YANKEE DOODLE DAFFY (Theatrical Release USA 1943)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

Yankee Doodle Daffy—classic cartoon—has good presentation, story, and portrayal. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

Daffy Duck promotes a multitalented young duck to Porky Pig who wants to go on vacation. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you Director I. Freleng for directing effort. Thank you Producer Leon Schlesinger for making the film possible. Cast includes Mel Blanc and Ken Bennett. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good Porky Pig and Daffy Duck film. It has good comedy written into it. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

WHAT’S BUZZIN’ BUZZARD? (Theatrical Release USA 1943)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

What’s Buzzin’ Buzzard—uses animation techniques that are still viable—has a good story, great presentation, and good portrayal of story. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This toon is about two hungry buzzards. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Tex Avery for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Fred Quimby for making the film possible. Cast include Patrick McGeehan, Kent Rogers, and William Hanna. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The toon is well written. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

DAFFY—THE COMMANDO (Theatrical Release USA 1943)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Daffy—The Commando—good WWII animated short film—has good presentation, suitable storyline, and good portrayal. Daffy Duck’s basic character is established by the 1940s. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

Daffy and a German officer fight it out during WWII. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director I. Freleng for directing the film. Thank you to Producer Leon Schlesinger for making the film possible. Cast includes Mel Blanc.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. It’s a small dip into World War II culture and has a suitable storyline. Daffy Duck is a good choice for this story. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

DONALD DUCK AND THE GORILLA (USA 1944)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Donald Duck and the Gorilla—good short film—raises the question: what would a family do with a gorilla that escapes from the zoo? It’s a simple watch for the whole family.  

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

Donald Duck and his nephews: Huey, Dewey, and Louie are harassed by a gorilla who escapes from the zoo. 

Additional Thanks                                                                                                    

Thank you to Director Jack King for directing effort. Thank you to Walt Disney for making the film possible. Cast includes Clarence Nash and James MacDonald. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Worth watching. Great work for all involved. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

HARE TRIGGER (Theatrical Release USA 1945)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Hare Trigger—classic short film from Merry Melodies—stars Yosemite Sam and Bugs Bunny. The animation is still viable and worth its watch over seventy years after creation. Great work for all involved in production. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

Yosemite Sam decides to perform a train robbery meets Bugs Bunny. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director I. Freleng for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Edward Selzer for making the film possible. Cast includes: Mel Blanc

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Great work for all involved in production. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

MY FAVORITE DUCK (Theatrical Release USA 1942)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

My Favorite Duck—classic Looney Tunes animated film—stars Daffy Duck and Porky Pig in a maturing, recognizable  relationship. It’s a ‘feel good’ toon. Great work for all involved. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

Porky Pig goes camping and encounters a pesky and annoying duck. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Charles Jones for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Leon Schlesinger for making the film possible.

 Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This toon could be classified as coming from a classical era in toon animation. This toon is both interesting and entertaining. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

WABBIT TWOUBLE (Theatrical Release USA 1941)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Wabbit Twouble—classic short toon from Merrie Melodies—shows the tremendous leap forward made from toon productions in their beginning years into the early 1940s. It shows a heavier set Elmer Fudd and a little different design on Bugs Bunny than in later films.  This is a wonderful watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Elmer Fudd goes on a camping trip and encounters a pesky rabbit. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Bob Clampett for directing the film. Thank you to Producer Leon Schlesinger for making the film possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This classic cartoon begins to concretize the relationship between Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd. It appeared in 1941 during terrific changes in international relations and kept maturing its format and animation skill.

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

 

WOODY WOODPECKER (Theatrical Release USA 1941)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Woody Woodpecker—short film—has an odd ending and insertions of scenes that seem unrelated to the storyline. The cartoon runs dry toward its conclusion and lacks vibrancy throughout. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia. 

Storyline 

Woody Woodpecker begins to think he is crazy when other forest animals suggest that he is crazy. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Walter Lantz for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walter Lantz for making the film possible. Cast includes: Mel Blanc, Margaret Hill-Talbot, Danny Webb,and  Ben Hardaway. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The movie needs to establish clarity. But it still makes a suitable watch.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

RHAPSODY IN RIVETS (Theatrical Release USA 1941)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating:4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Rhapsody in Rivets—classic—'do not miss’ film that everyone will love. The animation movement reminds one of Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 where both Fantasia films stand above the rest of the cartoons. Wonderful musical scoring marks this toon. 

Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Images 

Storyline 

Construction workers are building in harmony with classical music. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director I. Freleng for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Leon Schlesinger for making the film possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Good work for all involved in production. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

PUSS GETS THE BOOT (Theatrical Release USA 1940)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Puss Gets the Boot—feel good cartoon—is an early production of Tom and Jerry with some small changes compared to later films (such as using the name Jasper and using a little different design on Tom). The is a great comedy, short film and tells a great story. This film is a good example of why we go to the movies.

Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb 

Storyline 

Tom the cat tries to get Jerry the mouse. But Jerry uses the Housekeeper against Tom. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director William Hanna and Joseph Barbera for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Rudolph Ising for making the film possible. Cast includes Harry Lang, William Hanna, and Lillian Randolph. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is more than worth watching.

Video Critique Available Here

:Ben Meyers

THE BRAVE TIN SOLDIER* (Theatrical Release USA 1934)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Brave Tin Soldier— short film—has ‘sentimental’ sprinkled throughout while it investigates the forces of good and evil. WOW! Wonderful idea for a film. This is a good watch and worth watching. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A tin soldier falls in love with a ballerina. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Ub Iwerks for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Ub Iwerks for making the film possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. WOW! This is a great overall watch. Good work for all involved in production. 

Also Known as: “Christmas in a Junkyard”

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

THE MERRY OLD SOUL (Theatrical Release USA 1933)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Merry Old Soul—creative with a good story—has wonderful references to early cinema actors and actresses. This is one of the better Oswald Rabbit films and becomes a good watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Oswald thinks the King needs to cheer up and along with other actors works his charm. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Walter Lantz and Bill Nolan for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walter Lantz for making the film possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film presents a nostalgic return to actors and actresses of that era. Good work for all involved in production. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FIDDLESTICKS (Theatrical Release USA 1930)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Fiddlesticks—low entertainment short film—uses a color technique called Harriscolor which is interesting. The toon introduces a character called Flip the Frog.

Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb 

Storyline 

Flip the Frog plays piano and dances. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Ub Iwerks for  directing work. Thank you to Producer Ub Iwerks for making the film possible.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It is interesting to see Flip the Frog in his first film. This cartoon  needs  better presentation. and the scenes of Flip playing the piano with the mouse playing the violin are probably the best part of the film. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SPRINGTIME (USA 1929)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Springtime—an interesting film—explores the joy of nature and spring through music, the bloom of flowers, bugs and animals.  Antiquated animation still works to provide interest.

Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Images 

Storyline 

The dance of nature when weather creates joy. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Ub Iwerks for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walt Disney who made the film possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good short film and worth watching for a one-time watch. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

WEARY WILLIES (Theatrical release USA 1929)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Weary Willies—relatable to the human condition—presents a simple story that deserves its watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images and Wikipedia 

Storyline 

Two homeless animals try to steal a roasted chicken. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Friz Freleng for directing effort. Thank you to Producer George Winkler for making the film possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This black and white production is charming.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

RABBIT OF SEVILLE (Theatrical Release USA 1950)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Rabbit of Seville—Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd film—tells a lot about their relationship in a wonderful, masterful, creative way. This is a great watch that is consistent throughout, bases itself in a great storyline, presentation, and strong continuity. WOW! The cartoon appeals to the international movie audience and makes a more than terrific addition to the home video library. This film is available on Vimeo. 

 Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd work barber shop  magic in a most royal way. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Charles Jones for directing effort. Cast includes Mel Blanc and Arthur Bryan. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. No ‘shab’ here. The movie has generational appeal based on the iconic characters of Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

JOHANN MOUSE (Theatrical Release USA 1953)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Johann Mouse—classic Tom and Jerry cartoon that works all the way to the bank—delivers a terrific, creative short film that is more than worth watching. Tom and Jerry (in this case Tom and Johann) battle it out with perfect synchronization. Don’t miss this film. Great addition to the family home video library. This movie is available on Dailymotion.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Tom Cat attempts to catch Johann Mouse. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors William Hanna and Joseph Barbera for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Fred Quimby for making the film possible. Cast includes Hans Conried. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a ‘must see’ cartoon.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers