Melody Time
Wikipedia
Guide to Animated Disney Movies
Melody Time is a 1948 American hybrid musical film and the tenth theatrically released animated feature produced by Walt Disney. Made up of seven segments set to popular music and folk music. It is the fifth Disney package film following Saludos Amigos, The Three Caballeros, Make Mine Music, and Fun and Fancy Free.
According to Disney, the film's plot is as follows: "In the grand tradition of Disney's greatest musical classics, such as Fantasia, Melody Time features seven classic stories, each enhanced with high-spirited music and unforgettable characters."
The seven "mini-musical" stories outlined:
Once Upon a Wintertime
This segment features Frances Langford singing the title song about two romantic young lovers on a winter day in the late 1800s December named Jenny and Joe. Joe shows off on the ice for his lover, Jenny, and near-tragedy and a timely rescue ensues. This is intertwined with a similar rabbit couple.
Bumble Boogie
This segment presents a surrealistic battle for a solitary bumble bee as he tries to ward off a visual and musical frenzy. The music is courtesy of Freddy Martin And His Orchestra and is a swing-jazz variation of Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight of the Bumblebee, which was one of the many pieces considered for inclusion in Fantasia.
The Legend of Johnny Appleseed
This segment is a retelling of the story of John Chapman, who spent most of his life roaming Mid-Western America in the pioneer days, and planting apple trees, thus earning his famous nickname.
Little Toot
This segment is based on the story of Little Toot by Hardie Gramatky, in which the title protagonist, a small tugboat, wanted to be just like his father Big Toot, but could not seem to stay out of trouble.
Trees
This segment featured a recitation of the 1913 poem "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer and music by Oscar Rasbach, with the lyrical setting accompanying animation of scenes of the countryside seen through the changing of the seasons.
Blame It on the Samba
This segment has Donald Duck and José Carioca meeting the Aracuan Bird, who introduces them to the pleasures of the samba. The accompanying music is the 1914 polka Apanhei-te, Cavaquinho by Ernesto Nazareth, fitted with English lyrics.
Pecos Bill
The film's final segment is about Texas' famous hero Pecos Bill. He was raised by coyotes and later became the biggest and best cowboy that ever lived. It also features his horse Widowmaker, and recounts the ill-fated romance between Bill and a beautiful cowgirl named Slue Foot Sue, whom he falls in love with at first sight.
According to Disney, the film's plot is as follows: "In the grand tradition of Disney's greatest musical classics, such as Fantasia, Melody Time features seven classic stories, each enhanced with high-spirited music and unforgettable characters."
The seven "mini-musical" stories outlined:
Once Upon a Wintertime
This segment features Frances Langford singing the title song about two romantic young lovers on a winter day in the late 1800s December named Jenny and Joe. Joe shows off on the ice for his lover, Jenny, and near-tragedy and a timely rescue ensues. This is intertwined with a similar rabbit couple.
Bumble Boogie
This segment presents a surrealistic battle for a solitary bumble bee as he tries to ward off a visual and musical frenzy. The music is courtesy of Freddy Martin And His Orchestra and is a swing-jazz variation of Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight of the Bumblebee, which was one of the many pieces considered for inclusion in Fantasia.
The Legend of Johnny Appleseed
This segment is a retelling of the story of John Chapman, who spent most of his life roaming Mid-Western America in the pioneer days, and planting apple trees, thus earning his famous nickname.
Little Toot
This segment is based on the story of Little Toot by Hardie Gramatky, in which the title protagonist, a small tugboat, wanted to be just like his father Big Toot, but could not seem to stay out of trouble.
Trees
This segment featured a recitation of the 1913 poem "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer and music by Oscar Rasbach, with the lyrical setting accompanying animation of scenes of the countryside seen through the changing of the seasons.
Blame It on the Samba
This segment has Donald Duck and José Carioca meeting the Aracuan Bird, who introduces them to the pleasures of the samba. The accompanying music is the 1914 polka Apanhei-te, Cavaquinho by Ernesto Nazareth, fitted with English lyrics.
Pecos Bill
The film's final segment is about Texas' famous hero Pecos Bill. He was raised by coyotes and later became the biggest and best cowboy that ever lived. It also features his horse Widowmaker, and recounts the ill-fated romance between Bill and a beautiful cowgirl named Slue Foot Sue, whom he falls in love with at first sight.