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| Disney Avenue |
1950-1969: The Silver Era
After the war ended, Walt Disney Studios went back to making the high budget films that audiences
had grown to love during the Golden Age. The similarity to the quality of films in this era compared
to the Golden Era also gives this era the nickname the Restoration Age. The Studios learned what
worked and what didn’t work and set forth to make films with amazingly detailed backgrounds,
characters, and stories. Although the films in this era were a hit with the audiences, the critics were
not the biggest fans. It is also interesting to note that five of the eight films in this era have gone on to
be re-imagined as a live action film.
had grown to love during the Golden Age. The similarity to the quality of films in this era compared
to the Golden Era also gives this era the nickname the Restoration Age. The Studios learned what
worked and what didn’t work and set forth to make films with amazingly detailed backgrounds,
characters, and stories. Although the films in this era were a hit with the audiences, the critics were
not the biggest fans. It is also interesting to note that five of the eight films in this era have gone on to
be re-imagined as a live action film.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
Cinderella
The first film in the Silver Era was Cinderella. It was based off the fairytale of the same name by
Charles Perrault. When it was released in 1950, it became the Studio’s first critically acclaimed
success since Dumbo. Cinderella was the first film in which all of Disney’s Nine Old Men worked as
directing animators together.
Charles Perrault. When it was released in 1950, it became the Studio’s first critically acclaimed
success since Dumbo. Cinderella was the first film in which all of Disney’s Nine Old Men worked as
directing animators together.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
Cinderella tells the story of the titular character’s journey from a young woman stuck in a dissatisfying
life to a princess. It starts with the introduction of the evil stepsisters, Drizella and Anastasia, and evil
stepmother, Lady Tremaine, who are all jealous of Cinderella’s beauty. In an evil scheme to keep her
hidden from the rest of the world, Lady Tremaine forces Cinderella to do all the housework so she can
never leave. Despite the evilness around her, Cinderella is kind and has made friends with the birds
and mice that stay around the house.
life to a princess. It starts with the introduction of the evil stepsisters, Drizella and Anastasia, and evil
stepmother, Lady Tremaine, who are all jealous of Cinderella’s beauty. In an evil scheme to keep her
hidden from the rest of the world, Lady Tremaine forces Cinderella to do all the housework so she can
never leave. Despite the evilness around her, Cinderella is kind and has made friends with the birds
and mice that stay around the house.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
After an invitation arrives for the Prince’s ball in which he is to find a princess, Lady Tremaine is
determined to ensure Drizella or Anastasia fill those shoes. What she doesn’t plan for is CInderella to
make a surprise appearance at the ball, thanks to the help of her Fairy Godmother and her mice and
bird friends. The Prince falls in love with Cinderella but the only problem is, Cinderella’s time is up
for at midnight her dream night at the ball would be over. Leaving only a glass slipper behind,
Cinderella runs back home as her magical spell comes to an end. However the Prince is determined to
find his princess and sets out on a mission to find the woman who left the shoe. And they all live
happily ever after…
determined to ensure Drizella or Anastasia fill those shoes. What she doesn’t plan for is CInderella to
make a surprise appearance at the ball, thanks to the help of her Fairy Godmother and her mice and
bird friends. The Prince falls in love with Cinderella but the only problem is, Cinderella’s time is up
for at midnight her dream night at the ball would be over. Leaving only a glass slipper behind,
Cinderella runs back home as her magical spell comes to an end. However the Prince is determined to
find his princess and sets out on a mission to find the woman who left the shoe. And they all live
happily ever after…
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| Walt Disney Studios |
Cinderella received three Academy Awards nominations: Best Sound, Best Music/Scoring of a Musical
Picture, and Best Original Song. The narrator of the film was Betty Lou Gerson. It was produced by
Walt Disney and released by RKO Radio Pictures in 1950. Cinderella has a runtime of 75 minutes.
Picture, and Best Original Song. The narrator of the film was Betty Lou Gerson. It was produced by
Walt Disney and released by RKO Radio Pictures in 1950. Cinderella has a runtime of 75 minutes.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
Alice in Wonderland
After unsuccessfully trying to adapt the Alice books by Lewis Carroll in the 1930s, Walt Disney revived
his idea for the 1951 cult classic Alice in Wonderland. The film was originally supposed to be a
combination of animation and live action. It is considered one of the most successful Disney
Animations due to its popularity since its debut. The theme song of the film has also become a
standard in musical performances across several genres.
his idea for the 1951 cult classic Alice in Wonderland. The film was originally supposed to be a
combination of animation and live action. It is considered one of the most successful Disney
Animations due to its popularity since its debut. The theme song of the film has also become a
standard in musical performances across several genres.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
The film begins with the White Rabbit who is “late for a very important date.” Alice follows him into
a large rabbit hole and it’s there the journey to Wonderland in search of the White Rabbit begins. Along
her journeys, Alice meets Tweedledee and Tweedledum, a Dodo, a Caterpillar, and the Cheshire Cat.
It’s the final character who tells her to visit the Mad Hatter or the March Hare to find out where the
Rabbit has gone. Alice runs into both characters along the way celebrating their “unbirthdays.”
a large rabbit hole and it’s there the journey to Wonderland in search of the White Rabbit begins. Along
her journeys, Alice meets Tweedledee and Tweedledum, a Dodo, a Caterpillar, and the Cheshire Cat.
It’s the final character who tells her to visit the Mad Hatter or the March Hare to find out where the
Rabbit has gone. Alice runs into both characters along the way celebrating their “unbirthdays.”
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| Walt Disney Studios |
Frustrated by the Hatter and Hare’s lack of help, the Cheshire Cat reappears and tells her to go ask the
Queen of Hearts for directions back home. The Queen forced Alice to play a game of croquet which
ends up going badly, thanks to the Cheshire Cat. Angered at Alice, the Queen orders her execution.
After trying to escape her impending death, Alice returns to the small door she first entered
Wonderland. And with that, the psychedelic film is over.
Queen of Hearts for directions back home. The Queen forced Alice to play a game of croquet which
ends up going badly, thanks to the Cheshire Cat. Angered at Alice, the Queen orders her execution.
After trying to escape her impending death, Alice returns to the small door she first entered
Wonderland. And with that, the psychedelic film is over.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
Alice in Wonderland was nominated for Best Scoring of a Musical Picture at the Academy Awards. It was produced by Walt Disney and released by RKO Radio Pictures in 1951 with a runtime of 75 minutes.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
Peter Pan
Based off the play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up by J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan was the
fourteenth animated film produced by Walt Disney. The film was also the last that all of Disney’s Nine
Old Men would work on together. Peter Pan has received critical acclaim since its opening in 1953
and the character in the film have a happy home at all of the Disney theme parks worldwide.
fourteenth animated film produced by Walt Disney. The film was also the last that all of Disney’s Nine
Old Men would work on together. Peter Pan has received critical acclaim since its opening in 1953
and the character in the film have a happy home at all of the Disney theme parks worldwide.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
Peter Pan tells the story of the title character’s journey to Neverland with the Darling children. After
disrupting their parents’ plan to attend a party, John and Michael Darling are scolded for acting out a
story of Peter Pan and pirates which their older sister Wendy told them. George Darling doesn’t believe
in the stories and doesn’t want his children believing them either. He tells Wendy that she’s too old to
be staying in the nursery anymore. That same night, the Darling children are visited by the one, the
only, Peter Pan.
disrupting their parents’ plan to attend a party, John and Michael Darling are scolded for acting out a
story of Peter Pan and pirates which their older sister Wendy told them. George Darling doesn’t believe
in the stories and doesn’t want his children believing them either. He tells Wendy that she’s too old to
be staying in the nursery anymore. That same night, the Darling children are visited by the one, the
only, Peter Pan.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
With the help of his (reluctant) fairy friend Tinkerbell, Peter Pan teaches the Darling children how to
fly and the quartet head off to Neverland. It is there Wendy, John, and Michael realize all the stories
they have been told are true including pirates, Indians, and mermaids. The legendary Captain Hook is
also alive and well in Neverland and out for Peter Pan. With the help of his new friends and his
Neverland friends - The Lost Boys - Peter Pan faces his nemesis in a battle aboard his ship. After the
Darling children return home, Wendy is found asleep by the nursery window by her parents. She
awakes and tells them all the stories from their adventures in Neverland and her doubting father looks
out the window to see a pirate ship in the sky. The same pirate ship he saw as a boy.
fly and the quartet head off to Neverland. It is there Wendy, John, and Michael realize all the stories
they have been told are true including pirates, Indians, and mermaids. The legendary Captain Hook is
also alive and well in Neverland and out for Peter Pan. With the help of his new friends and his
Neverland friends - The Lost Boys - Peter Pan faces his nemesis in a battle aboard his ship. After the
Darling children return home, Wendy is found asleep by the nursery window by her parents. She
awakes and tells them all the stories from their adventures in Neverland and her doubting father looks
out the window to see a pirate ship in the sky. The same pirate ship he saw as a boy.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
Peter Pan was entered into the 1953 Cannes Film Festival and was the final film released by RKO
Radio Pictures. It was narrated by Tom Conway and has a runtime of 76 minutes.
Radio Pictures. It was narrated by Tom Conway and has a runtime of 76 minutes.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
Lady and the Tramp
Lady and the Tramp was the first film produced by Walt Disney to be released by his new studio,
Buena Vista Distribution. It was also the first film filmed in CinemaScope widescreen. The film was
based off the book The Whistling Dog by Ward Greene.
Buena Vista Distribution. It was also the first film filmed in CinemaScope widescreen. The film was
based off the book The Whistling Dog by Ward Greene.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
Lady and the Tramp tells the love story between a Cocker Spaniel named Lady and a stray mongrel
named Tramp. Lady was a Christmas gift from Jim Dear to his wife, Darling. She befriends the
neighborhood dogs, a Scottish Terrier named Jock and Bloodhound names Trusty, as she enjoys her
uptown, pampered life. Tramp is the complete opposite. Living on his own downtown, Tramp lives
off scrapes from Tony’s Italian Restaurant as her protects his fellow strays, a Pekigene named Peg and
a Bulldog named Bull, from the dogcatchers.
named Tramp. Lady was a Christmas gift from Jim Dear to his wife, Darling. She befriends the
neighborhood dogs, a Scottish Terrier named Jock and Bloodhound names Trusty, as she enjoys her
uptown, pampered life. Tramp is the complete opposite. Living on his own downtown, Tramp lives
off scrapes from Tony’s Italian Restaurant as her protects his fellow strays, a Pekigene named Peg and
a Bulldog named Bull, from the dogcatchers.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
Lady’s perfectly quaint world is turned upside down when a baby is brought into the family. Tramp
tells her that “when the baby moves in, the dog moves out” but Lady finds herself growing fond of the
new infant. When Jim Dear and Darling go out of town for a trip, Aunt Sarah comes to look after the
baby with her two Siamese cats, Si and Am. The trouble causing duo gets Lady in trouble by messing
up the house. Lady runs away and runs into Tramp again. The two have their courtship but eventually
Lady decides to return home. However, by the next Christmas, Tramp has been adopted into the family
after saving the baby from a rat that got into the house. The duo have three daughter who look like
Lady and a son who looks like Tramp.
tells her that “when the baby moves in, the dog moves out” but Lady finds herself growing fond of the
new infant. When Jim Dear and Darling go out of town for a trip, Aunt Sarah comes to look after the
baby with her two Siamese cats, Si and Am. The trouble causing duo gets Lady in trouble by messing
up the house. Lady runs away and runs into Tramp again. The two have their courtship but eventually
Lady decides to return home. However, by the next Christmas, Tramp has been adopted into the family
after saving the baby from a rat that got into the house. The duo have three daughter who look like
Lady and a son who looks like Tramp.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
When it was released in 1955, Lady and the Tramp became the highest grossing Disney animated
feature since Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It was produced by Walt Disney with a runtime of 75
minutes.
feature since Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It was produced by Walt Disney with a runtime of 75
minutes.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
Sleeping Beauty
Also based on a fairytale story by Charles Perrault, Sleeping Beauty would turn out to be the last
Disney Princess movie for nearly thirty years due to the films low performance at the box office.
Maybe it was because the title character only had less than twenty minutes of screen time...and most of
that she was asleep. In the entire film, Aurora only had 18 lines of dialogue. Sleeping Beauty was the
first animated film to be photographed using the Super Technirama 70 widescreen process.
Disney Princess movie for nearly thirty years due to the films low performance at the box office.
Maybe it was because the title character only had less than twenty minutes of screen time...and most of
that she was asleep. In the entire film, Aurora only had 18 lines of dialogue. Sleeping Beauty was the
first animated film to be photographed using the Super Technirama 70 widescreen process.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
The classic fairytale tells the story of King Stefan and Queen Leah and their daughter, Princess Aurora.
On the day of the princess’s christening, she is betrothed to Prince Phillip who is the son of a
neighboring kingdom’s king. In the crowd of spectators is Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather - three
fairies who bless the child with the gift of beauty and song. However before the third blessing can be
bestowed, the evil fairy Maleficent crashes the party and places a curse on the child in which she would
prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die.
On the day of the princess’s christening, she is betrothed to Prince Phillip who is the son of a
neighboring kingdom’s king. In the crowd of spectators is Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather - three
fairies who bless the child with the gift of beauty and song. However before the third blessing can be
bestowed, the evil fairy Maleficent crashes the party and places a curse on the child in which she would
prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
In an effort to keep the princess safe, the King orders all the spinning wheels in the kingdom to be
burned but the three fairies do not believe that will be enough to keep her safe. Merryweather uses her
blessing to reduce the curse to a sleeping curse that can only be cured by true love’s kiss. Of course,
things are never easy and once the curse falls over Aurora on her sixteenth birthday, Maleficent
captures Prince Phillip so he cannot kiss her. After an intense battle with the evil fairy, Phillip slays the
beast and wakes his love with a kiss.
burned but the three fairies do not believe that will be enough to keep her safe. Merryweather uses her
blessing to reduce the curse to a sleeping curse that can only be cured by true love’s kiss. Of course,
things are never easy and once the curse falls over Aurora on her sixteenth birthday, Maleficent
captures Prince Phillip so he cannot kiss her. After an intense battle with the evil fairy, Phillip slays the
beast and wakes his love with a kiss.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
The high production cost of Sleeping Beauty coupled with the low box office return made the film the
most expensive film up to that point. Although its original release wasn’t well received, much like
Alice in Wonderland, it has been given a second chance with newer audiences who love the evil
Maleficent. Sleeping Beauty is narrated by Marvin Miller and was released in 1959 with a runtime of
75 minutes.
most expensive film up to that point. Although its original release wasn’t well received, much like
Alice in Wonderland, it has been given a second chance with newer audiences who love the evil
Maleficent. Sleeping Beauty is narrated by Marvin Miller and was released in 1959 with a runtime of
75 minutes.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
One Hundred and One Dalmatians
It’s dogs to the rescue for the financially burdened Walt Disney Productions thanks to the success of
One Hundred and One Dalmatians. Based off the story by Dodie Smith, the film featured an
inexpensive animation technique known as xerography. Xerography is the process of inking and
painting cels by hand. It was considered by critics at the time to be the most ‘Disney’ feeling movie in
many years.
One Hundred and One Dalmatians. Based off the story by Dodie Smith, the film featured an
inexpensive animation technique known as xerography. Xerography is the process of inking and
painting cels by hand. It was considered by critics at the time to be the most ‘Disney’ feeling movie in
many years.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
One Hundred and One Dalmatians follows Roger and Anita and their two dogs, Pongo and Perdita.
The dog couple have a litter of fifteen puppies on the same night a rich schoolmate of Anita’s arrives at
the house and offers to buy all the puppies. However Cruella De Vil is not looking for a companion -
she’s looking for fur for a coat. Roger tells her they are not for sale but ‘no’ is not a word Cruella likes
to hear. Just a few weeks later, she hires two men, Jasper and Horace, to steal the puppies.
The dog couple have a litter of fifteen puppies on the same night a rich schoolmate of Anita’s arrives at
the house and offers to buy all the puppies. However Cruella De Vil is not looking for a companion -
she’s looking for fur for a coat. Roger tells her they are not for sale but ‘no’ is not a word Cruella likes
to hear. Just a few weeks later, she hires two men, Jasper and Horace, to steal the puppies.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
Pongo sends out a ‘twilight bark’ to all the dogs that his puppies have been stolen. An old sheepdog
hears the message and along with a horse and a cat, the trio find the fifteen puppies along with 84 other
Dalmatian puppies at Cruella De Vill’s estate. Word is quickly spread back to London via the twilight
bark and soon Pongo and Perdita are on their way to save their puppies. After fleeing from Cruella and
arriving safely back at home, Roger and Anita realize their litter of puppies has grown substantially.
But these two are people after my own heart and they decide to use the money from Roger’s first hit
song to buy a bigger house so they can keep all of the puppies.
hears the message and along with a horse and a cat, the trio find the fifteen puppies along with 84 other
Dalmatian puppies at Cruella De Vill’s estate. Word is quickly spread back to London via the twilight
bark and soon Pongo and Perdita are on their way to save their puppies. After fleeing from Cruella and
arriving safely back at home, Roger and Anita realize their litter of puppies has grown substantially.
But these two are people after my own heart and they decide to use the money from Roger’s first hit
song to buy a bigger house so they can keep all of the puppies.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
Ralph Novak of People Magazine said that “what (the film) lacks in romantic extravagance and plush spectacle, this 1961 Disney film makes up for in quiet charm and subtlety. In fact, if any movie with dogs, cats, and horses who talk can be said to belong in the realm of realistic drama, this is it.” One Hundred and One Dalmatians was released in 1961 by Buena Vista Pictures with a runtime of 79 minutes.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
The Sword in the Stone
The Sword in the Stone was the last movie that Walt Disney personally got to see released. It is also the
first Disney animated movie on which the Sherman Brother worked. Based off T.H. White’s story of
the same name, The Sword in the Stone was a box office success and became a top grossing movie in
1963.
first Disney animated movie on which the Sherman Brother worked. Based off T.H. White’s story of
the same name, The Sword in the Stone was a box office success and became a top grossing movie in
1963.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
The film takes place after the King of England’s death when there is no heir to the throne. A sword
magically appears in an anvil in London with the inscription, “whoso pulleth out this sword of this
stone and anvil is rightwise king born of England.” Despite many failed attempts, no one can removed
to the sword from the stone.
magically appears in an anvil in London with the inscription, “whoso pulleth out this sword of this
stone and anvil is rightwise king born of England.” Despite many failed attempts, no one can removed
to the sword from the stone.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
That is until a young orphan named Arthur gives it a go. In a series of seemingly random events,
Arthur loses his recently knighted brother’s sword but stumbles upon the legendary sword in the stone,
which he removes effortlessly. He becomes the rightful king of England - much to his older brother’s
surprise - before going on to become the leader of the Knights of the Round Table.
Arthur loses his recently knighted brother’s sword but stumbles upon the legendary sword in the stone,
which he removes effortlessly. He becomes the rightful king of England - much to his older brother’s
surprise - before going on to become the leader of the Knights of the Round Table.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
The Sword in the Stone received an Academy Award nomination for Best Score in 1963. The
American Film Institute also nominated it to the Top 10 Animated Films list. Although reviews were
mixed among critics, the box office showed the film was a success. It was released in 1963 with a
runtime of 79 minutes. Walt Disney didn’t want such a heavy feeling in his family film
American Film Institute also nominated it to the Top 10 Animated Films list. Although reviews were
mixed among critics, the box office showed the film was a success. It was released in 1963 with a
runtime of 79 minutes. Walt Disney didn’t want such a heavy feeling in his family film
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| Walt Disney Studios |
The Jungle Book
The Jungle Book is the last film Walt Disney worked on before his death in 1966. The original version
of the film followed closely to Rudyard Kipling’s book which was dark and dramatic with a sinister
tone. The original writer and composer were replaced and the film took on a lighter tone. Most of the
music was written by the Sherman Brothers.
of the film followed closely to Rudyard Kipling’s book which was dark and dramatic with a sinister
tone. The original writer and composer were replaced and the film took on a lighter tone. Most of the
music was written by the Sherman Brothers.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
The story follows Mowgli, a young orphan who is found in the jungles of India in a basket by a black
panther named Bagheera. Bagheera takes the young boy to a wolf who has just had cubs so she can
raise Mowgli. Ten years later, Mowgli has grown up around his wolf siblings and is one of the pack.
However once the pack learns that Shere Khan, the man-eating Bengal Tiger, has returned to the jungle,
they know they must send Mowgli to the ‘man village’ for everyone’s safety.
panther named Bagheera. Bagheera takes the young boy to a wolf who has just had cubs so she can
raise Mowgli. Ten years later, Mowgli has grown up around his wolf siblings and is one of the pack.
However once the pack learns that Shere Khan, the man-eating Bengal Tiger, has returned to the jungle,
they know they must send Mowgli to the ‘man village’ for everyone’s safety.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
Bagheera offers to escort Mowgli to the man village. Along the way, the encounter Kaa the python
who tries to eat Mowgli and Baloo, the laid-back bear. Baloo promises to raise Mowgli and never take
him back to the man village but a group of monkeys have another plane when and kidnap Mowgli.
They take him to their leader, King Louie the orangutan who promises to let Mowgli stay in the jungle
if he will show him the secret of ‘man’s red fire.’ After his adventures, Mowgli is lead back to the man
village but is reluctant to go there. That is, until he sees the young woman collecting water at the river. When she drops her bucket into the water, Mowgli retrieves it and follows her back to the village.
who tries to eat Mowgli and Baloo, the laid-back bear. Baloo promises to raise Mowgli and never take
him back to the man village but a group of monkeys have another plane when and kidnap Mowgli.
They take him to their leader, King Louie the orangutan who promises to let Mowgli stay in the jungle
if he will show him the secret of ‘man’s red fire.’ After his adventures, Mowgli is lead back to the man
village but is reluctant to go there. That is, until he sees the young woman collecting water at the river. When she drops her bucket into the water, Mowgli retrieves it and follows her back to the village.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
The Jungle Book received positive critical reviews upon its release in 1967. Time Magazine said that
the film had strayed from the original stories by Kipling but that “the result (was) thoroughly delightful
(and) is the happiest possible way to remember Walt Disney.” It was nominated for Best Song at the
Academy Awards for The Bare Necessities. The Jungle Book was released in October 1967 with a
runtime of 78 minutes.
the film had strayed from the original stories by Kipling but that “the result (was) thoroughly delightful
(and) is the happiest possible way to remember Walt Disney.” It was nominated for Best Song at the
Academy Awards for The Bare Necessities. The Jungle Book was released in October 1967 with a
runtime of 78 minutes.
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| Walt Disney Studios |
Now that we've covered the eight films in The Silver Era of Disney Animation, it's time for you to
tell us your favorite! Tweet your favorite film to @TMKBpodcast!
tell us your favorite! Tweet your favorite film to @TMKBpodcast!
Robyn Fleenor is a contributing writer for The Mouse Knows Best Podcast. She is an avid Disney
fanatic and would rather be at Walt Disney World eating glazed almonds than anything else. When
she isn't working to pay for her next Disney vacation, she likes to binge watch TV shows and fall in
love with fictional characters. She can be found tweeting at @rahrah6263.
fanatic and would rather be at Walt Disney World eating glazed almonds than anything else. When
she isn't working to pay for her next Disney vacation, she likes to binge watch TV shows and fall in
love with fictional characters. She can be found tweeting at @rahrah6263.
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