IS DISNEY SLIPPING?

New Zealand Listener, Volume 17, Issue 418, 27 June 1947, Page 17

IS DISNEY SLIPPING?

IR,-Your cinema critic, "G.M.," is rather a difficult man to please, and his latest victim (June 6) is the great

Walt Disney. My family and I’ thoroughly enjoyed-along with many hundreds of others-Make Mine Music; a collection of very cleverly executed cartoons in Disney’s best style. It is unadulterated nonsense for "G.M." to say that Disney’s reign is ended and that now he is only making factory massproduced film. Many good judges throughout the world consider Walt Disney the most outstanding figure in the miedium of the film. His work has entertained countless millions of cinema patrons for years past and that is, after all, the real test. A single individual who has, through his own efforts, brought so much happiness into people’s lives must be a great artist. His work is just as fresh and original as ever, and he is always a step ahead of public appreciation in his remarkable pictures. For instance, Fantasia was an even greater attraction a year or so after its first release in the Dominion. It seems that, according to your critic, nothing good can come out of America, but if it is French or Russian it must be an artistic triumph! I have seen enough of them to say it is just "arty affectation" on his part. What your readers require is good, honest, and unbiased criticisms of the new films, irrespective of where produced, so they can be of some real value to them in selecting their entertainment. For months past your readers have not had this.

PHIL

HAYWARD

(Auckland

Cinemas Ltd.).

(We agree that what our readers require is "good, honest, and unbiased ‘criticism." We think we are more likely to get it from a critic who has no axes to grind than from those in the axe trade.-Ed.)