MINI-EPISODE: Best Source Material for a New Disney Movie?

FromDeconstructing Disney

Start listening View podcast show

MINI-EPISODE: Best Source Material for a New Disney Movie?

FromDeconstructing Disney

ratings:

Length:

19 minutes

Released:

May 25, 2021

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

Episode SummaryIn the third and final mini-episode (for now!), Erin and Rachel wrestle with the definition of "classic" literature and identify possible source material for the next great Disney animated film!

Released:

May 25, 2021

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (50)

Two life-long Disney fans take on the Disney film catalog, beginning with the animated features, and discuss with a critical lens. New episodes the first Tuesday of every month. @DeconDisney on Twitter.

Skip carousel

Fantasia: Erin and Rachel review Disney’s Fantasia (1940) segment by segment and discuss the film’s repeated racist, female objectifying, and fatphobic imagery. But the music and unicorns are pretty! Maybe there’s a reason Disney likes to focus on Sorcerer Mickey when they talk about this film... by Deconstructing Disney
99 min listen
Bambi: Hear how “twitterpated” Erin and Rachel both are with Bambi (1942), the delightful classic that chronicles the lives of forest creatures with a heavy-handed conservationist agenda. Widely panned by critics following its initial release, this is the first time the grade Erin assigned on behalf of 1942 viewers is lower than the grade Rachel assigned based on a current day perspective! by Deconstructing Disney
77 min listen
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Erin and Rachel discuss Disney's first full-length animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, snidely referred to by critics as "Disney's Folly" before its release and subsequent box office success in 1937. The hosts unpack the impact of this groundbreaking film on popular culture, including its sexist and ableist themes. by Deconstructing Disney
98 min listen
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (BONUS EPISODE): In this bonus episode, Erin and Rachel unpack The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949), and debate which is the most frightening: the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow, Mr. Toad’s untreated mental illness, or the complete lack of female and BIPOC representation in this film. by Deconstructing Disney
83 min listen
Welcome to Deconstructing Disney: Meet Erin and Rachel, two life-long Disney fans who've decided to take on the Disney film catalog with a critical lens. In this introductory episode, they share some Disney memories, quiz each other on Disney trivia, and explain what "deconstructing" actually means. To all who come to this happy podcast, welcome! by Deconstructing Disney
50 min listen
Peter Pan: Erin and Rachel have A LOT of thoughts (just under two hours worth) about Peter Pan (1953), a film so full of racism and sexism, they’re left scratching their heads about why this Disney classic is so beloved. Join the hosts as they unpack all the different ways this movie is offensive toward indigenous people, women, and even people with disabilities! by Deconstructing Disney
117 min listen
Saludos Amigos & The Three Caballeros: As unofficial ambassador of Franklin Roosevelt’s Good Neighbor approach to foreign policy, Walt Disney traveled to South America on a so-called “goodwill tour,” the results of which were Saludos Amigos (1942) and The Three Caballeros (1944). Join Erin and Rachel for this special double episode as they unpack the political and cultural influence of these lesser known “package” films. by Deconstructing Disney
82 min listen
The Sword in the Stone: Journey back to the Middle Ages for a discussion of The Sword in the Stone (1963), a film beset with sexism and classism befitting its medieval setting. The last fully animated film before Walt Disney’s death in 1966, this story of Arthurian legend leaves a lot to be desired in terms of plot and songwriting as well. Erin and Rachel try to make up for the latter with some singing of their own, and for that, they sincerely apologize. by Deconstructing Disney
77 min listen
Sleeping Beauty: Can a film with a female protagonist who sleeps more than anything else be considered “feminist”? Erin and Rachel wrestle with this question and more as they discuss Sleeping Beauty (1959), Disney’s third and final princess film until the Disney Renaissance thirty years later. by Deconstructing Disney
80 min listen
Dumbo: Erin and Rachel unpack Disney’s pachyderm-focused 1941 film, Dumbo. This beloved classic helped Walt Disney Studios recover financially from previous box office busts and an animator strike. Despite being the shortest Disney animated film at only 64 minutes, there’s no shortage of racism, sexism, or horrifying elephant-based hallucinations. by Deconstructing Disney
80 min listen
Cinderella: Disney’s Cinderella thrilled Erin and Rachel almost as much as it thrilled 1950 audiences, with “almost” being the operative word. The co-hosts revisit their favorite topics of gender roles and colonization, while also debating what, exactly, dreams are made of for the second Disney princess. by Deconstructing Disney
104 min listen
Pinocchio: Erin and Rachel offer a less favorable take on Disney’s Pinocchio (1940) than the 100% Rotten Tomato rating of this film might suggest. They discuss the historical context of WWII in which the film was released and consider how this relates to the film’s themes about morality and family relationships. by Deconstructing Disney
86 min listen
The Rescuers Down Under: Travel to Australia with Erin and Rachel, where they’ll dissect The Rescuers Down Under (1990), a film full of native flora and fauna, but absolutely no native people. This box office flop was created using the Computer Animation Production System (CAPS), but it’s impressive animated sequences couldn’t redeem the irregular pacing and lackluster characters. by Deconstructing Disney
62 min listen
MINI-EPISODE: Best Idea for a Disney Park Attraction?: In this first miniature (or Minnie Mouse?) episode, Erin and Rachel each pitch an idea for a new Disney Park attraction based on the films they've watched so far. by Deconstructing Disney
17 min listen
Lady and the Tramp: Join Erin and Rachel as they examine the surprising amount of ethnocentrism and classism imbued in the 1955 classic Lady and the Tramp. Walt Disney Studios did its part to promote the myth of the American melting pot while also cautioning audiences about the "yellow peril," memorably embodied by the infamous Siamese cats who disrupt Lady's idyllic Victorian home life. by Deconstructing Disney
94 min listen
Alice in Wonderland: Erin and Rachel don’t have time for nonsense, and neither did 1951 audiences when Alice in Wonderland flopped at the box office. Thankfully, marijuana-fueled college students in the 1960s had all the time in the world for a trip down the rabbit hole, thus solidifying a permanent place in popular culture for Alice in Wonderland, a film surprisingly devoid of racist or sexist content compared to its predecessors. by Deconstructing Disney
83 min listen
One Hundred and One Dalmatians: Like a Dalmatian’s coat is sprinkled with spots, Disney’s 1961 One Hundred and One Dalmatians has bits of sexism, racism, classism, and fatphobia sprinkled throughout. However, those questionable moments weren’t enough to sour Erin and Rachel on what is overall a heartwarming and visually interesting film. Oh, and did we mention how cute the puppies are? by Deconstructing Disney
97 min listen
Robin Hood: Erin and Rachel travel to Sherwood Forest and discuss Robin Hood (1973), the first Disney film to feature a cast entirely composed of anthropomorphized animals! Although their qualms with the film include the limited agency of female characters and the derision of fat characters, they also enjoyed the exciting plot and folksy music. by Deconstructing Disney
93 min listen
Mary Poppins: Erin and Rachel discuss the classic hybrid film, Mary Poppins. Although Julie Andrews’ famous nanny may be “practically perfect in every way,” the co-hosts find plenty of flaws in the 1964 film’s messaging on family values, gender roles, and classism. by Deconstructing Disney
106 min listen
The Jungle Book: Join Erin and Rachel as they journey to the jungles of India to discuss the 1967 classic, The Jungle Book. Based on the book by Rudyard Kipling, a champion of British Imperialism, the film demonstrates more implicit racism and sexism than colonialist themes. by Deconstructing Disney
81 min listen
The AristoCats: Released three years after Walt Disney’s death, the 1970 animated film The AristoCats (yes, the “C” is capitalized!) marked the beginning of a new era for Walt Disney Animation Studios. Join Erin and Rachel as they discuss the tough questions such as, does everybody want to be a cat? by Deconstructing Disney
81 min listen
The Rescuers: In their deconstruction of The Rescuers (1977), Erin and Rachel discuss orphans, alligators, and confederate symbolism. This film seemingly represents the first attempts of the Walt Disney Animation Studios to represent racial diversity and gender equality in any intentional or meaningful way, but how successful are they? by Deconstructing Disney
89 min listen
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: Venture into the Hundred Acre Wood with Erin and Rachel as they discuss the The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, the 1977 feature-length film that compiled three previously-released featurettes about a willy nilly silly old bear. The conversation touches on issues of gender and racism, but Rachel’s biggest qualm with this movie is the fat shaming directed at our favorite tubby cubby. by Deconstructing Disney
72 min listen
The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Erin and Rachel spend a lot of time wringing their hands over the mature themes in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), Disney’s animated film about a bell ringer in medieval France. The film underperformed at the box office; apparently, a children’s movie about adult sexuality is a bell you can’t un-ring. The depictions of disability and race induce further cringing that the dazzling music and visuals can’t completely overcome. Join the party! by Deconstructing Disney
118 min listen
MINI-EPISODE: Best Source Material for a New Disney Movie?: In the third and final mini-episode (for now!), Erin and Rachel wrestle with the definition of "classic" literature and identify possible source material for the next great Disney animated film! by Deconstructing Disney
19 min listen
The Great Mouse Detective: Amid mounting pressure from new leadership, Disney animators ushered in a new era with its first ever computer-generated image (CGI) sequence in The Great Mouse Detective (1986). Erin and Rachel discuss their attraction to Disney characters and their puzzlement with the lengthy cabaret sequence in this Sherlock Holmes-inspired adventure film. by Deconstructing Disney
66 min listen
The Fox and the Hound: Erin and Rachel unpack The Fox and the Hound (1981), the most expensive Disney animated film up to that point, due largely to conflict amongst the film makers. They discover that even a movie about the best of friends isn’t immune to racism in the form of Black stereotypes and underlying messages about segregation. by Deconstructing Disney
69 min listen
Pocahontas: In pursuit of another Oscar-worthy animated feature, Disney chose a culturally significant protagonist and pumped up the romance for Pocahontas (1995). Unsurprisingly, good intentions didn’t prevent a group of white men from creating a hugely problematic film, rife with gross historical inaccuracies, racism, and misogyny. Pocahontas underperformed at the box office, and the only Oscar went to Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz for best original song. by Deconstructing Disney
97 min listen
Beauty and the Beast: A smashing success at the box office and awards shows, Beauty and the Beast (1991) confirmed that the Disney Renaissance had indeed arrived. Despite its technical and narrative achievements, this film garnered heavy criticism from the feminists it sought to appease with a spunky heroine. Erin and Rachel discuss how Belle and her suitors reinforce that gendered violence is a tale as old as time. Oh, and also, is everyone gay? by Deconstructing Disney
108 min listen
The Black Cauldron: In an episode bubbling over with Disney history, Erin and Rachel dive into The Black Cauldron (1985), also known as, “the film that almost killed Disney animation.” Amid corporate restructuring, another animator’s strike, and increasing competition at the box office, The Black Cauldron totally flopped. Erin and Rachel liked this film about as much as 1985 audiences did, and not just because of the misogyny and white-washed cast. Even innovative animation technology couldn’t save the meandering script and annoying characters. by Deconstructing Disney
86 min listen

More Episodes from Deconstructing Disney

Skip carousel

Finding Nemo: Erin and Rachel dive into a discussion of Finding Nemo (2003), the box office splash that enthralled audiences and critics alike. This movie about fish offers a surprising amount to wade through in terms of environmentalism, gender politics, and ableism. by Deconstructing Disney
97 min listen
Treasure Planet: Erin and Rachel explore Treasure Planet (2002), the biggest flop in Disney animation since The Black Cauldron. The hosts discuss what went wrong with this pet project of veteran directors Ron Clements and John Musker, beyond just the usual misogyny, that is. by Deconstructing Disney
105 min listen
Lilo & Stitch: Much like family dynamics and intergalactic diplomacy, Lilo & Stitch (2002) is a complicated movie. Erin and Rachel surf through the topics of Hawaiian culture and representation, colonialism, and Elvis. by Deconstructing Disney
108 min listen
The Best Disney Song of All Time: Erin and Rachel sing their way through a March madness style bracket to determine the best Disney song of all time! by Deconstructing Disney
70 min listen
Monsters, Inc.: Join Erin and Rachel on the Scare Floor for a discussion of Monsters, Inc. (2001). The impressive animation, clever world building, strong performances, and high joke density adequately compensate for some outdated fatphobic, classist, and misogynist beats. Under director Pete Doctor, Pixar has officially hit their stride with this critically acclaimed box office smash. by Deconstructing Disney
87 min listen
Atlantis: The Lost Empire: Making sense of the plot of Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) proves almost as difficult as locating a lost civilization in the Atlantic Ocean. Erin and Rachel muddle through the complicated lore of this box office flop and manage to find some positive depictions of gender roles and racial diversity. by Deconstructing Disney
110 min listen
The Emperor's New Groove: Erin and Rachel try not to throw off the emperor’s groove with their critique of the cultural appropriation and homophobia in this cult classic from 2000. Ultimately, the memeable humor and nuanced portrayal of masculinity make The Emperor’s New Groove a palatable offering from a studio that was floundering post-Renaissance. by Deconstructing Disney
100 min listen
Dinosaur: Disney animators combined computer generated animation with live action background scenery to create the visually stunning Dinosaur (2000). Unfortunately, the boring plot and lackluster characters leave Erin and Rachel wishing that these dinosaurs would hurry up and go extinct. by Deconstructing Disney
71 min listen
Toy Story 2: Originally planned for a direct-to-video release, Toy Story 2 (1999) was deemed too good for the small screen and instead enjoyed a theatrical release that was met with rave reviews. The addition of a plucky heroine with a tragic backstory mitigates some of the toxic masculinity from the first installment, but ableism and fatphobia manage to sneak in. by Deconstructing Disney
86 min listen
Tarzan by Deconstructing Disney
92 min listen
A Bug's Life: Despite competing with a similar insect-themed offering from DreamWorks, Pixar’s sophomore feature film, A Bug’s Life (1998), earned positive reviews at the box office and solidified the reputation of the animation studio. Although misogyny, racism, and fatphobia are sprinkled throughout, Rachel eagerly celebrates this movie as a depiction of Marxist class revolution; Erin is less enthusiastic. by Deconstructing Disney
104 min listen
Mulan: Erin and Rachel explore the mess of gender and culture in Mulan (1998), Disney’s adaptation of an ancient Chinese legend. The plucky heroine promotes the “Girl Power” feminism that has fueled the female protagonists of most Disney Renaissance films, but does so in a way that manages to completely misrepresent Chinese culture and values. Spoiler alert: Chinese audiences did not love this movie. by Deconstructing Disney
130 min listen
Hercules: Unlike its eponymous protagonist, Hercules (1997) is more “zero” than “hero.” Erin and Rachel discuss the film’s rampant misogyny and obnoxious product placement. Compelling vocal performances and soaring musical numbers–the last of Alan Menken’s contributions during the Disney Renaissance–can’t rescue this box office disappointment from the River of Death. Much like Achilles, it just doesn’t go the distance. by Deconstructing Disney
105 min listen
The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Erin and Rachel spend a lot of time wringing their hands over the mature themes in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), Disney’s animated film about a bell ringer in medieval France. The film underperformed at the box office; apparently, a children’s movie about adult sexuality is a bell you can’t un-ring. The depictions of disability and race induce further cringing that the dazzling music and visuals can’t completely overcome. Join the party! by Deconstructing Disney
118 min listen
Toy Story: Erin and Rachel travel to masculinity and beyond in their discussion of Toy Story (1995), the first feature-length entirely computer-animated film. After a thorough discussion of the history of Pixar and the technology of computer animation, the hosts delve into the world of boy toys and wrestle over the problematic representation of female and disabled characters. by Deconstructing Disney
107 min listen
Pocahontas: In pursuit of another Oscar-worthy animated feature, Disney chose a culturally significant protagonist and pumped up the romance for Pocahontas (1995). Unsurprisingly, good intentions didn’t prevent a group of white men from creating a hugely problematic film, rife with gross historical inaccuracies, racism, and misogyny. Pocahontas underperformed at the box office, and the only Oscar went to Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz for best original song. by Deconstructing Disney
97 min listen
The Lion King: Another critical and commercial success of the Disney Renaissance, The Lion King (1994) was a beast at the box office and on home video. It was also the first animated Disney animated film set in Africa. Despite (relatively) diverse casting and the incorporation of authentic African music, there's still plenty of racism to discuss, with some homophobia and questionable political commentary thrown in! by Deconstructing Disney
98 min listen
Aladdin: Erin and Rachel travel to the (problematically) imaginary land of Agrabah to discuss Aladdin (1992), debating whether this film can overcome its staggering orientalism to be the diamond in the rough we’d all like it to be. Highlights include Robin Williams, Howard Ashman, and Ottoman Empire fashion. by Deconstructing Disney
93 min listen
Beauty and the Beast: A smashing success at the box office and awards shows, Beauty and the Beast (1991) confirmed that the Disney Renaissance had indeed arrived. Despite its technical and narrative achievements, this film garnered heavy criticism from the feminists it sought to appease with a spunky heroine. Erin and Rachel discuss how Belle and her suitors reinforce that gendered violence is a tale as old as time. Oh, and also, is everyone gay? by Deconstructing Disney
108 min listen
The Rescuers Down Under: Travel to Australia with Erin and Rachel, where they’ll dissect The Rescuers Down Under (1990), a film full of native flora and fauna, but absolutely no native people. This box office flop was created using the Computer Animation Production System (CAPS), but it’s impressive animated sequences couldn’t redeem the irregular pacing and lackluster characters. by Deconstructing Disney
62 min listen
The Little Mermaid: Join Erin and Rachel "Under the Sea" for the first Disney princess film in 30 years! The Little Mermaid (1989) marked the beginning of the Disney Renaissance, a period of renewed investment in animation at the Disney Corporation. With musical numbers from Broadway dynamos Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, the film smashed the box office, but did Princess Ariel smash the patriarchy? by Deconstructing Disney
72 min listen
Oliver & Company: Once upon a time in New York City, a movie about dogs brought up a lot of questions about class, race, and gender. Erin revisits one of her favorite childhood films in this episode about Oliver & Company (1988), while Rachel remains steadfast in her stance that the lone kitten is the only good part. by Deconstructing Disney
65 min listen
Who Framed Roger Rabbit?: Thanks to its impressive technological innovation and astounding attention to detail, Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) achieved commercial and critical success under the Touchstone Pictures film label. Erin and Rachel debate whether the clever script and filmmaking can adequately compensate for offensive content. Importantly, they also consider whether Jessica Rabbit is actually bad, or just drawn that way. by Deconstructing Disney
66 min listen
The Great Mouse Detective: Amid mounting pressure from new leadership, Disney animators ushered in a new era with its first ever computer-generated image (CGI) sequence in The Great Mouse Detective (1986). Erin and Rachel discuss their attraction to Disney characters and their puzzlement with the lengthy cabaret sequence in this Sherlock Holmes-inspired adventure film. by Deconstructing Disney
66 min listen
The Black Cauldron: In an episode bubbling over with Disney history, Erin and Rachel dive into The Black Cauldron (1985), also known as, “the film that almost killed Disney animation.” Amid corporate restructuring, another animator’s strike, and increasing competition at the box office, The Black Cauldron totally flopped. Erin and Rachel liked this film about as much as 1985 audiences did, and not just because of the misogyny and white-washed cast. Even innovative animation technology couldn’t save the meandering script and annoying characters. by Deconstructing Disney
86 min listen
The Fox and the Hound: Erin and Rachel unpack The Fox and the Hound (1981), the most expensive Disney animated film up to that point, due largely to conflict amongst the film makers. They discover that even a movie about the best of friends isn’t immune to racism in the form of Black stereotypes and underlying messages about segregation. by Deconstructing Disney
69 min listen
MINI-EPISODE: Best Characters?: For their second mini-episode, Erin and Rachel each identify their picks for best villain, best love interest, and best animal sidekick from the films they've reviewed so far. by Deconstructing Disney
25 min listen
MINI-EPISODE: Best Idea for a Disney Park Attraction?: In this first miniature (or Minnie Mouse?) episode, Erin and Rachel each pitch an idea for a new Disney Park attraction based on the films they've watched so far. by Deconstructing Disney
17 min listen
The Rescuers: In their deconstruction of The Rescuers (1977), Erin and Rachel discuss orphans, alligators, and confederate symbolism. This film seemingly represents the first attempts of the Walt Disney Animation Studios to represent racial diversity and gender equality in any intentional or meaningful way, but how successful are they? by Deconstructing Disney
89 min listen
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: Venture into the Hundred Acre Wood with Erin and Rachel as they discuss the The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, the 1977 feature-length film that compiled three previously-released featurettes about a willy nilly silly old bear. The conversation touches on issues of gender and racism, but Rachel’s biggest qualm with this movie is the fat shaming directed at our favorite tubby cubby. by Deconstructing Disney
72 min listen

Discover this podcast and so much more

MINI-EPISODE: Best Source Material for a New Disney Movie?

MINI-EPISODE: Best Source Material for a New Disney Movie?

Description

Titles in the series (50)

More Episodes from Deconstructing Disney