Some Cartoons for Saturday Morning #237

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

Today's cartoon selection begins with the Mickey Mouse short The Beach Party (1931). This short film features a wonderful scene in which Pluto tangles with a crab. This scene was animated by Norm Ferguson, who really helped define this character through his animation of the dog through various films. This scene is an early example of just what Ferguson could do with this character. He is not just a series of moving drawings here but a living breathing and thinking character. The ending of this cartoon was originally going to be quite different with the octopus rounding up a bunch of octopi to scare away the picnickers. Clips from a colorized version of this film appeared in the Disney Sing Along Songs video, Under the Sea (1990). 

Now it is time to hop aboard the Magoo Express (1955).

Next comes a classic Frank Tashlin directed Porky Pig cartoon, Porky's Railroad (1937). This is one of the many cartoons of this time that used the formula of Porky being placed in a different job. In fact, earlier the same year Tashlin had directed a very similar Porky Pig cartoon, called Porky's Building (1937). That film like this one featured Porky up against a rival for his job. This cartoon opens up using of Tashlin's favorite types of gags that of words appearing on the screen to introduce the action. Often times he would do this in the form of a "disclaimer", but here he simply introduces the two trains. Also notice the ship that Porky picks up is the SS Leon named after the cartoon's producer Leon Schlesinger.

Now to join our old friends Gandy Goose and Sourpuss in Scrap for Victory (1943). Like many World War 2 era cartoons featuring these characters, this film features the two cartoon characters fighting overseas. Though this is a comedic cartoon it is also one with a patriotic message about the importance of helping the war effort, even for those on the home front. Despite being a Gandy Goose cartoon, him and Sourpuss receive not much screen time in this film as most of it is focused on the home front with various cartoon animals helping the war effort from home. 

Now it is time for a commercial break. 

Now for a classic silent short film starring Mutt and Jeff, Bombs and Bums (1926).

Next is a short film starring the Tijuana Toads, Flight to the Finish (1972). This short film would also feature Crazylegs Crane before he got his own series of cartoon shorts in 1978. This is the only cartoon where Crazylegs Crane was voiced by Bob Holt. Larry D Mann voiced him in most cartoons. This marked the 17th and last Tijuana Toads theatrical cartoon. 

Now we join Andy Panda in Scrappy Birthday (1949). This short film marked the last of the Andy Panda cartoons made for theaters. This also marked the only time Andy's girlfriend, Miranda Panda appeared in an Andy Panda film, though she did appear alongside Andy in the comic books. What Andy can see in her, I'll never know. 

Now let us close with a song we all know. 

Resources Used

Of Mice and Magic: A History of the American Animated Cartoon by Leonard Maltin.

Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse: The Ultimate History by J.B. Kaufman and David Gerstein

Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: A Complete Illustrated Guide to the Warner Brothers Cartoons by Jerry Beck and Will Friedwald