Good movie but grossly overrated

Absolutely the worst movie.

Blistering performances.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

(*Movie quote*) - "Tally-ho!"This 70-minute, animated, Disney presentation contains 2, 35-minute stories of Technicolour fantasy, fun, and fright.Story #1 is based on the Kenneth Grahame tale - "The Wind In The Willows". Its main character is the exuberant mischief-maker, Mr. Toad.This story was narrated by actor, Basil Rathbone.Story #2 is based on the Irving Washington tale - "The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow". It's main character is Ichabod Crane who, one dark night, crosses paths with the hideous "Headless Horseman".This story was narrated by actor/singer, Bing Crosby.Originally released in 1949 - This animated feature film is fairly entertaining, for the most part.

Since the start of WWII, Disney's feature films were compilations of short films strung together, often unrelated to each other. Some of these were ideas for single narrative feature films. This would be the last of those package features, while gearing up for the return to the single narratives.The only thing that the two featured stories have in common is that they're both well known stories in literature; One British and one American. Although The Wind And The Willows was published within the lifetimes of Walt and his staff. The wrap arounds take place in a quaint live action Technicolor library.Both films have very strong character animation and excellent staging. Toad and Cyril are fun and entertaining characters. I love the dark and dramatic staging during Toad's escape from prison and they're sneak into Toad Hall to retrieve the Deed. Later generations will recognize virtually every character from this segment in MICKEY'S CHRISTMAS CAROL (1983). Sadly, by that time all the voice actors were long gone. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow seems like a curious choice for a Disney adaptation. Bing Crosby's smooth narration enhances the upbeat and suspenseful moments. While most of the action is pantomime, the character animation is still top notch. Most of the sequences revolve around the rivalry between Ichabod and Brom Bones over Katrina. The memorable scenes come toward the end during Ichabod's spooky journey through the woods late at night and his terrifying, but comical, encounter with the Headless Horseman. Both stories are condensed versions of the original stories but are otherwise faithful to their source material. One can imagine how these would have looked had Disney produced them as separate feature length films. The best time to watch this is during the Holidays.

Of course the little ones loved Ichabod Crane a bit more than Mr. Toad (and I sadly miss the Toad ride at WDW). That being said, the mischievous touch of Ward Kimball shines through both shorts released as a feature film in 1949. Please note that Disney wisely chose to "tone down" the fright factor of the fiery Headless Horseman even though it still scared-me-to-death even in glorious B&W on our small DuMont TV in the 1950's. I love the sweet-short-dumpling-of-a-girl who begs for a dance (several times) and the outlandish way that "Ichabod Bing Crosby" is drawn. Another great Disney Park Ride that was never made! The humorous horse is reused in various shapes and forms throughout many Disney Animations and stars in both "Ichabod and Mr. Toad". Although Mr. Toad is the lesser of my two favorites here, both the animation and presentation are first rate. "Mr. Winky", the slippery bald-headed bartender and con-man, a slightly dirty joke, that somehow passed by the censors and critics! The weasels are deliciously evil and act like small-town gangsters and bullies. By their manner of dress, they must be French Weasels. Most enjoyable and easily-viewed separately on Disney Disc.

The final of Disney's package films from the 40s, before they returned to full-length feature animations with Cinderella, and pretty much also the best of them. This time we only get two shorts, both of them adaptations of great literary classics. We have The Wind in the Willows and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, both in the same film.First, The Wind in the Willows, tells the story of one Mr. Toad as he's once gain touched with a hint of craziness, this time towards automobiles, as he once again begins the ruin his family's fortunes and glory in pursuit of thrills. The characters are substantially different from the book, which can be a problem if you're die-hard fan of the novel, but they work very well in the boundaries of this particular film, so I have no real complaints. Besides, the original book is a bit... wilder, despite being a children's novel. To summarize, a good segment with flawless animation, great characters, good humour and a plot just long enough for the segment.Our second segment tells the story of Ichabod Crane, a school teacher sent to educate the feeble young minds of one Sleepy Hollow. Crane takes the small village by storm, despite his wimpy frame and general cowardliness, being both educated and well-mannered, rare feats in such a rural settlement. But then the mystical rears its head and Crane is forced to face something beyond even his considerable understanding. A great segment as well, with a magnificent leading man, as well as a villain that's one of the spookiest Disney has ever made.My only real problems with this film is that I kind of wish they had made full-length movies out of the two segments. Sleepy Hollow especially would have been fantastic as a full Disney movie.