Detecting A Second Golden Age...

Curse you, Basil...

Twenty-six years ago today, Walt Disney Feature Animation put out what would be the subtle beginning of the Second Golden Age of Disney Animation...

"The Great Mouse Detective", based on Eve Titus book, "Basil of Baker Street" was released in America. It was directed by four great animators, Ron Clements, Burny Mattinson, Dave Michener and John Musker. Clements and Musker would go on to define the films that this animation Renaissance would be recognized as over the next decade.

With the release of "Tangled," the upcoming "Wreck-It Ralph," and next year's "Frozen" a Third Golden Age may have already begun...

The Beginning Of Second Chances...

The ground work for what would come...





It's hard to believe that it was twenty-five years ago today, Walt Disney Productions put out what would be the subtle beginning of the Second Golden Age of Disney Animation...

"The Great Mouse Detective", based on Eve Titus book, "Basil of Baker Street" was released in America a quarter of a century in the past. It was directed by four great animators, Ron Clements, Burny Mattinson, Dave Michener and John Musker. Clements and Musker would go on to define the films that this animation Renaissance would be recognized as over the next decade. And now, the Hat Building is slowly working towards a Third Golden Age.

Time will tell...

Elementary, My Dear Disney Fan...

Twenty-two years ago today, Walt Disney Feature Animation put out what would be the subtle beginning of the Second Golden Age of Disney Animation...

"The Great Mouse Detective", based on Eve Titus book, "Basil of Baker Street" was released in America. It was directed by four great animators, Ron Clements, Burny Mattinson, Dave Michener and John Musker. Clements and Musker would go on to define the films that this animation Renaissance would be recognized as over the next decade. Their new film, "The Princess and the Frog", ironically the second of Lasseter's regime, comes out next year...

Let's cross our fingers that their magical touch works wonders on the Mouse House yet again.

The Mouse's Rodent Problem...

The Walt Disney Company's had a pest problem for a long time. Decades even. You'd think that they would have called an exterminator after they first noticed the problem.

Have you seen how many rodents there are there? First they had mice, then more mice and finally rats... It's getting downright crowded in Burbank. Heck, they've even found them in other parts of the company... Emeryville for example.

But the problem all started back in 1928 when Walt was just starting his studio. The first one to show up was this little rascal of a rodent named...

Mickey Mouse.



It didn't end there either. It turns out this Mickey had a mate...

Minnie Mouse.



And then there was the time Walt went to the circus for research for his movie "Dumbo". That brought in this other mouse named...

Timothy.



Oh, and when Walt had that castle built for that princess she brought along a bunch of mice. Even though there were supposed to be no pets...

Helper Mice.



Of course when Disney told the story of Robin Hood it was hard to keep them out as well. Those church mice...

Saxton and Wife.



And speaking of church mice, I seem to remember Walt finding that church mouse that helped out Ben Franklin. I think his name was...

Amos.



Then there was the ones the company found down in that swamp. Of course, I'm sure if they'd gotten rid of them it would have been bad publicity with them rescuing that girl and all...

Bernard & Miss Bianca.



Then there was those mice that found themselves involved in a mystery of some sort...

Basil & Dawson.



Of course, not all these mice work together. Some of them are downright enemies. That Basil just didn't get along with this one rat...

Ratigan.



And just when you think they've got it under control, the new branch up in Emeryville has an infestation. Luckily, at least one of them knew how to cook. Unfortunately the other one liked to eat...

Remy & Emile.



I'm sure there are more. It's hard to keep count after all...

The only conclusion I can come to is that they like them. Walt must have found something about this Mickey that he liked and everyone else sort of was won over as well.

I guess I'll call off the exterminator... they're starting to grow on me too.

The Real First Film Of The Second Golden Age...

Most people seem to credit the start of Disney's Second Golden Age with the success of "The Little Mermaid"...

Now, although the success of this film is what actually catapulted the animation department from the brink of death when it comes to the Walt Disney Company releasing animated films... when it comes to the Second Golden Age it wasn't the first. It was actually the second.

What was the first, then?

That which came before it, of course... I mean, creatively speaking the film that showed the potential that Disney can do came with the 1986 film "The Little Mermaid". I'm talking about that long forgotten classic: "The Great Mouse Detective".

The box office numbers are nowhere near as high as Ariel's film or any other that came after it... but you could see the concern for story... the quality of animation... the great characters and even the music.

Directed by Ron Clements, John Musker, Burny Mattinson and Dave Michener, this adaption of "Basil of Baker Street" by Eve Titus about a mouse version of Sherlock Holmes was a wonderful tale with engaging characters and a compelling story that is magical from beginning to end. Although the music may not be as memorable as Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, but Henry Mancini does a great job of creating memorable songs.

Barrie Inghamas as the Basil of Baker Street was perfect casting and Val Bettin as Basil's trusty assistant Dr. David Q. Dawson was equally good. Those of you familiar with "Duck Tales" will recognize Alan Young playing Hiram Flaversham as the voice of Uncle Scrooge. Also Vincent Price as Professor Ratigan was a deliciously nasty villain... and we also got to hear Vincent Price sing for the first time.

If you haven't seen this film lately... or haven't seen it at all, then head down to your local Blockbuster right away. Pick up a large soda, some popcorn, settle down in front of your entertainment system and enjoy...

Enjoy.