Disney's American Legends

2001 American film

February 12, 2001 (2001-02-12)

Running time

58 minutesCountryUnited States

Disney's American Legends is a 2001 American animated anthology film narrated by James Earl Jones. It is a compilation of four previously released animated musical shorts from Walt Disney Animation Studios based on American tall tales. The film features The Brave Engineer (1950), Paul Bunyan (1958), John Henry (2000), and The Legend of Johnny Appleseed which is a segment from the 1948 film Melody Time.^[1]

The film's new short is based on John Henry and stars Alfre Woodard and Tim Hodge. John Henry was later released on Blu-ray in Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection on August 18, 2015.^[2]

Content

John Henry (2000)

Based on the story of John Henry, a mighty railroad worker who raced against a steam drill.

Production company: Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida^[3]
Director: Mark Henn
Producer: Steven Keller
Writer: Broose Johnson, Tim Hodge, Shirley Pierce
Music: Score by Stephen James Taylor, original songs by Gary Hines and Billy Steele and performed by Sounds of Blackness
Art director: Robert Stanton

The Legend of Johnny Appleseed (1948)

Based on the story of Johnny Appleseed (voiced by Dennis Day), a nurseryman who introduced apple trees to Ohio and Indiana. The short was originally featured in the 1948 film Melody Time.

Director: Wilfred Jackson
Producer: Walt Disney
Writer: Winston Hibler, Erdman Penner, Joe Rinaldi, Jesse Marsh
Music: Paul J. Smith
Art director: Mary Blair

Paul Bunyan (1958)

Based on the story of Paul Bunyan (voiced by Thurl Ravenscroft), a folklore giant lumberjack, and his blue-colored ox, Babe.

Director: Les Clark
Producer: Walt Disney
Writer: Lance Nolley, Ted Berman
Music: George Bruns
Lyrics: Tom Adair
Art director: Eyvind Earle

The Brave Engineer (1950)

Based on the exploits of railroad engineer Casey Jones.

Director: Jack Kinney
Producer: Walt Disney
Writer: Dick Kinney, Dick Shaw
Music: Ken Darby

Reception

Mike Pinsky, of DVD Verdict, reviewed the compilation: "If, as James Earl Jones says in the finale, the message of this film is to 'look for the heroes around you and celebrate them', Disney's American Legends is an interesting, if half-hearted, attempt to carry out that advice."^[4] Kirby C. Holt of Toon Talk, commented: "Although the program definitely presents the shorts in descending order of quality, it ends on a high note with these inspirational words from James Earl Jones: "Look for the heroes around you and celebrate them ... you can find them in the past, in the present, even in the mirror".^[5]

Notes

^ 1940s-1950s shorts
^ John Henry

References

^ DVD Talk
^ Doty, Meriah (June 4, 2015). "'Frozen Fever' (and Easter Eggs!) Coming Soon on Disney Shorts Blu-ray (Exclusive)". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
^ Drees, Rich. "Disney Closes Florida Animation Studio". filmbuffonline.com. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
^ Pinsky, Mike (2006-01-24). "Disney's American Legends". DVD Verdict. Archived from the original on 2006-03-17.
^ C. Holt, Kirby (2002-02-14). "Toon Talk: Disney's American Legends". Laughing Place. Retrieved 2021-01-19.