There have been many adaptations of Washington Irving’s 1820 short story 'Sleepy Hollow' over the decades.
Tim Burton did his famous gothic version starring Johnny Depp back in 1999 as Ichabod Crane as a detective trying to solve a series of murders in Sleepy Hollow in 1799. Fox did a TV series back in 2013 starring Tom Mison as Ichabod Crane in which Ichabod is woken 300 years later Captain America-style to present day Sleepy Hollow after supposedly dying in battle during the late 1700's...and not far behind him rides the Headless Horseman.
Probably one of the lesser-known versions is Disney's animated version back in 1949 which starred singing and acting legend Bing Crosby. Probably because it was part of 'The Adventures of Ichabod Crane and Mr Toad' which was basically two short stories in one animated film.
This animated film was done back in the days in which Disney wasn’t afraid to go dark with their cartoons unlike current day Disney. The terrifying scene in which Ichabod gets chased by the Headless Horseman is further proof of that era.
The story starts off with Bing Crosby's voiceover talking about Ichabod Crane, the School Master who has just arrived in the small village of Sleepy Hollow (the opening number 'Ichabod Crane'). As Ichabod walks down the street with his nose in his book, he doesn't see that people are looking at him including the many women who are remarking on his good-looks.
It isn't before long that Ichabod is teaching young kids at the local school. Whilst he's doing his duty as a School Master he notices a couple of kids that are quietly making a joke of him by drawing a Crane; a type of bird that Ichabod resembles. Ichabod is about to deliver a punishment before he remembers that the boy's mother is an excellent cook and instead lets the boy off. Another reason is that Ichabod wants to keep on being on "good terms with his pupils; especially if their mothers happen to be excellent cooks".
Sometime later whilst Ichabod is at the local park, Katrina Van Tassel and her father are also out for a walk. It is during this scene ('Katrina') in which Ichabod and Katrina first meet...all whilst Katrina is being followed around by a lot of male admires.
Taken by Katrina's beauty Ichabod soon sets his heart and mind on her and makes it his ambition to court her.
As with many Disney animated films at the time, 'Sleepy Hollow' didn't become a proper classic until it was rereleased on VHS. I didn't get this until it came out on DVD and it was something that I had been wanting to see for years and hadn't got the chance until then...and I must say that it was worth the wait!
If there's one thing I've always enjoyed about this film, besides the charming animation, it's Bing Crosby's performance even though I'm not a fan of him but I can appreciate what he brought to the film. One of my favourite moments is 'The Headless Horseman' number which is most likely the very first Disney villain song and a very underrated one at that. The song is very catchy and is nearly next to impossible to stop humming once you've heard it.
I suggest that if Disney is stupid enough to do a live action remake...DON'T TONE DOWN THE HORROR! The whole point of it is that it's meant to be a Gothic horror story! But of course, we all know that current day Disney won't do that and they most certainly won't be making Ichabod Crane a lady's man! Can we please have Bing Crosby back?
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