The Wind in the Willows (1949)

Disney "Mini-Classic" version of the tale. First released as a double-feature: The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.

Directors:

James Algar, Jack Kinney

Writers:

Kenneth Grahame (novel), Winston Hibler (story)

Stars:

Basil Rathbone, Eric Blore, J. Pat O'Malley

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Basil Rathbone	...	Narrator (voice)
Eric Blore	...	J. Thaddeus Toad (voice)
J. Pat O'Malley	...	Cyril Proudbottom (voice)
John McLeish	...	Prosecutor (voice) (as John Ployardt)
Colin Campbell	...	Mole (voice)
Campbell Grant	...	Angus MacBadger (voice)
Claud Allister	...	Rat (voice)
Jud Conlon's Rhythmaires	...	Additional voices (voice) (as The Rhythmaires)

Storyline

Disney "Mini-Classic" version of the tale. First released as a double-feature: The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.

---

Plot Keywords:

toad | axe | scottish accent | narrator | gun | 

---

Genres:

Animation | Short | Comedy | Family

---

Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The production of the Disney adaptation of "The Wind in the Willows" (1908) begun in early 1941, but the film project was put on hold by October. Production would not start again until 1945.

---

Connections

Featured in Disney Sing-Along-Songs: Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah (1986)

User Reviews

Worthwhile 30 minute or so cartoon based on a great book

While the story does drag in places, this is a lively and cute animated cartoon based on a truly great book. It mayn't be the best adaptation of the book, that goes to the animated film with Rik Mayall as the voice of Toad, but it is so worthwhile. It is for one thing lovingly animated, with some beautiful backgrounds and lovely colours. The music is also terrific, with some lyrical, rousing and fun themes that are certainly memorable. The story while understandably condensed is still effective, and the scripting is good. The voice acting is very expressive, with Basil Rathbone who I best know as Sherlock Holmes brilliant as the narrator and Eric Blore a lot of fun as Toad, who is just as rascally as he is in the book. I also liked Badger, the gruff and firm character who in the book tries to make Toad change his ways and Cyril, the horse. Plus the courtroom scene is hilarious. Overall, a fun and worthwhile cartoon. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 October 1949 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Madcap Adventures of Mr. Toad

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1