Walt Disney's The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Don Ferguson

The role of the Apprentice was perfect for Mickey as “an actor” in that he was allowed to (gasp!) misbehave but pay a price, and in doing so run a gamut of challenging emotions.Īs luck would have it, our own Jim Korkis recently wrote extensively on the making of FantaSound. Donald Duck was not only becoming more popular, but Mickey had become so iconic that it had smoothed out whatever edge he once had. Among the reasons for the idea, aside from its inherent ingenuity, is Mickey’s career needing a boost. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is the nucleus of what Fantasia became, according to the famous story of a meeting between Walt Disney and Stokowski in which Walt suggested The Sorcerer’s Apprentice for Mickey. The variations in tone are perfect, as it matches Mickey journey from timidity to daring, panic to relief. Holloway was under contract to Disneyland Records may have, at the very least, made contributions to the narrative. He did receive a credit for the 1960 LP, The Grasshopper and the Ants (see this Spin). The album adaptation is uncredited, but it is possible that Holloway himself worked on the script. (We paid further tribute to this Disney Legend closer to his January birthday in this Spin.)įor the album, producer Tutti Camarata used the mono soundtrack of the Stokowski orchestral performance and a script was prepared to match the action. Whether seeing or hearing Holloway, one has to smile.

Sterling Holloway’s voice acting career is as cherished by Disney enthusiasts as his appearances in vintage movies are by film buffs. No other single recording of Walt Disney’s version of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice has seen more repackagings, reissues or sheer longevity than this Sterling Holloway gem, located on side two of a Disneyland album from 1957 featuring Peter and the Wolf on side one. Music Recorded at the Pathé Studio, Culver City. (All of the above are paired with Peter and the Wolf)Ģ015 CD Reissue: D-002066392 (Bonus material on “Fantasia Legacy Collection” Set) LP Reissues: WDL-3016 (1960) DQ-1242 (1964) ST-3926 (1964, with Magic Mirror book) ST-3926 (1969, with regular Storyteller book)Ģ044 CD Reissue: DQ-1242 (Wonderland Music Company Music-on-Demand Theme Park Edition, 2004) In this anniversary year of both Fantasia and Fantasia 2000, we take a Spin through a stack of recordings inspired by Mickey Mouse’s classic clash with bewitched brooms.ĭisneyland Records WDL-3016 (Side Two Only / 12” 33 rpm / Mono / 1961)

Walt Disney's The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Don Ferguson