The Rescuers (1977)

Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman, John Lounsbery, and Art Stevens
Written by Larry Clemmons, Vance Gerry, Ken Anderson, Frank Thomas, Burny Mattinson, Fred Lucky, Dick Sebast, David Michener, and Ted Berman. Based on The Rescuers and Miss Bianca by Margery Sharp
Premiered June 22, 1977
77 minutes
Rated G

Synopsis
The Rescue Aid Society, an international group of mice who help people in trouble, discover a bottle with message requesting help from a little girl named Penny (Michelle Stacy). The Hungarian representative, the glamourous Miss Bianca (Eva Gabor) volunteers and requests the superstitious American janitor Bernard (Bob Newhart) be her partner on the mission. After some sleuthing, the pair discover the little girl had been kidnapped by trashy pawn shop owner Madame Medusa (Geraldine Page) and taken to Devil's Bayou, Louisiana. After flying down to Louisiana on the back of albatross Orville (Jim Jordan), Bianca and Bernard are helped by other local "rescuers" who want Medusa and her toadie Snoops (Joe Flynn) out of their bayou.

Before We Begin
It's a common opinion that the era of Disney animation after Walt's death was a dark period indeed. From The Aristocats all the way to Oliver & Company, the company struggled to find its footing financially and creatively. There were more misses than hits but the biggest hit by far was 1977's The Rescuers. This can probably chalked up to the fact that it was made at time when the original Nine Old Men were passing the torch to the young bloods, so there was a mixture of practiced skill and a breath of fresh air.

On a personal note, I don't remember how old I was, or where I was, or under what circumstances I first saw The Rescuers. I'll say “childhood”. That's the best I can do. This was yet another DAF I did not grow up with nor one I actively sought out at the video store. No princesses, mind you. But I don't hold that against it anymore.

Mötley Müsings
• Cold opening. Already different from every other Disney movie that came before. Very dark and eerie. The music is atmospheric. "Who will rescue me....?"

• This song called "The Journey", by the way. So lovely in that 70s way.

• This matte painting beginning is interesting...

• Songs sung by Shelby Flint. Who is Shelby Flint? A singer-songwriter from the 60s, it seems. Okay. Her voice is pleasant enough.

• I didn't know there were that many women in the United Nations in 1977. #themoreyouknow

• Love that mouse with the Afro!

• There's a representative from Austria and Vienna, and yet just one for all of Africa.

• Where is Eva Gabor from? Hungary.

• "Bring in the bottle."

• The leader of the R.A.S. was totally animated by Don Bluth. You can see it.

• "You? Miss Bianca? Why, this is unprecedented. I mean, it's not like it was in the old days, when it was a man's world. But, I guess there's a first time for everything." Yeah!

• But Bernard is trying to be chivalrous.

• "Gentlemen, who will volunteer?" Why can't she have a female partner? What are you saying, Disney? JK. This is actually pretty progressive considering the representation of females in The Jungle Book, The Aristocats, and Robin Hood. And many others that came well before.

• All right. Bernard and Bianca are headed to Penny's orphanage.

• Rufus the cat! (Also Don Bluth's) But seriously, Disney, you need more cats! He has a moustache and glasses for pete's sake!

• Oh, Penny. Well...she's very...sweet, isn't she? Most people complain about Penny and her baby voice (someone named Michelle Stacy who was in a bunch of 70s TV shows) and her "annoying kiddieness" but trust me when I say she is nothing compares to Koda from Brother Bear.

• Madame Medusa tried to give Penny a ride, but she rejected it. At least the kid ain't dumb even though she desperately wants to get adopted. I choose to believe Medusa and Snoops kidnapped her.

• Medusa is an underrated villainess. Look at that blue eye shadow!

• Women drivers, am I right!?

• Let's talk about Bianca for a sec. She is composed, elegant, and undeniably feminine while also being brave, quick-witted and unafraid to take on a dangerous mission. She is a great role model because she shows us girls that it's okay not being a karate chopping, sword wielding warrior princess. We can have adventure, thrive on our wits, and look and smell good while doing it.

• "It's just like being on a rollerscoter."

• "Tomorrow is Another Day" is a great 70s jam. Check out that penny whistle.

• Penny tries to run away again! No Stockholm Syndrome for her!

• What's the deal with Medusa and Snoops? Huh? Lovers? Friends? [eyebrows waggling]

• And this romance between Bernard and Bianca is developing nicely. Nothing forced, just here it is... Why should they fall in love, you ask? Why shouldn't they?

• "It's good for what ails ya..."

• This music is great!

• Where'd he get that rope?

• "Poor Evinrude, your carburetor is all pooped out."

• "All she thinks about is that simple bear."

• I think they were trying for a Shirley Temple angle with Penny.

• I forgot how many "stunts" Bianca and Bernard do.

• "You are too soft."

• Medusa's evil plan: send someone small--like a child--down a hole to fetch a big ass diamond.

• Bianca's trying to rescue Bernard from the alligators! #feministdisney

• All right, this organ bit is just filler.

• Bernard in Bianca's hat is funny.

• She has a bloody shotgun!? #comicgunplay

• Penny has a stick figure drawing of "Mom" and "Dad" pinned to her wall. Never noticed that before. Sad.

• This scene is brutal.

• Yuck. This is where my aversion to false eyelashes comes from.

• "What makes you think anyone would want a homely little girl like you?" Seriously teared up just then.

• "Someone's Waiting for You" was nominated for an Oscar. It lost to "You Light Up My Life" like everything else that year.

• Bambi and his mom. Why not?

• I mean, no wonder why she's so attached to her Teddy bear.

• "...because running away isn't working."'

• "Didn't you bring somebody big with you? Like the police?"

• Penny even thinks of the elevator as a cage for Brutus and Nero. "Oh, they'll eat anything." And she has a sense of humor. You know what? People need to stop hating on Penny.

• That turtle is wearing a Confederate kepi hat.

• Medusa is holding Teddy captive.

• It's gotta be so gross down there.

• Precut and everything. It's as big as her head!

• All right, you have the damn diamond, now send Penny back to the orphanage.

• Yeah, that's a great lesson: a drop of moonshine'll get ya goin'.

• Hey, Ellie Mae--a female--is the leader of the Rescue Aid Society: Hee Haw Chapter. #feministdisney

• Medusa is hiding the diamond inside Teddy.

• "I put the diamond in the coat. AND I PUT THE COAT ON HER!"

• The diamond goes to the Smithsonian, Penny gets adopted, and she gets to keep Rufus.

• Bernard and Bianca set off another adventure! To Australia perhaps?????


Final Thoughts

Definitely ranked this too low. Definitely. I am discovering that my On the Fence category may just be a holding pattern for movies I don't know what to do with. A purgatory, if you will. Fine. I am happy to promote The Rescuers.

It's just enjoyable. Bianca and Bernard have great unforced chemistry. The mystery is compelling enough. Penny is, at the very least, sympathetic and resourceful. Medusa is an underrated villain that I frankly wish there was more of. And supporting characters are all memorable in a non-annoying way.

When one is watching the DAFs in chronological order, it is a very bright spot indeed, which maybe makes it seem better than it is. But I'm not doing it that way this time so I guess that means The Rescuers is pretty damn good. Woot woot.

Favorite Character

Rufus

Favorite Moment -- Medusa emotionally abuses Penny. (It's intense!)
Favorite Song -- "Someone's Waiting for You" performed by Shelby Flint