I've Seen Everything

"When I See An Elephant Fly" is just one of a number of classic songs performed in the short and sweet Walt Disney classic, "Dumbo." This wonderfully touching film about a young elephant who doesn't fit in speaks volumes to viewers both young and old. More than just a simple cartoon, this story shows how someone who's different deserves just as much respect as any other person. Jumbo, Jr. (Dumbo's real name) is protected by his mother from bullies until she's punished for defending him in a chaotic tangle with other elephants. He's befriended by the loyal Timothy Q. Mouse (Edward Brophy), who teaches him to keep his head up and be happy just as he is.

This DVD features a number of extras including the obligatory passable music video, a cartoon short of "Elmer Elephant" and "The Flying Mouse," sing along songs and an excellent read along storybook.

Some have stated that this film is racist and/or unsuitable due to the crow characters. To be honest, these characters are some of the most endearing in my opinion. Their song, "When Elephants Fly," is one of my personal Disney favorites. Some even go so far as to say the the "drunk" scene goes too far for small children. Guess what, folks, I'd much rather my child see a drunk mouse in a Disney feature than a drunk uncle on Christmas day! This story teaches tolerance, forgiveness, and that bullies are the only ugly ones around.

I highly recommend this tale to anyone who's a fan of Disney, anybody with children, and fans of animation as well.

Jumbo Fun

Although I was quite small when first I saw Dumbo, I well remember the impressions it left me: crows singing (and a nice job of it, too) about butterflies, house flies and elephant flies; clowns acting in goofy and potentially dangerous ways; mean matronly elephants shunning a baby; knots coming inexplicably apart when babies landed by their intended parents; "pink elephants on parade" (raised in a mercifully moderate-drinking household, I just went along with the notion too much drink did odd things to us).
Seeing this version carefully applied to DVD is a delight all over again. Sometimes analog to digital suffers in transition: not so in this case. All the artistry, free-wheeling fun and pathos is sharpened and brightened in this DVD, which offers plenty of sidelights for the curious or enthralled. Well worth owning and re-visiting.

Great Movie

I remember it well from my youth, from my children's youth, and I even like it now. Disney the old fashion way.