Some Cartoons For Saturday Morning #270

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

Today's cartoon selection begins with Mighty Mouse in The Mysterious Package (1960). This is the next to last theatrical short film to star Mighty Mouse. 

Next comes the Rainbow Parade cartoon, Scotty Finds a Home (1935). The following are some exhibitors reviews from the Motion Picture Herald, "SCOTTY FINDS A HOME: Rainbow Parade Cartoon - Better than average cartoon. - H.G. Crawford. Palace Theatre, Plano, Texas. Small Town and rural patronage." "SCOTTY FINDS A HOME: Rainbow Parade Cartoon - Not the best colored cartoon but will please. - C.L. Niles, Niles Theatre, Anamosa, Iowa. General Patronage." "SCOTTY FINDS A HOME: Rainbow Parade Cartoon - Very good, clear and amusing. Rather far fetched though as the antics of the dog Bum are concerned. Running time 10 minutes. - J.W. Lehrkind, Strand Theatre, White Sulpher Springs, Mont. Small town and local patronage."      

If you asked me to pick a cartoon that perfectly shows what the style of the Fleischer Studio was, I would pick, Bimbo's Initiation (1931). This cartoon has everything that makes the Fleischer Studio one of the most unique animation studios of all time. The film has a lot of surreal humor, a very detailed look, a dark and dangerous atmosphere, and was definitely intended more for adults than kids. One thing the Fleischers strived for was to put a gag in every moment of the film and this cartoon has that in abundance. Bimbo was a star character at this time, but his star was soon to be eclipsed by another character in this film, Betty Boop. Betty had made her debut a year earlier with Dizzy Dishes (1930). It wouldn't be long until Bimbo would be playing supporting roles in Betty Boop cartoons. Eventually Betty's films would drop Bimbo. Betty would also later own a dog making her one of the few cartoon characters to both own and date a dog (and even be a dog in her earliest appearances). This cartoon was placed at 37 in Jerry Beck's book, The 50 Greatest Cartoons.

Next is a black and white Looney Tunes with Porky's Midnight Matinee (1941). This Chuck Jones directed short film features Porky trying to capture a small ant. Porky also tried to capture a similar ant in another Chuck Jones directed cartoon from the same year, Porky's Ant (1941). 

Now it is time for a commercial break. 

Now it is time for some Saturday Morning Minions. 

Next, we join our good friend Donald Duck in Straight Shooters (1947). This was an early Jack Hannah directed Donald Duck short. Hannah had directed four Donald Duck cartoons beforehand; The Eyes Have It (1945), No Sail (1945), Light House Keeping (1946) and Frank Duck Brings 'Em Back Alive (1946). However, Jack King had still been the main director of Donald's shorts. However, Jack King would retire in 1947 and Jack Hannah would for the most part take over the series afterwards, directing many great Donald Duck shorts. Though this short film was originally created for movie theaters, it would later air as part of an episode of the Disneyland TV series entitled Duck for Hire (1957). 

Now it is silent movie time with the Out of the Inkwell film, Koko's Big Catch (1924). 

Next comes Toby the Pup in Circus Time (1931). Though this film is definitely crude compared to what Disney, The Fleischers and even Warner Brothers were making at this time, there is a certain charm to this film that I simply love. 

Now let us close by singing a song we all know. 

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

The 50 Greatest Cartoons edited by Jerry Beck

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

https://mediahistoryproject.org/