Ever wanted to go behind the scenes at The Walt Disney Studios to see how such classics as DUMBO, BAMBI, and others were created? Now you have a studio pass to step back in time! Our tour guide is on his way to see Walt Di... more »sney to present a movie idea called THE RELUCTANT DRAGON. As he stumbles through the maze of the backlot, we discover how a cartoon is created through art, sound, and color. Along the way, we meet Donald, Pluto, Goofy, and other Disney favorites, witness the birth of "Baby Weems," a brilliantly funny animated work-in-progress, and enjoy the complete animated short "The Reluctant Dragon."|In this feature, Robert Benchley visits the Disney Studio in Burbank to sell Walt Disney on the idea of making a film of Kenneth Grahame's book, THE RELUCTANT DRAGON. After exploration of an art class, dialogue stage, sound effects stage, multiplane camera department, and story and animation departments, he discovers Disney has already finished the cartoon version of his story. In the story department, actor Alan Ladd, portraying a Disney storyman, tells of Baby Weems, a child prodigy whose fame takes him away from his parents until a serious illness makes him a regular baby once more. In the final segment, the audience learns about the poetry-writing dragon who must prove his mettle if he wants to coexist with a neighboring village. He and Sir Giles stage a mock battle in order to show everyone the dragon really is fierce. For the opening credits, storyman T. Hee prepared clever caricatures of Studio staff. Cartoon segments include CASEY, JUNIOR; OLD MACDONALD DUCK; and HOW TO RIDE A HORSE.|The movie was the first Disney release to incorporate a large section of live action since the 1920's Alice Comedies.|The movie marked the introduction of storyboarding.|Many critics believe the "Baby Weems" segment of the film is one of Disney's best cartoons.« less