Disney Archives


hen Ichabod looks in the mirror, he sees someone charming, sophisticated, and cultured, but what the other denizens of Sleepy Hollow see is something completely different. "Lean and lanky, skin and bone, with clothes a scarecrow would like to own." No one in town has ever met anyone like the new schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane. With an ego that measures up to his "prodigious" appetite and ungainly height, he's sure no lady can resist his charms. That's why he settles on the lovely Katrina, the richest, most beautiful catch in town, as the object of his affections. He doesn't care that he's got a handsome rival for Katrina's love: Brom Bones, Sleepy Hollow's favorite son. Ichabod's sure that an intelligent and debonair gentleman like himself can sweep all such contenders off the field! But when Ichabod woos Katrina on Halloween night, he should be sure he truly has the field to himself, and that there are no other spooky rivals for the maiden's hand.

"The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad" was the last "anthology" film released before there was a postwar return to full-length features with "Cinderella" (1950). The "Sleepy Hollow" segment of this film was narrated by Bing Crosby and his mellow singing style was gently spoofed when Ichabod teaches an adoring group of ladies to sing. The character design was also loosely based on Crosby, who was famously kidded about the size of his ears by his "Road Picture" partner and friend, Bob Hope.

Film: "The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad" (1949)
Voice Artist: Bing Crosby

Download images for your desktop.