Patriotic Pals: Disney’s “Ben & Me”

By Michael Lyons

“Actually, if you could see close in my eyes, the American flag is waving in both of them and up my spine is growing this red, white and blue stripe.” - Walt Disney

It’s not surprising that Walt Disney supposedly once said this.  The Studio’s work during his time is filled with examples of patriotism, from short subjects made in support of the war effort during World War II, to TV shows like “Davy Crockett” (1954), live-action films like “Johnny Tremain” (1957) and even theme park attractions like “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.”

However, possibly the most Americana-filled effort to come out of the studio during Walt’s tenure is a seldom seen animated featurette entitled “Ben & Me” from 1953.  Based on a children’s book by author Robert Lawson, the short film tells the story of an unsung American figure, Amos the mouse, who befriends Benjamin Franklin.  Amos becomes a pivotal, influential partner in all of Benjamin Franklin’s inventions and contributions to American history.

With Independence Day approaching, coupled with the 65th anniversary of “Ben & Me,” it’s the perfect time to celebrate this Disney “Mini Classic!”

The film opens in “present day,” as a tour group is passing a statue of Benjamin Franklin.  The camera pans up to the top of the statue to find another tour group (this one made up of mice) who are near a statue of a mouse perched on Franklin’s hat.  The tour group leader is regaling the group about Amos Mouse, who we learn is “really responsible for the great deeds attributed to Benjamin Franklin.”

What then follows is Amos’ story.  In 1745, we see him leave his family, setting out to see the world.  On a snowy night, he arrives at a printing shop run by Ben Franklin.  They befriend each other and Amos assists Ben with printing his Almanac and then goes on to significantly influence Ben’s discoveries of the bifocals, the Franklin stove and even the famous kite-flying lightning encounter of electricity.

Amos even plays a hand in assisting Ben with drafting the Declaration of Independence.

“Ben and Me” is pure Disney charm.  While no where near as emotional or compelling as one of the studio’s animated features, it still does a solid job of creating a world and sense of time and place.

The scale of Amos’ “mouse world” is ingeniously used.  He kicks out the lenses to create Ben’s bifocals, skitters throughout the printing press and rides atop Ben’s tricorner hat to offer advice.

Directed by Studio veteran Hamilton Luske (“Pinocchio” and “Peter Pan” just to name a few), “Ben and Me” features the trademark full animation and great looking character design.  Additionally, the featurette is filled with stalwart Disney voices.

Sterling Holloway, who would have a thirty year career at the studio voicing such characters as the Cheshire Cat, Winnie the Pooh and Kaa the snake, lends his familiar tones to Amos.

Character actor Charles Ruggles is Ben Franklin and Hans Conried (Captain Hook) plays Thomas Jefferson

The scenes drafting the Declaration of Independence have a nice, respectful tone.  In fact all of “Ben and Me” serves as an extremely entertaining way to introduce younger viewers to American History, while not coming across as a “textbook adaptation.”  For the rest of us, this film is a nice little reminder

“Ben & Me” is to Independence Day what “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is to Halloween.  Both are perfect for each day.  So, over this July 4th week, amid the fireworks and bar-b-q’s, carve out 30 minutes for some perfect patriotism, Disney-style, with “Ben & Me.”

Wishing everyone a Happy and Safe Fourth of July!

Sources:

Wikipedia