The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
The 1940s were an unusual decade for Walt Disney Animation. As the war left them without the budgets necessary for feature-length movies, they made it through the majority of the decade by stitching together short films under one banner. Easily the best of these “package films” was one that celebrated two figures of American and English literature, respectively: The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.
The first segment, based on Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows, is perhaps among the most peculiar of stories from Disney’s golden age. What starts as a light-hearted romp quickly veers into a legal scandal that sends Mr. Toad on a wild ride to clear his name. Although the pacing is occasionally sluggish, the segment is most enjoyable. The characters make up for their relative simplicity with a voice cast that fits each of them to a tee. Among its other strengths are some delightfully British wit, a finale brimming with energetic slapstick, and a pleasant narration by Basil Rathbone. Mr. Toad’s story may not top any lists, but it makes the most of its limited runtime.
The latter half, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, takes Washington Irving’s short story, blends it with the mellifluous voice of Bing Crosby, and weaves a picture that begs to be enjoyed in autumn. The segment is primarily laidback, playfully exploring a love triangle between Ichabod Crane, Katrina Van Tassel, and Brom Bones. The evident impurities of the former two make for a dynamic with just the right amount of mean-spiritedness to be amusing. Of course, the suspenseful and foreboding final confrontation between Ichabod and the Headless Horseman is the undisputed highlight of the film. With stellar art direction, snappy music, and an overall air of cynicism, Ichabod Crane’s tale will undoubtedly make this picture worth your while.
Dare I say it, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad may be one of Disney’s most underrated productions from their golden age. The pairing may seem odd at first glance, but these two fabulous characters are more than likely to leave you entertained.
Rating: 7.5/10
