The Brave Little Toaster: Who Plays with a Vacuum?

After a haitus, Aly & Sarrah have returned!
This week they are discussing a child-hood, nostalgia inducing, classic: Disney's (now) The Brave Little Toaster, from 1987!

Aly as usual, starts us off with a biography on the author of the original novella - Thomas M. Disch. We learn that once again, writers sometimes have awful lives. She also breaks down some differences in the plot points of the book and the film.

Sarrah talks studio and how this WAS a Disney movie, LEFT Disney, then came BACK to Disney. It's a saga.

We then break down all of the very talented voice actors who took part in this film, talk video release and reviews, and wrap up with a bit of a discussion on sequels and nightmare toasters.

Our walk-through has us discussing the problem with plugs, questioning whether there were dirt jokes involved, and generally wondering who plays with appliances as a child.

So let's go on a journey together to find our own bravery and talk about the Brave Little Toaster!

Podcast Music by: bradleyparsons (via Fiverr)

We're back!

After a nice long(er than expected) break we are back and ready to get into it. Our first film is one that definately hits that sweet nostalgia spot for most listeners.

This week we are discussing the 1987 movie 'The Brave Little Toaster'.

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Aly has source material this week! But she couldn't read it. The Brave Little Toaster and it's sequel are unfortunately out of print, not at her library, and hideously expensive on Amazon. But she won't let that stop her, because this is what the internet was made for. She gives us an author biography on author Thomas M. Disch (heads up, it's not a happy one), and also a brief synopsis of the book itself and it's publication. She then goes on to discuss the changes that were made when it was adapted to the screen.

Author Thomas M. Disch

Sarrah talks about the saga of how this movie went from Disney to independent and back to DIsney again. Not to mention some of the key players involved who you maaaay have heard of before.

Spooooky fog = Bambi?

Together we discuss the incredibly talented voice cast that lent their voices to this film, as well as a short introduction to foley artists (the people who make the sound for movies. It's very interesting, and if you'd like to see it in action check out the video below!).

Our walkthrough has us pondering the uses of electricity and cords, arguing with how they thought this wasn't a tradtional kids movie, enjoying some 80's bops, and asking ourselves who ever really played with appliances as a child?

AC, you're a dick.

So let's all gather up our inanimate friends, and earn our brave titles as we watch and discuss 1987's The Brave Little Toaster!

I am your nightmares.

Star Rating for The Brave Little Toaster:

Voice Acting: Full Star - These people are top of their game for a reason. Every character has so much emotion and character for being appliances. The lines were natural and they blended together so well as a cast.
Music & Songs: Half-Star - Okay, so the songs were fun, but they were dated. While we also remember enjoying them, for a musical movie we didn't walk away with any tunes stuck in our heads. We figure for a musical we should at least remember one song straight after watching.
Script/Story: 0 - The characters and story-line are super imaginative! But they aren't the screenwriters inventions. There were lots of dragging moments and MANY inconsistencies.
Animation: Full Star - Seamless and well done. Nothing crazy interested, but nothing to critique.
Style: Half-Star - Pretty, but it doesn't stand out in any way.

 

Our Sources:

IMDb page for The Brave Little Toaster
Wikipedia Article on The Brave Little Toaster (film)
Wikipedia Article on The Brave Little Toaster (novella)
Wikipedia Article on author Thomas. M. Disch

NY Times Obituary for Thomas M. Disch
Strangehorizons.com Article on the death of Thomas M. Disch

Geeklyplanet.com Article on The Brave Little Toaster

Thomas M. Disch's Livejournal Account:  "Endzone"