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 all-time classic Merrie Melodies cartoons, A Corny Concerto (1943). This cartoon is very much a parody of Disney's recent animated feature, Fantasia (1940) with the unrefined Elmer Fudd taking over the Deems Taylor role. Earlier the same year this cartoon was released another Merrie Melody parodied Fantasia with an unrefined wolf doing the Deem Taylor role. That cartoon was called Pigs in a Polka (1943). A Corny Concerto was directed by Bob Clampett (who also made some of the vocal sound effects here) and written by Frank Tashlin. It is odd to have Tashlin write a Warners cartoon he didn't direct. Tashlin had in fact just returned to Warners after a stint at Disney, making him a perfect candidate to write this Disney parody. This film features another rarity for a Warners cartoon. That is the fact the Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig share the screen. This is the only time Porky hunts a fully formed Bugs Bunny, though he did hunt a prototype of the character in Porky's Hare Hunt (1938). It has been debated whether or not the Duck that appears in the second part of this cartoon is or isn't Daffy. I like to think of him as Daffy, myself. Despite having Porky, Bugs and probably Daffy, Mel Blanc doesn't do a single voice in this cartoon. That is because the characters he usually voices don't talk for the whole film. The only speaking voice heard is Arthur Q. Bryan as Elmer Fudd. Also notice that Bugs makes Porky and his dog into a couple of boobs. This cartoon appropriately appears in Jerry Beck's book, The 100 Greatest Looney Tunes.
Next comes the Fleischer Screen Song cartoon, Twilight on the Trail (1937). This is a bit of a departure for the series as the title song is a cowboy tune rather than the usual jazz or pop tune. The song was written by Louis Alter for the movie The Trail of the Lonesome Pine (1936). The title song would later be the basis of a B-Western starring William Boyd appropriately named Twilight on the Trail (1941). In this cartoon, the song is performed by Louise Massey and The Westerners. Louise Massey was a popular country/western singer of the 1930's and 40's, though she is mostly forgotten today.
Now for the Aesop's Sound Fables cartoon short, The Wild Goose Chase (1932).
Up next is the Mickey Mouseworks cartoon, Mickey's New Car (1999). The cartoon first aired during the premiere showing of the TV special, Winnie the Pooh: A Valentine for You (1999). This short would later be used as part of the House of Mouse episode, Max's New Car (2001).
Now it is time for a commercial break.
Now it is silent film time with Mutt and Jeff in The Big Swim (1926). This is one of my favorite silent Mutt and Jeff cartoons. It is full of very clever and creative gags that perfectly fit the medium of silent film. Some of these gags even made me laugh out loud.
Next comes a classic Fleischer Popeye cartoon, I Never Changes My Altitude (1937). When movie magazines listed this cartoon, they changed the name to the grammatically correct, "I Never Change My Altitude." The following is an exhibitor's review from the Motion Picture Herald, "I Never Change My Altitude: Popeye the Sailor - These Popeye cartoons are very good for the kids. This one did not go over with the adults. Running time , eight minutes, A.J. Inks, Crystal Theatre, Ligonier, Ind. Small Town Patronage." Another exhibitor's review for the Motion Picture Harald, disagreed with this stating, " I NEVER CHANGE MY ALTITUDE: Popeye the Sailor—A good Popeye. Adults will enjoy this as much as the kids. Running time, seven minutes.— A. E. Eliasen, Rialto Theatre, Paynesville, Minn. Rural and small town patronage."
Before Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck or Porky Pig, the first Looney Tunes star was Bosko. Enjoy one of his films with Bosko at the Beach (1932). This cartoon also includes Bosko's supporting cast, his girlfriend, Honey and his dog, Bruno.
Today's cartoon selection ends with The Simpsons in Making Faces (1987). This is one of the shorts made 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
The 100 Greatest Looney Tunes edited by Jerry Beck
https://mediahistoryproject.org/
https://www.fleischerallstars.com/twilight-on-the-trail1.html
https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Mickey's_New_Car
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