Hello my friends and happy Saturday morning. Once again it is time for some classic cartoons.
Today's cartoon selection begins with a silent film starring Felix the Cat, Germ Mania (1927). Felix was the first major cartoon star of the movies and watching his silent films, it is easy to see why.
Next comes Donald Duck in Contrary Condor (1944). This short film was directed by Jack King, who directed most of the Donald Duck cartoons at this time. For a while in the community of cartoon and Disney lovers, the Jack King Donald Duck cartoons were rarely given the accolades they deserve because more attention was paid to the later Donald shorts that Jack Hannah directed. However luckily today many Disney fans are reevaluating this and realizes what wonderful films, the Jack King Donald cartoons are. Contrary Condor is just one of the many examples of how great of a cartoon director Jack King was. However, this film also works because of a wonderful team of animators. John McManus animates the opening moments as well as Donald tossing the dummy and the mom diving after it. Judge Whitaker animates Donald yodeling while climbing the mountain, Donald's first meeting with the mother, Duck applauding the small bird's flight, the small bird gliding and landing, Donald's landing and Donald contemplating a new plan. Nick Nichols animates Donald discovering the nest and hiding in the egg, the hatching sequence, the small bird being jealous, the little bird snaping Donald off the limb, Donald's "flight," the mother applauding, the mother missing the dummy as it falls into the water and the closing sequence. Paul Allen animates the mother pushing the small bird off the limb, the mother encouraging Donald to fly and Donald trying to escape with the egg until the small bird intercepts it. George Nicholas animates the small bird falling and trying to fly. Don Townsley animates the small bird lowering its legs like landing gear and the mother's card trick. Hal King animates the mother attempting to push Donald off the limb and Donald faking a bad wing, Marvin Woodward animates the mother trying to trick Donald with the berry. The working titles for this film were Contrary Condors, Egg Collector and The Colombian Condor. The following is a review from The Film Daily, "Donald Duck provides plenty of laughs in his attempt to swipe an egg from a condor's nest. When Donald emerges from his hiding place in an empty egg shell which a mother condor mistakes for an unhatched egg she accepts our fine feathered hero as one of her own. Her attempts to get Donald to fly are extremely humorous. The Technicolor cartoon is aces."
Next comes Casper the Friendly Ghost in Red White and Boo (1955).
Now for Fare Play (1932). This short film was released as part of the Scrappy series, yet Scrappy does not appear in the cartoon at all. However Oppie (a supporting character in many Scrappy cartoons) is the star of this film.
Now it is time for a commercial break.
Next comes Bugs Bunny in Bugsy and Mugsy (1957). This film was a semi-remake of the Slyvester cartoon, Stooge for a Mouse (1950). Bugsy and Mugsy would later be remade as the Dogfather cartoon, Heist and Seek (1974).
Next comes Betty Boop and Grampy (1935). This delightful cartoon introduced the character of Grampy, who would often steal the show in these later Betty cartoons. The following are some exhibitor reviews from The Motion Picture Herald. "BETTY BOOP AND GRAMPY: Betty Boop Cartoons— The best cartoon we have ever played bar none! Grampy almost - no I'll have to do better than that - Grampy stole the show. The Synchronization was excellent. It will take a mighty good short to be beat this one for continuous laughs. Running time seven minutes. - J.A. Reynolds, Recreational Director, State Prision, Trenton, N.J., Prision patronage." "BETTY BOOP AND GRAMPY: Betty Boop Cartoon— Very good cartoon comedy. The best Betty Boop we have played so far. Running time nine minutes. - P.G. Held, New Strand Theatre, Griswold, Iowa, General patronage." "BETTY BOOP AND GRAMPY: Betty Boop cartoon - This is the best Boop cartoon yet. And Grampy stole the show from her. Extra well liked. - John H. Forrester, Pine Theatre, Waldron, Ark. Lumbering-farming patronage."
Now we join our good friends Gandy Goose and Sourpuss in Night Life in the Army (1942).
Now to close with a song.
Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another selection of animated treasures. Until then may all your tunes be looney and your melodies merry.
Resources Used
South of the Border with Walt Disney by J.B. Kaufman
Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: A Complete Illustrated Guide to the Warner Brothers Cartoons by Jerry Beck and Will Friedwald
https://lantern.mediahist.org/
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