First up is one of the classic Mickey, Donald and Goofy cartoons Clock Cleaners (1937). It is often said that the cartoons of the 1930's, 40's and 50's kept silent era type comedy alive. This film would be a perfect example of this. There is a scene with Goofy tangling on the edge of the clock tour, where he keeps getting to the point of almost falling off, but never does fall off. As the scene moves along the Goof ends up a tightrope. This resembles the daredevil type of humor that is visible in silent comedies like Harold Lloyd's Safety Last (1923). Like many of the Mickey Donald and Goofy cartoons, the trio don't really work as a team as the movie has them split up and go on separate adventures. A review in The Film Daily called the movie "first rate" and stated "The genius of Disney for unique locals and backgrounds for his family of delightful brainchildren is evidenced in this reel." The following is a review in The Motion Picture Daily (whose writer obviously didn't know the difference between Pluto and Goofy), "If this, the first in the new Walt Disney series, is any indication of the Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphony cartoons to be released by RKO this season, the distributor will have a formidable lineup to offer exhibitors. It's a Mickey Mouse subject with subject with Pluto and Donald Duck assisting the rodent in cleaning a gigantic clock in a tower. There are ramifications, complications and a varied assortment of antics which provide nine minutes of wholesome humor. At a trade showing at the Astor, 1,000 exhibitors, their wives and children were in a riot of laughter. And when a short can do that, it's in the bag. The music and color are swell too." The following is an exhibitor's review from The Motion Picture Herald, "Clock Cleaners, The: Walt Disney Cartoons - This is one of Walt Disney's best. 'Donald Duck' and 'Goofy' have been stealing the show from Mickey Mouse for quite a while now Audience well pleased. - C.S. Caporal, Bison Theatre, Oklahoma City, Olka. General and neighborhood patronage." The movie was placed at 27 in Jerry Beck's must read book, 50 Greatest Cartoons. To who animated what scene click here and scroll down to the film title.
Next the late Gene Deitch teaches us Self Defense...For Cowards (1962).
Next we join our old friend Krazy Kat for his first sound cartoon, Ratskin (1929). Krazy's design here is much closer to the character's comic strip counterpart than would be used in later Columbia cartoons. However the character's personality and the film's storyline don't resemble the comics in the slightest. Appropriate for an early sound cartoon, this movie is filled with gags relating directly to music. A review in The Film Daily states that Ratskin "hits the intended spot" and I agree.
When one thinks of Pink Panther cartoons, what comes to mind are films with little to no dialogue and especially none from the panther himself. However the panther spoke in two cartoon shorts and one of them is up next. The cartoon is Pink Ice (1965). While in the other cartoon where the panther speaks, (Sink Pink (1965)), the panther only delivers the film's punchline with dialogue, here our pink friend speaks throughout the movie. His voice is provided by Rich Little who also provide the voices of this film's other two characters. Despite the distinct departure for the series' norm, it proves to be a really fun little movie.
Today's cartoons selection ends with a silent Out of the Inkwell cartoon, Bubbles (1922)/
-Michael J. Ruhland
No comments:
Post a Comment