Classic Shorts Showcase: Johnny Appleseed

Welcome to another entry in Classic Shorts Showcase. Today's short is rather special as it tells the tale of an American legend. One we all learned about when we were little and some say he is the reason for the apple trees.  I give you Johnny Appleseed. If there is one impressive feat in this film, it would have to be the same actor plays all of the important roles.


The Plot

The plot is rather simple as we follow Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman) throughout his entire life of planting apple trees for over 40 years. Starting when he was just as teen.   But he keeps on going until his time is up on this earth and goes to the heavens to plant apples trees in the sky.


Narration

The Old Settler - Dennis Day


Our story is narrated by The Old Settler who Johnny well and tells of how the clouds we see aren't really clouds at all but the fruit of Johnny's labor.   Dennis Day does a good job here of telling the story and setting it up to give the old time pioneer  sound with his voice.  Thar is quite a feat as not only does he narrate but he also plays Johnny and Johnny's Angel.  What I find most impressive is that he was able to give all three characters a distinctive voice.


Characters

Johnny Appleseed also voiced by Dennis Day

Now I know this isn't the greatest picture but I chose because it shows Johnny as he ages.  When this short first starts out Johnny is happy with his life but as he see the pioneers rolling by, he wants more.   That is when his  Angel comes in and tells him to go and cross the land planting his seeds.  The thing I find most impressive other than the fact that the same actor played all the big roles is how much of Johnny's life we were able to see in such a short amount of time.  When the short starts we see as a good hearted young boy as the short progresses, we see become a wise old man who is happy that the pioneers are enjoying his work.  He is shown to be a likable character through and through. The only time I got annoyed with him was when it was his time to go to Heaven but he didn't want to leave. But can you blame him? Who wants to go to heaven and still see their body there laying on the ground? I know I wouldn't but in the end, he is certainly one of the more likable characters from all of the shorts I have covered.

Johnny's Angel again voiced by Dennis Day

Now I know that I used this same picture up above but it was the best one I could find with Johnny's Angel on it.  Johnny's Angel is quite the important character to this story as he is the one the convinces Johnny to go travelling and plant his seeds.  He convinces Johnny after Johnny expresses his doubts about going through with this but the Angel tells him to go ahead.  He also helps to bring the story to an end as he is the one that comes to bring Johnny to heaven.  While in the short very much he plays as important role and I think I found him to be very likable.  Shoot all of the characters in this short were likable. They just felt like honest, genuine hardworking people and that fits the era this short was portraying.

Music

Now unlike the other shorts that I have covered, this short features plenty of music and there is one song that I wish to talk about.

The Lord's  Been Good To Me

I really like this song as I feel that it reminds us that we should give appreciation to the things that we have on this earth and that we should always treat them with respect.  Nowadays, I doubt Disney would event tempt to put a song like this into one of their shorts or films because someone might complain about the use of the Lord and say that we should represent all religions.  I may be wrong but I really think that is what would happen.   Things have gotten so PC in the entertainment world that it is crazy and that is ashame too  because this song is so beautiful and the message is so true. More of us should be like Johnny and give thanks for what we have on this earth because it may not always be here.

My Final Thoughts

Johnny Appleseed is one of the stronger shorts that I have reviewed thus far.  I feel that it's strength comes from how simple and down to earth the whole thing is. Unlike The Reluctant Dragon or even Ferdinand which  were admittedly both over the top, this short took the direction of being serious and down to earth. And that worked in it's favor.  If you can, find this short because it is worth watching.  I suggest you watch Paul Bunyan after this if you want some more American folklore shorts.  Join me next week for a special Classic Shorts Showcase when I take a look at...

Wind in The Willows.  Yes next week, will be Wind In The Willows as part of Automobile Month.