Huievest
Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.
Kien Navarro
Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.
Candida
It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.
Aspen Orson
There is definitely an excellent idea hidden in the background of the film. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find it.
teleconman
MELODY TIME is one of those movies that I could put on any time and forget about my worries. I remember watching it when I was a kid and sure I didn't pay it much attention to it. It's a cartoon film, so the only thing that mattered to me was that it's cartoons. Year's later I found a copy of it on DVD. And everyday when I'd get home I would do my homework while it played in the background. I am willing to say that this is probably my favorite Disney movie. Nothing against THE LION KING or ALADDIN, but it's just that there's a sense of emotion in this movie that's hard for me to explain. Every segment is so beautiful to look at. The music that accompanies each one is beautiful. The great thing about it is that there are like eight segments. so you get to experience eight magnificent pieces of work from animation history. My favorite segments are "Johnny Appleseed", The entire "Pecos Bill" segment, and "Trees". In that sense it sounds kind of like a nature theme that stood out to me. Which makes sense because the artwork of nature is amazing. I applaud the animators that worked on the film, there wasn't a lot of them, but they still managed to make a great Disney animated film. This is one of the best of them if not the best for me.
Dalbert Pringle
I don't know about you - But (for me) - When it comes to pre-CGI cartoons - It's the "Golden Age" of animation (Hollywood 1940s & 50s) that absolutely fascinates me with the incredible work and attention to detail that went into many of these Technicolour gems.Of course, it was the innovative animators at Disney Studios who were the ones at the absolute top-of-the-line in their field. And, this "Melody Time" DVD proves that beyond a shadow of a doubt.Featuring the vocal talents of such performers as Roy Rogers, The Andrews Sisters, and Bob Nolan (to name but a few) - 1948's "Melody Time" is a superb collection of 7 enjoyable, animated shorts whose stories are all told through song.Even though some of the story-lines of these cartoons may not appeal to some people - There can be no denying the absolute wonder and marvel of the fantastic animation-techniques that went into these works.3 of my favourites here are - Little Toot, Casey Bats Again, and Pecos Bill.
Lee Eisenberg
...but no one in the 21st century is going to recognize any of the people who did the music for "Melody Time". Dennis Day? Fred Waring? Frances Langford? And besides, the movie has some of the hokiest sketches. As for Roy Rogers, maybe he and John Wayne were seen as role models in the '40s and '50s, but can we in the 2010s truly see them as such?* So, it's not just that I'm the sort of person who prefers to watch all sorts of different movies from around the world. I prefer it if family movies have a more complex purpose than being happy-go-lucky. For example, I wouldn't call "Frozen" a masterpiece but I thought that it made a good point about accepting oneself as one is and others as they are. But more than anything I always preferred the Looney Tunes cartoons; their irreverence and grittiness starkly contrasted with Disney's cuteness.The point is that I don't recommend "Melody Time".*Read John Wayne's comment about relations between white settlers and American Indians if you want to know what I mean.
vitaleralphlouis
One thing children don't have anymore is appreciation for (or even knowledge of) legendary American heroes, whether fictional, exaggerated, or real. Public "schools" have even gotten in the habit of eradicating our Founding Fathers from American History. Here in this wondrous Walt Disney classic the Magic Paintbrush will take us back to the days of Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunyon, Pecos Bill and others. I'm writing this from fond memory of having seen it 55 years ago. I remember it well. If me and the wife go to a movie this weekend, one thing is certain: If we successfully choose the very best movie at the multiplex we will have forgotten it by the next day. Hollywood simply does not make quality movies anymore. Cars? It wasn't bad; but who will remember it in 5 weeks let alone 50 years? Melody Time was Walt Disney at his low ebb. He would soon regain his reputation with Cinderella, Peter Pan and Treasure Island. Disney at his low ebb beats the pants off today's Hollywood at their very best.