The Reluctant Dragon (A Day at Disneys) (Behind the Scenes at Walt Disney Studio) (1941)

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The very first Disney feature to include live-action footage, this behind-the-scenes documentary about the studio's animation process includes the cartoon short of the title, which in later years was often exhibited separately from this film. Robert Benchley stars as himself, a visitor to the Disney… More The very first Disney feature to include live-action footage, this behind-the-scenes documentary about the studio's animation process includes the cartoon short of the title, which in later years was often exhibited separately from this film. Robert Benchley stars as himself, a visitor to the Disney lot, where he intends to pitch an animated version of the children's fairy tale The Reluctant Dragon by Kenneth Grahame to Walt Disney himself. Benchley wanders away from his studio-appointed guide and tours the facilities himself, where he sees various new cartoons in the process of being storyboarded, including a Baby Weems short. Benchley also meets Clarence Nash, the voice of Donald Duck, and a young animator (played by Alan Ladd) before being corralled to Disney's screening room, where he is shown the company's new short, none other than The Reluctant Dragon. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 12 min.
Directed By: Alfred L. Werker, Hamilton Luske
Genres: Documentary, Animation, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 20, 1941 Wide
On DVD: May 12, 2009

Critic Reviews

Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
One of the most fascinating, irregular curios in all the cobwebby corners of Disney history.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
The best of the bunch, especially for young viewers today, is Goliath II.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony V

A fascinating behind the scenes look at some of the animators from Disney's Golden Age.

Cast

            Robert Benchley as Himself

            Frances Gifford as Doris Studio Artist

            Buddy Pepper as Humphrey

            Nana Bryant as Mrs. Benchley

            Claud Allister as Sir Giles

            Barnett Parker as Dragon

            Billy Lee as Little Boy

            Florence Gill as Herself

            Clarence Nash as Donald Duck

            Ward Kimball as Himself

            Alan Ladd as Animator

            Hamilton MacFadden
            
            Maurice Murphy
            
            Ernie Alexander as Baby Weems's father

            Pinto Colvig as Goofy

            Jeff Corey as Animator

            John Dehner
            
            Lester Dorr as Slim

            Frank Faylen as Orchestra Leader

            Arthur Gilmore as FDR in Baby Weems

            Gerald Mohr as Baby Weems Narrator

            Raymond Severn as Baby Weems

            Frank Churchill as Himself

            Walt Disney as Himself

            Henry Hall as Studio Cop

            Fred Moore as Himself

            Val Stanton as Courier in Reluctant Dragon

            Edward Marr as Walter Winchell in Baby Weems

            Norman Ferguson
            
See full cast