WE ARE ONCE again reminded of the old adage that there are only so many basic plots. All stories are derivative of these and are only variations; however well and fancifully disguised they may be.
THEREFORE, WE WISH to publish our assertion that this, today's honored reviewee. LAMBERT THE SHEEPISH LION (Walt Disney Productions, 1952) is in fact a variation on the story of The Ugly Duckling. The story is also a natural for audiences; being that it brings into play the most elemental struggle between two symbolic opposites. The polar antagonists were the Lamb and the Lion, here displayed in the same venue.
INSTEAD OF HAVING a protagonist that is a miscast swan in a duck family, we are treated to the story of a Lion Cub's being raised by a mother ewe as her own little lamb. Of course the little feline, Panthera leo (scientific name), finds it a very difficult way to go. His physical attributes were designed for predatory existence on the savannas of sub-Saharan Africa and not to grazing on grass in Western North America.
THE STORY IS cleverly done and tends to give one not only a fine helping of laughs; but also does a good job in warming the old heart. The metamorphosis of the timid misfit lion cub/lamb to the ferocious and fully maned male big cat is done in a way that keeps us on the edge of our seats throughout its running time.
IN AN OUTSTANDING move to underscore not only the story's action, but also the mood of the picture is its original musical score. In addition to the incidental music and musical queues, We have the original song, "Lambert The Sheepish Lion"; being sung in a sort of bleating sheep's style.
STARTING OFF THE action is a case of a misdirected delivery. Reprising his voice characterization of the stork in DUMBO (Walt Disney Prod., 1942), we have Sterling Holloway. The Stork character was a real scene stealer and kit is no surprise that he would be used again. Our only question would be: How come he wasn't used much more?
THEREFORE, WE WISH to publish our assertion that this, today's honored reviewee. LAMBERT THE SHEEPISH LION (Walt Disney Productions, 1952) is in fact a variation on the story of The Ugly Duckling. The story is also a natural for audiences; being that it brings into play the most elemental struggle between two symbolic opposites. The polar antagonists were the Lamb and the Lion, here displayed in the same venue.
INSTEAD OF HAVING a protagonist that is a miscast swan in a duck family, we are treated to the story of a Lion Cub's being raised by a mother ewe as her own little lamb. Of course the little feline, Panthera leo (scientific name), finds it a very difficult way to go. His physical attributes were designed for predatory existence on the savannas of sub-Saharan Africa and not to grazing on grass in Western North America.
THE STORY IS cleverly done and tends to give one not only a fine helping of laughs; but also does a good job in warming the old heart. The metamorphosis of the timid misfit lion cub/lamb to the ferocious and fully maned male big cat is done in a way that keeps us on the edge of our seats throughout its running time.
IN AN OUTSTANDING move to underscore not only the story's action, but also the mood of the picture is its original musical score. In addition to the incidental music and musical queues, We have the original song, "Lambert The Sheepish Lion"; being sung in a sort of bleating sheep's style.
STARTING OFF THE action is a case of a misdirected delivery. Reprising his voice characterization of the stork in DUMBO (Walt Disney Prod., 1942), we have Sterling Holloway. The Stork character was a real scene stealer and kit is no surprise that he would be used again. Our only question would be: How come he wasn't used much more?