One of several sequels to "Fantasia" produced by Walt Disney in 1940's. It consists of 10 segments ranging in quality from superb to abysmal. The first two episodes concern a bunch a barefooted hillbillies in the Ozarks and a pair of flamingoes in a Louisiana bayou. Both are highly forgettable. Things really pick up with the terrific third segment about dancing teenagers. Great jazz music and the innovative, very self-reflexive style of animation contribute heavily to its success. The next three segments consist of a screwy baseball cartoon sandwiched between two soulful ballads. The seventh segment, an adaptation of Prokofiev's "Peter And The Wolf" is as memorable as the following episode, a jazzy, semi-abstract cartoon with music by Benny Goodman. Next comes a romantic love story about two hats, followed by the last and greatest segment - a superb, incredibly innovative story about a singing whale, hunted by an impressario, who believes that the animal swallowed three opera singers! The episode takes full advantage of the impressive vocal talents of Nelson Eddy.
"The Martins And The Coys" (J.Kinney) **
"Blue Bayou" (S.Armstrong) *
"All The Cats Join In" (J.Kinney) ****
"Without You" (R.Cormack) **
"Casey At The Bat" (C.Geronimi) ***
"Two Silhouettes" (R.Cormack) **
"Peter And The Wolf" (C.Geronimi) ****
"After You've Gone" (J.Kinney) ****
"Johnny Fedora And Alice Bluebonnet" (J.Kinney) ***
"The Whale Who Wanted To Sing At The Met" (Geronimi-Luske) *****
