
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, July 14, 1990                   TAG: 9007140284
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CHRIS GLADDEN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

QUALITY NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE FOR DISNEY CARTOONS

The Disney version of Kipling's "The Jungle Book" came out in 1967, long after the studio's so-called golden era. But when you stack it up against something like "Jetsons: The Movie," it's apparent that Disney's position is almost unassailable in the field of animation. There are other worthy efforts from other sources from time to time. But Disney's been turning out top quality animated features for more than a half century.

"The Jungle Book" is the last Disney feature that Walt participated directly in. It shows the kind of attention to detail that characterize so many Disney cartoons.

It has humor, good music and a wealth of entertaining characters wrapped up in a seemingly effortless production, an illusion that no doubt took a great deal of care to create.

The central character is Mowgli, the human child raised by a pack of wolves but sent to civilization by them to protect the boy from the fearsome tiger, Shere Khan. On his journey, Mowgli is helped by the faithful panther, Bagheera; and the roguish bear Baloo. Sebastion Cabot supplies the voice of the panther and Phil Harris steals the movie as the lovable rascal, Baloo.

Other voices are provided by crooner Louis Prima as the scat-singing king of the monkeys, Sterling Holloway as the hypnotic snake and George Sanders as the supremely-confident tiger.

I first saw "The Jungle Book" with my oldest son about five years ago. This time, I had my three-year-old with me. I have to admit I enjoyed it every bit as much as the first time. `The Jungle Book' A Disney picture at Valley View Mall 6 (362-8219) and Salem Valley 8 (389-0444). Rated G. 90 minutes.

by CNB