Hello again my friends and happy Saturday Morning. Once again that means it is time for some classic cartoons. As this weekend is the D23 expo (where I am going to be enjoying myself today), I feel it is only right to have this edition of Saturday Morning Cartoons to be all Disney.
Four of the early black and white Silly Symphonies each revolved around one of the four seasons. There was Springtime (1929), Summer (1930), Autumn (1930) and Winter (1930). Since it summertime right now, we will start our cartoon watching with Summer. Like many of the early Symphonies this film was directed by Ub Iwerks, who was at this time Walt's right hand man. As well as directing this film Ub also was an animator on this film animating the opening and ending of this film. When Ub would later head his own studio, he would return to the summer theme with a short called Summertime (1935). Also like many of the early Symphonies this film doesn't have much of a storyline to speak of. With this the film is often more of a mood piece than a narrative film. In this kind of cartoon, the music becomes very important. Luckily the score was provided by one of cartoondom's greatest musical masters Carl Stalling. Stalling would often incorporate other people's songs into his musical scores, and would become a master at this. In this film he uses three songs from the 1800's. These were Intermezzo from the ballet La Source, George L. Lansing's Darkies' Dream and Alphons Czibulka's Stephanie-Gavotte. So enjoy this lovely cartoon.
Next comes one of director Jack King's best Donald Duck cartoons (of which he made many), Chef Donald (1941). Many of the best Donald cartoons steamed for Donald trying to perform a simple task and messing it up. Here he is trying to make waffles but it doesn't work out well when he uses the wrong ingredient. Like many of Jack King's Donald cartoons this is a fast paced slapstick affair with gags galore. Many of these gags are fantastic and the ending never fails to make me laugh out loud. I love the clever use of I've Got No Strings on Me (from the Disney feature film Pinocchio (1940)) in the musical score. The following is an exhibitors review from the Motion Picture Herald (dated June 13, 1942). "Chef Donald: Walt Disney cartoons - A very good cartoon that got a lot of laughs and worth a date on almost any program. - Mayme P. Mussleman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kan. Small Town Patronage." A review in The Film Daily stated "Walt Disney and his staff of skilled assistants have turned out another hilarious reel which should provide a swell laugh for the program."
Next comes of the many great Goofy cartoons directed by Jack Kinney. Jack Kinney was the cartoon-iest and funniest of the Disney cartoon directors and this film certainly shows why. There are plenty of great cartoon gags galore in this film. So enjoy, Two Gun Goofy (1952).
Goofy wasn't the only of the Disney cartoon characters to get two gun in front of his name in a cartoon title. Case in point, Two Gun Mickey (1934). Notice that Pete is the villain in both these cartoons.
Let us end with a classic silent Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoon, Oh Teacher (1927). Very common for the silent Disney cartoons, Walt directed this film himself. I love the scene where Oswald rides the word "help" like a horse, since this is one of those gags that can only be done in a silent cartoon.
The following page from Movie Makers Magazine in 1932 lets you know how you could buy these cartoons in 16mm film.
Come back for more cartoon treasures next week. Until then peace love and cartoons.
-Michael J. Ruhland
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