Hello my friends. Happy Saturday morning and welcome back for another selection of classic cartoons.
Today's cartoon selection begins with Superman in Terror on the Midway (1942). This is the last Superman cartoon by the Fleischer Studio before that studio was succeeded by Famous Studios (who would continue the Superman cartoons. In these short films Superman is voiced by Bud Collyer, who had also voiced the character on the Superman radio show. The following is an exhibitor's review from the Motion Picture Herald, "SUPERMAN ON THE MIDWAY: Superman Color Cartoons - We think these cartoons are very poor, but they seem to draw extra business. We plug them with extra trailer we got from National Screen. Always get in extra business. Why, is a mystery. - R.S. Pryor, Cactus Theatre, Austin Tex."
Now for one of Chuck Jones' great Bugs Bunny cartoons, Wackiki Wabbit (1943). The two castaways who try to eat Bugs in this cartoon, were caricatured to look like and were voiced by Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies writers, Michael Maltese and Tedd Pierce. Many of Chuck's cartoons of this time had great experimentation with background art, and that is certainly true here. The background art is delightfully abstract, in a way that works perfectly. The background art is credited to Bernyce Polifka, though it has been debated whether or not John McGrew had anything to do with the backgrounds here considering he left the studio during the making of the film.
Next, we join our good friend Farmer Alfalfa in Tropical Fish (1933).
Next comes a classic Mickey Mouse short, The Opry House (1929). This cartoon was based off a story idea by Ub Iwerks. The film was made when Walt was in New York. Because of this Walt corresponded with Ub (who was working on the film in California) by mail offering him his commentary and direction for the cartoon. I love the rubbery and very cartoony feel to these early Mickey Mouse shorts, and this is one of the most perfect examples of that.
Now it is time for a commercial break.
Next is Heckle and Jeckle in Deep Sea Doodle (1960). This is nearly the end of the theatrically released Heckle and Jeckle short films. Only three more would be made after this. While the quality of the animation is definitely much less than that of the earlier shorts with these characters, there are still some pretty good gags in this movie.
It is now silent movie time. So, get ready for a double helping of silent Jerry on the Job cartoons. Enjoy The Mad Locomotive (1922) and The Wrong Track (1920).
Next we join Woody Woodpecker in Jurassic Woody (2022).
Motion Picture News, 1919
Today's cartoon selection ends with The Simpsons in Bart's Haircut (1987). This is one of the shorts for The Tracey Ullman Show before the animated family got their own TV series.
Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for more animated treasures. Until then may all your tunes be looney and your melodies merry.
Resources Used
https://lantern.mediahist.org/
No comments:
Post a Comment