Last time, I took a look at Melody Time, the musical anthology film released by Disney in 1948. The era of Disney animated films between Bambi (released in 1942) and Cinderella (released in 1950), what I call the Post-War Era, represents what I think is a truly unique time in the history of animation. Animated movies were still comparatively new (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs had been released in 1937) and Disney was still basically the only company making full-length feature films.
The Disney Company during this period was dealing with the national obligations and immediate fallout of World War 2, as many Disney animators, writers, and actors found themselves drafted into the war effort, either through direct military action or in the use of Disney resources towards war propaganda and bond promotion. The result was the delay, re-imagining, or outright cancellation of many Disney projects in favor of releases that would be easier to handle on a wartime budget and immediate post-war reintegration of lost assets. This resulted in an era of Disney films that were almost exclusively anthology films, compilations of several shorts and cartoon segments, usually interconnected loosely by a common theme or thread.
Films like Make Mine Music and Melody Time focused on creating a Fantasia-esque experience utilizing popular music of the 30s and 40s. Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros served a socio-political function by promoting Latin American culture in the US to help garner allied support in Central and South America . But today's article is about a film which seems altogether different in vibe and energy, by focusing not on music or unique cultural experiences but a loose frame and focus of joy and optimism in face of adversity. A film that could only have come out on the heel of one of the greatest wars and atrocities in human history.
I am talking about the 1947 film, Fun and Fancy Free. I will not pretend that this film is anything other than an absolute product of its time. What I do wish to discuss below will be the unique nature of this film and whether or not it is worth watching in any capacity other than a pure fascination with this strange relic of a bygone cinematic time.
