Disniversity Podcast

In a very special episode of Disniversity, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers are joined by Mike Rianda, writer-director of The Mitchells Vs The Machines (aka the best animated film of 2021, streaming now on Netflix) for a deep dive into Walt Disney Animation Studios’ beloved 1961 favourite, One Hundred And One Dalmatians. Together, they tackle the film’s distinctive aesthetic, the dawn of the Xerox animation process, and turning imperfection into emotion. Plus, ‘Future Sam and Future Ben’ discuss the most successful Lasting Legacy yet, and we howl at the moon over the truly insane plot of sequel novel The Starlight Barking. ‘Barking’ doesn’t even cover it. Next up: The Sword In The Stone 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 Raya And The Last Dragon. 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 getting their fill of spaghetti and meatballs, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers are entranced by the lavish fantasy fairytale romance of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ stunning 1959 princess movie, Sleeping Beauty. Dive in for a discussion of Disney’s most visually distinctive film yet, talking the Tchaikovsky score, the magnificent Mistress Of All Evil, how much is too much to pay for a DVD, and the ultimate debate: pink dress or blue dress? Oh, and Sam channels his inner Maleficent to deliver a truly brutal diss. RIP Ben’s self-esteem. Next up: One Hundred And One Dalmatians 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 Raya And The Last Dragon. 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.

Leaving the problematic adventures of Peter Pan behind them, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers tuck into a delicious meatball feast of a movie in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ adorable 1955 heartwarmer, Lady And The Tramp. And for this episode they’re joined by Radio 1’s Ali Plumb – a guy who knows as much about dogs as he does about movies, here to impart all kinds of canine wisdom across a discussion that takes in doggy dates, the threat of the A-bomb, and the art of howl-singing. Dig in. Next up: Sleeping Beauty 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 Raya And The Last Dragon. 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 a short break, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers are back – and this time they’re stumbling out of Wonderland and flying headfirst for Neverland in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ adolescent adventure, 1953’s Peter Pan. As the Bangers Era™ continues, we discuss the film’s iconic flight sequences, problematic colonialist narratives, the complex pixie lore of the Tinkerbell movies, and the most horrifying Dis-carded yet. Oh, and get ready for Sam’s delectable pronunciation of ‘Hook’. Content warning: contains discussion of racist depictions and stereotypes in Peter Pan between 43:25 and 50:56. Next up: Lady And The Tramp 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 Raya And The Last Dragon. 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 finding their happily-ever-after at the royal ball, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers head further into the Bangers Era™ of the Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue by taking a trip into 1951’s Alice In Wonderland. And this time, they’re joined by Lewis Carroll stan Clarisse Loughrey – a very special guest to guide them through a dizzying psychedelic dreamscape of Mome Raths, reality-altering mushrooms, smoke-spewing caterpillars and one very Mad Hatter. Be warned: this episode includes many, many impressions. Next up: Peter Pan 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 Raya And The Last Dragon. 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.

The time of hastily-assembled package movies is over – and now film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers begin the unofficially-titled Bangers Era™ of the Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, with 1950’s Cinderella. It’s a new era, a new decade, and a renewed sense of confidence and quality for the studio, which starts with Disney refining the princess fairytale archetype it originated way back in Snow White. Join us as we venture to the ball, talking bibbidi-bobiddi-bangers, Walt’s favourite ever piece of Disney animation, and the truly insane Nolan-esque timelines established in the straight-to-video sequels. Next up: Alice In Wonderland 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 Raya And The Last Dragon. 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.

Notepads away, Disniversity students – after a stack of hefty double-features, it’s time for our second Study Group bonus episode. This time, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers stop to look back on the Package Era of the Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue – that’s Saludos Amigos, The Three Caballeros, Make Mine Music, Fun & Fancy Free, Melody Time, and The Adventures Of Ichabod & Mr. Toad – to discuss our favourite sequences and characters, talk how it changed perceptions around the Disney brand, and reveal our rankings the six movies. Plus, we share our thoughts on Disney’s latest animated original, Raya And The Last Dragon. Next time? The Bangers Era™ begins. Next episode: Cinderella 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 Frozen II. 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 ventriloquist dummy nightmares now behind them, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers reach the end of the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Package Films era, watching 1948’s Melody Time, and 1949’s The Adventures Of Ichabod And Mr. Toad. In the former, they encounter more Mary Blair magic, Disney’s continued attempts at drawing colonialist American myths, and delight in the (murderous) mischief of Little Toot. Then, they discuss Disney’s adaptations of The Wind In The Willows and The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow – bringing all-out Headless Horseman horror to the Disneyverse, at long last. Next up: Cinderella (but first, a Study Group 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 Frozen II. 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.

Fresh from Disney’s double-whammy of Latin American adventures, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers delve further into the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Package Films era, with 1946’s Make Mine Music and 1947’s Fun And Fancy Free. Across a selection of stories, they meet jazzy hepcats, lost Disney protagonist Bongo the Bear, and encounter the studio’s most surprisingly violent tale. And – at last – Mickey, Goofy and Donald unite for a mainline Disney movie. Warning: contains opera singing and ventriloquist dummies. Next week’s films: Melody Time / The Adventures Of Ichabod And Mr. Toad 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 Frozen II. 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 a special bonus Study Group episode, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers dive head-first into a whole new era of the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ output: the Package Features. First up, they tackle a double bill of 1942’s Saludos Amigos and 1944’s The Three Caballeros – getting caught up in the sumptuous sights and sounds of Latin America, meeting Jose Carioca, Disney’s coolest character yet, and having to reconcile with Donald Duck’s terrifying, explosive horniness. Next week’s films: Make Mine Music (not on Disney+, but available on DVD) / Fun And Fancy Free 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 Frozen II. 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.