tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3738012638904762739.post8982048979237876949..comments2024-03-28T11:45:24.378-07:00Comments on Tralfaz: Much Ado About JonesYowphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09264605351878574044noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3738012638904762739.post-5665907726142729342012-04-02T18:35:15.331-07:002012-04-02T18:35:15.331-07:00The top squirrel looks like a Ben Washam job on ac...The top squirrel looks like a Ben Washam job on account of his facial construction (like a low wide valentine). Mind you, Bob Bransford could have done that -- he was Benny's assistant over part of the 1950s.Tonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17446855706531749726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3738012638904762739.post-4855823179638989752012-04-02T16:23:22.611-07:002012-04-02T16:23:22.611-07:00I can deal with the cuteness of the early 50s Jone...I can deal with the cuteness of the early 50s Jones cartoons, because the majority also leave plenty of room for comedy at the expense of the cuteness that Mike Maltese brought to the table.<br /><br />In a way it's similar to what Avery did in the initial Screwy Squirrel cartoon, by having Screwy take the adorable Sammy Squirrel behind a tree and beat the tar out of him. Jones would never be that direct (though he does borrow Tex's 'four pawsup' gag from "Of Fox and Hounds"), but "Nuttin'" works for me because we see the ultra-cute squirrel get robbed of his cuteness, dignity and sanity as the cartoon goes on. He doesn't beat the hell out of him in five seconds like Screwy did to Sammy; it's a more drawn-out torture based on the same impulse Chuck and Mike would explore more directly in "On Froggy Evening".<br /><br />Chuck's cartoons by 1957 would never dengue to treat cuteness in so rough a manner -- in shorts like "Go Fly A Kit" ultra-cute wins out through the entire cartoon. Which actually makes the cartoon (at least to me) less lovable because it's too soft and routine a conflict (eve with a flying cat angle) to be more funny than cute.J Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15175515543694122729noreply@blogger.com