Some Cartoons for Saturday Morning #291

 Hello my friends and happy Saturday morning. Once again, it is time for some classic cartoons. 

Today's cartoon selection begins with our friend Little Roquefort in City Slicker (1952). This is a take on the classic country mouse and city mouse story with some delightful slapstick twists of course.

To follow on the country mouse/city mouse theme, here is an especially great Silly Symphony from Disney, The Country Cousin (1936). Like many Disney films of this time this short is especially notable for its great animation. Some of the best Disney animators worked on this cartoon. Probally the one who has been singled out the most has been Art Babbitt for his excellent animation of the drunken mouse. This is appropriate because this animation is a highlight of the film. Still there is much more great animation to be found. In fact Cy Young's animation of the traffic montage was so good that the studio reused it later in the Mickey Mouse cartoon, Mickey's Delayed Date (1947).  The opening animation of the country mouse leaving for the city was by Milt Schaffer. Johnny Cannon animates the two mice meeting as well as the country mouse finding his way into a light socket and the film's ending. Marvin Woodward animates the scene with the mouse trap. Les Clark (a future member of Walt's nine old men and expert Mickey Mouse animator) gets to shine with his animation of the mice on the table and the country mouse after eating hot mustard. Future Donald Duck director, Jack Hannah doesn't have much to animate in this film. He only animates the plates falling on the floor. Paul Allen animates the two mice parachuting and some of the action with the cat. This cartoon won the Academy Award for best animated short film. It won the Academy Award for Best Cartoon Production. The cartoon made its TV debut on an episode of the Disneyland TV show entitled, From Aesop to Hans Christian Anderson (1955). 

Now for the Talkartoons cartoon, The Robot (1932). This film stars Bimbo, who started off as a starring character but would later become a supporting character for Betty Boop, whose stardom would eclipse his. You can see a primitive early version of Betty in this film. 

Next is the Terry Toons cartoon, Uncle Joey (1941). The title character is a caricature of comedian/actor Joe E. Brown. A review from the National Board of Review Magazine stated, "A cute cartoon about a mouse and a cat. The cat isn't as wicked as cartoon cats usually are, but he gets worsted anyway."

Now it is time for a commercial break. 

Next comes the last of the great series of cartoons of the 1940's teaming Donald Duck and Goofy together, Crazy With the Heat (1947). These cartoons are delightful all the way, with Goofy's obliviousness to his circumstances (however bad they may be) playing off of Donald's insane temper. This just gets Donald more and more annoyed as the films get funnier and funnier. This is a rare Disney cartoon short directed by Bob Carlson, who mostly worked as an animator by the studio. With how funny this film is that certainly seems a shame. A review in The Film Daily called this cartoon, "Exceptionally good." I can't argue with that.

Next comes one of my favorite early Bugs Bunny films, The Wabbit Who Came to Supper (1942). One of the things you will notice first about this cartoon is how the characters are drawn. Bugs will often go off model in a way you would never see in a later short (around 1944 this would come to an end). Elmer is also in his heavier set design. Bob Clampett had redesigned the character for his cartoon Wabbit Twouble (1941) and that design would stick for four more cartoons (including this one). The design was based off of Elmer's voice artist, Arthur Q. Bryan. Yet there is so much to enjoy about this cartoon that you won't care how the characters look. Director Friz Freleng is known for how perfectly he could time a gag and this is incredibly evident. There are also plenty of incredibly clever gags from writer Michael Maltese (who would go on to form a writer/director partnership with director Chuck Jones that would result in some of the funniest and most famous cartoons of all time). Many of these gags would take cartoon logic to ridiculous and hilarious extremes. A review in The Film Daily called this short, "Tremendously hilarious." A review in The Exhibitor stated, "This has many humorous moments, even if not ranking with the best of the B.B. series. However with that title and his popularity, this offers an opportunity." The following is an exhibitor's review from the Motion Picture Herald, "Wabbit Who Came to Supper: Merrie Melodies Cartoons- Good. This series is taking off fast. They are asking when we are having our next 'carrot eating rabbit.' - A.H. Goldson, Plaza Theatre, Chicago, Ill." 

Next comes the Color Rhapsody cartoon, Lucky Pigs (1939). 

 

Now to close with a song. 

Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for more animated treasures. Until then may all tunes be looney and your melodies merry. 

Resources Used

Walt Disney's Silly Symphonies: A Companion to the Classic Cartoon Series by Russell Merritt and J.B. Kaufman 

Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: A Complete Illustrated Guide to the Warner Brothers Cartoons by Jerry Beck and Will Friedwald 

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

 

Silent Film of the Month: The Adventures of Pinocchio (1911)

 

Run Time: 50 minutes. Studio: Società Italiana Cines. Director: Giulio Antamoro. Main Cast: Polidor, Augusto Mastripietri, Natalino Guillaume, Lea Giunchi. 

The 1940 Disney film version of Pinocchio has had a permanent effect on how people view the character and his story. Though there have been many film versions of the character since then, almost all of them have been at least partially inspired by the Disney movie. However, the story of Pinocchio has been around much longer than that. In fact, Disney's version wasn't even the earliest film adaption of Collodi's classic story. In hindsight it is a bit shocking to watch a film version of Pinocchio that came out before the Disney version was even thought of and was not affected at all by that landmark movie. However, that is also what makes this 1911 silent movie such a joy to watch. 

The storyline here definitely reflects Collodi more than it does Disney. While Disney created a tightly woven and traditionally structured story, this silent film keeps the very episodic nature of Collodi's original version. The storyline here is simply treated as an excuse for the wooden puppet to get into one misadventure after another. Unlike the Disney version, Pinocchio's goal to become a real boy is less important than the various misadventures he gets in along the way. 

With its episodic structure, this is easily the most playful film adaption of the story. Imagination and fun set pieces take front stage here. As such it lacks the emotional connection of later film adaptions or the depth of Collodi's original story. However, it makes more than up for this in pure fun. There is such a surrealistic and playful tone here that I couldn't help but have a great time watching it. The movie doesn't take itself too seriously and we don't have to either. We can just enjoy the pure imagination and silliness. This is heavily enhanced by the look of the film, which embraces the more surrealistic and adventurous feel of the story. There are times when the costumes can look a bit more like something out of a play version than a film adaption, but this actually fits perfectly with the tone of the film.  Ferdinand Guillame (an acrobatic clown who was already well known to Italian movie goers) is very charming and energetic in the main as the main character. He can mug at times but that honestly fits considering the tone of the film. 

As an adaption, this film is rather strange. Most of the set pieces come directly from the original. However, they seemed to be shuffled into a completely random order. The result is that none of the sequences seems to lead into the next. As episodic as the original story was, each misadventure seemed directly lead into the next. As fun as this movie is, the shuffling of scenes from the original story can make it feel a bit disjointed in a way that the source material did not.

The same year this film was released, Collidi's original story was reissued in a new storybook version which featured new illustrations by Attilio Mussino. Interestingly the look of this film is extremely similar to that of Mussino's illustrations. For many Italians of that generation Mussino's illustrations become the definitive look for Pinocchio.

If you want to watch this fun film, you can do so below.

Resources Used

Pinocchio: The Making of The Disney Epic by J.B. Kaufman

https://wise-cafe.com/2023/08/31/pinocchi-o-rama-8-pinocchio-aka-the-adventures-of-pinocchio-1911/

 

Movie Review: Spider-Man: Brand New Day

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

A superior superhero movie. 

This ranks among one of the best live action Spider-Man movies (even if Spider-Man 2 (2004) still gets the top spot for me). The reason for this is simple. The new Spider-Man movie is full of heart. What has always made Spider-Man stand out with all the superheroes out there is not the superpowers or the villains. Rather it is the person behind the mask. The best Spider-Man stories, whether in comics or film, have always been more about Peter Parker than about Spider-Man and that is easily the case here. Though there are some stellar Spider-Man action scenes here, the heart of the story revolves around Peter Parker's loneliness. This film focuses on Peter's fear to let anyone in and to love him after the passing of his Aunt May. As the film starts superhero-ing is becoming the character's full life as a way to compensate for how lonely his personal life is. As Peter, he spends nearly all his time watching social media videos of his former friends being sad he is not there. Yet as the movie goes on Peter's loneliness and action-packed adventures become quite intwined creating many moments that will truly pull on your heart strings. Tom Holland's previous films as the webslinger have been rather lighthearted, however he proves he is more than up to the more emotionally heavy material given to him here. 

Yet as well as being quite emotional, this movie is also a lot of fun. As mentioned before the action scenes are fantastic. The action-packed climax is truly wonderful. This movie also has some of the funniest post-Endgame bits of MCU humor. Unlike the weakest MCU films, the humor and the drama are balanced out very well. The filmmakers know when to be funny and when to be serious. Neither ever gets in the way of the other. 

Like many Marvel movies, this tries to put a lot of Marvel into a movie that is supposed to be about a specific one. On the bright side all of these characters are entertaining in their roles. On the downside it can make the movie feel a bit overstuffed. However, this is not enough to truly hurt a movie as delightful as this. 

A must-watch for all Marvel fans.  

Video Link: The ANONYMOUS Artist Who Made Donald Duck a Star -West of Neverland

 

Movie Review: Motor City

 

Michael's Movie Grade: C+ 

An enjoyable but very flawed action flick. 

In this film, a man is framed for an illegal drug haul by a criminal who steals his girlfriend while he is in prison. When the man gets out of prison he hunts for the man who ruined his life.  

This film greatly resembles Silent Night (2023). Both are action movies with revenge plots, and both tell their stories without the benefit of dialogue. Yet I personally feel that Silent Night did this much better. In Silent Night the lack of dialogue felt natural, and you almost forgot that there wasn't any dialogue. Here the lack of dialogue feels instead like a gimmick and honestly comes off as a vit distracting. You are constantly aware that the filmmakers are trying to tell this story without dialogue. The filmmakers seem to be trying much too hard to not have the characters speak. There are moments where the actors are doing over the top mugging to have the characters communicate without speaking. In silent films the characters mouths still move, even though we don't hear what they are saying. This feels more authentic and believable because they are communicating like people, even if we can't hear what they are saying. What we have here instead feels forced and gimmicky.

However, there is still quite a bit to enjoy here. The action scenes are exciting and a lot of fun. They are over the top and violent in the most fun way possible. The film has a wonderfully stylistic neo-noir look that gives this film a delightfully atmospheric pulpy feel. The movie also benefits from a very strong soundtrack that effectively uses various 70's tunes in a way that causes the movie to really come to life. 

Despite being overly gimmicky, there is some fun to be found with this stylish action film.  

Full Schedule for Cinecon 62 is Online

 

For true movie lovers, the Cinecon Film Festival is one of the greatest highlights of the year. This film festival is aimed at the most dedicated cinephiles, and you can spend five days living a life that completely revolves around movies. These are not just any movies, but many are films that even the most die-hard movie buffs have never seen. Most of them come from the silent era through the 1940's, though some later films are included as well. For many of these films this is the only way you can see them as they aren't available on home video or streaming. Though these are mostly old films, you are experiencing them with an audience who has also never seen them and doesn't know what to expect. This makes them feel so fresh, new and exciting. 

As well as being filled with movies, the festival also honors some great special guest stars. And this year has some truly incredible guest stars. Receiving the Cinecon Legacy Awards this year are Lainie Kazan, Nancy Kwan, Barbara Eden (of I Dream of Jeanie fame) and Anna Maria Alberghetti. Each will be interviewed following a showing of a lesser-known film of theirs. For Lainie Kazan they will be showing My Favorite Year (1982). For Nancy Kwan, they will show, The Main Attraction (1962). For Barbara Eden, there will be a screening of All Hands on Deck (1961). That movie features Pat Boone, who will be presenting Barbara Eden with her award. For Anna Maria Alberghetti, there will be a screening of The Starts are Singing (1953). 

Other highlights of the festival include a new restoration of the silent OZ film, The Magic Cloak of OZ (1914), the John Ford directed silent, 3 Bad Men (1926), the John Wayne B-Western, The Lucky Texan (1934), the rarely seen tru-color musical That’s My Gal (1947), a tribute to the George Pal's stop motion Puppetoons and rare Paramount Technicolor shorts. As well as the cinematic treats there will be some rare early live television delights featuring comedians Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Jackie Gleason and Sid Ceaser. 

The film festival will be held at the Landmark Nuart Theatre in West Los Angeles (11272 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025), It will take place Labor Day Weekend from September 3-7, 2026. 

To view the full schedule and buy tickets for the festival, please go to Cinecon's website by clicking here. 

 

 

Movie Review: One Night Only

 

Michael's Movie Grade: D-

An R-rated romantic comedy that is neither funny nor romantic.

In this film, pre-marital sex has been outlawed in the U.S. However single people are legally allowed to have sex one day a year. A man (Callum Turner) and a woman (Monica Barbaro) go out looking for romance on this night, while everyone around them are simply only interested in sex. 

I can't get over how stupid the concept for this movie is. The premise is completely nonsensical and doesn't even make sense in the context of a raunchy comedy. In the film's defense it never treats this insane premise as some serious commentary but rather just as a set up for the story. Still, to me at least, when such a premise sets the story in motion, I find myself constantly taken out of the movie because the stupidity is simply too distracting. 

Perhaps this could be forgiven if the film was either funny or romantic. However, it is neither. I don't think I laughed once during this movie. It seems to mistake being over the top and very vulgar as being funny. However, it simply tries too hard to be both those things that it never is actually funny. The romance on the other hand feels way too rushed. The romance is never given enough time to be fleshed out in any way. Because of this it never feels like any character believably falls in love with another. Therefore, when such a thing is supposed to have happened it feels completely forced. 

 Don't waste your time with this.