Finding Freedom Rumours Confirmed

Meghan's Hypocrisy Exposed 

   When the book 'Finding Freedom' was released there was speculation about whether or not Meghan had been involved. After all, there were details that really only members of the Royal Family would know. The book had been called long-winded and overly sugary by many and people have been saying all along that there are parts of the book detailing thing that had to have come from Meghan, no-one else would know about it. While one of the authors, Omid Scobie, has always denied her involvement it has now been confirmed, by Meghan herself. That means that any claims by Meghan or anyone else that she was not involved with the book was a blatant lie. All us apparently cruel, judgemental people were bang on the money.

  For those of you who don't know, this information has come from court documents. Meghan has done what Americans do best and sued the associated press for invading her privacy, such as it is. This is already problematic because what right does someone sending photos to the press and signing a fly on the wall reality TV show deal have to demand privacy? You don't go on about privacy and then do a reality TV show. You just don't. It is further evidence of Meghan's blatant hypocrisy. It is helpful to a lot of people to now know that Meghan and Omid Scobie were lying through their teeth when they claimed she was not involved in his book, Finding Freedom. Any claims she makes against the press or anyone now will be called into question She has essentially admitted that she is a liar, not great during a court case.

  There is a further problem with this admission. While Meghan has now admitted to essentially violating her own privacy, it is likely this could have on impact on Meghan and Harry's deal with the Queen. I'm pretty sure any royal being involved with a book like this could be a serious breech of protocol. I think all Meghan seems to be doing recently is advertising why she is no longer fit to be a Duchess. There are rules to follow and she is pushing the boundaries to breaking point, dragging her husband into it with her. She seems to forget that she and Harry are still in a probationary period with the Queen. She may ultimately decide to strip them of their titles, especially if they break the agreement they made with her.

  It does seem to be getting to the point where the cracks in Meghan's claims, about anything, are turning into wide gaping holes. Her hypocrisy and lies are overshadowing her attempts to establish herself during a pandemic. It may be that she is trying desperately to grasp straws while her well structured story of victimisation, innocence and privacy plea unravels around her. This could be the first in a series of events that shows Meghan for who she really is. A lying, hypocritical, spotlight seeking has-been. I'm sure people will have a problem with me saying this. I'm sure for some unfathomable reason I'll be called a racist. (I have not once mentioned her race). I really don't care, I am entitled to my opinion and I'm sure I'm not the only one who has it. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, which with any luck will no longer be called that before too long, are doing little to endear themselves to anyone at the moment and this latest admission, is just going to make things worse for them. Whatever you think of them, there is no denying that this time, she lied.

  

Forgotten Disney Films

 Forgotten Animated Disney Films

  Disney films, there are many. The forgotten ones are the early live action ones mostly, closely followed by bad/unnecessary sequels/prequels. The sequels and prequels are often a shameless attempt to cash-in. They are almost never as good or well-loved as the original. I think the only one that got good feedback was Cinderella III: A Twist In Time. Now there are Disney films that are underrated and those that are rightly passed over. Even Disney can't get it right every time. Whilst there are dozens of live action Disney films that seemed to have been forgotten, there are some animated ones that really don't get the recognition they deserve. While I may one day have the time and money to watch and critique all of them (donations are welcome) The ones I have seen are limited. Some big ones seem to be considered to be underrated, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Tarzan, even The Princess and the Frog. I wish to focus however, on ones that are not only underrated, but often quite unfairly forgotten about. 

  I have seen most, but not all of these, I will explain why for some. One I have seen that seems forgotten about more often than not is the following.

The Three Caballeros 1944

   The Three Caballeros is one of those films that combined animation with live-action. That was still pretty cool back in the 40s, if not an exact art. This is a rare one as it is essentially about Donald Duck, not a member of the Disney family you expect to have his own film. However it is not an origins story or anything like that, it is just that Donald Duck is the only Disney character that features and it is about him celebrating his birthday. Now, while a forgotten film it is not an underrated one. This is very much of it's time. Not an easy story to follow, it is sexist, racist (set in Mexico but nothing but white faces) and confusing. I have only watched this once, I may watch it again one day but it is not one I am eager to rewatch. There is one good thing about this film, the title song. The song itself and the sequence that accompanies it is worth watching. I have always loved it. Remember Disney sing-along songs? It was on one of those. I did see a promo for the film itself at the beginning of one of my many Disney VHS tapes (do not ask me which one I have no idea).  Other than this, I never really heard about it. Now I have watched it and it was okay I guess. You are not missing much if you don't have it. Also I'm pretty sure the last part is Donald Duck on a drug trip, I think he took something in Mexico, I can't explain the last sequence any other way. If you want to watch it feel free but if you are not that bothered, rest assured you really are not missing anything. You can watch the title song segment on Youtube after all.

Make Mine Music 1946

 Now, I sadly haven't seen this, I do plan to one day. A wartime film it is a little like Fantasia in it's structure. Lots of segments put together to make a film. I do remember seeing a trailer for this because it features Peter and The Wolf. I distinctly remember that. Basically this is music songs that have had animated segments made to go with them. It is a film though, and seems to be stories rather than sequences. A little more of a narrative than Fantasia. Like I said I haven't seen it so I don't know how good it is but it does seem to have sadly been largely forgotten.

Fun and Fancy Free 1947 

  The original of this had two stories, Bongo the Bear and Mickey and the Beanstalk. Now I had a video called Mickey and the Beanstalk, I did not have Fun and Fancy Free. I have no recollection at all of the story of Bongo the Bear so I'm thinking Mickey and the Beanstalk was released on it's own and I had that. Now that, was good clean fun. No it is not challenging, yes we pretty much know the story (they changed it a little) and yes there is a slightly disturbing scene where a starving Donald Duck goes a little crazy from hunger but I think it is underrated. As you can tell from the cover Goofy is also in this film. When did a film that is just good clean fun become a bad thing? These days there has to be a really compelling story and a moral and CGI but this a gem of the animation era. I loved this film and even today I think it is enjoyable. If you haven't seen this I really think you should. Of course, I can't really comment on the Bongo the Bear story but Mickey and the Beanstalk, I think it's worth it. Also, for us fans who care, this is the last time Walt Disney voiced Mickey Mouse. That's got to mean something.

 The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr Toad 1949

  I really want this! I think I'll buy this post Christmas and finally see it. I remember again, seeing a trailer for this on a VHS. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is an interesting story for Disney to tackle and is, as I understand, one of it's darker ones. Although I saw the characters of Rat and Mole from the Wind in the Willows cast in different roles for another Disney adaptation I have never actually watched this film. As such I can't really say whether or not it's underrated but it is often forgotten and actually sounds like good fun to me. Maybe the darker themes put people off.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks 1971

  Not one of the best Disney films it is far from the worst. Maybe a little dated now but it does have it's moments and although technically this is mostly a live action film, it does have the live action and animation treatment in a couple of it's more memorable scenes. I do think this is underrated, possibly because it is another one that is a lot of fun. There are dark moments too, after all it is set during the second world war and follows three children evacuated to the home of a witch. A good witch as far as it goes but a witch nonetheless. There is also her slightly unscrupulous friend. A good family film too often overlooked. 

Robin Hood 1973

  The animal kingdom's version of Robin Hood. Okay so it's rushed and it's little more than recycled scenes stuck together haphazardly but it's an easy watch and while there are only a few songs, both Oo-De-Lally and The Phony King of England are worth a listen. A forgotten film featuring the voice of Peter Ustinov I think it is a little underrated. I may be biased as I do love the song Oo-De-Lally (UK residents may recognise it from the Android advert a few years ago). With drama, romance, comedy, action and a nail biting castle scene, this forgotten gem ticks all the Disney boxes.

The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh 1977

 

 I love Winnie-the-Pooh, I really do! I did have most of the original tales growing up courtesy of my Mother's collection. They were and are stories I find very enjoyable. Now of course you can say it's about mental illness, or religion or whatever else you can find (you can do that with anything these days) but Winnie-The-Pooh is about a boy's adventures with his soft toys. Winnie-the-Pooh is of course a bear, there is also Piglet, Tigger, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga, Roo and Eeyore.  This was a collection of the original stories and it seems to have been completely forgotten. It is underrated, after all, these are stories loved by many and seem to have stood the test of time admirably. Another film underrated purely because it's good clean fun.

The Rescuers 1977/ The Rescuers Down Under 1990

 

  The Rescuers is about the 'Rescue Aid Society', a society of mice from every country in the world who meet when they believe someone is in need of their help. Someone takes the assignment and tries to help. Bianca from Hungary and Bernard from the USA take on the assignment to help a young orphan called Penny who has been kidnapped from the orphanage and sent a plea for help in a bottle. While a still from this film has made the rounds on the internet, when someone spotted the picture of a topless lady in the background, the film itself is not a popular one. I love this film. It had plenty of dark moments as well as comedy. It is a film that I believe has not aged as badly as it could have done. Of course it has a sequel.

  A rare Disney sequel that is as good as the original, The Rescuers Down Under managed to be good by eliminating supporting characters from the first film. The Rescue Aid Society and the two main characters are still here but, even though there is a reference to a character from the first film, no other characters appear. While it technically can be watched without watching the first one I think it helps a little with character development.  Also this is a little darker but no less enjoyable. While there are some moments that will tug at the heartstrings a little, this is a Disney film and is very enjoyable. Two films that really have taken an unearned backseat. Ones to watch.

Mickey's Christmas Carol 1983

  Mickey Mouse, 92 years young and counting, has taken on a few classic tales. The Prince and the Pauper in 1990 was his first time back in cinemas for almost ten years. 

  This film features characters from The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr Toad, Pinocchio, Mickey and the Beanstalk and Robin Hood. 

  In this, Mickey Mouse takes on the role of Bob Cratchit while Minnie (his wife for at least 77 years now) played his wife. No prizes for guessing who played Ebenezer Scrooge and his nephew. In a departure from some Mickey Mouse films all the characters took on roles from the original story and no-one played themselves. I think my favourite is Goofy as Jacob Marley. not the only adaptation of this classic tale it is a faithful one and a great Disney film for the Christmas season. 

The Black Cauldron 1985

  Now here is a forgotten one. Even those who know of it have rarely seen it (in my experience). I'm sure some hardcore Disney fans have this in their collection, this is one I have yet to see. Now this may be a good thing. I have seen clips and the villain in this terrifies me! Up until this I though Chernabog (the mountain in Fantasia) was the scariest Disney character but the Horned King is really frightening. 

  For a film from the 80s this is pretty dark! No I haven't seen it but I have heard good things. While this is nobody's favourite Disney film (as far as I know) it receives a lot of praise from fans. I do plan to see it one day, not on my own perhaps. It is one that is often overlooked so I look forward to seeing if it's deserved or not.

The Great Mouse Detective 1986

  Who doesn't love a mouse version of Sherlock Holmes? Basil of Baker Street is The Great Mouse Detective in this forgotten gem. Investigating the disappearance of a toy maker, Basil and his new friend Dr Dawson struggle to care for Olivia while searching for her father, kidnapped by Basil's arch nemesis, Professor Ratigan. This could have easily been made into a series of films but I think it was better to just stick to the one. A recording of the late (even then) great Basil Rathbone was used for a short scene featuring Sherlock Holmes. In one of his last and best-loved roles, Vincent Price voices the evil Professor Ratigan. 

  A very under-rated film it did enjoy critical and financial success when it was released. It is a gripping story with plenty of dark moments (the line "worse than the widows and orphans you drowned" was a shock when I finally heard it) interlaced with drama and comedy. One of my favourite moments has to be the song 'World's Greatest Criminal Mind'. With a clever plot and terrifying final scene, it is a film every Disney fan should see at least once.

Oliver and Company 1988

  I waited years to see this film and I can honestly say, I was disappointed. The Disney version of Oliver is forgettable with a rushed storyline and the bare minimum of Disney charm. I think Disney missed a trick here, they could have done a lot more with both this story and this film. Not a lot happens in this film and whoever wrote the songs only had one that is memorable. Now don't get me wrong, younger children will probably like it but it fails as a family film. It's one redeeming quality? Billy Joel as Dodger. Not really worth watching as far as I'm concerned. By all means do, it is a little like 'The Three Cabelleros' in that I'm glad I watched it but doubt I will again. Do watch/listen to the song 'Why Should I Worry?" though, that is worth it.

Duck Tales The Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp 1990

  I used to love Duck Tales, I still love the song. I know the series was re-made but the opening titles put me off. I thought the animation was awful and the song wasn't as good. It was the same song but badly done. Why mess with a classic? I could have probably really liked new episodes if at least the animation had been the same but I really felt they ruined it. This film though, this is a classic. Featuring Scrooge McDuck, his nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie and their friend Webby, this is a good old-fashioned Disney film. Showing plenty of moments with Scrooge's slightly softer side, it is a fun family film. You could probably guess the main storyline, it is a little Aladdin meets Ali Baba but original enough to not be boring. A must see for Duck Tales fans, highly recommended to everyone else.

James and the Giant Peach 1996

  I admit I didn't know this was a Disney film. I saw it at the cinema knowing the story (I was a Roald Dahl fan as a child) and knowing it was a child's film but I had no idea it was a Disney one. A rare stop-motion animation film (with live action at the beginning and end) it worked quite well. As Roald Dahl stories can be very dark the story was changed a little but the main plot was still there and I did enjoy it. Forgotten more as people don't know it's a Disney film and a rare move from Disney doing stop-motion instead of drawn animation it's not one I miss oddly, thought I would when I first saw it. Is it underrated? I really don't know, it is forgotten. Worth a watch definitely but not one I feel I need in my collection. Maybe because I've seen it a few times and remember it well. Maybe because I know the story so well. Either way not one I think I'll buy anytime soon.

Enchanted 2007

  A little like Bedknobs and Broomsticks this is mostly live action but spends a reasonable amount of time as an animation, so it counts. Enchanted is a very modern Disney film, poking fun at the traditional fairy tales Disney started with. As it says, a Disney classic with a twist, it takes the well-known Disney elements and drops them into the real world. A very funny comedy, this is one for the family to enjoy. For us girls there is Dr McDreamy, for the kids there's the Disney classic and for the family it's the twist. At first glance almost a silly film, it works remarkably well and is often better than people expect. Passed over without people actually seeing it, it is definitely underrated. One I highly recommend to all.

So, a few to add the list if you haven't already seen them. Find them (if you can) on Disney+ or do it the old fashioned way. If you are in isolation or going through lockdown still it is a good excuse to catch up on Disney films. If not, do you really need an excuse when it's Disney?

Harry and Meghan's "Distasteful PR Stunt"

 

  

 Harry Mountbatten-Windsor served in the armed forces, under his real name, Henry, for ten years. As such he is expected to pay his respects on Remembrance Sunday. As he is no longer a working royal, even if Covid-19 restrictions were not in place, he probably wouldn't be at the service in London. As such, he had to commemorate it his own way.

  Firstly. Harry requested that a personal wreath from him be placed at the cenotaph by the royal family during the ceremony, this was refused. While at first glance this seems unkind, it's just not done. No member of the royal family lays a personal wreath at the cenotaph, the wreaths they lay are on behalf of the public and specific parts of the military. The royal family laying the wreaths is part of their royal duties. There are local ceremonies with veteran wreaths placed so he could have easily asked to have a wreath placed at one of those but he didn't.

 At the ceremony the first wreaths were placed by Prince Charles, these were The Monarch's Wreath and Prince of Wales Wreath on behalf of the nation. The Captain of the Intelligence Corps, the Duke of Edinburgh, lays the Consort Wreath which is again on behalf of the nation. Prince William lays the Royal Air Force Wreath. The Earl of Wessex lays the Royal Wessex Yeomanry Wreath and Princess Anne lays The Royal Navy Wreath. No personal wreaths are laid during the ceremony so Harry's request was denied for no other reason than that it's not allowed. No-one can do it, regardless of who they are.

  Having been raised in the Royal Family as a Prince, Harry would have known this. Harry was 35 when he left the Royal Family, it is not like he left early enough for protocols and the like to have been forgotten, also he only left this year (2020). I suspect, this request was a PR move. If his request had been granted, a single personal wreath form Harry, and of course his wife, would have been placed in a ceremony, the first of it's kind. I believe however, that both Harry and Meghan, knowing the rules, knew it would be refused. This gave them leave to let people know that Harry was "devastated" and "heart-broken". Spinning the story that he simply wanted to pay his respects in absentia. It is doubtful the Royal Family made this public it was undoubtedly team Harry and Meghan. Of course, expecting the refusal, they had a back-up plan.

  On Remembrance Sunday, pictures were released of Harry and Meghan visiting the Los Angeles National Cemetery to place flowers apparently from their own garden. Of course, they took a photographer with them and 8 photos were released. The story that Meghan and Harry wanted to mark the day their own way and did so doesn't ring completely true for several reasons.

  First of all, why eight photos? A statement from the couple and one or two photos and I would have believed it. True I am a judgemental person and I understand that at the moment Harry is a little damned if he does, damned if he doesn't, but marking remembrance Sunday personally does not merit eight photos. It looks crass. All they needed to do, was release a statement, however they do these days, to say they had marked Remembrance Sunday by laying some flowers at the cemetery and released two photos to go with it. Proof if you like. But no, they are released after being given to an ITV news reporter and there are eight of them. Really? News? Media? The soul sucking, addictive, venomous snake the couple hate so much? They get the photos? This is not some unscrupulous vulture with a zoom lens camping out on a nearby roof and taking candid photos, this is a photographer they took with them. It reinforces my belief that the cry for privacy and condemnation of the press is a lie the couple have used to explain their departure from the Royal Family. They once again took the spotlight from the Royal Family who stand with Britain instead of running off to LA. Harry and Meghan did what they do best, grabbed the headlines, eclipsed what should have been a poignant moment and showed how tasteless they are.

  Second of all, the weather in California on Sunday was reportedly cloudy and rainy. If these photos were taken, as claimed, on Sunday, the weather does not match up. This suggests the photos were taken earlier. Here is the proverbial back-up plan. We have these photos ready, let's wait until 8pm UK time then they can be released if our wreath request is denied. It did not only give them time to get the perfect shots, it gave them time to then choose which ones to release to the media they hate so much. Which brings us to...

  Thirdly, the L.A. National cemetery is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. How did they get in? They surely would have had to apply for special permission in advance and there would be no guarantee they'd be accepted. It also raises the question of whether their camera crew for the reality TV series (so much privacy) they've signed up for was there. You would need special permission for that but they may have taken them without permission, they do seem to feel untouchable due to their tenuous status and celebrity. If they didn't request a special visit and these photos were taken prior to Remembrance Sunday, they used veteran heroes as a back drop for a photoshoot which is incredibly distasteful.

  Now, it does seem to be the case these days that Meghan is asserting as much authority as she can over her husband. When a working royal Meghan was obliged to follow rules and her husband outranked her, I'm sure a modern American girl who is divorced and had a career had trouble with that system. Now of course, the rules don't apply to the same extent. She is still close to breaching protocol, putting herself in danger of losing the title she loves so much. However, in America and in her own home she could have serious influence on her husband, we already know she's a manipulative hypocrite and it would not surprise me if she was a fake feminist, the kind who wants to be above men not equal. My point is she may have been the one to come up with both the request for a wreath and the back up plan of the photoshoot. Harry is already showing signs of being in an abusive relationship. Whether he is or not he does seem to follow his wife's direction more often than not.

  Now, we can't know for sure what goes on behind closed doors. We can't know for sure what is going on in their heads. We cannot know how the reality show is going to go. We can't say anything for sure about this couple really, but we can look at the evidence we have. An anti-Trump video has come out, narrated by someone who wishes to remain anonymous (red flag) who sounds very much like Meghan. It may be her, it may just be someone who sounds like her but unless she can prove it isn't her, it may be the thing that loses her the title of Duchess.

  Working Royals or not, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are not allowed to get involved in politics, they have to remain impartial. Harry and Meghan have already been treading a fine line with this. Also a website publicising the fact Harry was doing a speech or appearance or something (I wasn't paying much attention to that) called him HRH Prince Harry. Now there's a mistake. Harry and Meghan gave up the HRH titles, it was part of the deal they made with the Queen. If Harry or Meghan is referred to as HRH it is in breach of their agreement. With the fine line they are walking with practically everything these days, it would not surprise me if the queen strips them of their titles. Of course there are many people who think they should lose their titles and others that think they should keep them. While Harry is the son of the future King, he is sixth in line to the throne and the Queen has to do what is best for her family and her country. It may be that The Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain that for ever, it may be that their titles are stripped. All in all I think it makes little difference. It may be a blow, almost a setback to Meghan but it won't change their behaviour, at least I don't think it will. Again it may make Harry question his marriage, and not before time. Either way this latest PR stunt is disgusting, insensitive and seems to have backfired.