20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
With James Mason, Kirk Douglas, Paul Lukas.
US, 1935, 35mm, color, 127 min.
Print source: HFA
Jules Verne's tale of the brooding Captain Nemo and his mysterious submarine was given the big-budget treatment by Disney in this relatively faithful retelling of the original novel, in which Nemo, ahead of his time, is ostracized for his genius and becomes a kind of mad scientist living under the sea. For its most ambitious liveaction feature to date, Disney hired an all-star cast led by James Mason as Nemo and Kirk Douglas as the captain's foil, a combination of everyman and hero. The film's design and special effects have always garnered attention, and they are ably served by the luminous cinematography of Franz Planer (Letter From an Unknown Woman). Under Fleischer's skillful direction, these elements combine to make a film enjoyed by children and adults.
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The Band Concert
Directed by Wilfred Jackson.
US, 1935, 35mm, color, 9 min.
Print source: HFA
Justly celebrated as one of the best of the Disney "Silly Symphonies," this cartoon features Mickey Mouse as a bandleader trying to get through an open-air performance of the William Tell Overture during a sudden storm. Walt Disney was quick to grasp the potential of color for animation and signed an exclusive contract with Technicolor once the 3-color strip process was completed, locking out his competitors. The Band Concert marks the color debut of both Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.
