Bernard (The Rescuers)
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Bernard, the mouse, is a fictional character in Margery Sharp's Miss Bianca stories, and a protagonist in Disney's 1977 animated film, The Rescuers.
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[edit] Bernard and Miss Bianca
The timid mouse Bernard works as a janitor at the Rescue Aid Society, a mouse organization for rescue in an underground floor inside the United Nations. Bernard is secretly in love with Hungary's representative, the lovely Miss Bianca, but he is too shy to let her know his feelings and is ignorant to the fact that Miss Bianca feels a friendly affection towards him as well. When the Rescue Aid Society finds a human bottle containing a plea for help, the delicate Miss Bianca is heartbroken after hearing the message which is from a little girl. Miss Bianca begs Mr. Chairman that he'll allow her to take part in this dangerous mission and Bernard is surprised when she asks him to be her parter in this journey.
The two mice then follow their only clue and come to Morningside Orphanage, where they meet Rufus. Rufus, an old cat tells his story of the poor little orphan girl who wanted nothing more than a loving family and who now seems to have run away. Unconvinced, Bernard choses to believe that Penny did not run off, instead, he believes she might have been kidnapped. Rufus gives them their newest clue, Madame Medusa. After further investigation, the courageous duo discover that the girl has indeed been kidnapped, by Madame Medusa and her three henchmen, Mr. Snoops and her two crocodiles, Brutus and Nero. Madame needs a small girl to squeeze into an underground pirate cave and search for the Devil's Eye, the world's largest diamond.
[edit] Personality
In the film, Bernard is a symbol of bravery. Although Miss Bianca is often credited with being the "brain" of the duo, Bernard is no less intelligent, perhaps, less brave. Still, when it comes to impress his partner, Bernard will take courage from wherever inside him and will not fail to do his part. An important aspect of Bernard's personality is that of a highly superstitious being. Terribly afraid of the number 13 (As well as flying), Bernard often encounters obstacles in his responsabilities.
[edit] Trivia
- Bernard was voiced by Bob Newhart and his animation was directed by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston.
- Bob Newhart, who voiced Bernard, was afraid of flying himself. One of Newhart's comedy routines was called "The Mrs. Grace L. Ferguson Airline (And Storm Door Company)", wherein he explains why he hates to fly. The Disney crew then used this information when it came time to develop the personality of their animated character.
[edit] Origin
Disney's Bernard was inspired by Bernard in Margery Sharp's The Rescuers series and much of his personality and character were kept. However, in Disney's The Rescuers, Bernard's role is more significant, as opposed to in the novel, Miss Bianca in which Bernard has a very minor role and the rescue was left almost entirely to Miss Bianca herself.
