Name That Toon Trivia Quiz

Answer: Merlin ('The Sword in the Stone')

'The Sword in the Stone' is a 1963 Disney film about a young King Arthur and his tutor, Merlin. We meet Arthur near the beginning of the film, as a 12-year-old orphan and squire-in-training to Sir Ector's son, Kay. After causing Kay's arrow to miss its mark and fly off into the trees, Arthur vows to Kay that he will retrieve it and enters the dark and wolf-infested forest. Arthur pulls the arrow from high in a tree and then topples through the roof of Merlin's hut. Merlin, who had been expecting his arrival, declares himself to be a wizard and Arthur's tutor, packs up his entire home and follows Arthur back to Sir Ector's castle, taking along his surly owl, Archimedes.

Merlin was voiced by Karl Swenson.

Answer: Fievel and Tanya Mousekewitz ('An American Tail')

'An American Tail' is a 1986 Universal Pictures film about the Mousekewitzes, a family of mice who flee from Russia in 1885 to make a new life in America. Along the way their son, Fievel, is swept overboard in a terrible storm and is mistakenly believed to have drowned. While Fievel searches for his family in New York City, Tanya Mousekewitz refuses to believe that her brother is gone. In a touching scene, the mice sing about their shared belief that they will be reunited.

'Somewhere Out There' was performed in the film by Phillip Glasser (Fievel) and Betsy Cathcart (Tanya). It was nominated for Best Original Song at the 59th Academy Awards but lost to 'Take My Breath Away' from the movie 'Top Gun'. A pop version of the song was recorded for the film's credits and performed by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram. The Ronstadt/Ingram single debuted at #83 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100, eventually reaching #2 in March of 1987.

On a personal note, the film's sequel, 'An American Tail: Fievel Goes West' (1991) was one of my favourite movies when I was a child. Tanya Mousekewitz has a beautiful solo ('Dreams to Dream') in the sequel, performed by Cathy Cavadini in the film and by Linda Ronstadt in the credits.

Answer: Pocahontas ('Pocahontas')

The Disney film 'Pocahontas' (1995) takes place in America in the early seventeenth century. Captain John Smith, an Englishman, is exploring a wooded area around the new Jamestown fortress when he encounters Pocahontas, a local tribeswoman and daughter of Chief Powhatan. Pocahontas is appalled at Smith's careless disregard for nature and sings to him about their woodland brethren.

Irene Bedard provided the voice of Pocahontas, with vocal numbers performed by Judy Kuhn.

'Colors of the Wind' won the Best Original Song Oscar at the 68th Academy Awards and the cover of the song by American artist Vanessa Williams reached #4 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100.

Answer: Ursula

This is from Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' (1989). Ariel wants more than anything to become human so she can be with Prince Eric, with whom she has fallen in love. After a row with her father, King Triton, Ariel resolves to bargain with the sea witch for her fondest wish. In 'Poor Unfortunate Souls', Ursula assures the mermaid princess that she wishes her only kindness and that the price she's asking in return is very small: she need only give up her voice.

Pat Carroll provided the voice for Ursula.

Answer: Baloo

Mowgli is an orphaned boy who was raised by wolves in the jungles of Madhya Pradesh, India. When Mowgli is about ten years old, the pack learns that the Bengal tiger, Shere Khan, has returned to the jungle and they fear that Mowgli's life may be in danger, for the tiger hates humans. As Mowgli is being escorted to the Man-Village by Bagheera, the stern black panther, the pair encounter Baloo the bear, who offers to look after Mowgli himself so that the "man-cub" can remain in the jungle that he loves.

'The Bare Necessities' was performed by Phil Harris (Baloo) and Bruce Reitherman (Mowgli) and reprised at the end of the film by Harris and Sebastian Cabot (Bagheera). The song was nominated for Best Original Song at the 40th Academy Awards but lost to 'Talk to the Animals' from 'Doctor Doolittle'.

Answer: Professor Ratigan ('The Great Mouse Detective')

'The Great Mouse Detective' is a 1986 Disney film about a mouse detective, Basil of Baker Street, based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. Basil and his trusty sidekick, Dr. David Q. Dawson, must rescue a kidnapped toy-maker and thwart Ratigan's plan to overthrow the Mouse Queen at her Diamond Jubilee.

The voice of Professor Ratigan was provided by the legendary Vincent Price.

Answer: Lumiere

When Belle's father goes missing, Belle sets out to find and rescue him. She finds him being held prisoner in a castle by a horrible beast and bargains for his freedom by offering to become Beast's captive herself. After stubbornly refusing Beast's invitation to dine with him, Belle later goes downstairs to eat by herself. Lumiere is quick to offer the hospitality of the castle and its unusual staff.

'Be Our Guest' was sung by Jerry Orbach (Lumiere) and Angela Lansbury (Mrs. Potts). It was nominated for Best Original Song at the 64th Academy Awards, but lost... to 'Beauty and the Beast'. ('Belle' was also nominated that year.)

Answer: Anastasia

Released in 1997, 'Anastasia' is 20th Century Fox's animated version of the 1956 film starring Yul Brynner and Ingrid Bergman. In the animated movie, Dimitri, a former palace servant, and his partner, Vladimir, are looking for a young woman to pass as the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanov in order to collect a reward of ten million rubles from Anastasia's grandmother, the Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna. Anya, an orphan travelling to Saint Petersburg for the first time, hears about Dimitri and Vladimir and goes to meet them at the abandoned palace. While walking through the now-empty ballroom, Anya finds herself inundated by vague memories.

'Once Upon a December' was sung in the film by Liz Callaway. Deana Carter, an American country music singer, recorded a wonderful cover of this song as well.

Answer: Aurora ('Sleeping Beauty')

'Sleeping Beauty' is another Disney film, released in 1959. At her birth, Princess Aurora is cursed by the wicked fairy Maleficent, who is angry that she wasn't invited to share in the celebration. The good fairies are able to weaken the curse, but fear that Maleficent won't be so easily foiled. They disguise themselves as peasant women and raise Princess Aurora in the woods as their own daughter, whom they call Briar Rose. On her sixteenth birthday, Briar Rose is out collecting berries and singing to her woodland friends about the love she dreams of meeting. The creatures, including an owl and some squirrels, steal a hat, cloak and boots that Prince Phillip, travelling through the forest, had hung up to dry. Dressed in the stolen clothes, the animals dance with Briar Rose. The singing, however, attracts the notice of Prince Phillip, and he is quick to cut in and dance with the beautiful girl.

'Once Upon a Dream' was sung by Mary Costa and Bill Shirley.

Answer: Dot

'Dot and the Kangaroo' (1977) was produced by Yoram Gross Films with a grant from the Australian Film Commission. It features animated characters set against a photographic background shot in the state of New South Wales. 'Dot and the Kangaroo' was the first of a series of films featuring Dot, including 1986's 'Dot and Keeto', which I also particularly enjoyed.

Dot's voice was provided by Barbara Frawley.

(Amy, Beth and Meg are three of the four March sisters from 'Little Women'.)