The aims of this research project are to 1) historicize the Classical Hollywood orchestra, and 2) interrogate the cultural significations of the orchestral sound that Hollywood both deployed and helped to form.

Film Technique (Music and the Movies); Film and Society (1930-33); National Traits; Film Reviews.  This critic's opinions may be useful.

Basic info on Disney film Fantasia.

Coming of sound - the technologies.

"Music and the Movie" 171 (July 1935), 181-188

Chapter 6, Disney 1938-1941, gives a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Pinocchio and Fantasia. Barrier sees a shift in the Disney studio's focus during this period from character animation, evident in the earlier Snow White, to effects animation, epitomized by Fantasia in which Disney wished to avoid stories all together.

I thought this might include historical background but it's only a concert.

DVD PN1997.5 .M54 2001

 Includes 'The Band Concert' (1935) in which Mickey Mouse conducts the William Tell overture

Stokowski is in this film as himself.

By the time the cinema was born, the pianist and the orchestra had long been established in the living theater.

Marks criticizes this book's characterization of silent film music in his Music and the Silent Film. 

Cited in Daniel Goldmark's Tunes for Toons (128) for observing that "suave or tempestuous embodiments of charismatic longhairs" were common in early to mid-20th century American and English cinema (215).

Provides insight into the vagaries of the classical music world in the first half of the 20th century.  A cultural history as much as it is the story of Toscanini. 

Regarding Fantasia, observes that presenting American audiences with music of European origin poses certain challenges and inspires certain animation styles.  Otherwises discusses Fantasia's art and animation, in light of European influences, exclusively.

According to Robin Allan (Walt Disney and Europe), Culhane's book has the most comprehensive account of the effect of Fantasia on cinema-goers unfamiliar with Classical music.

More detailed history of Disney film Fantasia.

This book provides a behind the scenes look at the making of the movies told by the people who actually do it.  Max Steiner provides the chapter "Scoring the film."  He offers his version of the history of film music and his views on the proper qualities of film music.  Significantly, Steiner argues that the use of familiar music in movies is bad, but then observes that many in the industry disagree with this view.  Disney provides a chapter entitled "Mickey Mouse Presents" and comments on the Silly Symphonies and the effectivenss of fantastic worlds "governed by the laws of music and rhythm" - this written at least a year before undertaking Fantasia.