Bambi go from confused dislike at the mysteries of the opposite gender to falling in love, and we see him faced with the cruel need of fighting for love.

There isn’t that much dialogue since “Bambi” is great a visual storytelling. Here and in “Pinocchio” (and in certain stories in “Fantasia”) the Disney animators’ art is at the height of its greatness. The later works looked simple and clean, but not as lush. Greydanus noted that, “The stylized but naturalistic anatomy and movement of the deer, grounded in studies of real deer, is an achievement of special note (though none of the other animals have a comparable level of realism).”

The music as well is probably the most magical and nice of any Disney film (with the obvious exception of “Fantasia’s” entire classical soundtrack, of course), even though there isn’t any breakout songs. Visually and aurally, Disney didn’t really make such a beautiful looking film.

Next up we have “Cinderella,” released in 1950. This is a story that falls into the same category as “Snow White,” because Cinderella (Ilene Woods) is trapped in a house where she has to do chores for her stepmother (Eleanor Audley) and two stepsisters (Lucille Bliss and Rhoda Williams). Her only friends are animals, including two mice named Jaq and Gus (Jimmy MacDonald) and a dog Bruno (also MacDonald), who don’t really get along with the stepmother’s cat, Lucifer (June Foray). What a strange name for a cat. Then an invitation comes in from the King and Grand Duke (both voiced by Luis van Rooten) that the Prince (William Phipps) is home and they are throwing a ball for every girl in the city so the Prince can pick one to marry. Cinderella doesn’t go because she doesn’t have a dressed prepared, but her animal friends get one made, but the stepmother and stepsisters rip her dress to shreds. Then along comes Fairy Godmother, voiced by Verna Felton, who helps Cinderella go to the ball.

I won’t give away too much of the plot because I think everyone knows the whole story, so there’s no need to go on about it. However, I will say that the voice acting fits great for the characters. You want Cinderella to escape the household that she is trapped in because you just loathe and fear the stepmother. To Cinderella’s credit, she is constantly working every time you see her on screen. Not to say that Snow White wasn’t doing that, but Cinderella is doing that all the time. Snow White at least had times to take a break, even though she became the mother to the seven dwarves. At least for both of them, when they do get married and go off with the prince, they at least will know how to run a house. Not to say that women should do that all the time, but these roles are relatable.

Of course, the animation is great for its time and really looks magical, thanks to Walt Disney himself. This movie really brings the animation to life and really does a great job whenever you see every scene. It’s so vibrant and colorful that you just love everything visual in this movie. One thing is for sure, you would never want to live with the stepmother. She will constantly put you to work because it appears that she doesn’t like anybody, except for her daughters. Even then she is always insulting them, so it begs the question. Does she like anybody? I don’t really think she does by the way she acts cold and stern to everybody.

Like with every Disney movie, I cannot do a review unless I talk about the soundtrack. This film is no exception. You have such great songs that you will be humming or singing whenever you’re working. These songs include “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes,” “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo,” and the Cinderella song that the mice sing. This is one of the best Disney soundtracks ever, hands down. Also, much like with Snow White, you route for Cinderella since she is the character that you want to escape and prove to the stepmother and stepsisters that she is better than them and not to be used as a maid. You want her get out of the clutches of those three nasty people and go into the arms of the Prince, who will love her and treat her with the respect and dignity that she deserves.

Anyways, hopefully you all enjoyed this entry to “Disney Month.” There are more exciting reviews coming right at you for the whole month so stay tuned.