The best of Disney's combination/anthology films of the 1940s. It may be an odd combo of two unconnected stories but they're both so strong you don't really mind much. The first story, about a colorful character named Mr. Toad's crazy obsessions that nearly leads him to ruin, is an adaptation of part of Kenneth Grahame's novel The Wind in the Willows. It's narrated by Basil Rathbone and features fine voice work from Eric Blore and others. The second story, narrated by Bing Crosby, is probably the best screen adaptation of the Washington Irving story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow I've seen. It's light-hearted and humorous for the most part but the sequence with the Headless Horseman near the end is exciting and even frightening (particularly to little ones). Both cartoons are fun with good characters and beautiful animation and music. Bing Crosby sings some songs, as well. I always preferred the Ichabod story growing up but, as I grew older, I began to appreciate Wind in the Willows more. They're both wonderful cartoons made by Disney during the era they produced so many classics. Definitely worth a look for young and old alike.
