Some Cartoons for Saturday Morning #262

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

Today's cartoon selection begins with the first Daffy Duck cartoon directed by Chuck Jones, Daffy Duck and the Dinosaur (1939). Today many cartoon fans associate Chuck with being one of the main people who changed Daffy from his early high energy crazy self into a more vain, jealous and greedy character. This film however features Daffy in his early crazy high energy mode. A review in The Motion Picture Herald even stated, "The gags and situations are appropriately matched to the zany personality of the duck." Another review in The Motion Picture Daily stated, "Leon Schlesinger delivers good color cartoon work in this "Merrie Melody," but the striving for whimsy hits only in spots." The following is an exhibitors' review also from The Motion Picture Herald, "Daffy Duck and the Dinosaur: Merrie Melodies—Very few laughs in this one. Not up to standard of most cartoons in this series. Running time seven minutes. - Don Bloxham, Place Theatre, Exira, Iowa, General and rural patronage."

Next is the Screen Songs cartoon, Boilesk (1933). The song I'm Playing with Fire is performed by the Watson Sisters. The Watson Sisters consisted of Kitty and Fanny Watson. The duo worked in burlesque, vaudeville, Broadway and radio. One Broadway show they appeared in was Monte Cristo, Jr. (Feb 12, 1919 - Oct 04, 1919). Kitty performed a song called Jazz Marimba and Fanny performed a song called (Who Played Poker with) Pocahontas. That show ran for 254 performances. As well as their stage and radio careers they also recorded various songs for Victor, Columbia and OKey. In 1931 Fanny Watson was teamed with Thelma White in a series of two-reel short films for Vitaphone. The song itself was written by Irving Berlin and was first recorded by Jack Denny & His Orchestra in December 1932. Other artists who recorded the song include Rudy Vallee, Jack Johnson and his Orchestra, Gracie Feilds, Bing Crosby and Guy Lombardo (all of those artists recorded it in 1933). 

Next is The New Three Stooges cartoon, That Was the Wreck That Was (1965). The Stooges voiced themselves in this made for TV cartoon. 

Next up comes an early black and white Silly Symphony, Mother Goose Melodies (1931). Like many other early Silly Symphonies, this film doesn't feature much in the way of plot and spends most of it time with characters dancing and reacting to the music. Yet this is an important film in the series as it is the first one to have lyrics sung by the characters. The songs here are rather simple affairs with little of the complexities that would appear in later Disney music (JB Kaufman and Russell Merritt's indispensable book on the Silly Symphonies credits these songs to "Bert Lewis and/or Frank Churchill). The opening scenes beginning the parade (animated by Ben Sharpsteen) would later be reused in a special short for the 1932 Academy Awards titled Parade of the Award Nominees. This film would be remade as the color Silly Symphony, Old King Cole (1933). The following is a review from The Film Daily, "Walt Disney and his assistants have turned out a synchronized cartoon comedy that will be hard to beat. It has all the Mother Goose rhymes worked into one story and the transportation from one to another is accomplished by turning the pages of a huge story book. Drawings on the pages come to life and preform real laugh-making antics. Gags are new and plentiful. This one will make audiences laugh plenty." The following is a review from the Motion Picture Herald, "Walt Disney has done a most unusual piece of work in this "Silly Symphony" number. There is indicated a great step forward technically, in animation and synchronization, in addition to excellent subject material, clever animated ideas, and rapidity of action. There is almost the illusion of real life in some of the figures, the animation is so fine. Many well-known Mother Goose stories are included with the stories neatly running together. Old King Cole is featured, and little Jack Horner is featured as well. The youngsters will devour this and ask for more and the elderly children will enjoy it hugely by all means do not miss it. It is great." Walt Disney voices Little Jack Horner himself. Layout work on this film started on January 26, 1931. Animation was done from February 2nd to the 28th of 1931. Sound was recorded on March 31, 1931. It was delivered on April 11, 1931. This cartoon made its TV debut in an episode of Mickey Mouse Club that aired on November 21, 1955. 

Now for a commercial break.

Next is Heckle and Jeckle in Pirate's Gold (1957). This short was directed by Eddie Donnelly. This is one of my favorite Heckle and Jeckle cartoons, especially due to the ending gag. 

Now for the Aesop's Fables cartoon, Fly Frolic (1932). As with many of these cartoons, the real treat is Gene Rodemich's music. 



 

Next is the Pepe LEw Pew cartoon, Louvre Come Back to Me! (1962). This is the final theatrical short to star Pepe and was a very strong one to go out on. 

Today's cartoon selection ends with The Simpsons in Bart's Nightmare (1989). This is one of the shorts made for The Tracey Ullman Show before the cartoon family got their own TV series. 

Thanks of joining me. Come back next week for more animated treasures. Until then may all your tunes be looney and your melodies merry. 

-Michael J. Ruhland

Resources Used

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

Walt Disney's Silly Symphonies: A Companion to the Classic Cartoon Series by Russell Merritt and J.B. Kaufman 

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/monte-cristo-jr-8842

https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/mastertalent/detail/100857/Watson_Sisters

https://www.fleischerallstars.com/im-playing-with-fire.html