Some Cartoons For Saturday Morning #74

Hello my friends and happy Saturday morning. Once again it is time for some more classic cartoons.

Today’s selection begins with one of Walt Disney’s silent Alice Comedies, Alice’s Day at Sea (1924).  This is an early entry in the series and like other early Alice films, this combines cartoon sequences with fully live action sequences similar to the Our Gang movies. The later Alice Comedies would minimize the amount of live action even regulating the live action Alice to minor roles, while these early movies would be just as much live action comedies as they would be cartoon shorts.

Most of you are familiar with the spot gag pun filled Merrie Melodies that Tex Avery directed. However during that time period other directors did similar cartoons. Case in point is Friz Freleng’s Sport Chumpions (1941). While I enjoy this film for what it is, it did not impress exhibitors of the time. The following are some exhibitors reviews from the Motion Picture Herald. "Sport Chumpions: Merrie Melody - This is not up to the Merrie Melodies standard. There are very \few laughs in this one and nothing makes sense. They've made better ones than this. Running Time7 minutes.-Peter Cavel, Campau Theatre, Hamtramck, Mich. General Patronage." "Sport Chumpions: Merrie Melodies Cartoons - I didn't think much of this. Just something to fill out the program. Running time 7 minutes. -J.M. Thomsen, Center Theatre, Running time 7 minutes, Marelette, Mich. Rural Patronage."

Next is the introduction to two of the Goofy Gophers and one of their best films, The Goofy Gophers (1947). This cartoon is as fast paced and funny as anyone could want from a Looney Tune. A review in The Film Daily called this "a definite laugh-getter with plenty of appeal." I agree.

Before Mr. Magoo or Gerald McBoing Boing, UPA made various industrial films for various companies. The following movie was made for United Auto Workers and was made to help

with race relations in the factories. The film is Brotherhood of Man (1946) and was loosely based off of a pamphlet  called Races of Mankind and addresses how many racial myths are simply myths. 

Thanks for joining me come back next week for more animated treasures. Peace love and cartoons. 

-Michael J Ruhland