Today's first cartoon features the introduction of the one and only Tweety, A Tale of Two Kitties (1942). However he is not yet named Tweety. His name in this film is Orson, though that is never directly stated in the dialogue. However decades later in an episode of the TV show, The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries (1995-2000) called Seeing Double Tweety would meet a bird who looks much like him and is named Orson. The director of this cartoon, Bob Clampett, would state that the design of Tweety is based off of a nude baby picture of him. However Tweety is not the star of the cartoon. This film instead stars Babbitt and Catstello, a feline version of the popular comedy team Abbott and Costello. The boices of these characters were provided by Tedd Peirce and Mel Blanc. Though some people have stated that Mel's Costello impression can get a little annoying, it is interesting to note that a review of this movie at the time stated "Either the famous comedy pair furnished the accompanying dialogue themselves or the impersonators are the last word in perfection." Another review from the time stated "The take-off on Abbott and Costello is cleverly managed, with the voices a perfect match for those of the comedians." Another review called the early Tweety, "a tiny bird, who has some Red Skelton characteristics." The early Tweety definitely does have more than a bit of Red's mean little kid character in him. This movie was reissued to theatres in 1948.
Next comes a typically fun Fox and the Crow cartoon, Way Down Yonder in the Corn (1943). This film was reissued to theatres in 1954. A review in Showman's Trade Review stated "This is perhaps the best of the Fox and Crow cartoons to date." The review went on to state, "The two cartoon characters, the Fox and the Crow, seem to be improving in stature."
Next comes a great silent Out of the Inkwell short, Bed Time (1923).
This is followed by what I consider one of the better of Van Bueren's Rainbow Parade shorts, Bird Scouts (1935). This a simple but charming little cartoon that may not be that funny, but is appealing in its own way. A review in The Film Daily called this a "Dandy Color Cartoon" and stated "containing plenty of gags and action, this cartoon comedy in color, made by Burt Gillett, fills its purpose very nicely."
In the 1940's Columbia made five cartoons based off of Al Capp's comic strip Li'l Abner. Up next is the last of these films, Kickapoo Juice (1944). A review in The Film Daily stated, "Only fairly diverting is the verdict on the latest of the Li'l Abner Technicolor cartoons." A review in Boxoffice simply called the movie, "Mediocre."
Ending off today's selection of classic cartoons is Popeye The Sailor Meets Sinbad The Sailor (1936). This is the first of the three Popeye two-reel specials (plus the first color Popeye) and one of the most popular Popeye cartoons. Running at 17 minutes this is twice as long as the usual Popeye film, yet the filmmakers work this to their full advantage. It never feels too long and the extra time lets the filmmakers put in a more atmospheric fantasy like feel to this movie. This would be the first Popeye nominated for an Academy Award and received the 17th spot in Jerry Beck's book, The 50 Greatest Cartoons. A review in The Film Daily called the cartoon "Top Notch." However not everybody was so impressed by this movie as evidenced by the following Exhibitors reviews from The Motion Picture Herald. "Popeye the Sailor Meets Sinbad the Sailor: Popeye the Sailor series - Good color but did not bring extra business like Paramount said it would. -Fisher & Bichler, Mattray Theatre, Strasburg, N.D." "Popeye the Sailor Meets Sinbad the Sailor: Popeye the Sailor special - Worth twice as much as regular Popeye but no more. I paid more and that makes me a dissatisfied customer. - W. H. Brenner, Cozy Theatre, Winchester, Ind. General Patronage." "Popeye the Sailor Meets Sinbad the Sailor: Popeye the Sailor cartoons - This much Balley-hooed two-reeler, all color, third dimensional cartoon failed to come up to the entertainment value of the single reel black and white Popeye series. - M.R. Harrington, Avalon Theatre, Clatskanie, Ore. - Small Town and rural patronage."
'Thank you for joining me come back next week for more animated treasures. Peace, love and cartoons.
-Michael J. Ruhland.
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