29 Comments
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Sheila (of Ephemera)'s avatar

Disney! Fantastic! And can’t wait to read your analysis of “Night on Bald Mountain”, speaking of Fant…Asia😉. Loved this, thank you, Rebekah! I’m guessing Snow White is next!

Robert Walrod's avatar

Huge Fantasia fan as well. Looking forward to it.

Rebekah King's avatar

You guessed two of the upcoming articles!! Thanks Sheila, I hope you enjoy them.

Robert Walrod's avatar

Actually a quite a few horror-ish early Mickey Mouse shorts. The Gorilla Mystery, The Mad Doctor, etc. Will you be covering them? Also, anything in the theme parks like the Haunted Mansion?

Rebekah King's avatar

No sadly not, although I have a note in my ideas document for a mini series on 'horror theme parks’ more generally so will almost certainly do a Disney article for that. There were so many creepy Disney moments I’ve been spoiled for choice so it’s mostly the big feature-length heavy hitters from now on.

Robert Walrod's avatar

a lot to choose from.

One of the reasons why I like classic golden age Disney is that it goes to darker places.

Rebekah King's avatar

Absolutely! It’ll be interesting to see how it compares to later Disney if I ever get around to doing that series…

Robert Walrod's avatar

Our family recently got Disney+ for my little niece and nephew and I've been revisited a few 90s Disney movies that I either never saw or haven't seen since they originally came out & I was a young child.

I'm sure you'll have a lot to say about Hunchback when/if you ever get to it!

Sheila (of Ephemera)'s avatar

The anticipation! 🥰

L Binnie's avatar

Saving this for tomorrow for a read! This is the first “scary” thing I showed my kids and they adored it so much. It’s amazing how well it stands up against modern cartoons. The animation is beautiful and it’s funny and entertaining.

Rebekah King's avatar

Thanks, Laura I agree, knowing how old it is makes it seem even cleverer. I still think early animation is like magic! Now I want to do a list of 'baby's first horror films...'

L Binnie's avatar

YES!! Please do it!

FranB's avatar

Fascinating and thank you for bringing skeleton dance to my attention. What a strange little film and definitely not on brand for Disney as it is today.

Rebekah King's avatar

Right? Thanks so much, Fran!

Reina Cruz's avatar

I played this one a lot for my toddler this halloween season. Not too macabre for her, I guess! I really enjoyed the deep dive. Looking forward to your next Thursday article

Rebekah King's avatar

Haha excellent, the kid has taste! Thanks so much, Reina, next week’s is a good’un.

Hellish Views - Harry Evans's avatar

If next week is what I think it is, I want to a BBFC talk about that scene!

Rebekah King's avatar

Ooh you’ll have to let me know!

Saint-Lazare's avatar

I think I have already found my favourite essay of the year, that will be difficult to beat, as it includes so many references I love!

Rebekah King's avatar

Nice, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

Meghan's avatar

I am SO EXCITED for this series! Love this first piece!

Rebekah King's avatar

It’s been so fun to write! Thanks Meghan

Lou Tilsley's avatar

Love this theme! Had not watched Silly Symphony before. I can totally see how that skeleton chomping its way toward the screen might’ve been scary for early audiences. Really hoping next week is The Watcher In The Wood. That hall of mirrors scene was terrifying to me as a child. I’d love it if Something Wicked This Way Comes also made an appearance at some point.

Rebekah King's avatar

Thanks so much, Lou! 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' is on my 'to-read' list for this year funnily enough. I've mostly stuck to animations for this list. Maybe I could do a separate one for 'live action Disney...'

Tom's avatar

Any scary live action Disney would have to include the scenes featuring the Banshee and the Death Coach from "Darby O' Gill and the Little People", which scared the bejesus out of me at the cinema when I was a little kid. Watching the scenes on YouTube now, I can still feel some sense of the absolute horror they inspired in me as a child.

Lou Tilsley's avatar

Looking forward to seeing what else you’ve included. There’s definitely a lot of scope!

Prof. Andy's avatar

Love this! Nice research

Rebekah King's avatar

Thanks, Andy!