There’s a lot to recommend Playful Pan. First off, it’s worth noting the wonderful and creative score by Bert Lewis, a Disney composer who doesn’t get as much attention as Stalling, Churchill, or Harline. Second, the characterizations of the animals, flowers, and trees (and clouds… and flames…) are ridiculously clever. Third, the fire sequence, while played for laughs, is actually terrifying. It’s one thing to burn a forest in Bambi. It’s another thing to show an anthropomorphic tree try and fail to put out the fire that’s killing him. Wow.

Don’t forget to visit The Silly Symphony Collection page for details on the massive vinyl box set.

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