The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
from Reel Deep Dive Hosted by Ryan Valentine
Developed during the troubled production of The Black Cauldron (1985) and released when Disney was at a very low period, The Great Mouse Detective was a modest success that convinced new CEO Michael Eisner and new chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg that animated features were still a relevant facet of Disney's business strategy. Based upon Eve Titus and Paul Galdone's Basil of Baker Street, The Great Mouse Detective marked the the first major contributions of many figures who'd become instrumental to the Disney Renaissance, not the least of whom would be directors John Musker and Ron Clements; they would pitch The Little Mermaid to Katzenberg shortly after The Great Mouse Detective turned a profit. Ryan is joined by Rachel, Sylvan, and Cheryl for a lively discussion for this product of Disney's most tumultuous rebuilding phase. Topics for this episode include the film's novel embrace of CGI, its roots in the traditions of animation, Disney's rivalry with Don Bluth during this period, and how The Great Mouse Detective fits in with how Sherlock Holmes has been depicted in film and television over the years.
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