Customer Reviews

Mouse Under Glass : Secrets of Disney Animation and Theme Parks

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have to say that I was very fascinated with what the book had to offer. Learning some of the things that Disney animators get away with in terms of hidden messages and pictures forced me to become aware of what goes on "behind the scenes." Being a true Disney fan and an aspiring writer, I loved reading about the actual stories and the final Disney products. While I was not very interested in the ideas for the theme parks, I found the book to be very informative, increasing my excitement to read on. Using the hidden images sections, I actually studied Aladdin and The Lion King to see how acurate the "accusations" were. I was truly impressed and would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys "studying" the origins of and concepts behind the Disney films

While I was REALLY excited about this book, especially after reading MouseTales-a behind the Ears look at Disneyland <G>, I am only so-so on it now. Don't get me wrong; on a scale of 1-10 it would still be a 7.5 and is a good read, but I was a bit disappointed. The book is well laid out and set-up to follow a familiar pattern. First comes the ACTUAL story that the Disney movies were based on. This is really interesting, especially to see how far some of the "Classics" have actually gone away from the real story line. Then comes a couple of pages write-up on the Disney story including some background information into how the story evolved, who was involved, and how it got from here to there-all good stuff. Then he talks about Bloopers, Hiddens, and Theme Park Attractions. And he does this for almost all 34 animated features plus Song of the South, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Mary Poppins and Who Framed Roger Rabbit. So the book really is quite comprehensive. I loved the Actual Story and the Disney Story parts of the book, but the information on Bloopers, Hiddens and Theme Park Attractions was not particularly extensive and in a few parts-especially on the harder to find films like Sleeping Beauty and Song of the South outright wrong. (I have both.) While my opinion might be somewhat tainted by my own knowledge (I am one of THOSE fans<G> and can from memory list a good number more than is in the books), this brush treatment of these subjects is enough to cast aspersions over the other parts of the book and make you wonder how much of it may or may not be accurate

You could say that David Koenig's tone is unvarnished and unsympathetic, or you could say it's cranky and cynical. Either way, Mouse Under Glass proves undeniably refreshing, full of compelling information and insights--provided in part by Disney animators, writers, composers, and Imagineers. It's an instant trivia treasure trove from a man who has watched Disney movies far, far too many times.

Whereas most Disney authors salivate all over themselves attempting to convey the pure genius of Walt's legacy, Koenig discusses each film's flaws, often-convoluted origins, behind-the-scenes battles, and just plain bad habits with a much more dry sensibility. Yes, Disney makes magic, but they also make movies, and the book analyzes each film on its cinematic and storytelling merits. Each story is researched to compare its original form to the "Disneyfied" version, often with enlightening and surprising results; tales and insights from the folks who helped make the features and related theme-park rides merge with Koenig's own tight prose for an air of authority. Amusing and educational sidebars (such as a Disney Tragedy Trivia Quiz) and a few illustrations help break up what could have been a very long list of factoids.

Koenig's platform is that "Disney has the recipe for success," but the use of cooking quotes and analogies before each chapter comes off as an awkward, out-of-context device. Also, the book is marred by a few typos--nearly hypocritical considering the attention paid to Disney's own minor mistakes. And while Koenig clearly respects the work he's discussing, his tone is one of tough love--from urging to prodding to nearly provoking and harassing the studio to do things better. He rather enjoys sticking it to the House of Mouse when the chips (and presumably dales) are down, which will likely alienate some hardcore, soft-hearted Disneyphiles. But this book is not written for those who live in a fantasy world, only those who appreciate a good one when they see it. With excellent, relevant research and precise, entertaining writing, Mouse Under Glass is as fresh and fair an analysis of Disney magic as you're likely to find.

This book takes each Disney animated movie, and analyzes it with the following subheadings: Original tale, Disney version, plot holes, bloopers, strange/critical reaction, attractions made, cutting room floor, and hidden images.

This book was more slow moving than his behind -the-scenes expose of Disneyland. If that's what you're looking for, purchase the Mouse Tales books. You won't find much interesting here. On the other hand, if you'd like to hear how the movies evolved, and enjoy uncovering hidden Disney images, this is a good book for you. You should be a fan of the animated movies to read this book, as there's little else here of interest.

It held my interest---but not by much.

This book is filled with lots of trivia and behind the scenes stories on almost every Disney animated film from Snow White to Tarzan. However its writing style has trouble following the format it sets up for itself in sorting its information. It does do a great job on explaining the transistions that occur within Disney and how it translated to its film and theme park work.
I reccomend Koenig's other books "Mouse Tales" and "Mouse Tales 2" which for me were much more enjoyable reads (although are more "gossip" and storytelling based than a history)

This book was a bit of a let down, I was looking forward to a bit of "inside" information, but what was between the covers held no details of great interest.Info regarding Disney's animated features and parks did not reveal anything new that most people with an interest in this subject wont already know

This book presents a fascinating glimpse at the making of Disney's animated features,including story changes, bloopers, and theme park attraction tie-ins. My fiance and I are having a grand time looking for the bloopers cited for the various films (e.g., Gaston's disappearing and reappearing musket in "Beauty and the Beast"). I especially enjoyed seeing what original story lines were planned for each feature, and learning what scenes were removed because they didn't work. If you are a fan of Disney's work, you will doubtless enjoy learning how the films might have been different. Even some of the rides at Disneyland have changed in concept from their initial development due to changes in films. A very entertaining read indeed.

I was surprised to find that Koenig's book details movies all the way up to Tarzan, and even hint at the future with the fact that "Treasure Planet" was planned long ago.
Filled with fascinating behind the scenes glimpses at the production of the movies, along with trivia notes and things to catch, this book makes watching the Disney Animated Features an extra special treat.
You'll learn about the missing songs from the classics, and just how Disneyland and WDW got their famous rides.

Recommended for the Disney phile- particularly those who want to study each film piece by piece now that most of them are available on video.

I liked David Koenig's "Mouse Tales," so I bought this 1997 book as soon as I learned of its existence. "Mouse Under Glass" is subtitled "Secrets of Disney Animation and Theme Parks" and covers 30 Disney animated features in detail. I quibble-5 of those movies covered are mixtures of animation and live action.

"Mouse Under Glass" is divided into ten chapters and examines the Disney movie formula using this outline:
Original Tale
Disney Version
Plot Holes
Attraction Offspring
Bloopers
Cutting Room Floor
Hidden Images
Strange Reactions

The Original Tale and the Disney Version barely resemble each other. This isn't unusual in Hollywood-take a look at "The Ten Commandments" or "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." Even the Disney Version mutated from initial treatment to finished product. I found out about this first-hand in 1983 when I made a movie. I planned for a 45 minute mix of live actors and animated special effects and wound up with 7 minutes of stop-action animation and cheesy narration. Walt Disney sought the best possible story within the limits imposed by economics and technology-then expanded the technology envelope to make the story better. Art isn't rocket science-and look at all the mishaps in rocketry!

Koenig wrote "...the most logical attraction (for a Bambi Ride) would be the shooting gallery." How about combining elements from other existing Disneyland rides to replicate Bambi's experience? There's the change of the seasons. Yes, a "shooting gallery" would be part of the ride-just like the shooting gallery in the Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland, with us guests as the target. Don't forget the forest fire-if Mr. Toad winds up in Hell and the Pirates of the Caribbean light up the town, a forest fire should be easy! End with the Great Prince of the Forest leaving Bambi as us guests exit. Child's play! Not to be, of course-"Bambi" is over 60 years old-not fresh enough!

Hidden Images and Strange Reactions were two of the most enjoyable parts of the book. One of the many sidebars explains the Hidden Mickeys. A Disney Treasures DVD shows a Hidden Mickey in the Enchanted Tiki Room about the year 1964-the practice of inserting images in Disney movies is as old as Mickey Mouse. Animators are a bunch of overage kids, fun loving kids. Strange Reactions begins with "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves," but the public went ga-ga over a talking mouse and three pigs. The movie, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," kicked off a series of anti-Disney boycotts by organizations concerned that the Disney Company was following an agenda to corrupt America's children-and Roger Rabbit popularized looking for hidden images in Disney movies and theme parks. It is almost like looking for Alfred in Hitchcock movies.

Throughout "Mouse Under Glass" Koenig sprinkles sidebars such as Disney Tragedy Trivia Quiz, Top 10 Disney Oddities, and Orphan-O-Meter. Peter Pan got no sympathy!

Crisis has always faced the Disney Animated Features department. Behind-the-scenes action in the Disney Company has sparked dozens of books such as Koenig's three. Walt Disney almost left the animation business several times. If not for the success of Snow White and "Cinderella," Walt might have left the field twice. The failure of "Fantasia," "Alice in Wonderland," and "Sleeping Beauty" were hard blows to Walt. Given the success of Walt's television series and Disneyland, it's possible that Walt would have shut down his animation department himself if he had lived. After Walt's death, Disney animation coasted along. Stagnation led to a corporate raider bid to take over the company (detailed in "Storming the Magic Kingdom") and sell off the parts for a quick buck. Outsiders came in and saved the company-Michael Eisner and his team. They were in charge during the Golden Age of the 1990's-and brought new problems to Disney. "Mouse Under Glass" ends with the decline of Disney Animation. Today, Disney no longer has a traditional 2D animation department.

Koenig nails the key to Walt's success-audience focus. Walt Disney didn't always succeed, but he was in the story-telling business to have satisfied customers. Most of Hollywood views us movie goers as unnecessary baggage.

Too bad the Disney Company executives didn't read and heed "Mouse Under Glass." David Koenig's observations could have saved the Disney Company and Michael Eisner much grief.

This book is not the "insider account" that it inferringly purports to be. But that is ok. There are a lot of entertaining stories. But enjoyment of this book pre-supposes that you can get past a high-school level writing style, and comments that are just silly. Some of the critiques of plot flaws are so silly and amusing that you wonder if this guy thinks he is watching a documentary or a movie where you have to suspend at least a little of reality.