Mintz, incidentally, didn’t just produce cartoons. He also released ten two-reelers that season, including one called “Toddles,” about a baby and a dog.
Other than pumping out cartoons, there was very little else happening in the animated world in the second half of ’27 judging by the pages of The Film Daily. Sound cartoons were about a year away and some film historians suggest that silent cartoons had gone about as far as they could go. So the newspaper had a number of cartoon reviews but little actual news during that period. Of interest are a Saturday Felix the Cat matinee, Winsor McCay still trundling around vaudeville with a cartoon act, and the release of a colour cartoon (several other colour shorts were released that year). In reading the cartoon reviews, it’s interesting the note the appearance of the old pepper/sneeze gag, and a staple of early ‘30s sound cartoons—characters ganging up to rescue a girl from the villain.
After the reviews, you’ll find a list of release dates compiled from the paper.
July 3, 1927
Publix Students Visits Cartoon Plant
Student members of the Publix Theater Managers Training School visited the studios of Fables Pictures, where Pathe "Aesop Fables" are produced.
July 28, 1927
Paramount Making Debut in Short Subject Field
Paramount makes its debut in the short subject field Aug. 1 with release of the first issue of Paramount News. "No Publicity," an Everett Horton comedy, and "Sealing Whacks," Krazy Kat cartoon. The issue of the newsreel will present a brief dedication to the public written by Editor Emanuel Cohen.
July 31, 1927
Paramount [Theatre]
Presented an innovation with Winsor McCay the cartoonist in person offering an animated cartoon called "McKay Cartoon Circus." The cartoonist with an Australian whip officiates as ringmaster as he puts the funny animals through their paces. The number was well synchronized and had lots of comedy values Sigmund Krumgold substituted for Crawford at the console, and carried through a regulation Crawford offering.
August 12, 1927
Cartoon Releases Transposed
Release dates of three Inkwell Imps series of cartoon comedies have been transposed by Paramount. New dates are: Sept. 17, “Koko Hops Off”; Oct. 1, “Koko, the Kop”; Oct. 15, “Koko Explores.”
August 25, 1927
Cartoonist Sails for Europe
Roland D. Crandall, animated cartoonist formerly with Red Seal and now associated with Pathescope, will sail Saturday on the Cedric for Europe where he will film historical scenes and gather material for a new short subject series.
Krazy Kat Get-Together
Charles J. Mintz of the Winkler organization was host yesterday at a luncheon at which Paramount short subject executives and members of the Krazy Kat Studio met. Those present included Mike Lewis, Miles Gibbons, Lew Diamond, George Wultner, Ben Harrison and Manny Gould.
September 7, 1927
Winkler Files Answer in Cartoon Patent Suit
Winkler Pictures in their answer to the suit claim that since the patents were issued thirteen years ago, Bray and Hurd have never prosecuted any court action to prove that their patents were of any value or validity. They further claim that the patents are invalid and that their company and other concerns using animated cartoon processes are not committing acts of infringement.
The further contention is made by the defendant company that Bray and Hurd were not the inventors, originators or first users of the particular processes used in making animated cartoons, but that these processes and methods were well known and in public use before either Bray or Hurd ever filed their applications for patents.
November 10, 1927
Civic Leaders at Luncheon
Educational and club leaders of New York City will be guests of the public relations department of the Hays organization at a luncheon today at the Empire Hotel. Following lunch, the civic heads will be taken through the Pat Sullivan studios, where "Felix, the Cat" cartoon comedies are made.
December 4, 1927
FELIX THE CAT LINES UP THE KIDDIES SOLID
This is actual and a stunt any showman can put over!
Art Delmore has organized a Felix the Cat club among the youthful patrons of his Granada, Wilmington, Cal. He conducts special Felix matinees every Saturday for boys and girls, arranging special stunts for each matinee. As an inducement to children to join the club and also attend his matinees, Delmore presents a Felix button to every club member.
To call attention to the matinees and to advertise his Felix the Cat cartoon comedies (Educational). Delmore uses small ads in the newspapers well in advance of each specific show. In each, he inserts a small cut of Felix. In similar manner he calls attention to the club and matinee on the first page of his program. As a result of his widely exploited club, the Granada crashed into the first page of the “Wilmington Press” with a three-column photograph showing members of the club in front of the house.
Phil M. Daly column
DANA PARKER, animator at the Pat Sullivan studios in the making of Felix, the Cat cartoons, keeps his mind on his work. Proof? When he was told Educational's luncheon was to be at the Empire Hotel, he had to inquire its location. The hotel can be seen from his window.
December 15, 1927
Grossman Dies in Paris
Word has been received by Julius Singer of the death in Paris Nov. 11, of Harry Grossman, director general of the Societe "Les Films Celebres." Grossman was the originator of the Mutt and Jeff cartoons in film form, later becoming associated with Alliance Pictures. He went to Europe four years ago.
REVIEWS
July 17, 1927
"Riding High" Fables—Pathe
Clever Animation
Type of production. . . .1 reel cartoon
The gagster has a good day in this episode of old Al Falfa's troubles, the first incident showing lengthy Leonard, the long dog, giving a crew of mice an aerial ride after they have inflated him. Leonard sneezes when a bird sprinkles him with pepper, then deflates and falls the ground, where Helen Hippo uses him for a skipping rope. Much more in the same gag vein takes place, resulting in the modern Aesop's observation: "It may be painful to crack your head, but it never hurts to crack a smile."
August 7, 1927
"Trolley Troubles" Winkler—Universal
New Rabbit Cartoon
Introducing Oswald, a rival to the other animal cartoon stars. And Oswald looks like a real contender, Walt Disney is doing this new series. Funny how the cartoon artists never hit on a rabbit before. Oswald with his long ears has a chance for a lot of new comedy gags, and makes the most of them. Universal has been looking for a good animated subject for the past year. They've found it. As conductor on a “Toonerville” trolley, Oswald is a riot. This and the two following in the series you can book on pure faith, and our solemn weird that they have the goods.
"Red Hot Sands" Fables—Pathe
Up to Snuff
Type of production. . . .1 reel cartoon
Tom Cat, Milt Mouse and Al Falfa pick the land of Egypt as the scene of their adventures. One of the funniest incidents in this exploration is the discovery, by means of snuff, that the Sphinx has false teeth and a wig. Later adventurers bring them to a sheik's castle where they rescue Harem Helen, this exploit entailing the scaling of a pyramid and flight on a crane's back. Excellent drawings and bright ideas embellish the plot.
August 14, 1927
"Aero Nuts" Paramount Krazy Kat Cartoon
More Cartoon Antics
Type of Production . . . 1 reel novelty
The recent New York to Paris flights furnished the suggestion for this Krazy Kat cartoon which presents the struggles of the aero cat who enters the race. Cartoon license provides a series of purely non-sensical stunts that drew a goodly share of laughs. The cat survives a series of hectic adventures during the flight and lands on what he believes it to be Eiffel tower only to discover that it was the top of an oil gusher. First rate cartoon comedy.
"The Travel Hog" Felix the Cat—Educational
A Cartoon Tour
Type of production. . .1 reel animated
Felix gets in the path of a tornado, and is whirled to the Arctic where he is chased by a polar bear and used as a ball by two playful seals. He is then thrown to Holland where the wind mills continue his forced journey, landing him on the moon, from where he drops onto the boot of Italy that kicks him into Egypt. Not much variety in cartoon technique, but Felix still carries his unique personality.
"Great Guns" Winkler—Universal
Clever Cartoon
Type of production. . .1 reel animated
The second in the new series of Oswald the Rabbit works some clever kinks in cartoon technique. Oswald finds himself being shot at by an enormous cannon that turns human and does all sorts of funny capers. Everything inanimate comes to life, even the cannon balls, and the artist gets far away from the cut and dried business of the animated schedule. Just another proof that ideas make good screen entertainment – even with the cartoon players.
August 21, 1927
"Ant Life As It Isn't" Aesop Fables—Pathe
Bugland Comic
Type of production. . .1 reel animated
The cartoon shows life in the ant village, with Andy Ant staging a petting party with Bess Beetle. But the bandit in the form of a bird steals the gal, and Andy calls out the fire department to rescue her from the tree where the bird has carried her. The animal life is comically depicted, and proves a fair burlesque on the outlaw western pictures.
"Art for Art's Sake" Felix the Cat—Educational
Cartoon Romance
Type of production.. 1 reel animated
In this cartoon Felix does the Romeo stuff when he loses his girl to an aviator rival. He turns to art, and does a statue of his sweetie, and hopes that it also will come to life. It does later. A clever conceit that is real arty in the cartoon division.
"A Hole in One" Fables—Pathe
Clever Animated Idea
Type of production....1 reel cartoon
Alfalfa's goat gets his "nanny" because the latter won't be steered by his horns. Al is finally butted into the 18th hole at a golf course, at least attains the distinction of which all golfers dream. Aesop puts the finishing touch on the proceedings by wheezing: "You don't have to be crazy to play golf, but it helps."
August 28, 1927
"The Small Town Sheriff" Fables-Pathe
Al Goes Law-Abidin'
Type of production. . 1 reel cartoon
Old Al Falfa, the sheriff, needs but one drink of a soda fountain speak-easy, to reach the stars. He takes a long celestial ride on the tail of a comet, and at last bounces into a boat, when he is again dumped into the ether. When he awakes he discovers himself surrounded by strange animals. What to do is a question, when he realizes he's a constable, so he sends them all scooting. Good, comprehensive fantasy.
September 4, 1927
"Cutting a Melon" Fables-Pathe
Unusual Clever Animation
Type of production . . .1 reel cartoon
One of the biggest laughs in this film is the sage observation at the conclusion, in which the modern Aesop wheezes: "The coat and the pants do all the work, but vest gets all the gravy." This is comparable to the best in the wise-crack line one might find along Broadway, but is given gratis with the rest of the film, which as usual shows the ability of Paul Terry with a pen. Here he depicts Al Falfa trying to market some melons only to be balked by some muts who steal not only the fruit, but the wagon too.
"Jack from All Trades" Felix—Educational
Lively Cartoon
Type of production. . .1 reel animated
Further sprightly adventures of Felix the cat with a human complex. Forced to go to work by his indignant wife, Felix looks around for easy ways to earn the necessary coin, and proves his ingenuity in several ways, and at several trades. But his crowning effort is when he becomes partners with a musician and attaches a tire air pump to the instrument. The resultant jazzy music causes the entire neighbourhood to shower the partners with coins, and Felix returns home in triumph to his wife. It is a good animated, with plenty of chuckles through the footage.
September 11, 1927
"Web Feet" Chas. B. Mintz—Paramount
Krazy Kat Capers
Type of production....1 reel cartoon
Krazy Kat sets out for a joy ride with a lady fair but ere long one of the two is seen walking home—and it isn't Krazy Kat. He continues his pursuit by delving into the cliffside homes of some lady spiders and arrives on the scene in time to save one of the fair sex from a brutal attack by a spider. An army of spiders fail to deter the Kat in his rescue and in due course he marries the "girl." Good cartooning and fair proportion of laughs.
"In Again, Out Again" Fables—Pathe
Excellent Cartoon
Type of production .... 1 reel cartoon
The funny cat and his gang are doing time in jail, and what they do to break their bonds is an inspired cartoonical comedy construction that carries all sorts of gags, funny capers and all the other familiar but unceasingly amusing devices of the comic artist. Having made good their escape, after much effort and hefty chasing from the cops, an ironical twist brings them back into the prison courtyard, where the eternal chopping of stones has them finishing whence they originally started. Tough on the gang, but lots of fun for the spectators.
September 18, 1927
"Wise Guise" Felix Cartoon—Educational
Imaginative Animated
Type of production . . . . 1 reel cartoon
Felix the Cat starts out to show his sweetie that he is a wise guy, and can beat most people at their own game. He wins a swimming race by a fluke—or to be exact, a fish that carries Felix on its back to victory. The best sequence is where Felix buys a silhouette cutout of himself from an artist, and the silhouette proceeds to steal his girl. Here is a corking cartoon idea that has been played up for a lot of laughs and will easily score alongside any of the current animateds.
September 25, 1927
"Rail Rode" Krazy Kat Cartoon—Paramount
Little Humor
Type of production. ... 1 reel cartoon
Krazy Kat embarks on new adventures and cuts up in hilarious fashion, as usual, but the capers fail to arouse any particular degree of mirth—which is not the usual thing in the Krazy Kat pictures. There is clever cartooning and some first class nonsense but the escapades of the Kat on a railroad are not of the usual laugh provoking order.
October 2, 1927
"The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" Peroff Picture
Color Novelty
Type of production. ... 1 reel cartoon
Paul Peroff has animated this legend by R. E. Raspe. It tells the story of a very egotistical gentleman who related a magnificent yarn about an adventurous trip in which he blew up a whale, landed in the moon and after cutting up in that doubtful land came back to earth where a great tablet was erected in his honor. But his dubious listeners promptly "crowned" the Baron and thus endeth the fable. Here's a novel bit of animation artistically done in color and certainly a delightful bit of variation.
"The River of Doubt" Fables—Pathe
Loads of Animated "IT"
Type of production. . . . 1 reel cartoon
We get a peep into a jungle revel, hippos using a dinosaur's neck for a springboard, monkeys flying like birds, a hyena using a crocodile for a harp, and other fantastic "didoes" as cut up by the joyous denizens of the forest—the whole spectacle eloquently bespeaking the brilliance and inventive power of the cartoonist's pen. The end comes when Alfalfa arrives with a camera and the startled beasts try to dope out the "devil box. A wildcat takes a chance and chases Al out of the forest. Lots of action, pep and grey matter in this number.
October 9, 1927
"Felix In Flim Flam Films" Pat Sullivan—Educational
Felix Goes Movie
Type of production..1 reel animated
Felix the Cat gets an assignment by friend wife to take the kids to the movies. But at the picture palace he finds that cats are barred. After trying various ingenious expedients to get inside, Felix gets sore and decides to make his own movies. When he shows the amateur movies to his wife, she lamps a love scene with the bathing gal, and Felix takes the count. Felix has his own technique, and this one is up to standard.
October 16, 1927
"Topsy Turvy" Winkler—Paramount
Krazy Kat Down South
Type of production....1 reel cartoon
Krazy Kat enters into new and amusing adventures in the land made popular by Little Eva and Simon Legree, the latter seeing to it that the visitor is given a "hot" time. An affair with a Southern belle, with the fair one suddenly carried off to Heaven whither Krazy Kat follows only to be directed below by the irate St. Peter, turns out to be all a dream and Krazy Kat awakens to find the janitor rousing him from a heavy slumber. Amusing bits and some clever cartooning makes this a pep or two better than the recent Kat numbers.
October 23, 1927
"Felix Switches Witches" Pat Sullivan—Educational
Halloween Classic
Type of production. . .1 reel animated
A fine example of the modern fairy tale is this portrayal of the adventure of Felix the romantic feline with hobgoblins, witches, and a troop of animals bewitched by the Halloween magic. Felix has been given a quality of imaginative creation. Here is a subject with a special appeal for Halloween, but possessed of that quality that makes it great entertainment for any season. The kids will laugh at Felix's capers and shiver at the witch's weird spell, while we older children will be carried back to childhood fancies. The artist who did the cartoons is really a fine director.
"A Brave Heart" Fables—Pathe
Clever Animation
Type of production....1 reel cartoon
Milt Mouse travels by taxi, trolley and water pump to reach his sweetie's aims. Nevertheless he's not "all wet" with her. Trouble brews when a rival conspires to make things hot for both, a series of kidnapings, rescues from a watery death and other mishaps ending with Milt putting a bullet in the villain's heart. Aesop concludes the saga with the ripe observation: "Don't bet on fights."
"The Big Tent" Fables—Pathe
Superlative
Type of production....1 reel cartoon
If photographed productions could be as funny as this, short subjects would leave features far behind for entertainment effects. We find Milt in love with Rita, circus star. Tom enters the scene and swipes the girl. To add to the excitement a lion breaks loose, and Milt finally puts both beast and villain out of business. Close-up finds Milt and Rita in a sweet clinch.
"Lindy's Cat" Fables—Pathe
Imaginative and Farcical
Tom the Cat takes off amid the hurrahs of the crowd, and away up on high notices a stowaway, whom he chase off. A great climax takes place in Paris, where the multitudes turn out to do homage, and all in all, we have here a neat little burlesque on the recent achievement of "Lindy". It is well done, with plenty of cartoonical twists to maintain the interest.
November 6, 1927
"No Fuelin" Felix Educational
Amusing Animated
Type of production . . 1 reel animated
Felix the Cat finds winter upon his household, and no fuel for the fire. His wife sends him out to get a supply. A series of amusing and original gags are presented, for all the forest animals are frozen stiff like trees and shrubs, so that when Felix starts to collect them for firewood, they come to life with laughable results. The final sequence is particularly good. Felix at last gets a bag full of wood, but a woodpecker lights on his back, and when he reaches home all the wood is inside the woodpecker.
November 13, 1927
"For Crime's Sake" Chas. B. Mintz—Paramount
Krazy Kat Cuts Up
Type of production... 1 reel cartoon
Krazy Kat gets a lot of fun out of a flute in this one and the melodious notes, as they emit from the cat’s pipe, take on shapes of little black jiggers that follow him around and provide the usual crazy capers that make these cartoon numbers thoroughly amusing, if wholly nonsensical.
December 4, 1927
"Pig Styles" M. J. Mintz [sic]—Paramount
Animal Fashions
Type of production. . . .1 reel cartoon
Krazy Kat undertakes a tough job in introducing the Pig family into society after they inherit a fortune. He teaches them etiquette at the dinner table, but with poor results. The little pig goes out to the ash can to get a square meal. He is kidnapped by the rhinoceros butcher who takes him to town to make a ham out of him. Krazy Kat pursues and is seen emerging triumphantly with the bag containing the pig. But when the bag is opened, the parents find their offspring has been made into a ham. The cartoon work makes this entertaining with special appeal, of course, to the youngsters.
“Inklings” Fleisher—Red Seal
Trick Sketches
Type of production....1 reel cartoon
The cartoonist supplies some new novelties in interesting sketches that begin with the drawing of two very homely people—a man and a woman, and then comes the process of "face to face uplift" wherein the artist removes superfluous bits from man's face and fits them into the woman's with the result that he has two good looking people when he's through. The next bit called, "The Farmer In the Dell," shows the artist cutting out the well known members of the "Dell" family in a series of silhouettes, starting with the farmer and going right down to the mouse. Clever and should go well on any program.
"The Banker's Daughter" Winkler—Universal
Corking Laugh Producer
Type of production. . . . 1 reel cartoon
Here's an animated “opera” of comics that speaks volumes for the imagination, sense of humor and drawing ability of the artist. There is hardly a single scene or situation that hasn't some droll twist. In this case, the theme is plainly an inoffensive poke at ripe melodramas, will bank robbing, kidnapping of the fair damsel and a bomb explosion figures eloquently in the story.
"Uncle Tom's Crabbin'" Pat Sullivan—Educational
Good Burlesque
Type of production....1 reel cartoon
Felix the Cat does some good burlesquing of the Uncle Tom's Cabin idea. Felix hikes to the sunny Southland, and meets Uncle Tom and Topsy doing their stuff in front of the old cabin. Felix helps to jazz things up as Uncle Tom strums his old banjo. Then Simon Legree appears with his whip and starts to break up the party. The famous ice scene is burlesqued with Felix subbing for Eliza as Legree chases him over the cakes in the ice wagon. The comedy antics of Felix make this a lively number.
December 11, 1927
“Why and Other Whys” Felix—Educational
Cut Alibis
Type of production ... 1 reel animated
A good burlesque on the night club gent coming home with his alibis to a skeptical wife, Felix the Cat starts off with a whopper, and as he warms up to the subject you see his alibi in cartoons. Friend wife punches a hole in it, and Felix starts off with another explanation even more wild. But when his wife discovers a blond hair on his shoulder, and Felix tries to alibi that one, he goes down for the count. Amusing, lively, and more or less true to life as some humans live it.
December 18, 1927
"The Stork Exchange" Paramount Krazy Kat Cartoon
A Bright Idea
Type of production....1 reel cartoon
Krazy Kat hobnobs with the stork in his latest adventure and interferes with the delivery of the precious packages. The cartoonist has devised some good gags and the license of cartooning is used to advantage with many preposterous, but amusing bits, as a result. Krazy Kat intercepts the arrival of a baby and, falling down a chimney, is mistaken for the expected arrival and immediately welcomed by the happy parents.
“Rats in His Garret” Aesop Fables—Pathe
Usual Cartoon Antics
Type of production....1 reel cartoon
Bothersome mice steal the farmer's load of wheat and so he employs a rat exterminator; a canine. The dog leads the mice a merry chase into a trap and then releases them, the entertainment ending with the familiar chase sequence. This offering has the usual amount of fun characteristic of the series.
December 25, 1927
"The Junk Man" Aesop Fable—Pathe
Good Cartoon Stuff
Type of production. ... 1 reel novelty
In this diverting film the cat conceives the bright idea of singing in order to collect junk. He sells it to a junk man and then, with the aid of a magnet, attracts it all back to him for selling a second time.
Short Subject Releases from August to October
EDUCATIONAL
1501 BROADWAY, N. Y. C.
Felix the Cat Cartoons--1 Reel
Jack From All Trades 8-7-27
The Non-Stop Fright 8-21-27
Wise Guise 9-4-27
Film Flam Films 9-18-27
Felix the Cat Switches Witches 10-2-27
Felix the Cat in No Fuelin' 10-16-27
Felix the Cat in Daze and Knights 10-30-27
Felix the Cat in Uncle Tom's Crabbin' 11-13-27
Felix the Cat in Whys and Other Whys 11-27-27
Felix the Cat Hits The Deck 12-11-27
Felix the Cat Behind in Front 12-25-27
(Untitled) 1-8-28
(Untitled) 1-22-28
PARAMOUNT FAMOUS LASKY CORP.
Paramount Building, N. Y. C.
Animated Cartoons (Krazy Kat) 1 Reel
Sealing Whacks 8-1
Aero Nuts 8-13
Web Feet 8-27
School Daze 9-10
Rail Rode 9-24
Tired Wheels 10-8
Topsey Turvy 10-22
Pie Curs, The 11-5
For Crime's Sake 11-19
Milk Made 12-3
Stork Exchange, The 12-17
Wired and Fired 12-31
Pig Styles 1-14
Animated Cartoons (Inkwell Imps) 1 Reel
Koko Plays Pool 8-6
Koko's Kane 8-20
Koko the Knight 9-3
Koko Hops Off 9-17
Koko the Kop 10-1
Koko Explores 10-15
Koko Chops Suey 10-29
Koko's Klock 11-12
Koko Kicks 11-26
Koko's Quest 12-10
Koko the Kid 12-24
Koko's Kink 1-7
Koko's Kozy Corner 1-21
PATHE EXCHANGE, INC.
45 West 45th St., N. Y. C.
Aesop's Film Fables—2/3 Reel
Ant Life As It Isn't 8-7
Rew Hot Sands 8-14
A Hole in One 8-21
Hook, Line and Sinker 8-28
The Small Town Sheriff 9-4
Cutting A Melon 9-11
In Again, Out Again 9-18
The Human Fly 9-25
The River of Doubt 10-2
All Bull and A Yard Wide 10-9
Lindy's Cat 10-15
The Big Tent 10-22
A Brave Heart 10-29
Signs of Spring 11-6
Saved by a Keyhole 11-13
The Fox Hunt 11-20
Flying Fishers 11-27
Carnival Week 12-4
Rats in His Garret 12-11
The Boy Friend 12-18
The Junk Man 12-25
The Broncho Buster 1-1
A Short Circuit 1-8
High Stakes 1-15
The Spider's Lair 1-22
To be announced 1-29
UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORP.
730 Fifth Ave., N. Y. C.
Snappy Comedies—1 Reel
The Mechanical Cow 10-3-27
Saxaphobia 10-10-27 [Arthur Lake short]
Great Guns 10-17-27
Title Not Decided 10-24-27
All Wet 10-31-27
The Ocean Hop 11-14
The Banker's Daughter 11-28
Empty Socks 12-13
Rickety Gin 12-26
Harem Scarem 1-9
Neck'n Neck 1-23
Do we know the outcome of the lawsuit between Bray-Hurd and Winkler? I wonder if a trial transcript still exists. Certainly there are Disney shorts in the early '30s that have a title card saying that they're licensed under the Bray-Hurd patents, so I'm guessing that Winkler couldn't get the patents invalidated, though maybe they could prove they weren't violating them.
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