Walt Disney again lives up to his reputation for always creating something "different." In his latest full-length feature he has combined two of America's original arts: flesh-and-blood motion picture acting and pen-and-ink cartooning, in a new kind of entertainment.
As one harried Disney employe said recently: "Walt's always making pictures nobody can describe!"
The decision to combine acting and animation came about through an odd coalition of circumstances. First, it was well known that "trailers" showing the inside working of Disney Studios were immensely popular with motion picture audiences; second, Robert Benchley had expressed a desire to do one of his famous "How to" shorts at the Disney Studios; and third, there was that challenging idea of combining cartoons and real people.
Put the three together and you have "The Reluctant Dragon," a yarn about a man who goes to the Disney Studios to try to sell Kenneth Grahame's story of a Ferdinand-like dragon who doesn't like to fight. Benchley's adventures in the animation department, sound effects room, paint laboratory and finally the story conference room presented an excellent chance to combine cartoons and acting. […]
