FANTASIA. Story direction by Joe Grant and Dick Huemer; musical direction by Edward H. Phlmbt; production supervision by Ben Sharpsteen. Animated, with Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchentra. Rated G.
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Fantasia is one of a kind. Even though it's been around for 50 years now, no one has ever tried to imitate it, at least not as a feature length film. Any kid who sees it for the first time this fall is guaranteed a movie unlike any he's seen before.
Its uniqueness and originality are both advantages and disadvantages, though, especially when it comes to those kids being told by enthusiastic parents that they'll just love Fantasia. They may not, unless they're properly prepared for it.
Kids who've seen the ads and trailers may be expecting a movielength Mickey Mouse feature. And none of them would be expecting the episodic, "story-less" nature of the mone.
But take them anyway! Everyone should see this movie, preferably 5 or 6 times, even. It's the kind of entertainment that never gets boring, but always offers something fresh and new.
Just let the first-timers know what they're in for ahead of time. Fantasia is a collection of visual interpretations of 8 well-known classical pieces of music. Composers include some of the biggies—Beethoven, Bach, Tchaikovsky.
Most of the sections offer stories of sorts, most notably Dukas' Sorcerer's Apprentice (starring Mickey Mouse). But some do not; the most troublesome is the Bach, since it's first on the program. Expect a good bit of fidgeting from the younger set during this one. Although older kids, particularly those with musical interests, will be fascinated, and perhaps even inspired.
In spite of the extra work involved, it will be worth it to start your kids off early with the Fantasia habit. It will probably still be around for its 100th anniversary.
October 10, 1990