Some Cartoons for Saturday Morning #291

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

Today's cartoon selection begins with our friend Little Roquefort in City Slicker (1952). This is a take on the classic country mouse and city mouse story with some delightful slapstick twists of course.

To follow on the country mouse/city mouse theme, here is an especially great Silly Symphony from Disney, The Country Cousin (1936). Like many Disney films of this time this short is especially notable for its great animation. Some of the best Disney animators worked on this cartoon. Probally the one who has been singled out the most has been Art Babbitt for his excellent animation of the drunken mouse. This is appropriate because this animation is a highlight of the film. Still there is much more great animation to be found. In fact Cy Young's animation of the traffic montage was so good that the studio reused it later in the Mickey Mouse cartoon, Mickey's Delayed Date (1947).  The opening animation of the country mouse leaving for the city was by Milt Schaffer. Johnny Cannon animates the two mice meeting as well as the country mouse finding his way into a light socket and the film's ending. Marvin Woodward animates the scene with the mouse trap. Les Clark (a future member of Walt's nine old men and expert Mickey Mouse animator) gets to shine with his animation of the mice on the table and the country mouse after eating hot mustard. Future Donald Duck director, Jack Hannah doesn't have much to animate in this film. He only animates the plates falling on the floor. Paul Allen animates the two mice parachuting and some of the action with the cat. This cartoon won the Academy Award for best animated short film. It won the Academy Award for Best Cartoon Production. The cartoon made its TV debut on an episode of the Disneyland TV show entitled, From Aesop to Hans Christian Anderson (1955). 

Now for the Talkartoons cartoon, The Robot (1932). This film stars Bimbo, who started off as a starring character but would later become a supporting character for Betty Boop, whose stardom would eclipse his. You can see a primitive early version of Betty in this film. 

Next is the Terry Toons cartoon, Uncle Joey (1941). The title character is a caricature of comedian/actor Joe E. Brown. A review from the National Board of Review Magazine stated, "A cute cartoon about a mouse and a cat. The cat isn't as wicked as cartoon cats usually are, but he gets worsted anyway."

Now it is time for a commercial break. 

Next comes the last of the great series of cartoons of the 1940's teaming Donald Duck and Goofy together, Crazy With the Heat (1947). These cartoons are delightful all the way, with Goofy's obliviousness to his circumstances (however bad they may be) playing off of Donald's insane temper. This just gets Donald more and more annoyed as the films get funnier and funnier. This is a rare Disney cartoon short directed by Bob Carlson, who mostly worked as an animator by the studio. With how funny this film is that certainly seems a shame. A review in The Film Daily called this cartoon, "Exceptionally good." I can't argue with that.

Next comes one of my favorite early Bugs Bunny films, The Wabbit Who Came to Supper (1942). One of the things you will notice first about this cartoon is how the characters are drawn. Bugs will often go off model in a way you would never see in a later short (around 1944 this would come to an end). Elmer is also in his heavier set design. Bob Clampett had redesigned the character for his cartoon Wabbit Twouble (1941) and that design would stick for four more cartoons (including this one). The design was based off of Elmer's voice artist, Arthur Q. Bryan. Yet there is so much to enjoy about this cartoon that you won't care how the characters look. Director Friz Freleng is known for how perfectly he could time a gag and this is incredibly evident. There are also plenty of incredibly clever gags from writer Michael Maltese (who would go on to form a writer/director partnership with director Chuck Jones that would result in some of the funniest and most famous cartoons of all time). Many of these gags would take cartoon logic to ridiculous and hilarious extremes. A review in The Film Daily called this short, "Tremendously hilarious." A review in The Exhibitor stated, "This has many humorous moments, even if not ranking with the best of the B.B. series. However with that title and his popularity, this offers an opportunity." The following is an exhibitor's review from the Motion Picture Herald, "Wabbit Who Came to Supper: Merrie Melodies Cartoons- Good. This series is taking off fast. They are asking when we are having our next 'carrot eating rabbit.' - A.H. Goldson, Plaza Theatre, Chicago, Ill." 

Next comes the Color Rhapsody cartoon, Lucky Pigs (1939). 

 

Now to close with a song. 

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

Resources Used

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

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

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

 

Some Cartoons for Saturday Morning #274

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

Today's cartoon selection begins with Sylvester and Tweety in Tweet and Lovely (1959). This is one of my favorite Sylvester and Tweety films. Voice actor Mel Blanc would later write, "Sylvester has always been a favorite of mine. He's always been the easiest character for me to play. When I was showing the first model sheet for Sylvester with his floppy jaws and generally disheveled appearance, I said to Friz Freleng, 'A big sloppy cat should have a big shthloppy voice. He should spray even more than Daffy.' While recording Sylvester cartoons my scripts would get so covered in sylvia I'd repeatedly have to wipe them clean. I used to suggest to actress June Foray, who voiced Tweety's vigilant owner Granny that she wear a raincoat to the sessions." 

Next up comes the Terry Toons short, The Hopeful Donkey (1943). Like When Mules Leave Home (1934) last week, this is also a Terry Toons adaption of the Brothers Grimm story Town Musicians of Bremen. However, this short borrows nothing more from the previous cartoon than the same source material. Both cartoons are charming takes on the classic children's story.  

Now for the Fleischer Screen Songs cartoon, I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles (1930). The title song was written in 1918 by composer John Kellette and lyricists James Kendis, James Brockman and Nat Vincent (under the pseudonym Jaan Kenbrovin) The song premiered in the Broadway musical The Passing Show of 1918 (Jul 25, 1918–Nov 9, 1918) where it was sung by Helen Carrington. In 1919 the song would become a number one hit for Ben Selvin's Novelty Orchestra. 

Now for the Terry Toons cartoon, Beanstalk Jack (1946). 

Now for a commercial break.

Next is the new Three Stooges cartoon, Kangaroo Catchers (1965). The Three Stooges not only appear in live action before and after the cartoon, but they also voice themselves in the animated cartoon.

Some of Disney's best and funniest cartoon shorts are those that teamed Mickey, Donald and Goofy as a comedy trio. Next up I have the second of these cartoons and the first one in color, Mickey's Fire Brigade (1935). This movie opens with the title card burning away in flames, a creative touch by effects animator Cy Young. In this short Mickey is the fire chief, a role he had played earlier in The Fire Fighters (1930). Two of the animators on this film are Bill Tytla (possibly my favorite Disney animator) and Grim Natwick, both of whom had joined the studio in 1934. They animate the majority of the scenes with Clarabella Cow. The scene where Goofy tries to take a coffee break is animated by Wolfgang “Woolie” Reitherman, who would later become a specialist at animating the character. Jack Kinney, who would go on to direct some of the funniest cartoons to ever come out of the Disney studio, animated Donald's struggles with flypaper and pails of water. It is common for cartoon fans to think of the old Disney shorts as being slow moving and sentimental, however that is not the case here at all. This is a fast moving and very funny film that puts a smile on my face every time. The following is from an issue of The Film Daily (dated Sept. 5, 1935), " 'Mickey's Fire Brigade,' is to have its premiere in the New York theatrical sector this evening when it opens at the Rivoli Theater with the new Samuel Goldwyn production, 'The Dark Angel.'" A review in National Board of Review Magazine stated, "Noisier and less clever than most of this series but still better than most of its kind." A review in The Film Daily states, "This is one of the liveliest and funniest of the Walt Disney cartoon creations." The following is an exhibitor's review from The Motion Picture Herald, "MICKEY'S FIRE BRIGADE: Mickey Mouse—One of the best of the Mickey Mouse series. Running time, eight minutes.—M. H. Harrington, Avalon Theatre, Clatskanie, Ore. Small Town and Rural Patronage." This theatrical cartoon made its TV debut on an episode of The Mickey Mouse Club that aired on October 31, 1956.

Up next is the Mickey Mouseworks cartoon, Pluto Vs. The Watchdog (1999). This cartoon would later play in the House of Mouse episode, Donald and the Aracuan Bird (2002).

Now let us close with a song. 

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

I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat: Fifty Years of Sylvester and Tweety by Jerry Beck.

Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse: The Ultimate History by David Gerstein and J.B. Kaufman

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

https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Mickey's_Fire_Brigade

https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-show/the-passing-show-of-1918-6965

https://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/mickeys-fire-brigade-1935/

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

 

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 a true classic starring Porky and Slyvester, Claws for Alarm (1954). This was the second of two cartoons (both directed by Chuck Jones) featuring Sylvester as the cowardly cat that must protect his owner Porky for murderous mice (the first being Scaredy Cat (1948)). Unlike other appearances of Sylvester, here the cat is treated more like a real cat and has no ability to speak. Chuck Jones would use this basic formula again for Jumpin' Jupiter (1955). That film would again feature Sylvester as a cowardly cat that must protect Porky. However, in that cartoon he would protect his master from a space alien rather than mice.  Claws For Alarm would later be used in the feature length compilation movie, Daffy Duck's Quackbusters (1988).

Next is the New 3 Stooges cartoon, Tee for Three (1965). These cartoons feature the voices of the real Stooges who also appear in the opening and closing live action segments. About the live action segments Curly Joe Derita would state, “There were 156 cartoons and we made only 40 live-action segments. So, after they ran the whole 40, they’d just start over by using these same introductions on new cartoons. This turned out to be misleading because viewers would say, ‘Oh, I’ve seen this one before.’ and they’d turn off the television. They didn’t know it was a new cartoon."  In the cartoon here the Stooges play a game of golf. They had previously played golf in the classic live action short film, Three Little Beers (1935). However, no gags are borrowed from that previous short, and the story is completely different. 

Now for the Talkartoons short, Silly Scandals (1931). This film marks the first cartoon in which Betty Boop has her first name. 

It is now time for an early Silly Symphonies cartoon, The Merry Dwarfs (1929). For Disney buffs one of the most appealing things about the Disney films of the 1920's is that many of them were directed by Walt Disney himself. While these cartoons may not be a polished or sophisticated as the Disney films of the mid to late 1930's and 40's, they give us a peek into the creative mind of one of the most important names in film history. Though there are no animation credits on this cartoon J.B. Kaufman and Russell Merritt's indispensable book about the Silly Symphonies states that Ub Iwerks, Les Clark, Johnny Cannon and Wilfred Jackson worked on this film. The background art is by Carlos Manriquez, who worked on many of the Silly Symphonies of the late 1920's and early 1930's. This film opened in New York, December 11-17, 1929, with the feature film, The Sky Hawk (1929) at the Gaiety theatre. It played at Hollywood's Grauman's Chinese Theatre running from January 17- April 11, 1930, with the feature film The Rouge Song (1930), which features one of the earliest feature film appearances of Laurel and Hardy. The short made its TV debut on an episode of The Mickey Mouse Club that aired on February 3, 1956.

Now it is time for a commercial break. 

Now we join our friend Mighty Mouse in Gypsy Life (1945). This marked the only Mighty Mouse cartoon to be nominated for an Academy Award. The other cartoons nominated that year included Donald's Crime (Disney, 1945), Jasper and the Beanstalk (George Pal, 1945), Life With Feathers (Warner Brothers, 1945, the first appearance of Slyvester), Poet and Peasant (Walter Lantz, 1945), Quiet Please (MGM, 1945) and Rippling Romance (Columbia, 1945). The winner was Quiet Please marking the third time a Tom and Jerry cartoon won the Oscar. 

Up next is the Walter Lantz produced cartoon, The Big Cat and the Little Mousie (1938). I personally have a fondness for these black and white Walter Lantz cartoons. This is a really charming and fun film. It may not be exactly hilarious, but it does have a real charm to it. The whole sequence with the drunk mouse is similar to a famous sequence in the Disney cartoon, The Country Cousin (1936) and was perhaps inspired by it. While the character animation here may not be as impressive as that of the Disney film, it is still quite well done. A review in The Film Daily stated, "Kids and grownups alike will find this yarn amusing." A review in the Motion Picture Herald calls this film "unnecessary" and states, "The background commentary with its 'teeny weeny little mousie,' has a burlesque ring in light of the theme of this Oswald Rabbit subject." 

Now Mickey and friends in Potato Land (2013).

Now to close with a song. 

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

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.

The Three Stooges Scrapbook by Jeff Lenburg, Joan Howard Maurer and Greg Lanburg

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

Video Link: Goofy’s Game Day: The Secret Formula Behind Disney’s Sports Cartoons - West of Neverland

 

Video Link: What Came BEFORE Mickey's Christmas Carol? - West of Neverland

Video Link: Why This 1935 Disney Short Was a Game-Changer for the Fab Five - West of Neverland

Some Cartoons for Saturday Morning #246

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

Today's cartoon selection begins with Sylvester and Tweety in Tweet and Lovely (1959). This is one of my favorite Sylvester and Tweety films. Voice actor Mel Blanc would later write, "Sylvester has always been a favorite of mine. He's always been the easiest character for me to play. When I was showing the first model sheet for Sylvester with his floppy jaws and generally disheveled appearance, I said to Friz Freleng, 'A big sloppy cat should have a big shthloppy voice. He should spray even more than Daffy.' While recording Sylvester cartoons my scripts would get so covered in sylvia I'd repeatedly have to wipe them clean. I used to suggest to actress June Foray, who voiced Tweety's vigilant owner Granny that she wear a raincoat to the sessions." 

Next is the Fleischer Screen Song cartoon, My Baby Just Cares for Me (1931). The title song was written by Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn. The two had written such songs together as Carolina in the Morning, My Buddy, My Man from Caroline, Love Me or Leave Me, Makin' Whoopee and Yes Sir, That's My Baby. The song was written for the movie, Whoopee! (1930) starring Eddie Cantor. Sorry that this short is missing a small part of it. 

Now for Heckle and Jeckle in Log Rollers (1953). 

Next is the Mickey Mouseworks cartoon, Mickey’s Remedy (1999). This short would later be used in the House of Mouse episode, Snow Day (2002). 

Now it is time for a commercial break. 

Up next comes an early example of Disney's Silly Symphonies cartoons with The Bird Store (1932). This short film is similar to many of the Silly Symphonies of the time period. The movie starts out with simply a bunch of cute little gags involving a bird store and then a villain enters and many of the characters team up to stop this villain. The cartoon is directed by Wilfred Jackson, who would later co-direct such Disney features as Cinderella (1950), Alice in Wonderland (1951), Peter Pan (1953) and Lady and the Tramp (1955). The film also features an all-star cast of Disney animators. David Hand, who would later be the supervising director for such Disney features as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and Bambi (1942), animates the opening scene. Future Donald Duck director, Jack King animated the lovebirds, the canaries being excited and the baby being returned to its parents. Frenchy de Tremaudan, who worked as an uncredited animator on many of Disney best short films, animates the bird sharpening its beak and the parrot with the cash register. Johnny Cannon animated the jalopy birds and the canaries pecking at the cat. Clyde Geronimi, who would be a co-director on Cinderella (1950), Alice in Wonderland (1951), Peter Pan (1953) and Lady and the Tramp (1955) and the supervising director for Sleeping Beauty (1959), animates the horn birds and the cat in the cage. Norm Ferguson, whose animation would later help define the character of Pluto, animates the parrot with both the mirror and the typewriter. Future Woody Woodpecker and Barney Bear director Dick Lundy animates the whooping birds and the cat stalking the canaries. Future Hanna-Barbera director, Rudy Zamora animates the Marx Birds. Future Looney Tunes and Van Beuren director, Tom Palmer animates the baby canary taking on a singing lesson. Albert Hunter animates the birds watching with excitement. Master Mickey Mouse animator, Les Clark animates the baby canary running from the cat and the scene with the dogs. Ben Sharpsteen, who would later be the supervising director for such Disney features as Pinnochio (1940), Fantasia (1940) and Dumbo (1941), heads a whole crew of animators including Chuck Couch, Marvin Woodward, Hardie Gramatky, Harry Reeves and Dick Williams. 

Now for a silent Aesop's Film Fables short, Two of a Trade (1922). This short film features our friend Farmer Alfalfa.

Now for Hoot Kloot in Big Beef at the O.K. Corral (1974). In this short film, Hoot Kloot faces off against the outlaw Billy the Kidder. 

Today's cartoon selection ends with The Simpsons in Closeted (1988). This was a short 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

I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat: Fifty Years of Sylvester and Tweety by Jerry Beck.

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

https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Mickey%27s_Remedy

 

Some Cartoons for Saturday Morning #240

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

Today's cartoon selection starts with a true Disney classic, Mickey's Circus (1936). Though this movie features major stars like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, Walt Disney himself had a fondness for a supporting character in this cartoon. That character was the littlest of the seals. Walt loved this character and because of that he suggested gags for the seal and even wished to revive him in later cartoons. The character would appear in only one more film and that would be over a decade later. That cartoon was Mickey and the Seal (1948). Mickey and the Seal would also give the character a name, Salty. The following is from a review from the Film Daily, "There are serval barrelsful of laughs in this Technicolor Mickey Mouse cartoon from Walt Disney's workshop. The very ridiculousness of the antics of Donald Duck, Mickey and the trained seals bring laughs whether one wants to laugh or not." The following is an exhibitor's review from the Motion Picture Herald. "MICKEY'S CIRCUS: Mickey Mouse— Average Mickey Mouse, not as good as several previous ones but still good. - John A. Mulligan, Broadway Theatre, Schuylerville, N.Y. General Patronage." 

Now for one of the best Casper the friendly ghost cartoons, Ghost of Honor (1957). This short film tells the story of how Casper became a cartoon star.

Up next is the Fleischer Screen Songs cartoon, My Gal Sal (1930). The title song was written by Paul Dresser (born April 22, 1857, passed away January 30, 1906), brother of novelist Theodore Dreiser. Having performed in minstrel shows, medicine shows and vaudeville, he was a popular singer, composer and actor of his day. He had even been compared to Stephen Foster. His biggest hit was the 1897 song, On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away. Unfortunately, around the turn of the century, his music fell out of style and in 1905 his music publishing company would declare bankruptcy. 

Next is Hoot Kloot in Gold Sturck (1974). 

Now it is time for a commercial break. 

Next comes 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."
 

Now for Felix the cat in The Cold Rush (1925). 

Up next is the Disney short, Goofy Gymnastics (1949). I have mentioned many times here that I am a massive fan of the Goofy cartoons that Jack Kinney had directed for Disney. Kinney remains one of my favorite cartoon directors and I view him as being on the same level as Tex Avery and Chuck Jones. This short film made its TV debut on an episode of the Disneyland TV show entitled The Goofy Sports Story (1956). It would later air on an episode of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color entitled In Shape with Von Drake (1964). 

Today's cartoon selection ends with The Simpsons in Space Patrol (1987). This is one of the shorts made for The Tracey Ullman Show before the animated family got their own series. 

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

Resources Used

Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse: The Ultimate History by J.B. Kaufman and David Gerstein 

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

https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Goofy_Gymnastics

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

Some Cartoons for Saturday Morning #231

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

Today's cartoon selection begins with Porky's Pooch (1941). Though all the classic Charlie Dog cartoons would be directed by Chuck Jones, this Bob Clampett short clearly sets up the template that all of those later cartoons would follow. In fact the first Charlie Dog cartoon, Little Orphan Airedale (1947), would be a remake of this film. The backgrounds in this film are live action photographs. A year later Bob would use a live action opening for Eatin' on the Cuff or The Moth Who Came to Dinner (1942). The following is an exhibitor's review from Motion Picture Herald, "PORKY'S POOCH: Looney Tunes Cartoons—Right up my alley for my patronage. Running time, 7 minutes. —Vic Stephano, Grove Theatre, Groveton, Tex. Small Town Patronage." A review in The Motion Picture Daily called the film, "Good for a few laughs." The Showman's Trade Review gave advice to movie theater owners on how to advertise this cartoon, "Play it up to all Porky fans and make some new fans to win over some of the dog lovers in your community by staging a pet show, prize contest for best snapshot of a pet or prize contest for a brief essay on 'why my dog is the best in town.'" 

Up next is the Fleischer Screen Song short, I'm Afraid to Come Home in the Dark (1929).

Now we join our hero Mighty Mouse in A Fight to the Finish (1947). During this period many of the Mighty Mouse cartoons were operatic melodrama parodies. Like many cartoon fans, I have a real fondness for the Mighty Mouse films of this period. 

I have also mentioned before that I am also a fan of the cartoons Jack Kinney directed for Disney. These were some of the studio's funniest, often providing an almost Tex Avery like sense of humor that I find irrespirable. Next comes one of those great cartoons, Motor Mania (1950). Despite this film being such a comedic tour de force, it also had a successful life as a safety film. This film received the National Safety Council Award. This cartoon was even used in 1953 in Oakland, California as a mandatory part in its Traffic Violator School. No need to look at this film as an educational experience, it is just as fast paced and funny as any of Jack Kinney's great cartoons for Disney. The cartoon is narrated by John McLeish, who had previously done the narration of other Goofy cartoons including, How to Ride a Horse (1941). Jack Kinney would later remember, "We were sitting around, chewing it over, trying to think of someone to do the narration, and I had just said, 'Gawd! I wish John McLeish was in town. He'd be perfect,' when as if on cue, the phone rang. It was John calling from New York. 'McLeish!' I shouted into the phone. 'I wish you were here!' 'I shall be,' he intoned, 'If you've got a job for me.' 'You got it.' 'I'll be there Monday.'" 

Now it is time for a commercial break. 

Today's cartoon selection continues with a delightful Woody Woodpecker cartoon, Chew Chew Baby (1945). This movie was directed by Shamus Culhane, who had previously been an animator for Disney, the Fleischer Brothers and Warner Brothers. Culhane proved to be one of the finest directors to work at the Walter Lantz Studio (where the Woody Woodpecker cartoons were made). The cartoons he directed for this studio were some of the finest cartoons to come out of it, including one of the most praised Woody Woodpecker cartoons, The Barber of Seville (1944).







   

Now it is silent movie time with the Out of the Inkwell short, No Eyes Today (1929). 

Next is the Columbia Color Rhapsody cartoon, Bon Bon Parade (1935). This a cute and sweet little film and the rare sentimental cartoon from Columbia that kind of works. Despite this sentimentality the highlight is the caricatures of The Three Stooges. 

Today's cartoon selection ends with The Simpsons in The Money Jar (1988). 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. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Resources Used

Walt Disney and Assorted Other Characters by Jack Kinney.

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

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

  

   

Some Cartoons for Saturday Morning #224

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

Animation fans know director Friz Freleng as a master of timing and very few comedy cartoons have come close to the perfect comedy timing of his films. This can especially be seen in his cartoon, Yankee Doodle Daffy (1943). This in my mind is one of his funniest films and just a pure delight. Despite the title, this film does not have a parotitic theme or revolve around U.S. history. With the James Cagney feature, Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) having come out the year before, this pun was probably just too good for the filmmakers to pass up.  Look for a portrait of Friz Freleng hanging in Porky's office. A review in The Motion Picture Daily calls this film a "Pleasant little subject." The following are Exhibitor's reviews from The Motion Picture Herald. "YANKEE DOODLE DAFFY: Looney Tunes Cartoons—This studio's cartoons lately seem to be either exceptionally good or exceptionally bad. This is downright terrible. - W. Verricks Nevins, III, Alfred Co-op Theatre, Alfred N.Y." "YANKEE DOODLE DAFFY: Looney Tunes Cartoons—Good cartoon, but where does it get its name? - Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesdale, W. Va." "YANKEE DOODLE DAFFY: Looney Tunes Cartoons - Average color cartoon. - E.M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla." 

Now for the classic UPA cartoon, Georgie and the Dragon (1951). This movie was directed by Robert "Bobe" Cannon, one of my favorite UPA directors. He had previously been an animator for both Chuck Jones and Bob Clampett's units at Warner Brothers and even Tex Avery at MGM. He even worked on the Disney feature film, Melody Time (1948). As a director he made some of the best UPA shorts including one of the studio's most famous films, Gerald McBoing-Boing (1950). 

 Next comes a short film from the husband-and-wife team of John and Faith Hubley, The Tender Game (1958). This duo brought us some of the most artistic and lovely animated short films of all time. The music on this film is by Ella Fitzgerald (the queen of jazz) and Oscar Peterson (a wonderful jazz pianist). 

Here is an animated insert that John and Faith Hubley made for Sesame Street. 

Now for the Fleischer Superman cartoon, The Eletric Earthquake (1942). For a studio that was best known for silly comedy cartoons like the Popeye and Betty Boop shorts, Fleischer Studios adapted itself extremely well to the action/adventure genre with these films. Even with the flux of superhero cartoons that have followed many still view these shorts as the gold standard when it comes to superhero animation. The makers of such shows as Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond and Justice League Unlimited have cited these short films are their primary influence. 

Now it is time for a commercial break. 

To this day some of the most popular cartoon shorts among Disney fans are the ones that used Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy as a comedy team in the same vein as Laurel and Hardy, The Marx Brothers or The Three Stooges. The first of these was Mickey's Service Station. This was also the only one that was in black and white instead of color. In fact there would be only one more Mickey Mouse cartoon in black and white, which would be Mickey's Kangaroo (released later the same year). A quick bit of writing from an issue of The Film Daily (dated March 14, 1935), lets us know where this cartoon premiered, as well as the feature it played with. "Walt Disney's newest Mickey Mouse cartoon, 'Mickey's Service Station' is to have its premiere at the Rivoli Theater tomorrow on the bill with Samuel Goldwyn's 'The Wedding Night' in which Gary Cooper and Anna Sten are co-starred "Here is what some theater owners had to say about this cartoon in The Motion Picture Herald. "Mickey's Service Station: Mickey Mouse- Good filler lots of laughs and excitement. Running time, 1 reel - Rudolph Duba. Royal Theater, Kimball S. D. Small town patronage" "Mickey's Service Station: Mickey Mouse- A dandy cartoon. Mickey Mouse means something at our box office.- J.W. Noah, New Liberty and Ideal Theaters, Ft. Worth, Texas. General patronage."

Now for the silent Out of the Inkwell short, The Cure (1924). 

Continuing today's selection of classic cartoons is Popeye The Sailor Meets Sinbad The Sailor (1936). This is the first of the three Popeye two-reel specials (plus the first color Popeye) and one of the most popular Popeye cartoons. Running at 17 minutes this is twice as long as the usual Popeye film, yet the filmmakers work this to their full advantage. It never feels too long, and the extra time lets the filmmakers put in a more atmospheric fantasy like feel to this cartoon. This would be the first Popeye nominated for an Academy Award and received the 17th spot in Jerry Beck's book, The 50 Greatest Cartoons. A review in The Film Daily called the cartoon "Top Notch." However not everybody was so impressed by this film as evidenced by the following Exhibitors reviews from The Motion Picture Herald. "Popeye the Sailor Meets Sinbad the Sailor: Popeye the Sailor series - Good color but did not bring extra business like Paramount said it would. -Fisher & Bichler, Mattray Theatre, Strasburg, N.D." "Popeye the Sailor Meets Sinbad the Sailor: Popeye the Sailor special - Worth twice as much as regular Popeye but no more. I paid more and that makes me a dissatisfied customer. - W. H. Brenner, Cozy Theatre, Winchester, Ind. General Patronage." "Popeye the Sailor Meets Sinbad the Sailor: Popeye the Sailor cartoons - This much Balley-hooed two-reeler, all color, third dimensional cartoon failed to come up to the entertainment value of the single reel black and white Popeye series. - M.R. Harrington, Avalon Theatre, Clatskanie, Ore. - Small Town and rural patronage."

Let us end today's cartoon selection with a classic Simpsons clip from the episode, 22 Short Films About Springfield (1996). 

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 50 Greatest Cartoons edited by Jerry Beck

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

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

Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse: The Ultimate History by David Gerstein and J.B. Kaufman

https://lantern.mediahist.org/

 

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/

Some Cartoons for Saturday Morning #204

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

Today's cartoon selection begins with the second Coyote and Roadrunner film (though Wile E. Coyote appeared sans Roadrunner in Operation Rabbit (1952) before this). When the first Roadrunner cartoon (Fast and the Furry-ous (1949)) was made, it was not intended to become a series. Writer Michael Maltese stated, "It was just another one-shot. Another workaday cartoon." This second entry proves that these characters had a power that lasted past one cartoon. Beep Beep remains one of the finest entries in the series. 

Up next is a true Thanksgiving classic, Tom Turk and Daffy (1944). Unlike Christmas or Halloween, there really aren't a wide variety of Thanksgiving cartoons, which is odd once you think about how hunting a turkey is a perfect subject for a cartoon. However, the idea of hunting a turkey in a cartoon was done to perfection in this film. The cartoon was directed by Chuck Jones, who is often credited with playing a major role in turning Daffy from his early crazy self into a self-centered character bent on self-preservation-ism. While Daffy had not fully turned into that character by this point this cartoon shows that sneaking into the character. In this film Daffy is willing to sell-out his friend he vowed to protect when temptation gets the better of him (Those darn candied yams!). The idea of Daffy simply being too weak to resist temptation is fully in line with the Daffy we would see in later Jones cartoons. Yet he still has the wild energetic streak that characterized the older Daffy Duck cartoons. In an interview with film historian Joe Adamson, Chuck would state, "What you do is multiply your own weakness, I guess, in a character like Daffy. There was no problem after I began to understand what he was all about. My Daffy and Friz's [Looney Tunes director, Friz Freleng] are also a little bit different, Friz was the one you might say, who got him into that cowardly self-preservation. The minute he did it, I understood what that was; I knew how I'd feel. It's that awfulness, when you're on the battlefield, of realizing when your buddy is shot that your basic feeling is one of relief: that it wasn't you. Well Daffy says that. He says, 'I may be a mean little duck but I'm an alive little duck.' or when he gave Bugs up to the Abominable Snowman, he said, 'I'm not like other people: I can't stand pain - it hurts me.' When I'd go home, I'd tell Dorothy [Chuck's wife] a line like that, which just occurred as I was working. I'd say, 'You know what that guy Daffy did today?' and I'd repeat the line and then she'd look at me. She never got used to this, she'd say, 'Well, you were drawing it you did it.' I'd say 'That's not true! It just developed! That's what he said. It was natural for him to say it.'" Despite this cartoon being Thanksgiving themed, Jerry Beck and Will Friedwald's book, Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: A Complete Illustrated Guide to Warner Brothers Cartoons, lists the film release date as February 12th, 1944. The story credit for this film goes to "The Staff" and as far as I know this is the only Warner cartoon with that credit. I do not know the reason for this if any of you do, please let me know.

Next is Tom and Jerry in the Hollywood Bowl (1950). In the vein of The Cat Concerto (1947) before it, this film once again features Tom trying to put on a concert and Jerry wanting to be a part of it. Tom has a big concert at the Hollywood Bowl as the conductor. Jerry wants to conduct alongside Tom, but Tom does not take to kindly to this. Tom tries his best to get Jerry out of his way, but the mouse proves to be incredibly stubborn. 

Now for a delightfully bizarre early Terry Toons short, Golf Nuts (1930). This is actually the first Terry Toon not to have the name of a food or drink in its title. All the Terry Toons before this were named after some food or drink. 

Now it is time for a commercial break. 

Next is a black and white Walter Lantz cartoon, Pixie Land (1938). While this may not be as funny as the Walter Lantz shorts of the 1950's it is still quite enjoyable on its own terms. 

Before Pat Sullivan produced the silent Felix the Cat cartoons, he produced a series of animated short films starring Charlie Chaplin's little tramp character. Charlie's Turkish Dream (1919) is a good example of one of these films. 

Now for a Mickey Mouse Works TV cartoon, Roller Coaster Painters (1999). This cartoon would later be used in the House of Mouse episode, Not So Goofy (2001). 

Today's cartoon selection ends with a classic Thanksgiving TV special, Garfield's Thanksgiving (1989). 

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

Resources Used

Chuck Jones: Conversations Edited by Maureen Furniss

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

Hollywood Cartoons: American Animation in it's Golden Age by Michael Barrier

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