BASEBALL BUGS (Theatrical Release USA 1946)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating:4.1|5.0 Starììì ì 

Baseball Bugs—cute—uses the theme of baseball and becomes this small work of art. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Bugs shows how to play baseball. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Friz Freleng for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Edward Selzer for making this film possible. Cast includes Mel Blanc, Bea Benaderet, Frank Graham, Tedd Pierce, and The Sportsman Quartet. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  

Yes. Baseball fans and Bugs Bunny fans will particularly love this toon. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE CAT CONCERTO (Theatrical Release USA 1947)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating:4.1|5.0 Stars  ìììì  The Cat Concerto—unexpected stage setting for Tom and Jerry—shows Tom as an accomplished pianist and Jerry as the one determined to distract him. This sits in the better half of Tom and Jerry stories and is a good watch for the child/adult share.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  Jerry Mouse interrupts Tom Cat’s piano concert.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Producer Fred Quimby for making the film possible. Thank you to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for producing the film. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. This is worth watching. Video Critique Available Here:   Ben Meyers

THREE’S A CROWD (Theatrical Release USA 1932)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì Three’s a Crowd—archaic, odd short film—does not have the enjoyable storyline that most toons have. The animation is the best part of this short movie. The story juxtaposes a multitude of cartoon characters that have no linking relevance…Alice in Wonderland, Jekyll and Hyde, Uncle Tom from Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Cleopatra, Tarzan…nothing meshes and it seems more like a nightmare than an animated piece meant to entertain. Nothing seems rightly placed in this animation.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  After an elderly gentleman retires for the evening, cartoon characters begin singing a variety of musical tunes to an ongoing adventure between all the characters.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Rudolf Ising for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Leon Schlesinger for making the film possible. Cast includes Ken Darby, Rudolf Ising, The King’s Men, and Johnny Murray.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Maybe. A strange story at odds with itself and with the audience it is hoping to entertain.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

NASTY QUACKS (Theatrical Release USA 1945)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating:3.9|5.0 Stars ììì  Nasty Quacks—Daffy Duck short film—shows Daffy Duck in a much different story than he usually performs in. This time the stage setting is indoors.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline   A pet duck becomes a problem. Will he be able to stay in the family?   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Frank Tashlin for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Edward Selzer for making the film possible. Cast includes Mel Blanc, Sara Berner, and Robert Bruce.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?   Maybe. It’s not a high quality film and can be  boorish due to the length of some of the scenes. Audiences may feel ‘Okay, we got it that the duck is rude and the householder is fed up.’ How many ways do we need to see it ? Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

BOSKO THE DOUGHBOY (Theatrical Release USA 1931)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Bosko the Doughboy—lacks that little spark necessary to make a short film work. This film reflects a grievous time in United States history and that light look is welcome. It just needs a small upgrade across the board to make that small leap.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  Bosko serves in the infantry during World War I.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Hugh Harman for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Hugh Harman, Rudolf Ising, and Leon Schlesinger for making the film possible. Cast includes Johnny Murray and Rudolf Ising.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?   Yes. Bosko in WWI provides its fair share of comedy but lacks the little ‘zing’ that makes comedy glow.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

PECK UP YOUR TROUBLES (Theatrical Release USA 1945)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Stars ììì Peck Up Your Troubles—Sylvester the Cat short film—continues his taste for birds. This time he’s chosen one who doesn’t live in a cage and is a little more wily  than Tweety Bird. This is a good comedy that tells a good story.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline   Sylvester the cat wants to make a meal of a woodpecker, but this is no ordinary woodpecker.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Friz 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. This works for fans of Sylvester the Cat toon-dom. Video Critique Available Here:  Ben Meyers

DORA’S DUNKIN’ DONUTS (Theatrical Release USA 1933)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Stars Dora’s Dunkin’ Donuts—short film—suits itself in an adorable story that serves a wide audience range for entertainment. Very sweet story that engages the heart in a good way. The film has a good conclusion. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  A woman who makes wonderful donuts is helped by a schoolteacher to advertise them.

Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Harry Edwards for directing effort. Cast includes Andy Clyde, Ethel Sykes, Bud Jamison, Shirley Temple, Florence Gill, and The Meglin Kiddies. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This short film is a good watch. It leaves a good feeling afterwards that sustains itself for some time. Touches the human heart and is a good bedtime share for parents and children.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE WABBIT WHO CAME TO SUPPER (Theatrical Release USA 1942)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 ìììì The Wabbit Who Came to Supper—one of the better Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny toons—serves a long and large portion of unique comedic scenes revolving around restraint of natural hunting instincts. Outstanding comedy. Watch for the last scene. It provides one last good chuckle.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  Elmer Fudd will inherit money if he will not harm rabbits and other animals.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Friz Freleng for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Leon Schlesinger for making the film possible. Cast includes Mel Blanc and Arthur Bryan.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a top-of-the-line Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny toon.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

PATRIOTIC POPEYE (Theatrical Release USA 1957)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating:4.0|5.0 Stars Patriotic Popeye—cute short film—offers a sweet watch about the Fourth of July. It has a strong sense of where it is going and how to get there. Very cohesive toon that has a nicely placed moral inside. This toon makes a good,  simple child/adult share about the Fourth of July and provides a nice leap point for discussion about this American holiday, and how it is a pinnacle part of the American year and the remembrance of how Americans won their freedom.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  Popeye’s nephews are setting off fireworks and giving Popeye challenges because they are a little too young to play with fireworks. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Izzy Sparber and Thomas Johnson for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Seymour Kneitel, Dave Tendlar, and Izzy Sparber for making the film possible.   Cast includes Jack Mercer. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Cute short film for Popeye fans.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers