Dumbo

We have finally done it friends. We had Snow White, the tale of a bitchy princess who uses seven disabled men for accommodation and then runs off with someone else. Then we had Pinocchio, the tale of a stupid boy who never learns from his mistakes. Then we had the absolute borefest of Fantasia. Well...

Fourth time lucky! Dumbo was an absolute treat. An hour of laughs but whilst also tugging at the heart strings and simultaneously scaring the living daylights out of anyone of any age watching. Yes I am talking about the Walt Disney staple that is an odd trippy section midway through the film that really makes no sense and only seems to scare children for no reason. I don't know if the children of 1941 were tougher than the children (or rather twenty-something academics...) of today but for some reason Walt and his team was intent on causing many a nightmare.




So for those that don't know, Dumbo brings us the story of a baby elephant who has big ears. He is mocked for said ears but for the majority of the film is completely delirious to this mockery. He is a baby after all. Dumbo and his small mouse friend, who remained nameless for the entire film and required an IMDB search to find out that his name is Timothy, then continue to get drunk (much like Pinocchio, Walt clearly likes a tale of childhood alcohol abuse...) and then after the aforementioned scary trippy elephant scene, discover that he can fly because of his wing like ears.

Considering this is a main point of the story, we get fifty five minutes into the one hour runtime before Dumbo even considers flying. Odd move there Walt.

Musically, we get some forgotten gems. Turns out I remember every word to the jaunty little railway number 'Casey Junior' and who doesn't tap their toe along to 'When I See An Elephant Fly.'
Also, if you ever wanted to learn to fly yourself, Timothy Mouse is an excellent teacher, as he is showing just over to your left.



 I have just decided just now that we should be putting these lovely colourful creations in some kind of order, so as to declare a favourite when our half century and a bit challenge comes to an end. Four films in and this is a relatively simple task. Dumbo goes straight in at number one whilst Fantasia will take some beating in bottom place. Snow White and the Seven Dwarves sits comfortable second at this early stage with Pinocchio in third.

So, how do you feel about leading the chart Dumbo?

Ultimately, this fun filled tale of an elephant with slightly bigger ears than other elephants is a hit. It's quirky humour and unexpected tale of childhood alcohol abuse seem to work together to give sixty one minutes of enjoyment. If nothing else, who isn't slightly motivated by this Timothy Mouse quote?

Next up: Bambi.