Cartoonies

Just watched Disney's Robin Hood with Jayden, who can turn even the mildest of children's films into a giggle-fest of innuendo.

Well, um, because I can't think of anything else I'd rather blog about right now, I'm going to go weird-nerdy and list all my favourite cartoon lads:

Roger from 101 Dalmatians

"Melody first, my dear, and then the lyrics. Hmmm?"

I know, I know, this may seem a little obscure, but stick with me here. He's a musician/songwriter from the 50s/60s who is fairly good-looking (despite the schnoz), charming, in an endearingly bumbling fashion, unselfconscious, entertaining, good sense of humour; British accent; strong, family man who stands up for his, um, dogs. Yes, the dogs are a bit of a drawback (all seven million of them) but I think I'd be willing to put up with at least the two they had at the beginning if I were Anita...

Prince Philip from Sleeping Beauty

"Now, father, you're living in the past. This is the 14th century!"

He's just lovely. The first Disney prince to have a personality, or any opportunity for real derring-do. Sings, dances (only briefly though...), takes initiative and defeats the bad guy - using the Sword of Truth and the Shield of Virtue! The only weapons, my dear... As a kid, I always identified with Aurora - blonde, kinda ditzy and vague, loves to sing and walk around barefoot, enjoys a nice nap... and who could ask for more than a Philip?

Robin Hood, from, you guessed it, Robin Hood

"Marian, my darling, I love you more than life itself."

Total sweetie. All the way. Even if he is some kind of anthropomorphic, tunic-wearing fox thing. I'll admit it was an odd decision for Disney to make the classic legend all animal-y, but they still couldn't destroy the pure awesomeness of our favourite outlaw. (Although Kevin Costner did manage that, somewhat later, in a movie I will never ever again watch.) I won't even list his lovely traits.

Derek, from The Swan Princess

"She's like... And then... How about... Am I right?"

His hair, as I have before mentioned, is a total 90s letdown, but his broad-shoulders, knee-high boots, singing voice, and sheer determination (once he realises that he's an idiot) to find and marry his lady-love are surely endearing.

Cornelius, Thumbelina

"Every day I'll take you higher - and I'll never let you fall!"

Well, he may be only sixteen years old and a fairy (with a 'funny name'), but since I have loved this film since my earliest infancy (or at least since 1994, the film's release date, which is further back than I can remember) I have adored Cornelius.

Prince Naveen, The Princess and the Frog

"One minute I'm a prince, charming and handsome, cutting the rug, and the next minute - woah!"



The latest addition to the Disney canon - and very different he is to the rest! Definitely possessed of the most personality - the most flaws, the most growth, definitely. And totally gorgeous. Just watch the movie.