Hello my friends and happy Saturday morning. Once again it is time for some classic cartoons.
Today's cartoon selection starts with a very important film to all animation fans, Gold Diggers of '49 (1935). This black and white Looney Tune is so important because it is the first cartoon on which Tex Avery (here billed as Fred Avery) is the credited director. Though his timing has not quite reached the legendary level it would with his later more famous films, this is certainly a very fast paced cartoon for its day and you can see how Tex would soon help redefine the Looney Tunes style of humor. This movie also marks the second speaking role for Porky Pig and the only one where he has the deeper speaking voice that you hear here. The real star of this movie though was Beans the Cat. Porky and Beans had both made their big screen debut in the color Merrie Melodies cartoon, I Haven't Got a Hat (1935). It seemed like many of those working at Warner Brothers felt that Beans would be the next big cartoon star for the studio, as he became the star of their Looney Tunes series for a short while, before Porky Pig would take over the series.
Next is Little Roquefort in Runaway Mouse (1954).
Now for a wonderful example of an early black and white Silly Symphony, Egyptian Melodies (1931). Like many of Disney's Silly Symphonies cartoons from this time, there is not much of a story here, but instead the movie plays mainly as a mood piece. Also like all of the Disney cartoons of this era, this film features a wonderful cast of animators. Charles Byrne animates the opening long shot with the pyramids and palm trees. Rudy Zamora, who would later direct many TV cartoons for Jay Ward and Hanna-Barbera, animates the spider playing the cobweb like a musical instrument. Dave Hand, who would later be the supervising director for the Disney feature films, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and Bambi (1942), animates the incredible scenes with the spider going up and down the tomb hallway (some animation from this would be reused in the Mickey Mouse cartoon, The Mad Doctor (1933)). Frenchy de Tremaudan animates the scene with the hourglass, the charioteers and the closing scene. Chuck Couch animates the falling mummies and the cheering soldiers. Johnny Cannon animates the four dancing mummies. Albert Hurter animates the trumpeters leading the parade march. Ben Sharpsteen, who would be the supervising director on the Disney features, Pinocchio (1940), Fantasia (1940) and Dumbo (1941), animates the pharaoh with his slaves and the cymbal players. Dan Tattenham animates the beginning of the race. Cecil Surrey animates the soldiers watching the chariots go by. Harry Reeves animates the solider chasing the other solider around the column. Joe D'Igalo animates the maze of figures on the pillars and walls. This film made its TV debut on an episode of The Mickey Mouse Club that aired on February 26, 1956.
Now for a delightful Talkartoons short from The Fleischer Brothers, The Male Man (1931).
Now it is time for a commercial break.
Now for a silent movie, Cartoons on Tour (1915).
Movieland, 1949
Today's cartoon selection ends with the third cartoon in the Looney Tunes Webtoons miniseries, Toon Marooned (2001). This miniseries is a thinly veiled parody of the TV Survivor. Last week Granny was voted off the island, who will be voted off this week?
Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another selection of classic cartoons. Until then may all your tunes 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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