When An American Tail debuted in 1986, it was a somber, beautifully animated immigration fable that proved Don Bluth could challenge the Disney hegemony. However, by the time the sequel, , hit theaters in November 1991, the landscape of animation had shifted. Produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblimation studio, this theatrical follow-up traded the dark, rain-slicked streets of New York for the dusty, sun-drenched vistas of the American frontier.
While the sequel grossed nearly half of the original’s domestic take, it cost more than twice as much to produce. Theatrical rentals (studio’s share) likely failed to cover P&A (prints and advertising) plus production costs, rendering the theatrical run a financial disappointment. An American Tail- Fievel Goes West - Theatrical...
did not return to score the sequel, replaced by the legendary James Horner ? Wait—correction: The score was actually composed by James Horner (yes, the same one), but stylistically, it shifts from the klezmer-infused laments of the original to a bombastic, Copland-esque celebration of the American West. In a theater equipped with a proper sound system, the opening overture—"Dreams to Dream" (sung by Cathy Cavadini in the film, but written by Horner and Will Jennings)—swells with a reverb that mimics the vast emptiness of the prairie. When An American Tail debuted in 1986, it
In reality, the cats plan to turn the migrating mice into "mouse-burgers". The Journey: While the sequel grossed nearly half of the
The film’s eventual cult following led to a TV series ( Fievel’s American Tails ) and sustained merchandise sales.