The MousePod - MousePod #23 - The surprisingly long Bambi show

[mousepod]

This is just ridiculous. Last week, I stated my intention to abandon or at least modify the plan to cover all the Disney movies in chronological order. Mid-week, I looked at my notes and realized that I probably had enough material to talk about Bambi, but since I didn’t have any guests, I figured it would be nice and short. There are no Bambi attractions at the Disney parks, so that would be almost 10 minutes shaved off the typical 60 minute running time. Aaron, who’s been my guest on the last 4 shows, was busy so I figured I’d do a quick DVD review - that’s 5 more minutes. Even before I turned the microphone on, I was guesstimating a 30-45 minute show. Boy, was I wrong. This is my second “live” recording (i.e. no edits), and while I’m getting better at managing my clips - smoother transitions, less jarring level jumps - I now realize that I need to organize my notes before I start talking. I am all over the place on this one - it’s reminiscent of the very first MousePods. If you like tangents - you get ‘em here. No thread is lost forever, it’s just that sometimes it takes a little while for a conclusion to show itself. Long story short (See? I’m even doing it here), the show ran more than 86 minutes before I finally hit the “stop” button.
Anyway, this show is all about Bambi. That’s all I’m going to say. You want to know more? Listen!
As always, your feedback is appreciated.
Next show: I tackle Saludos Amigos (1943) and Three Caballeros (1945) plus whatever you want to talk about.

Download MousePod #23 - Bambi (http://mousepod.com/podpress_trac/web/12/0/MousePod023.mp3)


More... (http://mousepod.com/2007/01/29/mousepod-23-the-surprisingly-long-bambi-show/)

[Gn2Dlnd]

Ayear or so ago, I tried to watch the Bambi DVD with the "Walt" commentary turned on - I got so emotionally overwhelmed, couldn't get 10 minutes into the thing! That said, it really is some of the most beautiful artwork in a Disney animated feature, the opening multi-plane tracking shot through the forest makes me bawl with or without "Walt."

Thanks Jesse, I'm looking forward to listening to the show while I deliver ThinKrisps tomorrow!

[innerSpaceman]

Hmmm, I also didn't see Bambi till I was an adult. It was the last Walt-era animated feature I saw, and that was not until circa 1986. Interestingly, it was part of a film-festival at LACMA that had the same mission as the recent slate of mousepods, i.e., presenting all the Disney animated features in order. It was a great series ... some of the more important films were presented with discussion panels, featuring many of the surviving animators and voice talents.

Anyway, of all those films, Bambi was the only one I hadn't seen before. And seeing it for the first time as an adult, it affected me in a different way than most of the other Disney films.

Thanks for the show, mousepod. I think I'll finally watch that Bambi DVD I purchased like a year ago! (My friends at Lowrey were not proud of their restoration work on that film, so I've had sort of a bad feeling about it.)



* * * * *

Ok, it may be Thumper's motto (or, rather, his dad's) ... but I'm not the type to say nothing at all if I don't have anything nice to say. So here's my criticism of the week:


The start of the show was weak. Between the rambling recitation of the myriad ways to contact the mousepod, and the admittedly fun reactions to the prior show ... it was like 20 minutes before the topic of Bambi was even broached.

Dude, even if you're going to go "live" - I think you need to scriptify the stuff about contacting you. That should take no more than 60 seconds, and should not clutter up the start of the show when interest should be grabbed. My suggestion would be, in general, to get to the meat a little faster.



Once again, I loved the musical numbers. Where did you ever dig up that bizarre Nipponese version of "Little April Showers?" Sheesh, there should have been a two-minute warning to fire up the hookah before you hit the audience with that one.

Oh, and the sound clip from Diamonds Are Forever was beautifully inspired!

[mousepod]

iSm - thanks for the feedback. Basic scriptification is certainly in order for the "how to contact me" stuff. I mean, if I'm going to basically say the same sh!t every week, I should have it down.

The one nice thing about doing it "live" is that I give myself up to the last moment to pick the song. I think I had something like a half-dozen versions of Little April Showers sitting on my computer before I went with that one.

As far as the restoration is concerned, your friends should not feel bad. I remember the restored laserdisc version, which had pristine backgrounds which made them look even more static, while the characters seemed less integrated into the picture. This version is so much more watchable. It's worth an hour+ of your time.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I suppose this is my obligatory, "Holy hell, do I really sound that bad?" post.

Actually, I didn't cringe nearly as much as I feared, especially with CP coming home and saying, "You sounded weird." :rolleyes:

I'm about half way through. I have absolutely no clue what that quote is from, Jesse (I'm on verge of giving up and Googling).

ETA: Nope, never would have gotten that...I suspect Lisa might.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I'll second :iSm:. I understand that editing is a pain in the ass and the most time consuming part, so go for more notes, more scripting.

Also - when you do screw up, don't beat yourself up over it. Spending an extra minute mentioning that you're rambling or that the show is long only draws attention to such things.

I'm in the middle of this one, very cool, keep 'em coming! :)

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Actually, I didn't cringe nearly as much as I feared, especially with CP coming home and saying, "You sounded weird." :rolleyes:I thought he'd already heard it. :p I thought I sounded weird on my skype bits.

[Snowflake]

Hey Jesse

I just got done with the latest episode of the Mousepod. Once more, it's great to have you back and what an embarassment of riches, I mean we just got the Dumbo show. Clearly, the drought is over.

Anyway, I have to say, I do love the immediacy of the live show path you've taken. Maybe I'm more forgiving, I don't mind a tangent, simply because I find the whole podcast interesting to listen to and you bring a lot to it. I'm not as knowledgeable as other listeners, so I'm soaking it all in.

The "man on the street" interviews are great. Keep that up whenever you can.

While I certainly understand iSm's caveat about all the show business before getting to the meat of the show, I suspct you will have that all under control as the podcasts progress.

Your choice of music is great and I wonder where you do find it all. Loved both the musical selections for the Bambi show, a great deal.

Keep them coming! :snap: :cheers:

Donna

[Ghoulish Delight]

Oh yeah, I don't think you gave the credits for the April Showers version you played. That was....fascinating.

[mousepod]

Oh yeah, I don't think you gave the credits for the April Showers version you played. That was....fascinating.

It's Manna Fujiwara (I'm guessing the same Japanese actress who played "1/2 woman" in Peter Greenaway's 8 1/2 Women) - from this CD:
http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/B00005NYJG.09._AA130_SCMZZZZZZZ_V1056696552_.jpg
http://www.discogs.com/image/R-442147-1114010393.jpg

[DreadPirateRoberts]

I enjoyed the show. The alternate versions of the soundtrack songs are fun to hear, it even sprinkled down here during the song.

I bought the Bambi DVD and showed it to my kids, the multiplane shots in the beginning are great. I must admit that I did some heavy duty distracting during the "scene", "how about I get you kids some ice cream?". I guess I'm reluctant to discuss my own mortality with my kids. They haven't asked to see it again, so I won't have to broach the subject for a while. I remember seeing this movie in the theater in the 70s as a kid, and the "scene" made a big impression on me.

During the podcast, the song "Who Killed Bambi" kept playing in the back of my mind.

Looking forward to the next podcast.

[mousepod]

During the podcast, the song "Who Killed Bambi" kept playing in the back of my mind.

I love subliminal messages.

I quoted the lyrics of "Who Killed Bambi" at one point during the show, offering a prize to anyone who can identify the source of the line : "Overjoyed at Bambi's birth they gambolled in the glade"

[DreadPirateRoberts]

I love subliminal messages.

I quoted the lyrics of "Who Killed Bambi" at one point during the show, offering a prize to anyone who can identify the source of the line : "Overjoyed at Bambi's birth they gambolled in the glade"

That's where it's from! It's amazing what the mind will store, I don't think I've heard that song in 20 years.

[innerSpaceman]

Well, thanks for the inspiration to finally watch that Bambi DVD.








Now if someone would only do the same for the other half dozen DVDs I own that I haven't ever watched.