Today's first cartoon is one of those Speedy Gonzales and Daffy Duck films of the 1960's. While many cartoon fans write these off as the weakest Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies, I personally consider them guilty pleasures. There is no way I would put them on the same level as the Warners cartoons of the 1930's, 40's and 50's, but for what it is worth I enjoy the films on their own level. So enjoy, Assault and Peppered (1965).
The reason the Van Beuren cartoons are not as well remembered as many other studios is because they lack the big star characters seen in other studio's cartoons. Being aware of this the studio tried to bolster their popularity by using characters that had already been popularized elsewhere. One of these attempts was to make a series of cartoons starring the characters of the popular radio show, Amos 'n' Andy. To make sure these films would be a success, the studio hired Freedom Gosden and Charles Correll (who created the show and voiced the characters on radio) to voice the famous radio characters in these cartoons. However the movies were not the success the studio planned on and instead of making the 13 originally planned only two cartoons were made. This lead to legal trouble, between the studio and the actors. The Heinl Radio Business Letter discussed this in 1935.
"A suit for $181,995 for breach of contract against Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll, known as 'Amos 'n' Andy' , and the National Broadcasting Company was disclosed in Supreme Court in New York yesterday when the plaintiff, Van Buern Corporation, filed a note of issue for a jury trial. The defendants have put in counter claims for a total of $254,000, it was revealed by the plaintiff's attorneys.
"The complaint, according to the attorneys, alleges breach of a contract to make thirteen animated cartoons which were to be synchronized with the voices of 'Amos 'n' Andy'. The contract was made in 1933 and only two cartoons were completed, it is alleged.
"The counterclaims of $190,000 by Gosden and Correll and $64,000 by the broadcasting company, were based on charges of failure by the plaintiff corporation to fulfill requirements, the attorney's said."
Next up is one of these two cartoons, Rassling Match (1934). The following is an exhibitor's review of the movie from The Motion Picture Herald.
"Rasslin' Match, The: Amos and Andy - This is one of the best cartoons I have ever seen. There is only one mistake, the cartoon is entirely too crude but will probably improve. Amos and Andy do the talking and just like the radio. This caused much entertainment here and was well liked. Running time: 11 minutes. - J.J. Medford, Orpheum Theatre, Oxford, N.C. General Patronage."
Next is a classic Donald Duck cartoon, Cured Duck (1945). What makes Donald such an appealing character is that he is instantly relatable. It is hard for anyone not to see at least a little of themselves in this short tempered duck and this film shows Donald at his easiest to relate to.
Paul Terry referred to the Heckle and Jeckle cartoons as the best he ever made. I certainly agree. What makes these films so extremely entertaining is that Heckle and Jeckle are such appealing characters that simply make the cartoons a joy to watch. The movies are also full of fast paced slapstick that is full of the energy that makes cartoons of the era so much fun. Next is one of my favorite Heckle and Jeckle cartoons, so enjoy, Free Enterprise (1948).
Next comes one of my favorite silent-era Mutt and Jeff cartoons, On Strike (1920).
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| Film Fun, 1918 |
Thank you for joining me come back next week for more animated treasures. Peace, love and cartoons.
-Michael J. Ruhland
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