The Precedent

Bagheera the panther (voiced by Sebastian Cabot) discovers that Mowgli has been diverted by the irresponsible sloth bear Baloo (voiced by Phil Harris) and his paean to The Bear Necessities (Disney).

The Disney Year: “Jungle Book” thrives on stellar cast and songbook

Nathan Tucker, A&E Editor September 9, 2015

The output of Walt Disney Animation Studios--currently totaling 54 full-length films--has been cherished by audiences young and old for almost 80 years. In this weekly online feature, arts and entertainment...

Merlin (voiced by Karl Swenson) packs up his magical tomes to the tune of Higitus Figitus (Disney).

The Disney Year: A middling take on the Middle Ages

Nathan Tucker, A&E Editor September 2, 2015

The output of Walt Disney Animation Studios--currently totaling 54 full-length films--has been cherished by audiences young and old for almost 80 years. In this weekly online feature, arts and entertainment...

Dalmatian patriarch Pongo hides the 99 puppies he has adopted beneath a bridge as the dogs narrowly evade fur enthusiast Cruella de Vil (Disney).

The Disney Year: “One Hundred and One Dalmatians” has a hundred dogs too many

Nathan Tucker, A&E Editor August 26, 2015

The output of Walt Disney Animation Studios--currently totaling 54 full-length films--has been cherished by audiences young and old for almost 80 years. In this weekly online feature, arts and entertainment...

Aurora and Philip dance through an illuminated-manuscript style forest as Once Upon a Dream plays (Disney).

The Disney Year: Third time is the charm for Disney’s fairy tales

Nathan Tucker, A&E Editor August 19, 2015
"Sleeping Beauty" perfects the princess formula by giving its heroine as little screentime as possible.
The canine leads of Lady and the Tramp share an iconic noodle of spaghetti (Disney).

The Disney Year: Two good dogs equals one great film

Nathan Tucker, A&E Editor August 12, 2015
In portraying man’s best friend, Disney made its most human film.
The mischievous Peter Pan lurks atop the rooftops of London in a still from the Disney film of the same name (Disney).

The Disney Year: “Peter Pan” is a puzzling reflection on childhood

Nathan Tucker, A&E Editor August 5, 2015
"Peter Pan" has the dubious feeling of having sprung fully formed from the subconscious id of a small child
Alice (voiced by Kathryn Beaumont) suddenly grows to a monstrous size while inside the White Rabbits house (Disney).

The Disney Year: A winsome weirdness gives “Alice” its ace in the hole

Nathan Tucker, A&E Editor July 29, 2015
"Alice" abandons any reality whatsoever within its first five minutes, and is significantly better off for it.
Cinderella cowers before her stepmother in a scene from the eponymous Disney film (Disney).

The Disney Year: “Cinderella” is beautiful (and brittle) as a glass slipper

Nathan Tucker, A&E Editor July 22, 2015
In "Cinderella," a woman has less agency and ability than a mouse.
The Headless Horseman startles Ichabod Crane in the climax of The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (Disney).

The Disney Year: Two classic tales finish Disney’s frustrating Forties

Nathan Tucker, A&E Editor July 15, 2015
After suffering through five collections of mediocre to atrocious cartoons, "Adventures" is a welcome relief
The opening frame from Johnny Appleseed showcases the unique visual flair of Disney artist Mary Blair (Disney).

The Disney Year: Disney’s “package films” are a mixed bag

Nathan Tucker, A&E Editor July 8, 2015
These "package films" deserve their place at the bottom of the barrel
Load More Stories

Comments (0)

All The Precedent Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest
Activate Search
Disney