It's the weekend. What better time to take in a movie? Join me in the spacious Lomblog screening room for today's special feature, Education For Death: The Making Of The Nazi. Granted, it's no Lombaire, but it is an honest-to-goodness Walt Disney classic from 1943.
After the film is over, I'll be back with some special commentary. But for now, grab some popcorn, turn out the lights, and enjoy ten minutes of grainy, archival entertainment direct from YouTube - man's greatest-ever invention.
Wow. Pretty chilling, isn't it? I understand Disney forced Mel Gibson to watch this several times before they agreed to continue backing his next film.
A few more contemporary figures came to mind during my viewing. The red-faced school instructor bore more than a passing resemblance to one-time Homeland Security Secretary-Designate Bernard Kerik:
In the same scene, you probably caught a glimpse of a young Bill O'Reilly:
This must be where he learned his earliest talking points.
For the most part, this film was good old-fashioned pro-America progaganda, the kind Hollywood just isn't making these days. The production house that Mickey built was four-square and four-fingered behind democracy and against German totalitarianism, marching and dumpy blondes. While Disney may or may not have been an anti-Semite - I think anyone who's seen drafts of the original "eighth dwarf", Angsty, would find the matter beyond dispute - he was still willing to put his talents to work against the Third Reich. And if he were thawed out today, I'm sure Uncle Walt would still be on the side of Uncle Sam, releasing hits like Islamic Radicals of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Oil and Hezbollah: Fully Loaded.
Sadly, today's animators just don't have the "stuff" to fight for freedom. Don't be surprised when the Little Mermaid washes up in a burqua, stuffed to the gills on Afghani poppies.
On that note, see you in the aisle!
LF
4 comments:
walt disney has always been a favourite of mine, and not just because of mickey mouse, but because just five years after this film i had the great pleasure of witnessing him out pinko rats to the unamerican activities committee. my dream is that i can live long enough to see a cryogenically restored walt, once again, creating great pro-american animation.
I would like to see that too, Anonymous. Unfortunately, no one's yet found a cure for loving America too much. :(
A very interesting and thought provoking cartoon - loved it. The guy in the back of the room in the raincoat and beret - not so much.
I can't believe anyone would criticize my wardrobe at a time of war.
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