"Make Mine Music" is a beautifully crafted binding of Disney shorts, and I think it is an improvement over "Melody Time". "Melody Time" did have some memorable parts especially "Once Upon a Wintertime", "Bumble Boogie" and "Johnny Appleseed", but what made "Make Mine Music" better was that it had a somewhat better variety of music and that it contains some of my all time favourite Disney moments. But like it is with "Melody Time" the success of the shorts is variable.
"The Martins and the Coys"(10/10)-Man I loved this! Probably the most underrated of all the shorts featured in this film. It mayn't be to everyone's tastes now, and it does stereotype the Appalachians, but what makes it so enormously entertaining is the fluid and colourful quality of the animation, the rollicking soundtrack and the vocals.
"Blue Bayou"(10/10)- I don't know where to begin praising "Blue Bayou". Whether it was the stunning animation, with the pristine and perfect blue backgrounds, the poetic lyrics and the lyrical, sensual melody of the song. And the music is sublimely sung.
"All the Cats Join In"(10/10)-One cool and jazzy cartoon. I am not always that fond of jazz admittedly, but the music courtesy of Benny Goodman and his orchestra is wonderful. Topped with clever and sophisticated animation and the story, even for a combination cartoon, works effectively.
"Without You"(9/10)- I liked this, the animation is gorgeous in this sequence and the song itself is sweet and memorable. Andy Russell does a good job with the singing. I will say though it doesn't rank as a favourite, and I can't put my finger on why, maybe it was to do with where it was placed in the film.
"Casey at the Bat"(8/10)-The pace is rushed here, but this cartoon is entertaining. I for one liked Jerry Colonna's mini-commentary-like vocals here, and I liked the animation too. "Casey at the Bat" is also very funny, certainly makes a game of baseball entertaining.
"Two Silhouettes"(8/10)-Don't get me wrong, I really liked this sequence. It is sentimental and sappy of course, but it looked beautiful, with graceful dancing, and the song was lovely, sensitively sung by Dinah Shore.
"Peter and the Wolf"(9.5/10)-Easily one of the better shorts of the film. Not my personal favourite by all means, but definitely memorable. The animation is beautiful here, the music is outstanding and the story is effective. Not to mention the characters are very well done, in fact the Wolf when my sister and I were little was so scary for us, my sister still refuses to see this cartoon, as she got nightmares from the Wolf and the French horn motif played to signify his entrance.
"After You've Gone"(8/10)- I do prefer "All the Cats Join In" but this is full of jazz and pizazz. It's running time though is disappointingly scant, and it is a tad rushed. The artwork is beautifully done though, and the music is wonderful. Another example of a combination cartoon, and works well at it.
"Johnnie Fedora and Alice Bluebonnet"(10/10)- I love how beautiful, simple and poignant this is. Coupled with nice animation, lovely music and beautifully blended vocals from the Andrews Sisters, this is a definite must.
"Willie the Operatic Whale"(or "The Whale Who Wanted to Sing At the Met")(10/10)-Save the best until last I'd say. Along with "Peter and the Wolf" this is the only other cartoon from the film I was familiar with before watching. This one is unforgettable, truly unforgettable with a truly special whale. The animation is gorgeous and charming, and the singing from undervalued Nelson Eddy is outstanding. What made this though was the opera music, it was wonderful to hear "Largo Al Factotum" from "Barber of Seville" and "Sextet" from "Lucia Di Lammermoor" to name a few. This was the cartoon that introduced me to the wonderful world of opera, that's why it is so special to be.
Overall, while there are one or two sequences that aren't as good as others, "Make Mine Music" is beautifully crafted, and I would recommend it. 8/10 Bethany Cox
