Watch Melody Time For Free

Absolutely Fantastic

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

I am astounded at the level of vitriol and self-inflated arrogance displayed by many of the IMDb "reviews" of MELODY TIME. MELODY TIME is a delightful compilation/potpourri of 7 episodes that showcase POPULAR MUSICAL ARTISTS of the day. And despite Disney's temporary post-war decline in quality, I challenge anyone to cite another example of animation that is so GLORIOUS and flawlessly rendered; it is a true feast for the eye, and contains some of Disney's absolutely best visual work. True, the film lacks the narrative cohesion of a single-storyline feature but---GUESS WHAT??--- that's the way the studio designed it!A few specific reactions.1.) "Once Upon a Winter" -- the overall design is as sumptuous and gorgeous as anything you will ever see; the studio designed this in a post-Deco visual style that was used in 1940's Christmas cards and graphics. It is stunning (the sky, the trees, the horses, the use of light and shadow, etc).I find the story a bit too crude and slapstick-y, especially where the young lady is concerned, which works against this segment's overall elegance and beauty. Frances Langford and the expert singing of the chorus are also first-rate.2.) "Johnny Appleseed"-- A continual marvel to look at and listen to. Gorgeous pastels, pinks, blues, apple-blossom clouds, landscapes, vistas, rivers, wind-rain-snow storms....the visual design of the pioneer's covered-wagon procession is another example of Disney's artists at their very best. And popular Irish tenor/comedian Dennis Day's virtuoso vocal performance (he portrays all of the characters) is a whimsical delight. And yes, Johnny's main song, with its graceful melody and charming whistling refrain, is happily titled "The LORD IS GOOD TO ME". How about THAT?!3.) "TREES" -- with the ever-popular Fred Waring Chorus (ever heard of them? Look 'em up. A little research might broaden my fellow reviewer's appreciation of "Melody Time's" appeal to audiences of its day).TREES is the "nature/concept" segment of the film and simply stunning in its visual design and execution. Seriously, show me anything that surpasses it in terms of its beauty. It's like a fantasy on the best parts of "Fantasia's" Beethoven Pastoral Symphony...but expanded and amplified.4.) I find "Little Toot" a bit tedious, since it's so predictable. But it's very well-done, great for the kids, and features the iconic Andrews Sisters of the '40's (ever heard of THEM?....)5.) "BLAME IT ON THE SAMBA!!!" --Must be seen to be believed. Donald Duck and his parrot-pal Joe Carioca in a hallucinogenic tropical-fantasy that echoes Disney's bizarre "Pink Elephants on Parade" from "Dumbo"...but in a South-American jungle-cafe setting. Totally, joyously insane...and very sophisticated in its design.The unhinged goofiness is highlighted by the combination of live-action footage of ETHEL SMITH, a popular and fabulously talented Organist of the day, who specialized in Latin Dance Music. Ethel floats in a big mojito glass, Ethel dances with our two bird-brain friends, Ethel plays the congas, Ethel gets a hot foot (with a stick of dynamite) from that crazy Aracuan bird, Ethel's organ EXPLODES, comes raining down and magically reassembles itself... Wildly imaginative and hilarious. OH YES....in case any of our reviewer colleagues are interested, "Blame It" also includes the fantastic singing of The DINNING SISTERS--- another popular female trio of the era, whose technical accuracy and flawless vocal blend is ANOTHER bonus in this delightful musical journey. (Incidentally, the lyrics of the song mention three Brazilian folk percussion instruments, here used as part of the "recipe" for the Samba: CABASA (a gourd/shaker), PANDERO (tambourine), and PUITA (a little drum with a string device that produces a curious "groaning" sound).6.) "PECOS BILL" -- with Roy Rodgers and the SONS OF THE PIONEERS, the greatest Western harmony group of all time. Check their history, should you be interested. It's good to see them together on screen and in color. And, in response to a couple of IMDb negative swipes at the two young child actors in the prologue, Luana Patten and Bobby Driscoll were among the most talented kids of the day (Bobby, especially). Read about his accomplishments and his tragic end here on IMDb; you may want to reconsider your snarky comments about his talents.Most of the PECOS BILL animated segment is pretty over-the-top in tone; it's almost off-putting, since it's characters are SO grotesque and exaggerated. However, the present-day ninnies at Disney, obsessed as they are with political-correct "enlightenment", chose to CENSOR the first verse of the rollicking "Ballad of Pecos Bill" on this DVD release---WHY? Because the animators dared to show Pecos Bill lighting a cigarette as he tames a cyclone.But all is not lost: the night-time imagery of the desert in this segment---the moon and stars, the echoing wail of coyote, etc etc, are simply STUNNING. It's hard to believe that a mere cartoon could evoke such a magical, otherworldly atmosphere. And the combination of the Sons' legendary performance of "Blue Shadows on the Trail" with Disney's artwork HAS to be one of the most enchanting, ravishingly beautiful things ever put on film.There is SO MUCH to treasure in MELODY TIME...not only its visual perfection, but the way in which it preserves 7 great performances by popular musical artists of the day in their prime. If anyone ever makes it through all of the other pathetic, ill-tempered, short-sighted, dismissive "reviews" here on IMDb and reads my comments, I hope you will be convinced to decide on the merits of MELODY TIME for yourself.LR

Like Fantasia, Melody Time is an anthology of animated sequences, but is not as long like the former and not as brilliant or vibrant in my opinion. It contains seven animated shorts, some with just music and some with dialog and music.You won't find much plot in this film - just a bunch of cartoon shorts set to the music of contemporary oldies and songs sung by singers from the Golden Era. The animation looks pretty washed up and the overall movie misses the rich music, dynamic and scenic animation sequences and the excitement and majesty Fantasia was able to present.While each segment wasn't very appealing, the Johnny Appleseed sequence was a little touching and the Trees segment was quite beautiful. The story of Little Toot was too "cute" but has some heroic elements, and the Blame it on the Samba sequence was quite catchy with its Latin music (and it's nice to see a familiar face, Donald Duck, star in that sequence). However, the Once Upon A Wintertime short was boring, Bumble Boogie was a little too mindless and the Pecos Bill story, while set to some good ol' American flavor, dragged the film.Overall, the film doesn't have much that would grab your attention and has that all-around lazy feel to it. It might be something that is OK for adults to watch once to pass the time, but children might not be able to sit through it.Grade D+

Throughout the 40's, Walt had a great problems with staff and money issues thanks to the Second World War and had to produce cheap films containing short stories. But most of them were good like "Saludos Amigos" (1943), "The Three Caballeros" (1945) and "Make Mine Music" (1946). "Fun and Fancy Free" (1947) proved that the gloss was starting to wear off but still provided good entertainment but with "Melody Time" (1948), you could tell that the studio was starting to head into trouble! I afraid this is lame, boring, clichéd, over-used and dweary. It starts yet again with Donald Duck (he's a very great character most of the time but let's just face it: back in the late 1940's he was just been over-exposed! It's now just overkill!) starting with a silly dance with will give nobody any pleasure or interest whatsoever. Then it all turns into a bunch of flat stories which tries hard to recapture the charm and the wit the Three Caballeros had but fails miserably. One or two of the shorts are worth watching but overall, they boring and same-old! No even an appearance from Jose Carioca, possibly one of Walt's best characters from the 40's could save this one! If you are a Disney enthusiast and wants to wonder all of Walt's work than this will do but for everybody else DON'T BOTHER because they is so much better other Disney films out there (like "Lady and the Tramp" and "The Sword in the Stone"). I'm sad to break it to Walt with all his financial problems at the time but this truly does suck!2/10

Arguably, the most obscure of Disney's feature-length films to be released on VHS and DVD, Melody Time is pretty much a 3rd installment in the Fantasia series, but if not, than you can definitely count it as a twin of-or part II to Make Mine Music (1946). It's virtually the same. But with one exception. Now, almost all 7 segments are longer than those from Make Mine Music. And this time, the selection of shorts are much more eclectic in variety. We have 2 American folk tales, a visual poem with words, a visual story without words, and much more.Technically, Melody Time is superior to Make Mine Music. But- not where you might expect it to be. For instance, the longer segments are, obviously, "Johnny Appleseed" and "Pecos Bill." Of these two, "Pecos" is definitely better. But, even for Disney, and in the 1940's - this is just too silly to be that entertaining most of the time. You would have to be the least intelligent, most childlike person out there to find this mostly "humorous" segment to be that amusing. But, it has the right look and feel for Western-themed Disney animation. Then, "Johnny" is more serious but... there's something odd about this one, to say the least. I guess it's Disney's complete rejection of actual historical events during a sequence where the pioneers and The Indians (yep, complete with Red-faces and all) dance and eat apple bakings together. It may be "pleasant" if you don't want to see violent history, but it's still stupid. Then, this may not bother anyone else either, but there are a few too many references to God's work, which is too much to think about in a family-oriented cartoon. "Prayin's for church," as they say.Next, is "Little Toot," which for some reason doesn't strike me as that great a story. I believe it's become a favorite showing on the Disney channel between shows / movies (or, at least that's how it used to be before their new millennium Tw'een programming took over). I don't know why. It may be based entirely on the song. It's a pleasant song, but strictly for fans of old radio / big band / 1940's music.All the other segments, though, are practically perfect for what they are. The first, "Once Upon a Wintertime," has some of the most magnificent colors I've ever seen in a Disney movie in a long time. For 1948, this is just pure visual delight - the blues and reds are just beyond vibrant. The tale is perhaps a little generic, but then so is most of what Disney puts to film. But that magic is there in full force on this segment. The second, is "Bumble Boogie." It's short and for what it is, it's good. Not very memorable, at all. But, if you don't mind alternate versions (what we today call the "Remix") of popular / famous pieces of music, you might enjoy it (I certainly did).The fifth segment is "Trees," and this is one of the most beautiful scenes I've ever witnessed in any Disney movie. It is basically the fill-in for the Interpretive segments from Make Mine Music, only the colors are so beautiful - especially the greens, yellows, and oranges. Parts of the poem itself are a little hard to hear, but the singing mixed with these visuals is just a sight to behold. Then, the sixth, "Blame It on the Samba," mostly goes for the cuteness of that trouble making bird from The Three Caballeros, the Araquan. The pitch of his voice / giggle have changed and it's now much squeakier and mousier. The animation is good, but the song is great and it's great to see Donald and his green parrot buddy return. Also returning is a live-action person added to the mix who may be a sister to the Cookie Woman from Caballeros. There's some funny chaos later on in this one.This is the first of these musical package features from Disney (post Fantasia) to have few weak parts, for which each of those have their positive attributes too. "Johnny Appleseed" may not be told very well, but the colors again are unbelievable in several scenes, that it makes moments of the segment uplifting. And then, "Pecos Bill" has so many songs for one of these segments, that one of them is likely to end up getting a little stuck in your head. My favorite is "Blue Shadows on the Trail."