After their emotional trip to the Hundred Acre Wood, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers are back – and they’re on a mission to find out what the hell happened to 1977’s mouse-based action-adventure tale The Rescuers. In this episode, the pair tackle the first Dark Age movie proper – talking its bleak plot points, eerie visuals, and downright nasty villain; unpacking why the film is merely ‘suggested by’ Margery Sharp’s novels; exploring its place in the burgeoning blockbuster scene alongside Jaws, Bond, and Star Wars; uncovering a surprising connection to 101 Dalmatians; and discussing how a smash-hit movie with rave reviews and bankable box office became largely lost to time. Oh, and let’s pour one out for the Disney film that never was: Scruffy, the Nazi-fighting monkey.

Next up: Mickey’s Christmas Carol bonus episode (then, The Fox And The Hound)

Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney.

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Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Encanto. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.