The Adventures of Ichabod & Mr. Toad is an anthology film that first features the story of The Wind in the Willows. The story of Mr. Toad, a man who has an addiction to automobiles, this addiction gets him in trouble with the law, now his friends must band together to help him.The second part is The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. It's the story of Ichabod Crane, a thin but charming man who learns about a legendary headless horsemen that haunts the forest.Both segments work together mostly due to their fun & fast-paced tones. The Wind in the Willows is somewhat of a slapstick action packed short, the characters are fun and unique, it really packs a lot into it's short runtime. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow features some great humorous moments but focuses on being thrilling. Bing Crosby narrates it and does so perfectly, creating an eerie overall fun tone.The two shorts seem to fit perfectly together. An outstanding entry into the Walt Disney Animated Studios canon.

An animated adaptation of "The Wind in the Willows" followed by an adaptation of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow".If this film is to be criticized, it is for the cheap attempt to make a feature-length film from two unrelated stories. Either of them could have been a full 70-to-90 minutes, and films such as "Sleepy Hollow" have proved that. Instead we get two short films packaged together to create a full film... which it clearly is not.That concern aside, the stories are both good and done with excellent animation. It has been said that Brom Bones was an inspiration for Gaston. If he was not, it is quite a coincidence because the two have a great deal in common despite living indifferent eras and countries.

Of course the little ones loved Ichabod Crane a bit more than Mr. Toad (and I sadly miss the Toad ride at WDW). That being said, the mischievous touch of Ward Kimball shines through both shorts released as a feature film in 1949. Please note that Disney wisely chose to "tone down" the fright factor of the fiery Headless Horseman even though it still scared-me-to-death even in glorious B&W on our small DuMont TV in the 1950's. I love the sweet-short-dumpling-of-a-girl who begs for a dance (several times) and the outlandish way that "Ichabod Bing Crosby" is drawn. Another great Disney Park Ride that was never made! The humorous horse is reused in various shapes and forms throughout many Disney Animations and stars in both "Ichabod and Mr. Toad". Although Mr. Toad is the lesser of my two favorites here, both the animation and presentation are first rate. "Mr. Winky", the slippery bald-headed bartender and con-man, a slightly dirty joke, that somehow passed by the censors and critics! The weasels are deliciously evil and act like small-town gangsters and bullies. By their manner of dress, they must be French Weasels. Most enjoyable and easily-viewed separately on Disney Disc.

As near as I can tell, there is no connection of any kind between these two films. It was probably a method by which a couple of expensive products of the Disney studios could get people into the threaten to see them. It was war time and they had to cut budgets. Anyway, we have two classics. One is a segment from Kenneth Grahame's "The Wind in the Willows." It involves Mr. Toad of Toad Hall, a rich character who has a fixation on expensive gadgets. He buys himself a motor car and proceeds to terrorize the countryside. Eventually, getting put in prison. The question is, "Does he learn a lesson?" The second is probably the most famous Halloween story: Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." This, of course, is the story of Ichabod Crane, the scrawny schoolmaster who falls in love with Katrina Van Tassel. Unfortunately, a man known as Bram Bones, a huge man and a bully is also vying for the fair maiden's hand. There is also a legend of a headless horseman which permeates the story. Great narration and fine filmmaking. See these if you can. Both are delightful.