Lambert the Sheepish Lion (1952)

. . . of their Bitter Rivals comprising Warner Bros.' Animated Shorts Seers division (aka, The Looney Tuners), Walt Disney assigns his own scribblers to look forward into Football's Super Bowl Era with LAMBERT THE SHEEPISH LION. Since the Motor City Lions were capturing "World Championships" left and right when LAMBERT came out in the 1950s amid Football's Weak "Tag--you're It!" Era, Disney's doodlers thought that they had "easy pickings" in closing LAMBERT with Motown's Victory Parade for the Lions triumphing over the Predators as they win Super Bowl I. This, of course, resulted in the famous "Disney Curse;" that is, more than half a century of Kitty Kat Lions, culminating with the 2008 squad setting the ultimate mark for NFL futility: completing a win-less season at 0 -- 16! The Lion's remain the lone "original" team NEVER to appear in the Super Bowl during its 50-year plus history. If Predators starting dragging away the Lions' moms in Real Life (as happens toward the close of LAMBERT THE SHEEPISH LION), these feckless felines doubtless would rush to get the Predators knives, forks, and napkins! At least the Chicago Cubs could quantify their futility, thanks to a Series Championship in 1908. Guess who they beat W-A-A-A-Y back then? (Hint: It starts with "D," ends with "T," and is followed by the name of the Lion's deplorable litter box mates.)

I loved this when I was a kid, and as you have already guessed, I adore Disney and all the Silly Symphonies and shorts they did. Lambert the Sheepish Lion is narrated excellently by Sterling Holloway who also narrated the 1946 classic Peter and the Wolf. The short features an amusing title song, has beautiful animation and tells an Ugly Duckling-like story of a lion who can't fit in with his sheep family, as they tease him for being different. The short also has a wolf, who is very similarly designed to the wolf in Peter and the Wolf, and while not as terrifying, has a roar that made my hair stand up. Thank goodness Lambert saves the day and finally gets accepted. Overall, a wonderful jewel, that deserves a 10/10. Bethany Cox.

One of the award-winning shorts produced by Disney in the studio's heyday, this charming cartoon is the tale of a lion who is accidentally placed by the stork (shades of Mr Stork from 'Dumbo' here) with a flock of sheep along with the new lambs. He grows up to be a figure of fun for his sheep cousins who tease him for being unable to baa like them and for not being either a lamb or a lion. Of course, Lambert saves the day by being a real lion when he has to be and becomes the hero of his flock. The baby Lambert is a little cute thing who grows up to be a slightly dumb looking lion, always hiding behind his 'mother'. The piece is narrated by Sterling Holloway, who had the perfect voice for this kind of thing, and has a catchy little title tune which recurs throughout.

Raised by sheep, LAMBERT THE SHEEPISH LION wants to live a life of gentle peace & quiet. Then one night, a wicked wolf carries off his foster mother...Winner of the 1952 Oscar for Best Animation, this is a very enjoyable little film. Bill Peet, eventually a popular children's author in his own right, was one of the writers here. The title tune is infectious, and Sterling Holloway is perfect as the Narrator.