Over the years, Disney has been a great source of wonderful, awe-inspiring, tear-jerking, cheer-raising movie moments. Combining every artistic and technical means at their disposal, the Disney filmmakers have created many classic scenes, memorable in their magic, inspirational in their imagination.
They have taken you to fantastic places, from Neverland to Wonderland, Atlantica to Naboombu. We have met immortal legends from American history, Greek mythology and the Arabian Nights; literary figures from the likes of Victor Hugo, Rudyard Kipling and Edgar Rice Burroughs; and classic fairy tale princesses and princes (with a few wacky sidekicks, nefarious villains and fluffy animals thrown in for good measure).
A puppet who wants to be a boy, an elephant who can fly, action figures and cartoon characters with a life of their own... these are the stories that can best be told through the medium of animation, and we have had the pleasure to watch them all unfold.
Through my research preparing for this article, I was humbled by the scope and breadth of my task. To narrow the illustrious history of Disney feature animation down to fifty screen moments was daunting to say the least. (I naïvely thought at first I could do it with twenty-five slots, but that idea was quickly jettisoned as the list grew.)
I knew that I had to enforce some limitations and establish criteria for my choices. After all, this article is for Disney fans, who would all have their own opinions on what should be included in such a list. (Such opinions are, of course, eagerly encouraged and anticipated!)
First off, I limited myself to Disney feature animation. To include shorts, television, video and all other mediums would have been quite an undertaking. Nope, save those for a possible future list. Also included would be so called "non-traditionally" animated films, such as computer animation, stop motion, and live action/animation hybrids. After all, it is still film animation no matter if a pencil was used or not. And to be fair and include as varied a listing as possible, I limited the selections to two scenes per movie.
As for the criteria in which I made my selections, it broke down to five different aspects:
- Emotional Power: How does the scene make you feel? Joy? Fear? Wonder? Does it make you laugh? Cry? All warm and fuzzy inside?
- Historical/Cultural Significance: Is the scene historically important, not just in the realm of animation in general (and Disney animation in particular), but in cinematic history as well? Has the scene entered into that vast intangible universe known as "pop culture"?
- Technical Merit: What animation techniques and technology were used to create the scene, and to what success?
- Artistic Merit: How well did the scene combine such basic filmmaking tools as writing, music, color, design?
- And finally, Personal Impact: Any such list would have to take into consideration how the scene effected the writer personally. So yes, it may be weighted a little to personal biases (something writers are know to have from time to time), but this "contest" had a lonely jury of one.
#50 - The Football Match
Bedknobs and Broomsticks - 1971
The titular bedknob has transported our protagonists to the mythical Isle of Naboombu, a land populated by a zoo-full of anthropomorphic animals. In order to get close enough to snatch the object of their quest, the mystical Star of Astaroth, from King Leonidas (who lives up to his name), Professor Emelius Browne (a game David Tomlinson) has agreed to referee the king's Royal Cup Match. He soon finds out why it is so difficult to find volunteers for this post. It's the king's Dirty Yellows versus the True Blues, and poor Emelius is caught in the hilarious cross-fire of this ragtag menagerie.
#49 - The Wizard's Duel
The Sword in the Stone - 1963
In the high point of this retelling of the Arthurian legend, Merlin the Magician must face-off against wickedly wacky Mad Madame Mim in a battle of wits and magical powers. Transforming themselves into an odd assortment of beasts, Mim gains the lead by changing into increasingly more predatory animals (crocodile, tiger, rhinoceros). Merlin, just trying to stay alive, opts for more timid creatures (turtle, mouse, rabbit). But when he achieves the upper hand, Mim breaks her own rules and changes into a fire-breathing dragon. Merlin triumphs by playing it fair, albeit creatively.
#48 - The Mad Tea Party
Alice in Wonderland - 1951
"How very curious" understates Alice as she happens upon this wild episode late in her adventures in Wonderland. Within this madcap tea party hosted by the indomitable duo of the Mad Hatter and the March Hare (voiced by the incomparable Ed Wynn and Jerry Colonna), she is introduced to the concept of the unbirthday, serenaded by a sleepy Doormouse and unable to drink a single drop of tea. The lunacy escalates when the hapless White Rabbit appears, who watches in horror as the Hatter, who has surmised that his perpetual tardiness is due to his watch being "exactly two days slow", proceeds to pour, slather and dump every conceivable item on the table into the timepiece. Everything, that is, except for the mustard. "Muthtard!? Let'th don't be thilly" he lisps. "Thilly" indeed.
#47 - The King of the Apes
The Jungle Book - 1967
Mowgli has been kidnapped by monkeys and taken to their leader, the "ker-aze-eee" King Louie (scat man Louis Prima). The orangutan, long arms flapping on the ground, informs the man cub "what I desire is man's red fire so I can be like you." The scene erupts into a jazzy revelry of simian brotherhood. Baloo (Phil Harris, in his first of three Disney features), attempting to rescue Mowgli, crashes the party in ape drag. But when the jungle beat gets to him and he is discovered, the mayhem that ensues literally brings down the house.
#46 - Tiny Bubbles
Cinderella - 1950
As her stepsisters screech their way through a chorus of "Sing Sweet Nightingale", we find Cinderella (classically voiced by Ilene Woods), beautifully continuing the song, scrubbing the marble floors below. A soap bubble forms, reflecting her image in itself. It is joined by others, all echoing her sweet soprano, until there is an entire choir of bubbles, filling the screen. In this brief but enchanting moment, the message is clear: beauty begets beauty.
#45 - Pocahontas
Pocahontas - 1995
"She has her mother's spirit. She goes wherever the wind takes her." With those words, we are carried by said wind between the trees, over the river and up the side of a towering waterfall to our first sight of Pocahontas, poised regally at the top. Her stoic beauty, wind blowing through her jet black mane, a bemused look of unbridled joy and contentment playing across her features. No other character has had such an entrance.
#44 - ... And They Lived Happily Ever After
Sleeping Beauty - 1959
Princess Aurora, awakened from her eternal slumber by love's first kiss, is reunited with her loving family and loyal subjects. As Tchaikovsky's "Once Upon A Dream" begins to play, she and her prince actually waltz into the clouds, her dress alternating from blue to pink as fairies Flora and Merryweather continue their sartorial squabble. Fauna sighs "I just love happy endings." Don't we all. This was not the first nor the last "happily ever after," but certainly the finest.
#43 - Birds of a Feather
The Three Caballeros - 1945
In this Latin American travelog, Donald Duck is joined by his old pal from Saludos Amigos Jose Carioca and their newest amigo Panchito for this dazzling fiesta of color. During the hysterical, gag-filled title number, pistols are blazing, sombreros are danced about, guitars are strummed. When Panchito hits his unending final note, Donald and Jose employ every device possible to squelch it: bug spray, fire, hacksaws, cannonballs. Ey caramba!
#42 - Escape from the Cave of Wonders
Aladdin - 1992
"Diamond in the rough" Aladdin has been duped by a disguised Jafar to retrieve the legendary magic lamp from the depths of the Cave of Wonders, a monolithic, tiger-headed sand castle in the deserts outside of Agrabah. Warned not to disturb any of the myriad of treasures within, Aladdin (in a scene right out of Raiders of the Lost Ark), retrieves the humble looking artifact, but not before monkey pal Abu, who can't keep his paws off a nearby jewel, sets off a cataclysmic chain reaction. Snapped out of the air by their newly befriended flying Carpet, our hero is whisked along on an exciting roller coaster of a ride, skimming above boiling lava, dodging falling rocks and navigating a series of twisting catacombs in an ill-fated attempt to escape from the carnage. And you are right there with him on that magic carpet ride.
#41 - Pink Elephants on Parade
Dumbo - 1941
Dumbo and his mentor mouse Timothy unintentionally imbibe in some spiked drinking water that induce hiccupped bubbles taking on the forms of oddly-shaped elephants. Suddenly we are witness to the kaleidoscopic visuals depicting their unfortunate drunkenness. Trumpeting, creepy circus music blares as these "technicolor pachyderms" commence in their wanton displays. Prancing about like harem girls and calypso dancers, chasing each other in motor cars and locomotives, the mayhem builds, the music crescendos, the colors swirl and then... peace as the blackness fades away and the elephants disappear into the clouds...
#40 - This Is What Happens to Boys on Pleasure Island
Pinocchio - 1940
Jiminy Cricket, rejected again by Pinocchio on that paradise for preadolescent pandemonium Pleasure Island, stumbles upon the ugly truth behind the decedent glitz. Smart-mouthed street punk Lampwick finds out too when he sprouts a donkey's ears and tail. Before a terrified Pinocchio, braying for his mama, Lampwick now knows the meaning of "making a jack-ass of yourself".
#39 - The Hydra Battle
Hercules - 1997
In the ultimate "final exam", our boy Herc gets his first taste of glory when he faces the first of many challenges from the dark lord Hades. Having unknowingly released the giant Hydra, the battle is seemingly cut short when the creature swallows the young hero whole. With a quick internal swipe of his blade, Hercules decapitates the beast and escapes from utter doom in one swift stroke. But the victory is short-lived as three more heads emerge in it's place. Sword flashing, heads rolling, he is soon faced with the threat of a dizzying viper's nest that only his godlike strength can overpower.
#38 - Two Worlds, One Family
Tarzan - 1999
In the opening shots of this latest adaptation of the classic adventure, awesome in it's depiction of a living tapestry of shape and movement, you know instantly that you are about to view an oft-told tale in a whole new way; in other words, this ain't your father's ape man. Set to Phil Collins' pounding rock score, the scene juxtaposes the two families (human and ape) in a parallel duality as they struggle to live in this harsh jungle environment, for "danger's no stranger here." When tragedy strikes both camps, in the form of the sleekly menacing Sabor, the survivors are united, these strangers from two worlds, coming together as one family.
#37 - The Egg Travels
Dinosaur - 2000
We have arrived in a prehistoric world, thrillingly realistic due to a groundbreaking mix of computer animated creatures and live action backgrounds. After a vicious Carnatour attack, an orphaned Iguanodon egg commences on a voyage through a breathtaking natural landscape, filled with "terrible lizards" of all shapes and sizes. James Newton Howard's African influenced score adds to the primitive feel as the adventures of Aladar begin.
#36 - This Is Halloween
The Nightmare Before Christmas - 1993
As you enter the portal into Halloweentown, you are immersed in the unique imagination of Tim Burton, home to a motley crew of bizarrely formed manifestations of childhood fears. Pixie-faced vampires glide by, snaggle-nosed witches swoop by on gnarled broomsticks, boogie-men crawl out from under unsuspecting beds, all chanting Danny Elfman's spooky anthem "this is Halloween, this is Halloween". A pumpkin-headed scarecrow springs to life, swallowing a blaze that quickly ignites his body in flames, diving into a nearby fountain to emerge as Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown. "All hail to the Pumpkin King!"
#35 - Be Our Guest
Beauty and the Beast - 1991
"But what is dinner without a little music?" queries the mischievous Lumiere (Jerry Orbach, in full Maurice Chevalier mode), who promptly proves what a little dinnerware can do with a lot of music. The show-stopper that follows outdoes Busby Berkeley in it's sheer exaggerated brilliance. Plates twirl, beer steins leap frog, tea cups tap dance, soup spoons dive into a giant punch bowl à la Esther Williams, all to the incomparably clever rhymes of Howard Ashman's lyrics. In the grand finale, champagne corks popping, a luminous chandelier descends, replete with a tiny kick line of forks. Their audience of one (Belle) graciously offers a well-deserved standing ovation.
#34 - Transformation
Mulan - 1998
Our heroine Mulan has decided to take her frail father's place in the Chinese Royal Army. Stealing away with her father's armor, she takes his sword and cuts off her hair in the ultimate sign of her conviction. To save her father's life, she must perform this dishonorable act, an act that would cost her her own life if her deception is revealed. In this wordless scene, the film's universal theme is apparent: how others see you does not reflect the person you are inside. Mounting her horse Khan, Mulan rides off to face her destiny.
#33 - "Sanctuary!"
The Hunchback of Notre Dame - 1996
Things look pretty grim in Paris: Frollo has set the city aflame, captured Phoebus, chained up Quasimodo and is about to set Esmerelda on fire. The gargoyle trio unsuccessfully attempt to rouse the imprisoned bellringer out of his despair; not until Frollo sets the pyre ablaze does Quasi break free from his shackles, his bells triumphantly chiming in unison, and leaps into action. Swinging down from the cathedral, soaring high above the crowd, he rescues the unconscious gypsy and returns to the safety of Notre Dame. In front of the spectacular Rose Window, the hunchback hoists her skyward and cries "Sanctuary! Sanctuary!"
#32 - The Fairy Godmother
Cinderella - 1950
The jealous stepsisters have just brutally assaulted Cinderella at their mother's bidding, shredding her mouse-made dress. Running out to the comfort of the garden, she is at her lowest: "It's just no use... there's nothing left to believe in... " she sobs. But her wishes are about to be fulfilled as her loving Fairy Godmother (delightfully voiced by Verna Felton) magically appears. Citing that "even miracles take a little time", with a wave of her wand and a bit of "bibbidi-bobbidi-boo", Godmother turns a pumpkin into an ornately appointed coach and Cinderella's rags into a gorgeously glimmering gown. And don't forget those glass slippers. "A wonderful dream come true!"
#31 - Colors of the Wind
Pocahontas - 1995
In this soaring ballad of understanding and acceptance, we view a montage of Pocahontas showing John Smith the wonders and beauty of her homeland. Rich colors and vibrant pastels; imaginative use of shadows and light; Judy Kuhn's haunting vocals and Stephen Schwartz's moving words. All come together in this powerful yet simple message: all things are created in a natural, delicate balance; to upset that balance is to be folly to one's own destruction. "You can own the earth and still, all you own is earth until you can paint with all the colors of the wind."
#30 - The Silly Song
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - 1937
The dwarfs entertain their new house guest with this joyful and, well, silly song. A perfect showcase for these characters and their distinct personalities, each dwarf gets their share of the spotlight: Happy yodels and dances a soft shoe, Bashful (eventually) recites a nonsense verse, Sleepy deals with a pesky fly. The scene is loaded with gags reminiscent of the shorts of that time period, such as Dopey and Sneezy's infamous pas de deux with Snow White. When their dance comes to a hilariously "explosive" end, amid the gales of laughter, our heroine sighs "That was fun!" How right you are, princess.
#29 - Flying to Neverland
Peter Pan - 1953
"All it takes is faith and trust... (and) a little bit of pixie dust... " With these words of instruction (pixie dust provided by Tinker Bell, of course), the boy who never grew up Peter Pan leads the Darling children on a spectacular flight over London. Just like every kid has ever dreamed of, they glide above the clouds, the twinkling lights of the city far below them. Landing on the hands of Big Ben, Peter directs them to take the second star to the right and straight on 'til morning... "Come on everybody, here we go...!!!"
#28 - Part of Your World
The Little Mermaid - 1989
Starting a tradition of "I want" songs for every hero and heroine that followed her, Ariel (multi-talented Jodi Benson) wishes to break free from the depths of the sea and to walk among the humans who's "gadgets and gizmos galore" she has been collecting in her underwater grotto. With her flowing red hair, cascading in the water, she sings of her desire to be "out of the sea, wish I could be part of that world." The moment ends with the little mermaid staring longingly out into liquid space, her dream just above the surface.
#27 - "Anita, Dah-ling!"
One Hundred and One Dalmatians - 1961
You first see a silhouette in the window, then the door bursts open, and there she is. Black and white spiked hair, her face a skeletal mask, wrapped in an over-sized fur coat and trailing green cigarette smoke: it's her. "That devil woman." Cruella de Vil. Posing and sashaying around Roger and Anita's house, poking her bony fingers at a growling Pongo and mocking her hostesses' suburban housewife existence, she zeroes in on a framed portrait of the beloved dalmatian couple, smoke swirling around the image like a target. "Such perfectly lovely coats" she sneers. You know exactly what this woman is and what she wants to do, all in a scant two minute scene. "If she doesn't scare you, no evil thing will."
#26 - The Whales
Fantasia 2000 - 2000
In the Disney artists' vision of Respighi's "Pines of Rome", the aurora borealis shines above, and we are introduced to the most stunningly real sea life ever animated. A mother and father whale, with their spunky offspring, majestically rise from the ocean, these huge mammals flying up in the air, into the night sky, their immense shadows gliding across the nearby icebergs. They are joined by the rest of their pod, as they soar over mountain tops and lightning illuminated clouds, bursting through as the music swells and they continue their incredible journey into the heavens above.
Stay "tooned" for the top 25.....
-- Originally posted April 20, 2001
