Sunday Brunch - A Movie Treat by guest writer, Brent Dodge

Welcome to the 100th Sunday Brunch! While I may not be a food expert like Reuben, I can spout off facts about Walt Disney World and Disney films like no other. So, this week let's take a look at the type of Disney food that was around before Disney food was even edible! I know, we are starting off in a confusing way, but that's right where I want you.

There's a famous line that Walt once said that nearly every Disney fan has heard at one point or another: "I just hope we never lose sight of one thing. That it was all started by a mouse." That's true for the Disney empire, but in Disney full length animated films it could be said that it all started with an apple. Food has been a center point of Disney films since Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and has continued up to films like Wreck-It Ralph (the unbelievable candy filled world of Sugar Rush) and Brave (where Hamish, Harris, and Hubert are magically transformed due to their obsession with snacks).

While there are several moments in Disney film we could pinpoint and talk about how food had an impact on the overall plot development (Be Our Guest anyone?), there probably hasn't been a more crucial food scene than the one found in Snow White and Seven Dwarfs which debuted nearly 75 years ago. While the film up to that point has been cute and happy, with the exception of the Queen wanting Snow White's heart in a box, the scene that truly moves the film along is when the Queen transforms herself into an old hag and makes a poison apple that will put Snow White into a sleeping spell (naturally the spell can be broken by Love's First Kiss).

While the scene could be looked at in a Biblical way (Adam and Eve), it naturally makes sense that Snow White would gladly accept this magic wishing apple from an old hag. As Reuben has pointed out time and time again, food brings people together and in this case there is no exception. If it weren't for a simple apple, Snow White and the Prince may have never ended up happily every after. Of course, apples have been found in other Disney films (also in the spirit of bringing people together) with Johnny Appleseed and Aladdin, but I'm getting ahead of myself. That's a Sunday Brunch that's just waiting for you to discover in the future. Until next time, don't take food from strangers, unless you are trying to find your Prince, then by all means, go for it.