Joined by longtime friend Allen - himself related to horror legend Lon Chaney - we hit a very different London after midnight in this 1986 mystery/adventure on a mouse-sized scale. Discussions include risque club scenes, the exact relationship between Basil and Ratigan, the 60-year reign of a mouse queen and why Vincent Price is an incredible actor.
25 - The Black Cauldron (with Nyx Fears)
It’s our 2-year anniversary, and we’re about to enter the Disney Dark Ages with this disastrous 1985 fantasy that nearly ruined the animation studio. As such, the kid-gloves are off, and we’re going to be perfectly candid about this one, joined by special guest May Leitz (Nyx Fears) to talk editing woes, foggy conditions and why Henwen is the best character.
24 - The Fox and the Hound (with Abysmii)
Abysmii is back to join the discussion of this significant 1981 feature, representing the reluctant passing of the reins from a previous generation of animators to the next. Points of discussion include Nature vs. Nurture, when and why a character should be killed off, how Tim Burton draws female foxes, and a cut scene involving Phil Harris and Charo that was indeed wise to remove.
23 - The Rescuers (with Papreeka)
Who will rescue special guest Papreeka (Raygun Readers) from having to discuss this mouse-driven mission from 1977? Or does she even need rescuing? Kaela and David are certainly happy to have her around as they talk about Bianca and Bernard’s developing relationship, the exact location of Devil’s Bayou, when the villain is a discount Cruella DeVille, and when it’s a good time for swamp yokels to yell “CHARGE!”
Animusings+ - Pete's Dragon (with Secoura)
It’s a brazzle-dazzle day when Kaela, David and guest host Secoura stumble their way into this bizarre 1977 musical feature about a boy and his sometimes-animated, sometimes-invisble dragon. Discussion points include hillbilly jump scares, weird timing for breakout musical numbers, building a lighthouse vs. renting a lighthouse, and when chewing scenery is a good thing.
22 - The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (with Lavecki)
This treasured anthology from 1977 is a source of many fond memories for Kaela, David and special guest Lavecki, who now venture back to the Hundred-Acre Wood as adults to revisit the menagerie of animals inspired by A. A. Milne’s books for children. Topics include the return of the package film, the comedy Rule of Three, meta-humor and our hosts favorite characters.
21 - Robin Hood (with Orion Moon)
Disney’s first proper anthropomorphic animal film gets the Animusings treatment as David, Kaela and guest Orion Moon enter Sherwood Forest and hobnob about this 1973 feature. Discussion includes the finale of the Phil Harris Trilogy, Ken Anderson versus Wolfgang Reitherman, Maid Marion’s confusing familial connections and lots and lots of recycled animation.
Animusings+ - Bedknobs and Broomsticks (with Random Encounters)
The debate stands: is this 1971 live action/animated fantasy adventure a spiritual successor to Mary Poppins, or is it just aping the formula hoping to produce similar results? Kaela and David aim to find out, and get a little help from guests AJ and Gwen of musical-parody channel Random Encounters. Topics of discussion in this episode include trippy bed-flying sequences, fun with rolling library ladders, cartoon soccer picks and “Mischief Nazis.”
20 - The Aristocats (with Ben Spiegel)
Does everybody really want to be a cat? Kaela and David ask returning guest Ben Spiegel this and many other questions as they push through the cat door of this 1970 feline flick set in turn-of-the-century Paris. Topics include crazy cat ladies, cartoon chase sequences, anachronistic jazz, why Thomas O’Malley is a saint, and how to make Creme de la Creme ala Edgar.
19 - The Jungle Book (with Nothing New: A Remake Podcast)
This month’s episode is a slow boat ride through the exotic jungles of this 1967 adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s most well-known work. Kaela and David are joined by Andrew Linde and Justin Quizon of Nothing New: A Remake Podcast to discuss Walt’s final years, out-of-place species, which Beatle is their favorite and, oddly enough, the importance of Jungle Cubs to continuity.
Animusings+ - Mary Poppins
David and Kaela think that this 1964 film, with its combination of live-action and animation, is practically perfect in every way. But what went into the production and eventual success formula for Mary Poppins beyond what’s been retold in Saving Mr. Banks? And is the title character, in fact, a Time Lord?
18 - The Sword in the Stone
Things get a little weird - and you’l hear that word thrown around more than once by Kaela and David on this episode, as they take in this 1963 feature and discuss Wart’s ever-changing voice, reused animation, consent in squirrel courtship and one of the best wizard duels ever animated.
17 - 101 Dalmatians
Recorded while on vacation at Walt Disney World, Kaela and David take some time out of their theme park adventures to discuss this 1961 feature that may have saved the studio from bankruptcy, further proving that Disney had a good track record for dog movies.
16 - Sleeping Beauty
Kaela and David discuss the troubled production of this 1959 feature that would go on to become a Disney classic for many, as well as introducing one of Disney’s most well-loved villains.
15 - Lady and the Tramp (with Gracey)
It's a beautiful night, or it is somewhere in the world, as Kaela and David (and Gracey) talk about this 1955 dog-centric feature, with topics such as backgrounds as paintings, spaghetti dinners, and what Kaela considers the ideal cinematic depiction of a good date.
14 - Peter Pan (with Alex Hatzberger & Heather Donnelly)
With faith, trust, and a little pixie dust, Kaela and David head to Never Land in this 1953 take on a literal fairy tale. Along the way, they're joined by friends Alex Hatzberger and Heather Donnelly to discuss women being cruel to each other, perfect pirate couples, crocodiles acting like dogs and very racist caricatures.
13 - Alice in Wonderland
Kaela and David discuss a shared favorite in this madcap 1951 feature, with subjects including stories-within-stories, trickster entities, Ed Wynn impressions and stacked decks.
12 - Cinderella
With the package films now behind them, David and Kaela are eager to talk about this 1950 classic that brought a return to the classic fairy tale, as well as made bank for the studio in record-breaking ways.
11 - The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (with Nick Barbera)
Kaela and David are merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily on their way out of the package films, and this time Nick Barbera (The Haunted Mansion Show) is along for this wild ride.
10 - Melody Time
Kaela and David observe this 1948 collection of musically-themed animated shorts, and can't help but look back on the previous four package films to see how this one holds up in comparison.