The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr Toad (1949)

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This short feature presentation from Disney Animation is really two short stories slammed together. Up first, we have “The Wind in the Willows,” narrated by Basil Rathbone. It’s a fast-paced story about three stuffy critters — a badger, a mole, and a river rat — who try to keep their friend Toad out of trouble. Toad is addicted to all the latest modes of transportation and accidentally lands in jail for buying a stolen car from some nefarious weasels. None of the characters are especially endearing compared to other Disney fare and I have to wonder why Disney chose this story in the first place. It’s all right for a children’s cartoon, I guess.

Up second, closing out the program, is Bing Crosby narrating and crooning his way through “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” It’s a far better and more memorable piece than “The Wind in the Willows,” but Disney somewhat misses the boat by focusing primarily on the rivalry between Ichabod Crane and Brom Bones over the affection of Katrina Van Tassel. The Headless Horseman isn’t even mentioned until eight or nine minutes before the end of the story. Ichabod’s spooky trip through the woods and his encounter with the horseman are by far the best thing about The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr Toad.

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