Some Cartoons for Saturday Morning #219

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

Today's cartoon selection begins with a real classic, the Bugs Bunny cartoon, The Wacky Wabbit (1942). As many of you know all the major Looney Tunes directors had their different take on Bugs Bunny. Bob Clampett's Bugs was very much a fun-loving prankster. Unlike Chuck Jones' version of the character, this Bugs did not always need to act in self-defense but could just pick on someone to have a little fun. That is true of the way he treats Elmer here. Elmer in this movie is not hunting wabbits, but simply minding his own business, when Bugs decides to let the poor fellow have it. Elmer in this cartoon looks different from how many movie fans picture him looking. This is because he was briefly redesigned to look like his voice actor Arthur Q. Byran. The following is a review from The Film Daily, "Fourteen carrot entertainer this 'Wacky Wabbit.' There's a laugh in every foot. The wise guy rabbit in this instance tries his trick on a gold prospector. He drives the poor guy crazy confounding him and keeping him constantly on the jump. Bugs Bunny grows in stature with every new Merry Melody release. He bids fair to become as funny as any character now in animated cartoons. The smart showman should grab this short." 

Up next is the UPA short, Spare the Child (1955). This short film was directed by Abe Liss. This is the only cartoon in which he receives a directing credit on, though he does receive credit as designer on other UPA cartoons. 

Now for Honey Halfwitch in High but Not Dry (1967). The Honey Halfwitch films are a series of thirteen theatrically released cartoon shorts. This movie marks the 12th of these shorts. 

Up next is the Aesop's Sound Fables cartoon, King of the Bugs (1930). While these Sound Fables cartoons, might seem crude compared to some of the Disney cartoons being put out at the same time, I personally find a lot of charm in them. 

Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World, 1930

Now it is time for a commercial break. 

I have mentioned many times on this blog, that some of my favorite cartoons of all time are the Goofy cartoons, Jack Kinney directed for Disney. Up first is an early example of this, Goofy's Glider (1940). This was the first of Goofy's wonderful series of "how to..." cartoons, where Goofy shows us how to do something the wrong way. It is also the first Goofy cartoon to be directed by Jack Kinney. This movie also serves as the basis for Goofy's Fly School, the really fun roller coaster in Disney's California Adventure. The following is an exhibitor's review from the Motion Picture Herald, "GOOFY'S GLIDER: Walt Disney Cartoons— Very funny. Disney's poor cartoons compare with what the majority of other companies consider good. Runtime 8 minutes. - H. Goldson, Plaza Theatre, Chicago, Ill. General Patronage." 

16mm Sound Films, 1957

Now for the Walter Lantz cartoon, The Bird on Nellie's Hat (1939). A year after the release of this film, the Walter Lantz studio would debut its most popular character, Woody Woodpecker. This makes this short a great look at the output of this cartoon studio before it started making the films we all know. I love the surreal gags in these black and white Walter Lantz shorts and this cartoon has one of my favorites near the end (hint: it has to do with a train). 

Now for Felix the Cat in In the Swim (1922).

Let us end this morning's cartoon selection with a trip to a truly magical place. 

Thanks for joining me. Be sure to come back next week for more animated treasures. Until then may all your tunes be looney and your melodies merry. 

Resources Used

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

https://lantern.mediahist.org/