This is an extremely interesting book.

It offers a concise history of every Disney animated feature film, starting from Snow White and extending all the way to Tarzan. Although not officially sanctioned by the Walt Disney Company, Mouse Under Glass does draw upon interviews with animators, musicians, and others who had first-hand involvement in the development of numerous films covered in the book.

Some of the enjoyable and fascinating aspects presented by the book include:

- The original story (if available), followed by the Disney adaptation.

- The inner workings of collaboration (or the lack thereof) that occur behind the scenes.

- Plots, casting, and music for early versions of many of the films.

- Bloopers, hidden images, and animators' inside jokes that can be discovered within the movies.

- Reactions from the public, which are not always as one might anticipate.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned a wealth of interesting tidbits and factoids. It is a facile read, with only a few pages dedicated to each movie (which can have the consequence of leaving you desiring more).

David Koenig has penned several Disney behind-the-scenes books. Notably, "MOUSE TALES" and "MORE MOUSE TALES" offer an in-depth look at Disneyland's inner workings.

Here, Koenig focuses on the crown jewel of the Disney empire - the animated features. Starting with "SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS," each feature gets a full chapter. The chapter begins with an outline of the original source material, followed by the Disney development of the final film, including elements that didn't make it past the development or testing stages. It also includes a list of (perceived) plot holes, bloopers, and hidden images (or "Easter eggs"), and ends with the critical and public reception and the impact of each film on the theme parks.

Not every feature gets a dedicated chapter. Some, like "Fun and Fancy Free," "Melody Time," and "The Adventures of Ichabod Crane and Mr. Toad," are relegated to minor mentions, perhaps because they are essentially short films compiled together. Others, like "Saludos Amigos," "The Three Caballeros," "The Black Cauldron," and "The Rescuers Down Under," also just get mentions, maybe due to space constraints. In addition, the live-action/animated hybrids "Mary Poppins," "Bedknobs and Broomsticks," "Pete's Dragon," and "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" are included.

Each section of the Disney animation period is prefaced with an overview of what was happening in the studio and the animation department at the time. These overviews are stronger than the separate film sections, which can feel tiresome and repetitive. It's clear that Koenig is most passionate about the theme park rides, as those sections seem stronger than his breakdown of the movies themselves. Some of his perceived "plot hole" gaffes seem like he's reaching and missing the point that it's an animated film and creative license is taken for gags and characterization.

Some movies feel shortchanged. For example, P.L. Travers' interference in the making of "Mary Poppins" gets only a paragraph or so, even though it was a significant ordeal. "The Lion King," which was the highest-grossing animated film of all-time when it was released, also gets only a few pages, while "Aladdin" and "Beauty and the Beast" get more coverage.

Released in 1997, the final feature covered in the book is "THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME." So, nothing is covered from "HERCULES" through "FROZEN," and there's no mention of Pixar, which had only released "TOY STORY" at that point. However, this is about the DISNEY animation studios, and the impact of "TOY STORY" and PIXAR was far from being felt at that time.

The book is worth reading if you want to get all the information you can about the Disney animated features. However, it's almost better as a resource to be digested when you view one of the films and want to get the back-story on it, rather than sitting down and reading it all the way through like I did.

I recently re-read this book while searching for some cute and interesting facts. To my surprise, I realized that I had never written a review about it. This book is an excellent choice for Disney animation enthusiasts. It offers a quick and informative read that is both engaging and entertaining. I found myself skimming through some of the content that I was already familiar with, but that's okay because the book is filled with numerous new and exciting facts, bloopers, and hidden secrets. It's truly amazing how much new information I discovered, especially considering how much I thought I already knew about Disney animations. If you're a fan of Disney, this book is definitely worth checking out.

It's truly a shame on the astonishingly fast pace at which I read this book and yet on the significant amount that I already knew. I firmly place the blame on the time when this book was released (in 1997) and how tremendously the internet has advanced and evolved since then. :/

Nevertheless, it was indeed a really captivating and interesting book. It delved into the fascinating details of how these movies were brought together and what transpired after the great Walt Disney passed away. There were some really juicy and gossipy portions during the 1970s. In my personal opinion, I think these aspects more than made up for the knowledge that I already had.

Still, it would be advisable to read the author's other Disney books first and save this one for the very last. This way, you can build up a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the author's work before delving into this particular volume.

Too much "magic" was ruined for me to fully enjoy this book. It's a pity really. I did have some liking for it, but in my honest opinion, it was just "ok". The elements that could have made it truly outstanding seemed to have been lost along the way. There were moments when I thought it might take off and become something extraordinary, but alas, it never quite reached that level. It's not that it was a bad book by any means, but it just didn't have that special spark that would have made it a memorable read for me. I found myself getting through it, but not really being fully engaged or captivated. Maybe it was my own expectations that were too high, or perhaps the book just didn't live up to its potential. Either way, it was a bit of a disappointment for me.

Inside stories, Hidden Mickeys, Tales of deceit and lies, movie bloopers and scandal - all these fascinating elements can be found within the pages of this book. It offers a unique peek into the behind-the-scenes world of various aspects. The inside stories provide a deeper understanding of the events and happenings that are often overlooked. Hidden Mickeys add an element of mystery and fun, as readers search for these elusive symbols. The tales of deceit and lies add a touch of drama and excitement, keeping the readers on the edge of their seats. Movie bloopers offer a lighthearted and entertaining look at the mistakes and mishaps that occur during filming. And the scandalous stories add a bit of controversy and intrigue. This book truly has something for everyone, making it a must-read for those who are interested in uncovering the hidden side of different topics.

We cheated and didn't really finish.

We feel truly sorry about it.

The thing is, when we engage in discussions about movies, it just doesn't have the same level of fun if one hasn't seen at least half of the movies being talked about.

It's like trying to participate in a game without knowing all the rules or having the necessary skills.

We realize that our actions might have disappointed those who were looking forward to a more comprehensive and in-depth conversation.

But we promise to do better in the future and make sure that we are fully prepared before delving into such topics.

We hope that our sincerity in admitting our mistake and our determination to improve will be understood and forgiven.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Meh

I could read this a little more than Realityland. It was a little better but not great.

To be honest, this piece didn't really wow me. It had some redeeming qualities compared to Realityland, but it still fell short of being truly excellent. The writing style was somewhat engaging, but it lacked that certain spark that would have made it stand out.

Perhaps with a bit more polish and refinement, it could have been a more enjoyable read. However, as it is, it's just an average piece that I'm not overly enthusiastic about.

I guess it's not a total waste of time, but it's also not something that I would highly recommend to others. There are definitely better books and stories out there that are more值得一读.

A fun book, yet it doesn't quite measure up to Koenig's other works. He truly shines as a storyteller rather than a historian. This is precisely why his anecdotal Mouse Tales books are so successful, while his more historical Mouse Under Glass lacks the same smooth flow. Not to mention that the entire cookbook analogy seems rather contrived and not really relevant. However, despite these drawbacks, I did manage to learn many interesting things about Disney films. Sadly, the book omits some of the more obscure Disney films, which, in my view, are the most fascinating to explore, such as The Three Caballeros, Make Mine Music, The Black Cauldron, and others. Nevertheless, it remains an enjoyable read that offers some insights into the world of Disney.

A bit outdated, Koenig's work offers an engaging and uncomplicated perspective on Disney animation up to the mid-1990s. It presents a fascinating exploration of what made Disney animation so successful during that period.

The format of the book is quite appealing. Each movie is examined separately, with a synopsis of both the original story and the Disney version's storyline. Additionally, it delves into hidden images, bloopers, and theme park tie-ins, providing a comprehensive view of each film.

The book concludes on a positive note, marking the end of the second golden age of Disney animation. However, it would be intriguing to know Koenig's thoughts on the lackluster movies that came after and the new direction the studio is currently taking. While some might find the book a little harsh if they are overly sensitive to criticism of Disney, it offers a genuine look at the behind-the-scenes development of Disney Animation.

There is a great deal of interesting information within.

However, a significant portion of the information is rather common knowledge. As a result, the majority of the book fails to provide truly new and valuable insights.

Nonetheless, there are certain aspects that are indeed really interesting.

If you are seeking behind-the-scenes knowledge about Disney, then this can still be a good read.

It offers some nuggets of information that might pique your curiosity and give you a different perspective on the magical world of Disney.

While it may not be a comprehensive and highly informative tome, it does have its moments that can make it an enjoyable read for those with an interest in the subject matter.

Overall, it's a book that has its pros and cons, but it can still offer some entertainment and a bit of extra knowledge for Disney enthusiasts.

"Not my cup of tea." This phrase is often used to express that something is not to one's liking or preference. However, when it comes to a great author, it might seem a bit of a contradiction.

A great author has the ability to create captivating stories, develop complex characters, and transport readers to different worlds. Their works can have a profound impact on our emotions, thoughts, and perspectives.

Even if a particular book or author may not initially seem like our cup of tea, it is always worth giving them a chance. We might be surprised by what we discover and find that their writing has the power to change our minds and expand our literary horizons.

In conclusion, while the phrase "not my cup of tea" may be a common way to express our initial impressions, it should not prevent us from exploring the works of great authors. Who knows, we might just find a new favorite that enriches our lives and leaves a lasting impression.