Saving Mr. Banks Review

By: Nick

Note: This is going to be as spoiler free as possible.

As you are very likely aware, Saving Mr. Banks is the story of how Walt Disney obtained the rights to make Mary Poppins from author P. L. Travers. The movie frequently transitions from these negotiations to Ms. Travers childhood.

I've been avoiding reading about it, because I didn't want to go into the theater with any preconception beyond the brief synopsis I shared above, which has been difficult, as every Disney magazine I receive has contained some information about the film, including the entire issue of D23 Magazine that came in the mail a week ago.

My wife and I have been looking forward to seeing this film since first seeing the preview, and we went last night.

We both really enjoyed it. It is beautifully shot, the acting is superb, and there are many bits of dialogue and visual treats that absolutely invite multiple viewings for Disney fans. I have every intention of seeing it again.

But, and this sentiment was shared by the family in front of me who brought along their young daughter, it is much more serious than we were expecting. 
In fact, depending on how personal some of the themes of the film are to an individual, it can be very emotional indeed.
This isn't a bad thing, necessarily, but it is certainly not light hearted pre-holiday fare.
There are some very funny, and extremely sweet moments, but, tonally, this is a very heavy, deep film.
For me, it was hard to watch, what with all the water that seemed to keep appearing in my eyes every few minutes.

I am in no way saying you shouldn't see this movie, not just because, if you are reading this blog, you are likely a Disney fan, but because it is an incredibly well crafted and wonderfully acted film.
Saving Mr. Banks gives Mary Poppins a richer, fuller, and, yes, even more emotional resonance.
I actually can't recommend you see this lovely glimpse at the creation of one of Walt Disney's most enduring masterpieces enough.

Maybe just wait until after Christmas.

Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox D23 Vinylmations

When I was a kid in the 1970's my favorite show was, not surprisingly, The Wonderful World of Disney. I have distinct memories of seeing certain cartoons, such as "In the Bag", featuring Humphrey the Bear, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" from "The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad", "Casey at the Bat", from "Make Mine Music", and "Paul Bunyan" an animated short released in 1958.
I have a few Humphrey the Bear items in my collection, but had nothing from the other 3 cartoons listed above, until just recently.
I won this 2013 D23 Expo Paul Bunyan Vinylmation set on Ebay.

It's a limited edition of 1000. It originally sold for $29.99, so I was pretty happy to get it for $33, including shipping!

Paul Bunyan is discovered washed ashore a small Maine town after a storm. Paul is adopted and raised by the town. It takes a village to raise the boy because he is a giant. Paul grows, and discovers his true calling as a lumberjack. As he grows, the town grows with him, and he decides to move west to wide open spaces. Wide open spaces that he himself clears with his prodigious strength and ax.

 The only complaint I have about this figure is that Paul should have a double-blade axe, 

which is a prominent plot point.

On his travels he encounters and saves the life of a Big Blue Ox, and Paul names him Babe.

As they cross the country, they create many of the topographical features we enjoy today, such as the Grand Teton Mountain Range and Pikes Peak.
Things are going wonderfully, with Paul the king of lumberjacks, until he comes upon a slick salesman and his steam saw and steam locomotive.
I won't give away the ending, but Paul and Babe stick together through thick and thin, eventually winding up in Alaska.

It is a terrific cartoon, with a wonderful song that narrates and drives the story, and very stylized animation. Paul is voiced by Thurl Ravencroft, who is most well known as the voice of Tony the Tiger. Thurl did many voices for Disney throughout his long carrier, for both animated productions and theme park attractions.
 Paul Bunyan can be found on Disney's American Legends DVD set, the Walt Disney Treasures, Disney Rarities DVD set, and on YouTube.

The Walt Disney Family Museum

I'm not even sure where to begin to describe the scope of this tribute to a person who has brought joy to countless millions around the world.
While visiting, one word kept popping into my head. Overwhelming.
I visited the Walt Disney Family Museum located in San Francisco within the Presidio on a dreary Monday, arriving a little later than I'd hoped, about 11:15am.

The museums hours are Wednesday to Monday 10am-6pm, with last ticket sales at 4:45pm. Closed Tuesdays, New Year's Day, Christmas and Thanksgiving.
If you intend to see everything, you can easily spend the entire 8 hours doing so. Indeed, if you are interested in the special exhibits being held as well, you could dedicate 2 days.
Upon entering, you are greeted by the ticket counter and cabinets containing some of the awards and honors Walt received throughout his all too short of a lifetime.

Venice International Film Festival Trofeo d'Arte della Biennale for Snow White, 1938

Honorary Academy Awards for Snow White

There were also pieces of art that hung in his home found here, and furniture from his apartment in Disneyland.
This is where the word overwhelming first popped into my head!
Ticket prices are $20 for Adults, $15 for Seniors and Students with valid ID, and $12 for children.
There are also different levels of Membership. If I was a California resident, or even within a reasonable distance to San Francisco, I would become a member. There are special programs, films, events, exhibitions and talks through the year. There are monthly film screenings, and "Animate Your Night" after hours museum parties!
Overwhelming.
I paid my $20 to enter, and then heard a young man next to me say he was a D23 Member, and received a $5 discount! I turned to the gentleman who gave me my ticket, and said I too was a D23 Member. He was very gracious in refunding my $5! So if you're a D23 Member, bring your card!
By the time I was done looking at some of Walt's accomplishments, it was nearly Noon!
I got lunch at the Cafe which is right next to the entrance. I had a tuna sandwich, which was phenomenal, chips, and an even more amazing cookie. It wasn't cheap, but it was filling and delicious.
I was now ready to enter the Museum!
The first 2 galleries take you through the beginning of the Disney Family and Walt's life leading up to his arrival in Hollywood in 1923.
You then take an elevator up to continue.

The following galleries on the 2nd floor take you through stages of his career, including his earliest successes and failures, creation of Mickey Mouse, the Silly Symphonies, merchandise, comics, innoventions, inventions...overwhelming.

   The earliest known drawing of Mickey Mouse!

Cel from the first Technicolor cartoon, "Flowers and Trees".

Throughout are family photos and momentos from the time period represented.

 Walt and Lillian's Marriage License

It was now coming up on 3pm, and I was only at Snow White which occupies one whole gallery; and I thought "Uh oh, if I keep going at this pace, I'll be here until Wednesday!"

I needed a breather. So I walked through the rest of the galleries, just to get an overview. This made things worse!
Again, and I cannot stress this enough, if you are a fan of Walt Disney and want to see and read everything, you will need the entire day, if not two, especially if, like me, you spend time chatting with some of the absolutely amazing employees and other visitors for extended periods of time.
You can also spend an inordinate amount of time taking video and photos.
This is all fine and well, but pacing and planning, like visiting a Disney Park, is important.
I wound up skimming through the early animated features section much quicker than I would have liked; but, as I will absolutely be returning in the future, decided I needed to make a sacrifice.
I picked back up in the World War 2 era.

The galleries are so inventively laid out and artistic that you can be caught for extended periods of time just admiring the artistry.

When you come to the long hallway overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, stop and relax a moment. Take in the beauty. Prepare yourself for what is to come.

At the end of this hallway is a bench from Griffith Park where Walt would sit and watch his daughters Diane and Sharon play, which made him think how nice it would be to have a clean park where families could share time together. This started the emotional ball rolling. I sat in it. I burst into tears.

Then you enter a gallery so breathtaking you just need to stop and gawk.

We see Walt's train, the Carolwood Pacific, the TV era, and the creation of Disneyland.
I was told that the gigantic model of Disneyland represented the years and attractions Walt was personally involved with.
We come to the 1964 New York World's Fair, the many innoventions this brought, and the plans for the Florida Project and Epcot.
Then we come to the inevitable.

No more words need be said. Except maybe one. Overwhelming.

Wednesday-Monday: 10am-6pm

Wednesday-Monday: 10am-6pm
Last ticket sale and entry is 4:45pm
Closed on every Tuesday, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day - See more at: http://www.waltdisney.org/hours-location#sthash.YJiHZpG4.dpuf

Wednesday-Monday: 10am-6pm
Last ticket sale and entry is 4:45pm
Closed on every Tuesday, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day - See more at: http://www.waltdisney.org/hours-location#sthash.YJiHZpG4.dpuf

Wednesday-Monday: 10am-6pm
Last ticket sale and entry is 4:45pm
Closed on every Tuesday, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day - See more at: http://www.waltdisney.org/hours-location#sthash.YJiHZpG4.dpuf