Hello my friends and happy Saturday morning, once again it is time to check back in with our favorite cartoon stars.
Today's cartoon selection begins with one of the most popular (and justifiably so) of Disney's cartoon shorts, The Band Concert (1935). Around this time, Mickey Mouse (one of the world's most popular movie stars) was starting to have his star eclipsed by his co-stars, namely Donald Duck and Pluto. As Mickey was being toned down and becoming more of a good guy, a problem arose. The mouse was still a good character but it was becoming harder to find truly good comic roles for such a character. The Band Concert however gives Mickey one of his best roles, that of an orchestra conductor, who tries to keep an air of dignity about himself and his music (even donning a fancy outfit for the occasion, which is much to large for the small mouse defeating the dignity off the bat). He has to keep this dignity and respectability afloat, even when a low brow and playful Donald Duck intrudes. There is a great musical contrast in this cartoon, as Mickey and his band play the classical William Tell Overture and Donald plays the more simple folk tune of Turkey in the Straw. This gag becomes all the funnier, when you consider that Mickey did a less than dignified performance of Turkey in the Straw back in his primitive days of Steamboat Willie (1928). This may sound like Mickey is a simple strait man to Donald's antics but there is more to this film than that. Mickey is just as much of a comic figure as Donald. To see a mouse bent on dignity remain sophisticated through a series of low brow slapstick gags is one of the reasons this short endures itself to so many. As well as providing one of Mickey's best roles, this short also marks the mouse's first appearance in Technicolor. The original plans for this film were very similar to the actual cartoon. Most of the changes were that some gags were cut. Some of these included Mickey arriving in a chauffeured Model T, some antics by Mickey's mischievous nephews and some gags setting up the small town atmosphere. The biggest change was from a small tornado to a giant one. This was an important change as it gives the movie one of its best set pieces. This cartoon reached the #3 spot in Jerry Beck's book, The 50 Greatest Cartoons. Film historian and critic Leonard Maltin has often referred to this as his favorite Disney short. The following is an exhibitor's review from The Motion Picture Herald, "BAND CONCERT: Mickey Mouse—Well, color helps Mickey Mouse 60 per cent. Popeye has been more popular lately but from the comment on this color- Mickey, believe he will gain it back. By far the best Mickey Mouse we've ever used and we've used them all to date. -John H. Forrester, Pine Theatre, Waldron, Ark. Lumber-farming patronage."
Next we join our old buddy Gandy Goose in his second cartoon, The Goose Flies High (1938). The following is an exhibitor's review from the Motion Picture Herald, "GOOSE FLIES HIGH, THE: Terry-Toons—Very clever. These cartoons look all right. Our first one. —Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. General patronage."
Now Popeye and Bluto go at it again in Taxi-Turvy (1954).
One thing that I love about Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies is the sheer variety of characters. You have the most popular characters and than there are the characters who may not be as famous as the big name character, but also are not exactly obscure. One of my favorite of these characters is Beaky Buzzard. Beaky only appeared in four shorts from the golden era of Looney Tunes, but he certainly has left a lasting impression on cartoon fans. This is his third appearance and his first not directed by Bob Clampett, The Lion's Busy (1950). This is the only time Beaky was directed by Friz Freleng, and perhaps that is why he seems a bit smarter here than in his other appearances.
I personally think that Earl Hurd's Bobby Bumps films are some of the finest cartoons of the silent era. Here is one of the best of the series, Bobby Bumps Puts a Beanery on the Bum (1918).
Today's cartoon selection ends with an absolute classic Daffy Duck and Porky Pig cartoon from director Bob Clampett, The Henpecked Duck (1941). This cartoon is not often listed with the best Looney Tunes or Merrie Melodies, but it seems like many cartoon fans (including me) have a special fondness for this film.
Thanks for 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
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