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After the war, Disney found that in order to survive, he needed to diversify by expanding into live action. Yet, the first live action films were not entirely without animation.

Following a similar set up as Song Of The South, So Dear To My Heart has a historical setting in rural America, only a little forty years prior. Yet America radically changed during that timeframe. Some movie goers at the time of initial release would have remembered that era.

The story involves a boy who adopts a troublesome black sheep who he wants to enter in the County Fair.

This is one Disney film that has fallen under the radar for most fans and apparently Disney themselves, since it hasn't been widely available since the 90s. The overall film might not appeal to audiences today, because there isn't much of a build. The animated sequences, while very well done and executed, don't have much to do with the story, but feel more like short interludes. The rural landscapes, shot in Technicolor look breathtaking. And Burl Ives is a plus.

The UK DVD has some very insightful commentary by Disney archivist Scott McQueen. He explains the historical backdrop of the film, and puts into perspective daily lifestyle of the time and place in the film which might otherwise be lost on viewers of today. He also explains that a film like this was welcomed by 1948 audiences who would have wanted to return to a simpler time after the horrors of WWII. These are keys to appreciating the film. But a history buff or anyone who appreciates the rural countryside life will really enjoy this film.

War and Post-war Disney (1942-53) is my favorite period. Although this isn't one of the stronger titles, there's still a lot to appreciate. One will have to track down an obscure DVD (import or Disney Movie Club Exclusive) or a VHS to screen it though.

Pluto had been a supporting role in the Mickey Mouse cartoons since around 1932. He had a small handfull of solo shorts in the 30s, which were released as Silly Symphonies or in one case under his name. These all had a gap of a few years in between.

This is the first official short in the Pluto series that would be released on a regular basis. It also introduced the theme music which would be used in the main titles until 1946.

Some might dismiss the Pluto shorts as uninteresting, but there is a lot if great pantomime acting and comedy. Here, Pluto attempts to steal a bone from his neighbor bulldog, who does not take kindly. A chase through a mirror hall in an amusement park follows.

While somewhat predictable by today's standards, considering that this premise would be utilized again and by rival studios (compare the WB short BONE, SWEET, BONE from 1948), it is still very funny, even though Pluto doesn't exhibit good behavior.

The bulldog design would also be utilized by rival studios. Namely Spike in the Tom & Jerry series at MGM. WB also used the same design all throughout the 40s and 50s, which eventually culminated in Hector in the Tweety and Sylvester series. Another example how all the studios influenced each other at one or another.

A quintessential Pluto short. Available on the Disney Treasures: The Complete Pluto and coming soon to Disney Plus.