Customer Reviews

Pinocchio (Walt Disney's Masterpiece)

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In PINOCCHIO, Walt Disney's first feature-length cartoon since his historic SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937), the artwork amazes, one of its wonderful songs, "When You Wish Upon a Star," won an Oscar, and the story of a marionette come to life who must resist temptations (with the help of a cricket conscience) if he's to become a real boy, positively charms. Artistic highlights are the brief wagon on a rainy night scene and the longer "Gepetto in the whale" sequence.

Pinocchio is voiced by Dīckie Jones, a skilled horseman from age 4 who later appeared in many western films and TV shows. Cliff Edwards, the voice of Jiminy Cricket here, was a popular 1920s recording artist known as 'Ukulele Ike.' Edwards is credited with inventing a style of jazz singing called 'scat.' Cliff referred to it as 'effing.'

The original Popeye, gravel-voiced William Costello, is probably heard as a statue, although IMDb assumes it's his FLEISCHER replacement, Jack Mercer. In his only Disney picture (not counting "Roger Rabbit"), Mel Blanc's sole contribution is a hiccup (all his dialogue was cut).

Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 IMDb viewer poll rating.

(7.7) Pinocchio (1940) - uncredited voices of: Dīckie Jones/Cliff Edwards/Mel Blanc/Frankie Darro/Don Brodie/Walter Catlett/Marion Darlington/Evelyn Venable/William Costello

This movie is quite different in some parts than the original Pinocchio tale - but that was typical of Disney, what with putting in musical numbers and talking animals. For a Disney-ified tale, Pinocchio was actually a pretty decent film, and one of my childhood favorites, and one of the better ones in the Disney library.

Pinocchio is one hour and twenty-seven minutes long and was released in theaters on February 9, 1940. The story begins with Jiminy Cricket introducing the story of Pinocchio and who it all began. Jiminy Cricket hopped into a clock and toy shop where all the clocks and toys are made out of wood. After exploring the place he spots Pinocchio and soon Geppetto, along with his pet cat Figaro, walks into the room to put the finishing touches on the place. At the time Pinocchio had no name and it was Geppetto who gave Pinocchio his name. Figaro and Cleo, Geppetto's pet goldfish, do not like the name. Later on that night, Geppetto makes a wish on the Wishing Star and he wishes that Pinocchio was a real boy. After Geppetto, Figaro and Cleo are sound asleep; the Blue Fairy appears and turns Pinocchio into a living puppet. She tells Pinocchio if he wants to become a real boy then he must prove to be brave, truthful and unselfish. Pinocchio must also be able to tell right from wrong and to listen to his conscience. The Blue Fairy appoints Jiminy Cricket to be Pinocchio's and help him to teach right from wrong. While Jiminy Cricket and Pinocchio are singing Give A Little Whistle, Pinocchio falls onto some pots and wakes up Geppetto, Figaro and Cleo. Geppetto finds to his surprise that Pinocchio has come to life. Geppetto realizes that his wish has come true and is overcome with joy. The next day Geppetto sends Pinocchio to school. On his way to school Pinocchio runs into John Worthingthon "Honest John" Foulfellow and Gideon. Honest John tricks him into actor's life. Jiminy Cricket, who is running late, tries to talk Pinocchio out of it. Pinocchio instead goes with Honest John and Gideon. Honest John real intent is to sell Pinocchio to Stromboli who is a puppet master. Stromboli uses Pinocchio in his act and in his stage debut Pinocchio sings I've Got No Strings. Jiminy Cricket finally catches up to Pinocchio and sees Pinocchio enjoying himself. At first Jiminy was just going to leave Pinocchio, but instead decides to say good-bye to him and wish him luck. When he arrives he finds that Stromboli has locked Pinocchio in a bird cage. Jiminy tries to pick the lock but is unable to do so. The Blue Fairy arrives and asks Pinocchio what has happen. When Pinocchio starts to tells lies his nose begins to grow. The Blue Fairy explains "A lie keeps growing and growing until it's as clear as the nose on your face." Pinocchio say he will go straight the Blue Fairy sets him free. On the way home Pinocchio runs into John Worthingthon "Honest John" Foulfellow and Gideon again. To Pinocchio credit he does try to talk his way out of Honest John offer to go to Pleasure Island saying he has to go home. Honest John once again tricks Pinocchio and as Jiminy Cricket says here we go again. Jiminy Cricket has a bad feeling about Pleasure Island and Pinocchio along with his new friend Lampwick go off and have a good time. Jiminy finally finds Pinocchio playing pool with Lampwick and Jiminy is furious. Pinocchio is having a good time does not want to leave and Jiminy leaves in a huff. Jiminy finds out the truth about Pleasure Island; the kids are being turned into donkeys to be sold to salt mines and circuses. Jiminy runs back to inform Pinocchio about what is going. In the meantime Pinocchio is watching Lampwick turn into a donkey and Pinocchio is also taking on donkey features. Pinocchio grows a donkey's tail and ears. Jiminy arrives and rescues Pinocchio. Once the two are back home they find the home baron and a message from the Blue Fairy saying Geppetto, Figaro and Cleo went looking for him but were swallowed by a whale named Monstro and resides there now. Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket go in search of Monstro and find him. Pinocchio is swallowed by Monstro and is reunited with Geppetto, Figaro and Cleo. Pinocchio comes up with a plan to escape and Monstro sneeze the gang out of his stomach. This makes Monstro angry and tries to get them back in his stomach again. Pinocchio is able to save his father but at the cost at his own. Back at Geppetto's home, they are all morning the lost of Pinocchio. Unknown to the mourners the Blue Fairy appears and because Pinocchio has brave, truthful and unselfish, she turns Pinocchio. Pinocchio is one of Disney's greatest classics and has a mixture of humor, sadness, and song. Pinocchio gets an AAAAA+++++.

VHS PREVIEWS

The Nightmare Before Christmas
Aladdin

Walt Disney masterpiece at its best!!! This keeps you young at heart!!! Everyone should get a Walt Disney moivie collection from Amazon.

I took this out of the Disney rotation. A little wooden boy doing "bad" things that really are bad. Drinking beer and smoking cigars (and whatever else). Glad I could still find it on VHS for cheap, just disappointed that there's so much junk in there. Not worth the explanations that a 2 year old would demand.

My granddaughter loves this movie. She sings "When you wish upon a star" and "I got no strings on me". It's really cute. The movie I received was in great condition, arrived in good time AND YOU CAN'T BEAT THE PRICE!!
I love the internet!

The movie was brand new and in excellent condition. It was a gift for my son and he enjoyed it very much.