“Is this thing on?” Taking a brief pause in the Renaissance Era, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers come to you LIVE from the London Podcast Festival 2022 to present a special live-action (in more ways than one) class on 1988’s Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Not only did it give Ben an excuse to finally watch the film for the first time, but it brought us face-to-face with Disniversity students at last – talking through Robert Zemeckis’ mind-blowing, medium-blending favourite. Get ready for a deep-dive into all the Disney cameos, explorations of the film’s cartoonish reality, the adorable wounded hearts of Roger Rabbit and Eddie Valiant, the terror of Judge Doom, the politics of Jessica Rabbit, and the very, very different novel it was drawn from. Plus, Sam gives an epic recap of the entire Disney story so far, and the audience delivers some very helpful sing-alongs. Regular class resumes next time! Huge thanks to everyone who attended the show, and to Kings Place for hosting. Next up: Beauty & The Beast 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. — 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.

Following their deep-dive under the sea, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers are back on dry land to explore the very first canonical Walt Disney Animation Studios sequel: 1990’s The Rescuers Down Under. In this episode, we’re joined by Empire Magazine’s news editor – and huge Down Under fan – Beth Webb as we dig into Bianca and Bernard’s long-awaited second adventure, talking the film’s environmental themes, exhilarating opening sequence, the revolutionary CAPS system that catapulted the studio into a 3D future, and why it’s a vital puzzle piece in the Renaissance era. Plus, Sam takes a special field trip to the British Library, Ben reveals his love of mythical birds, there’s much discussion of two horrible lizards, and we find out why Sam particularly related to Bernard’s calamitous proposal attempts. Oh, and a warning: there are some truly terrible Australian accents on this episode. Our apologies to the entire nation of Oz. Next up: Beauty & The Beast 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. — 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.

After a longer break than anticipated, Disniversity is back with the Renaissance era – bigger, better, and in this episode, wetter. Film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers are here to take you under the sea in 1989’s The Little Mermaid. In a bumper-sized episode, we explain where we’ve been for the last few months, before getting stuck into a Walt Disney Animation Studios classic that takes Hans Christian Andersen’s weirdly foam-centric fairytale and stuffs it with calypso bops. We dispute the studio’s worries about the film being ‘just for girls’, explore its queer themes and legacy, and the impact of legendary songwriters Howard Ashman and Alan Menken – plus, we pick our favourite fishes from the hot crustacean band, fight it out over the best song in the movie, get into a disturbing discussion of all the undersea creatures Sam would happily eat, and break down perhaps the greatest song lyric of all time: “Les poissons, les poissons / Hee-hee-hee, hon-hon-hon.” Boy, is it good to be back. Next up: The Rescuers Down Under 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. — 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.

Okie dokie, Artichokies! There’s not long to go until Disniversity returns for more regular classes – but first, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers have a little extra treat for you. Having just discussed Chip ’N Dale: Rescue Rangers in The Rescuers and The Great Mouse Detective episodes of this very pod, the good folk at Disney saw fit to drop brand new original meta-reboot movie Chip ’N Dale: Rescue Rangers on Disney+, stacked with cameos, in-jokes, and all kinds of deep-cut animation references. Dig into it with the Disniversity duo, talking the delights of Captain Putty, Pooj the Fat Honey Bear, and Ugly Sonic, the film’s approach to 2D-3D hybrid animation, Sam’s obsession with forgotten ‘80s anti-drug mascot McGruff the Crime Dog, and the future of Disney’s cartoon series. Oh, and Ben brags about his recent adventures in Disneyland, California. Next up: The Little Mermaid. We promise! 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. — 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.

Class is back in session! But in true nearly-the-summer-holidays style, you’re not expected to do any work this week. Film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers are back to banish The Dark Age once and for all with another Study Group episode, capping off the era of Walt Disney Animation Studios films we most recently explored. Rankings are updated, the best characters, songs and sequences are discussed, and the stage is set for the Disney Renaissance. All that, and there’s plenty to get caught up on: the Oscars performance of ‘Bruno’, the arrival of Pixar’s Turning Red, a mind-boggling Letterboxd list, Sam’s beloved (and expensive) new action figures, and important updates from guests Sam Clements and Nick de Semlyen. Next episode: Chip ’N Dale: Rescue Rangers bonus episode 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. — 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.

With the smell of hotdogs and sound of honking horns in the air, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers are ending the Dark Age era on a high – and they’re absitively posolutely thrilled to be delving into 1988’s Oliver & Company. Prepare for Billy Joel bangers and Dickensian delights aplenty in a (very) loose adaptation of Oliver Twist, relocated to contemporary NYC – a film that flings the Walt Disney Animation Studio into the angular modernity of the late 1980s. This episode takes in Sam’s enduring love of Billy Joel, Disney’s mythologised uber-‘80s New York, archetypal ‘Diet Coke guys’, and the bizarre French pop hit that spun out of the film. And, as you’d expect with its bop-heavy soundtrack, there’s a lot of singing in this one – including a Bette Midler impression you won’t soon forget. Next up: Study Group episode (then, The Little Mermaid) 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. — 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.

What’s that? You wanted more Disney mice adventures? Then you’re in luck! Film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers return with a discussion of 1986’s The Great Mouse Detective (hold the Basil) – and they’ve recruited Empire magazine editor and Wild And Crazy Guys author Nick de Semlyen to help crack the case of why Baker Street’s greatest detective never got his own franchise. Get ready for stories including a controversial name change, Nick’s mysterious bat trauma, and how some pioneering 3D animation came to be – plus, discussions of Ratigan’s incredible villainous flair, theories of the Bill The Lizard-verse, and the popularity of mouse burlesque. Fair warning for your ears: this episode includes multiple warring Fidget impressions. Next up: Oliver & Company 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. — 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.

With their friendship still mercifully intact (unlike Tod and Copper’s), film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers team up to tackle Disney’s darkest work of horror-fantasy – 1985’s The Black Cauldron. With its devilish horned villain, spooky sequences, and array of freakish figures, this episode delves into the land of Prydain to talk swords, sorcery, and seriously cute psychic pigs. From its obvious Lord Of The Rings parallels, to some of the most ambitious Disney animation in decades, to a behind-the-scenes coup at the studio, listen along to dive into the film that had kids screaming for the exits – and nearly spelled disaster for the whole enterprise. Plus, learn the meaning of ‘TDLF’, and discover how this film became part of the historical domino effect that gave us Shrek. And yes… we do talk about Gurgi. Bring your own munchings and crunchings. Next up: Basil The Great Mouse Detective 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. — 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.

Seeing as we’re in the bleak midwinter, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic are back to take on Walt Disney Animation Studios’ most deeply upsetting Dark Age movie yet: 1981’s The Fox And The Hound. This time, we’re delving into the devastating story of friends-turned-enemies Tod and Copper – exploring why the narrative cuts so deep, how it compares to Bambi, and discovering what happens in the even more horrifying source material. Plus, we dig into an especially turbulent time at the studio, as Don Bluth leads a mass Disney exodus, a whole host of major new names enter the fray, and a tussle over an improbably-named song leads to Wolfgang Reitherman quitting animation all together. All that, plus another stone-cold Disniversity legend, and a very special guest shares her own personal childhood trauma from this darkest of Disney flicks. Content warning: this episode contains graphic owl abuse. Next up: The Black Cauldron 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. — 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.

Merry Christmas! Or, bah humbug! Film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers are here with a little festive bonus episode – putting a pause in the regular schedule to talk 1983’s theatrically-released short Mickey’s Christmas Carol. In this mini-episode, the duo explore how Dickens got Disneyfied in a brief but essentially faithful retelling of the ghostly Christmas fable – this time starring Scrooge McDuck, Goofy, Mickey Mouse (obviously), and a host of familiar faces from films past. As well as digging into all the cameos, we find out Sam’s Scroogiest habit, learn the history of Duck Tales, and meet everyone’s favourite animator / Commie canine, Karl Barx. PLUS! There’s 10 minutes of Encanto chat in there too – with the latest Walt Disney Animation Studios film hitting Disney+ on Christmas Eve. God bless us, every one! Next up: 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. — 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.