Tag Archives: 1950s

August 17, 1954 – The Special Short Film Willie the Operatic Whale is Released to Theaters

“A signing whale? Whaddya know! Imagine that! I don’t believe it! I don’t believe it!”

On August 17, 1954, the special short segment Willie the Operatic Whale was released to theaters. A segment from the animated feature film Make Mine Music, it was originally entitled “The Whale Who Wanted To Sing At The Met.” All the voices in the short were performed by Nelson Eddy.

The segment begins with how the story began, with a small segment in the newspaper about a mysterious voice heard at sea, which then became a front page story, then a screaming headline. Scientists are split on the issue, with one camp believing that it was impossible, while some believe it had to be possible. Then, Impresario Professor Tetti Tatti weighs in, believing that the whale must have swallowed an opera singer, and is determined to retrieve the poor victim. Whitey the seagull finds the newspaper announcing Tetti Tatti’s search for the whale, and tries to get his friend Willie the Whale to sing for Tetti Tatti. Willie is serenading the sea animals when Whitey finds him. Willie heads over to Tetti Tatti’s ship and starts serenading him with some Figaro. The sailors refuse to shoot the harpoon as they listen to Willie’s beautiful singing. Willie could also sing in three separate voices, all at the same time, and was considered a singing miracle. However, Tetti Tatti is still convinced that there are three opera singers inside Willie, and desperately grabs at the harpoon; fortunately, he is stopped by the sailors. Willie is then seen singing on the stage of the Met, singing grander and grander roles. Unfortunately, the singing at the Met was all a dream, as Tetti Tatti got his way and managed to harpoon Willie, killing him. Whitey flies around, depressed that his friend has been murdered, but is reassured by the narrator that people aren’t used to miracles, and Willie is singing in Heaven. Willie is seen singing in the clouds to a sold out show.

July 16, 1954 – The Special Short Film Casey at the Bat is Released to Theaters

“Casey’s the guy with his eye on the ball, but mostly the ladies. Casey’s the guy who’s the idol of all – but mostly the ladies.”

On July 16, 1954, the segment turned short film Casey at the Bat was released to theaters. Originally based on the poem by Ernest Thayer, the short was a segment in the animated package feature film Make Mine Music. It was narrated by Jerry Colona.

The time is 102, and everyone is heading to the ball game to see the game between Mudville and Burbank, particularly Casey, “the pride of them all.” The game doesn’t look good for Mudville, as they are losing by two. Each batter before Casey is bumbling, but they somehow manage to load the bases just as Casey gets up to bat to bring them home. Although distracted by the ladies, Casey leaves the crowd to once again be the hero, full of swagger and bravado. The pitcher is afraid to throw the ball, sweating profusely. When the ball arrives, Casey refuses to swing, and the crowd argues with the umpire’s call of a strike. Casey is able to calm the crowd down, and waits for his new pitch, though he ignores it again, resulting in another strike. Finally, the ball comes for a third time. Unfortunately, there is no joy in Mudville, as Casey struck out, and is left crying in the rain, trying once again to hit the ball, but has seemingly lost his ability.

July 15, 1955 – The Special Short Film The Flying Gauchito is Released to Theaters

“It’s a tale told by an old gaucho from Uruguay.”

On July 15, 1955, the segment turned short film The Flying Gauchito was released to theaters. It was originally a segment of the animated feature film The Three Caballeros.

The short begins in Uruguay, where a little bird came out of his nest early in the morning to see a little gauchito sneak out to go hunting. The gauchito heads up the mountain range to hunt a condor, and spots a large bird in a nest, only to find that it was actually a flying donkey. The donkey spots the gauchito and steals his hat, and the gauchito works quickly to capture him. The gauchito sets to work training the donkey before setting off to the race at the fiesta the next day. With a grand prize of 1,000 pesos, the two plan on winning the race, although they are laughed at by the crowd. The race doesn’t begin very well, with the crowd laughing at the donkey’s slow pace. Finally, gauchito reveals the donkey’s wings, and the two fly down the track as fast as can be, winning the pesos. Unfortunately, the ruse is up when the donkey flies up into the air, taking the gauchito far away with him.