Hello my friends and happy Saturday morning. Once again it is time for some classic cartoons.
Today's cartoon selection begins with one of the best World War 2 era Warner Brothers cartoons, Plane Daffy (1944). This short was directed by Frank Tashlin, who was an avid movie buffs that would go on to direct many live action films. Due to his directing this is an extremely cinematic cartoon full of masterful filmmaking that many directors of feature length films would be jealous of. The opening scenes of this short is also a reference to the Howard Hawks movie Dawn Patrol (1930). While Mel Blanc provides the voice of Daffy here, the villainous Hatta Mari is voiced by Sara Berner and Robert C. Bruce (who narrated some of Tex Avery's spot gag cartoons for Warners) is the narrator. This short is rightfully featured in Jerry Beck's great book, The 100 Greatest Looney Tunes.
Now for a delightful UPA cartoon, The Rise of Duton Lang (1955).
Before Pluto received his own cartoon series, he made a couple short films without Mickey that were released as Silly Symphonies. These were Just Dogs (1932) and Mother Pluto (1936). Up next is the first of these, Just Dogs. In this movie, the animation of Pluto is mostly split between two animators, Norm Ferguson and Tom Palmer. However, Les Clark animates a brief scene were Pluto and the little pup hide in a barrel and Dick Lundy animates them digging up the bone. The pup Pluto costars with did not appear in any other animated cartoons, but Floyd Gottfredson would use him in the Mickey Mouse newspaper comic strip. A song used early on in this movie is Guy Massey's The Prisoners' Song. This song was prominently used in the Mickey Mouse cartoon, The Chain Gang (1930), which many people believe is the first appearance of Pluto. A review in Motion Picture Reviews stated, "Amusing for Children but not up to the usual Disney standard." A review in The Film Daily disagreed stating, "Right up to the standard of the Walt Disney shops [sic]" The following are two exhibitor's reviews from The Motion Picture Herald, "JUST DOGS: Silly Symphony—This is a fairly good cartoon comedy but still no better than some of the others. United Artists should produce better cartoons or cut the price of these cartoons. Here's hoping to get better cartoons in the future from United Artists. Running time 9 minutes. -J.J. Medford, Orpheum Theatre, N.C. General Patronage." " JUST DOGS: Silly Symphony—Didn't think that this was any too good. - Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kansas, Small Town Patronage." Working titles for this movie were The Dog Pound and The Dog Symphony.
Next, we join Little Roquefort in The Cat's Revenge (1954).
Now it is time for a commercial break.
Next comes Bugs Bunny in Bewitched Bunny (1954). This short film marks the debut of a new Bugs Bunny villain, Witch Hazel. In this film she is voiced by Bea Benaderet, who would later become the voice of Betty Rubble on The Flintstones. In later cartoons, June Foray would be the voice of the character (June Foray had also voiced a character named Witch Hazel in the Disney Donald Duck cartoon, Trick or Treat (1952)).
Next comes the only Betty Boop cartoon in color, Poor Cinderella (1934). As you can see here despite much merchandise today picturing Betty as having black hair, this cartoon shows her to be a redhead instead. This movie is also the odd man out when it comes to Betty Boop films for another reason as well. This is because the cartoon is in many ways a more serious picture that is actually intent on telling a somewhat straightforward version of this classic fairytale (perhaps it is appropriate that this is part of the Color Classics series instead of the regular Betty Boop series). This cartoon also features an original song, and this song was published as sheet music as well as appearing in this cartoon. Film historian and critic Leonard Maltin states that Mae Questel (the usual voice of Betty) was not used here for the song, but another singer was used instead. I do not know who this other singer is so if any of you do, please let me know. The following are two exhibitor's reviews from the Motion Picture Herald. "POOR CINDERELLA: Betty Boop— Betty Boop in the best example of color cartoon work we have had. Running Time, 10 Minutes. - M.P. Foster, Granada Theatre, Monte Vista, Colo. General Patronage." "POOR CINDERELLA: Betty Boop Cartoon— First of Paramount's colored cartoons and it is a wonderful creation. Look for the third dimensional allusion [sic]. If the rest of Paramount's colored cartoons come up to this one everybody will be satisfied. - L.G. Tewksbury, Opera House, Stonington, Maine. Small Town Patronage."
Now it is time for a silent era cartoon starring Farmer Alfalfa, The Miller and His Donkey (1922).
Now to sing along with a song we all know.
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
100 Greatest Looney Tunes edited by Jerry Beck
Walt Disney's Silly Symphonies: A Companion to the Classic Cartoon Series by Russell Merritt and J.B. Kaufman
https://leonardmaltin.com/the-other-cartoon-cinderella-betty-boop/
https://lantern.mediahist.org/
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