Coming up next is 1948's "Melody Time", a film that showcases seven classic stories set to music. It is both animated and live-action.
The film's cast includes Roy Rogers, Dennis Day, Ethel Smith, Bobby Driscoll, Luana Patten, and Trigger.
The first story is "Once Upon A Wintertime", and it is sung by Frances Langford. The story follows two young people in love in the 19th century. It is also intertwined with a cute rabbit couple.
Next comes "Bumble Boogie", a Fantasia-esque depiction of a bumble bee as he overcomes various obstacles. This is set to a swing-jazz version of Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight Of The Bumblebee.
"The Legend Of Johnny Appleseed" comes next, and we learn all about how a tin pot hat, a bag of apple seed, and a holy book all come together to create a major American legend. I especially love the ending of this section. "The Lord is good to me!" the singer cries out.
Then we have the story of "Little Toot". It's a cute little story about a tug boat sung by the Andrews Sisters.
Afterwards comes my favorite part of the film. A favorite poem of mine, "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer, gets its own section. The famous poem is set to music to beautiful effect.
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast.
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray.
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair.
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
And intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
It's a really beautiful section, and if you can spare four minutes, it's definitely worth a listen.
"Blame It On The Samba" comes next, and talented organist swiftly moves her fingers over the keys in a Latin American rhythm that meets the approval of Donald Duck and Jose Carioca.
The last story is "Pecos Bill" and it is the longest segment of the film.
The story is told by Roy Rogers and his group, Sons of the Pioneers. They open with "Blue Shadows On The Trail".
"In the state of Texas, U.S.A., life still goes on in the same old way," says Roy. He tells us of Pecos Bill, his gal Slue-Foot Sue, his horse Widowmaker, and the reason why the coyote howls at the moon.
Cast rundown:
Roy Rogers..........................................Himself
Dennis Day..........................................Narrator/Johnny Appleseed
And that's it for Melody Time. It is considered to be the last anthology film created by Disney. It was also the last film that the Andrews Sisters took part in. The segment featuring Pecos Bill heavily influenced the décor of Frontierland at Disney parks. Images from the film can be seen in many places, including the Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café.
I'll leave you with Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers singing the beautiful "Blue Shadows On The Trail" from the Pecos Bill segment of this film.
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