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Fun and Fancy Free

Play trailer Poster for Fun and Fancy Free G 1947 1h 13m Kids & Family Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
73% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 57% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Ventriloquist Edgar Bergen introduces cartoons: "Bongo," about a unicycling circus bear, and "Mickey and the Beanstalk."
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Fun and Fancy Free

Fun and Fancy Free

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Critics Consensus

Though it doesn't quite live up to its title, Fun and Fancy Free has its moments, and it's a rare opportunity to see Mickey, Donald, and Goofy together.

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Critics Reviews

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TIME Magazine 11/16/2009
The whole picture peters out and becomes as oddly off-balance and inconsequential as its title. Go to Full Review
Bosley Crowther New York Times 03/25/2006
3/5
While the emphasis is more on the first part than on the second part of that compound, it's okay. Go to Full Review
Keith Phipps AV Club 10/09/2001
Fun And Fancy Free is a mixed bag with more than enough interesting material to make it worth seeing, even if it falls short of Disney's shameless self-praise. Go to Full Review
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 08/06/2024
3/4
...a hit-and-miss yet mostly watchable anthology film... Go to Full Review
Carson Timar ButteredPopcorn 11/22/2023
The fact that so much effort was put into Fun and Fancy Free to make it feel like more than just a random collection of shorts is something to be celebrated, even if the final product remains passable at best. Go to Full Review
Rachel Wagner rachelsreviews.net 05/09/2019
D-
Bland, bland, bland and the live action sections don't work and are awkward. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Sarah S. @Braxton188 5d 1940s Jeff Dunham talks about how bears mate. See more Luiz Eduardo R Nov 25 Como é Bom se Divertir (1947) reúne dois curtas que, apesar de serem divertidos e competentes, não vão muito além disso. Cada segmento tem seu charme próprio, mas a proposta do filme como um todo não funciona tão bem, principalmente por causa da "cola" narrativa envolvendo o Grilo Falante e os ventríloquos, que acaba criando uma barriga irritante e quebra o ritmo da experiência. Os curtas também não conversam entre si. Bongo provavelmente teria mais impacto como um longa independente, explorando melhor seu mundo e seus personagens. Já Mickey e o Pé de Feijão teria funcionado melhor como parte de uma coleção de curtas da Turma do Mickey, onde certamente estaria entre os melhores já produzidos. No fim, como o próprio título sugere, o filme é divertido — mas nada além disso. Nota: 5/10. See more TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch Nov 4 Fun and Fancy Free (1947) is one of Disney’s lesser-known animated features, but it remains a charming and fascinating example of the studio’s creativity during a transitional era. The film uniquely blends live-action segments with two animated stories—"Bongo" and "Mickey and the Beanstalk"—reflecting Disney’s experimental approach to anthology-style storytelling as the studio recovered from the financial strains of World War II. While not as polished as some of Disney’s more iconic works, the movie brims with whimsy, heart, and that unmistakable sense of classic Disney magic. The "Bongo" segment stands out as a surprisingly touching tale. Narrated by Dinah Shore, it follows a circus bear who escapes captivity to experience freedom and eventually finds love. The animation is visually rich, and the story balances sweetness with a gentle melancholy that makes it feel surprisingly heartfelt. There’s a sincerity to Bongo’s journey—his longing for independence and connection—that resonates emotionally, and it’s easy to wonder why this character hasn’t achieved greater recognition in Disney’s pantheon. "Mickey and the Beanstalk" is perhaps the more familiar of the two segments, featuring Mickey, Donald, and Goofy in a delightful retelling of the classic Jack and the Beanstalk story. The trio’s chemistry is impeccable: their comedic timing, playful bickering, and endearing clumsiness keep the segment lively and engaging. The adventure to retrieve the magical harp from the giant is exciting while remaining accessible, blending fantasy, humor, and classic Disney storytelling in a way that feels timeless. The live-action framing sequences, featuring Edgar Bergen and his ventriloquist dummies, provide a curious but endearing structure. While these segments feel dated today, they contribute a vaudeville-like charm, anchoring the whimsical animated stories with a sense of period entertainment that adds to the film’s unique personality. Walt Disney’s influence is evident throughout. The film is infused with warmth, visual inventiveness, and a playful optimism that defines much of the studio’s early output. While Fun and Fancy Free may not be Disney’s most celebrated or enduring feature, it offers a rare glimpse into the studio’s post-war experimentation and storytelling ambition. Ultimately, Fun and Fancy Free is a delightful, if overlooked, classic. Between the emotionally resonant "Bongo" and the adventurous, humorous "Mickey and the Beanstalk," it captures the charm, creativity, and heart that made early Disney animation so enduring. It’s a nostalgic, imaginative, and wholly enjoyable film that deserves to be remembered and revisited. See more Jacob B. @jbernkla Sep 6 Give me nightmares super bad See more Luke R. @LuckyM0vi3Buff Jul 1 It has a really good message about positivity. It should’ve just been about the whole beanstalk thing. See more Juju S Jun 18 J'ai quand même un problème avec les prises de vue réelle... deux histoires ont été adapté dans cette oeuvre qui ne sont pas celles qui m'ont le plus transcendé, mais c'était sympa. See more Read all reviews
Fun and Fancy Free

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Movie Info

Synopsis Ventriloquist Edgar Bergen introduces cartoons: "Bongo," about a unicycling circus bear, and "Mickey and the Beanstalk."
Director
Jack Kinney, Hamilton Luske, William M. Morgan
Production Co
Walt Disney Productions
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 27, 1947, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 23, 2015
Runtime
1h 13m
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