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Rating:  - A true gem restored
I loved this movie, particularly the Mickey and the beanstalk as it was originally done with Edgar Bergen. I hated the fact he was dropped in the TV version.
As a professional ventriloquist myself, I am slightly biased as I am a big Bergen fan. Even still, Mickey and the beanstalk was one of the funniest cartoon Disney ever did.
Bongo was cute but maybe too cute for my taste. I liked Dinah Shores narration. Don't forget she was a big star when this movie came out.
Get it and enjoy the fun!
Rating:  - Tie Together Two Shorts to Get a Long
I have mixed feelings about this supposedly full-length feature. The full-length feature is actually the story of circus bear Bongo and a separate story, "Mickey and the Beanstalk," loosely tied together. Dinah Shore narrates the story of Bongo and provides some musical accompaniment. Edgar Bergen, Charlie McCarthy, Mortimer Snerd and Luana Patten periodically interrupt the story of "Mickey and the Beanstalk."
"Bongo" is the story of a small circus bear that longs for the wild, until he suddenly finds himself in the wild with wild bears. Soon Bongo falls in love with a cute little bear, but discovers that another, larger bear also has designs on the cute girl bear. Mayhem ensues and we wonder whether Bongo will persevere.
"Mickey and the Beanstalk" is a clever retelling of "Jack and the Beanstalk." This clever film was the last time Walt Disney voiced Mickey. The antics of Goofy, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck are humorous and creative, and held my attention from beginning to end.
There are several problems with "Fun and Fancy Free." The primary problem is that neither feature is long enough to be a feature. Disney increased the length of both features by wrapping filler between them and adding Edgar Bergen and his marionettes telling the story of "Mickey and the Beanstalk" to pretty Luana Patten. Unfortunately, the additional material only adds a little to the basic stories, and frequently distracts from the stories.
Another problem with this film is that the story of Bongo is weak, particularly in comparison with the much more powerful story of "Mickey and the Beanstalk." "Bongo" has a few moments where the animation is cute and clever, but when I watched this cartoon I thought the entire thing should have been fifteen minutes long.
I am glad I have this film and I am happy to have watched it, though my joy relates mostly to "Mickey and the Beanstalk." "Bongo" is a cartoon that I will likely not watch for some time. I also wish that "Mickey and the Beanstalk" was without the interruptions of Edgar Bergen.
"Mickey and the Beanstalk" is a Disney classic and by itself it would have been a five star feature. Releasing this film in the format it was released in theaters may be appropriate in the context of releasing a "full-length" feature, but the stuff beyond "Mickey and the Beanstalk" reduces the five-star rating. Considering the excellence of "Mickey and the Beanstalk," I am keeping the rating for this DVD at 4 stars.
Enjoy!
Rating: - Disney classic
I have wanted a copy of this feature for years! I was so pleased that it was available on DVD. Such a precious combination of two of Disney's greats!
So glad to have found it. Not just for myself, but for my grandchildren!!
Rating:  - What's with the lame narration?
I loved Mickey and the Beanstalk as a kid. As I recall , it had a pleasant narration. This version is narrated and intercut with cheesy comedy relief fom live actors and puppets. Its so annoying I couldn't even finish the cartoon. If you enjoyed Mickey and the Beanstalk, find another version. This one will only frustrate you.
Rating: - Beanstalk ruined
The only reason to get this is for Mickey and the Beanstalk. However, instead of showing that cartoon straight through, it is interspursed with live actors (Charlie McCarthy's dummy), and not just cut scenes to the live actors, but they fade in and out from the cartoon the escapism of the Beanstalk is lost trying to make it 'funny' to see the dummy or kids reaction. What a waste!
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