The Truth About Mother Goose

The Truth About Mother Gooseis an animated film released on August 28, 1957, byWalt Disney Productions.The short was directed byWolfgang Reithermanin hisdirectorial debut,andBill Justice,and written byBill Peet.

Plot

In this short, a trio of jazz-singing jesters sing threeMother Goosenursery rhymes,while an off screen narrator explains their origins in three animated vignettes. The rhymes include:

• "Little Jack Horner":Thomas Horner (steward toRichard Whiting,the last abbot ofGlastonbury), allegedly stealing atitle deedin transit toHenry VIIIof England.
• "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary":The life ofMary Stuart.The segment claims that the "silver bells" are said to "refer to the elaborate decoration on her dresses", the "cockle shells" to her love of exotic food such as cockles, with the "pretty maids all in a row" referring to her ladies-in-waiting.
• "London Bridge Is Falling Down":The gradual deterioration and dilapidation of the medievalOld London Bridge.

Academy Awards

The short was nominated for theAcademy Award for Best Animated Short Filmin 1957, but lost to theMerrie MelodiescartoonBirds Anonymous.

Home media

The short was released on December 6, 2005, onWalt Disney Treasures: Disney Rarities – Celebrated Shorts: 1920s–1960s.

External links

• The Truth About Mother GooseatIMDb
• The Truth About Mother GooseDisney shorts (Internet Archive)