Hello my friends and happy Saturday morning. Once again it is time for some classic cartoons.
Today's cartoon selection begins with a delightful Woody Woodpecker short, Woody Dines Out (1945). This movie was directed by Shamus Culhane. Culhane had worked at Disney, Fleischer, Warner Brothers and many other classic cartoon studios, however in my opinion his best work is seen in the films he directed for Walter Lantz studio (for which this cartoon was made). These may not only be some of his best work but they are arguably some of the finest films to come out of the Walter Lantz studio. His autobiography, Talking Animals and Other People is a must read for all animation fans. The background art in this cartoon is by Philip DeGuard, who worked on many Chuck Jones cartoons both at Warner Brothers and MGM.
Next comes an early black and white Merry Melody, Pagan Moon (1932). The following is a review from The Film Daily, "A 'Merrie Melodies' cartoon that rates poor, with some animated technique that seems outdated. The hero cartoon character woos his sweetie with jazz melodies on his violin and lands up at the bottom of the ocean where he chases his lost instrument. Here he encounters adventures with the giant fishes and an octopus. Old stuff has been done many times before." While I like this cartoon more than this reviewer does, I think this review has an important reminder for those watching old movies. Often times when we watch old black and white movies (including cartoons), people tend to think that everything we see is new and fresh and hadn't been done before. However film (including cartoons) have been around for a long time by this point and there was already not much that hadn't been done by this point.
Now for Good Deed Daly in Cloak and Stagger (1956).
Next comes an early Silly Symphony cartoon, Frolicking Fish (1930). Like all Disney cartoons of this period this movie benfits from a great cast of animators. Ben Sharpsteen, who would later be supervising director for such Disney feature films as Pinocchio (1940), Fanatasia (1940) and Dumbo (1941) animates the opening scene, the octapus dancing with the fish and the fish dropping an anchor on an octopus. Les Clark, who would become one of Walt's famed Nine Old Men and be one of the greatest Mickey Mouse animators of all time, animates the fish riding the seahorse and the octopus punching the bubbles. Dave Hand, who would later be Supervising director on such Disney feature films as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and Bambi (1942) animates the fish dancing on the anchor chain. Wilfred Jackson, who would lated become a fine director of both Disney shorts and features animates the octopus chasing the fish to the sunken ship. Norm Ferguson, a wonderful animator whose gift at character animation would later help define the character of Pluto, animates the trio of fish tap dancing. Jack King, who would later director some wonderful Donald Duck cartoons as well as a few cartoon for Warner Brothers, would animate the lobster dancing and playing the harp. Johnny Cannon animates the fish dancing on the springboard. Tom Palmer, who would later direct cartoons for both Warner Brothers and Van Bueren, animates the majority of the bubble dance and the big fish blowing bubbles. Merle Gilson animates the anchor falling on the octopus.
Now for a commercial break.
Now for a silent movie, Bunkum's Boarding House (1915).
Next 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."
I have mentioned many times on this blog that director Jack Kinney's Goofy cartoons for Disney are some of my favorite classic cartoon shorts. Father's Weekend (1953) is a good example of why.
Today's cartoon selection ends with the second cartoon in the Looney Tunes Webtoons miniseries, Toon Marooned (2001).
Thanks for joining me come back next week for another selection of animated treasures. Until then may all your toons be looney and your melodies merry.
Resources Used
Walt Disney's Silly Symphonies: A Companion to the Classic Cartoon Series by Russell Merritt and J.B. Kaufman.
https://mediahistoryproject.org/
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