Some Cartoons For Saturday Morning #89

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

Starting off is a delightful black and white Porky Pig cartoon, Get Rich Quick Porky (1937). This was an early cartoon for director Bob Clampett (1937 was his first year as a director) and while it may not be as wild as some of the director's later work, there is plenty to enjoy here. This cartoon also marked the last appearance of Porky's sidekick, Gabby Goat. There is not much to Gabby besides him being grumpy and easily irritated, but the contrast between him and the more optimistic Porky makes for delightful watching. If you would like to know who animated what on this film, I direct you to Devon Baxter's article on this short. 

Up next is another black and white Warner Brothers cartoon. This one is a Hugh Harmon and Rudolph Ising era Merrie Melody, I Wish I Had Wings (1932). This cartoon is very much in the vein of the other Harmon-Ising Merrie Melodies at this time with a simple story enhanced by cute gags and catchy music. While the early Merrie Melodies very much resembled the Silly Symphonies of the time, the filmmakers had one advantage that Disney did not. They had the access to the Warner Brothers musical library and were encouraged to use song from it. This is something that Warners took full advantage of and helps make these cartoons still a lot of fun all these years later. The following is an exhibitor's review from The Motion Picture Herald "I WISH I HAD WINGS: Merry Melody—One of the best cartoons we have run. Running Time 8 Minutes, A. B. Jefferies, Piedmount Theatre, Piedmount, Mo. Small Town and Rural Patronage." 

Next comes one of the best of the Fleischer Brothers' Color Classic cartoons. While many of these films copied the Silly Symphonies, surreal and weird Fleischer gags often found their way into these cartoons. This is one of the finest examples of such, In fact the whole idea of a bunch of cartoon animals taking a trip to the moon is more of a Fleischer idea than a Disney one. Staying true to this premise this cartoon has more of these Fleischer style gags than most Color Classics. The following is an exhibitor's review from The Motion Picture Herald, "DANCING ON THE MOON: Color Classic—A fine colored cartune with a trip to the moon by the animals.—C. I. Niles, Niles Theatre, Anamosa, Iowa. General patronage." 

Next Donald Duck will teach us How to Have An Accident at Work (1956).

As many of you reading this blog know, the famous Cat and Mouse duo weren't cartoondom's first Tom and Jerry. The Van Beuren studio made a series of cartoons starring a human duo called Tom and Jerry before William Hanna and Joseph Barbera created the cat and mouse team. You'll notice that the opening card refers to them as Dick and Larry, this is because this is not the original opening card. This is from a home movie reissue and the names were changed to avoid confusion.  These films are often very fun and surreal (as well as having great musical scores by Gene Rodemich) and while nowhere near as polished as what Disney was putting out at this time they are very enjoyable. Next comes one of these cartoons, Barnyard Bunk (1932). 

Come back next week for more animated treasures. Until then may all your tunes be looney and your melodies merrie. 

-Michael J. Ruhland