Today’s selection starts off with a short film from Russian director Fyodor Khitruck called Story of One Crime (1961). This movie was the first directed by Khitruck (who had spent 25 years as an animator) and differed from earlier society animation by having a more stylized look. This film gained some controversy on its release by being critical of Soviet society. However the movie proved very popular and finally helped animators in Soviet Russia to gain more artistic freedom.
The Max Fleischer Color Classic cartoons are mostly a response to Disney’s Silly Symphonies. As such many of these films feel more like a Silly Symphony than a Fleischer cartoon. There were however exceptions that had a personality all their own. One of the best of these was A Car-Tune Portrait (1937). A review in the Motion Picture Herald called this, "A swiftly-paced animated cartoon effectively photographed in Technicolor." An exhibitor's review (also in the Motion Picture Herald stated, "One I kept away from. Why I don't know but its good and if you haven't played it pick it up." Another stated "This is as a good a short as has been made by any producer. Play it in a top spot."
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| Motion Picture Herald, 1935 |
Next comes a delightful Pooch the Pup cartoon from the Walter Lantz studio, The Crowd Snores (1932). I love early 1930's rubber hose animation and this film is full of it. In fact there as many rubber hose gags as can possibly fit into a 7 minute cartoon. Every object is alive and made of extra stretchy rubber. An exhibitor's review in The Motion Picture Herald stated "These are always good." This shows that though forgotten today, Pooch had some popularity back in his day. Watching this film it is not hard to figure out why.
Following is a Looney Tunes cartoon starring the series' first starring character Bosko. The film is Bosko's Dog Race (1932). Though these early Bosko cartoon may not greatly resemble later Looney Tunes, they are very entertaining in their own right. A review in the Motion Picture Herald stated "Not unusual, this animated cartoon is nevertheless entertaining." An exhibitor's review (also in The Motion Picture Herald) stated, "Extra good cartoon for kids as well as adults enjoyed it."
Next is a fun Terrytoons cartoon, Just a Little Bull (1940). An exhibitor's review in The Motion Picture Herald stated, "A dandy short. None better."
In the later years of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies, Daffy Duck and Speedy Gonzales were often pitted against one another. While these were hardly the best films of either series, they are entertaining in their own weird way. Here is one of those cartoons, Feather Finger (1966).
Ending today’s cartoon selection is a classic Donald Duck cartoon Trombone Trouble (1944).
Thank you for joining me and come back next week for more animated treasures. Until then peace, love and cartoons.
-Michael J. Ruhland
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