My slight, er, obsession with Disney movies dates as far back as I can remember. Whether animated, live-action, or a cross section of the two, whether classic or modern, whether musical or otherwise, I possess a tendency to gravitate towards the studio's library of films without prejudice. When thinking about my childhood Disney experiences in particular, gems like Mary Poppins, The Apple Dumpling Gang, The Love Bug, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pete's Dragon, and Dumbo come to mind. None stick out among the classics, however, as much as my personal favorite, Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
If you've never seen the movie musical, it blends live-action with animation, much in the style of Mary Poppins, and stars Angela Lansbury as a witch by the name of Miss Eglantine Price and David Tomlinson as Professor Cornelius Brown. Set in 1940s England with an impending threat of attack by Nazi Germany always looming, Bedknobs and Broomsticks focuses on Miss Price, Professor Brown, and three children (Charlie, Carrie, and Paul) as they track down a much sought-after spell that could help England with the war effort. Their adventures take them to London and Naboombu, an animated island filled with enchanted, speaking animals before returning them to Pepperinge Eye, Miss Price's fictional hometown on the English coast. Shortly thereafter, Nazi troops invade the island and commandeer Miss Price's home as their headquarters. Using the Substitutiary Locomotion spell found on the Island of Naboombu, Miss Price brings an army of British Isle soldiers to life and forces the Nazis back to sea. I do not recall how old I was when I first saw Bedknobs and Broomsticks, but I always connect my earliest memories of the film to my older sister, Melissa. I can only assume, therefore, that she introduced me to the movie a few decades ago, and for that I will be eternally grateful. Of course, I immediately fell in love with Bedknobs and Broomsticks and have seen it perhaps more times than I've seen any other film. I'm actually watching it now, as I write this post. I simply cannot get enough of its fantastical premise, historical setting, and delightfully catchy music. Truth be told, not a week goes by without songs from the soundtrack, "The Age of Not Believing," "Portobello Road," or "The Beautifully Briny," getting stuck in my head at one point or another, a pleasant byproduct of repeated viewings and the earworm nature of the songs. Beyond my affinity for the film as sheer entertainment, Bedknobs and Broomsticks helped to establish my fondness for fantasy and most probably served as an early spark to my interest in history, particularly in regards to Germany and World War II. In fact, it may have been my first introduction to the topic, proving that inspiration can spring from the most unassuming and unintentional places.
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I am a self-proclaimed pop culture geek and list enthusiast who is celebrating the big four-zero by counting down the most important, influential, and favorite music, movies, television shows, books, and video games of my life so far. Categories
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