The early part of 1940, according to the pages of The Film Daily, had little else of note in the animation world, though Disney was looking to conquer new worlds. The impending “Fantasia” was being pushed as not an animated feature. In other words, it was something new. Interesting, too, is a story involving the concept of “a Fairyland Village, to be peopled with film characters created for Disney cartoons.” Sounds awfully familiar, doesn’t it?
Cartoon Films, Inc., tried to be part of the future—they were trying to convince someone to release their shorts, likely United Artists—but ended up staying in the commercial business. But George Pal managed to sign his first deal. And the Fleischers’ past-tense cartoons—the unfunny Stone Age series—was relegated to the real past tense and were replaced with the equally-unfunny Gabby series.
January 3, 1940
B'WAY RECORDS FALL BEFORE SMASH 'TAKES'
From the Paramount's management came word that the holiday week-end brought the biggest business since the house opened 13 years ago, and that the continually large grosses established by the current attraction, "Gulliver's Travels," the picture would be held for an indefinite run.
The full length cartoon feature starts its third week today and the theater will continue to open at 8:30 a.m. daily, with five de luxe shows in addition to an extra midnight screen show every night.
264,798 See "Gulliver"
During its first two weeks, "Gulliver" played to 264,798 persons, 13,000 having entered the theater before 3 p.m. on five successive days during the holiday period. Bob Weitman, manager of the Paramount, said yesterday that another record was established when 72,927 children saw the show without one youngster "being lost, strayed or stolen."
January 4, 1940
Rites Held in Hollywood for Mintz, Cartoon Maker
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Funeral services were held here for Charles B. Mintz, 50, president of Screen Gems, Inc., and prominent in the industry as a cartoon producer. His best known screen creations were the short subjects series, "Krazy Kat" and "Scrappy."
Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Margaret Winkler Mintz; two children, Kathryn and William Mintz; two sisters, Mrs. Isaac D. Kallet of Hollywood and Mrs. Jacob Salzman of Brooklyn, and two brothers, David and Harry I. Mintz, of New York.
Walter W. Blackman Dead
Cleveland, O.—Walter W. Blackman, 65, pioneer animated film cartoonist, died here.
January 9, 1940
15 Terry Toons for 1940-41 Envisioned by Paul Terry
Boost in the number of Terry Toons 20th-Fox will handle next season to 15 is forecast by Paul Terry, producer. It is expected that he will deliver 12 cartoons in Technicolor this season, an increase in two over the number originally planned.
January 10, 1940
15 Terrytoons In Color
Increase to 15 in the number of Technicolor Terrytoons Paul Terry will deliver to 20th-Fox for distribution next season is expected, with total of 26 to be made.
January 11, 1940
Hear "Pinocchio" May Play Center Theater Engagement
Walt Disney's "Pinocchio," when released by RKO in February, may go into the Center Theater, it was reported last night. It was expected that advanced admission prices would be put into effect. No definite policy for the picture, as to whether or not it will be roadshowed before general release, has beeen set yet, it was further reported. Efforts to reach RKO execs, for confirmation late last night were unavailing.
January 12, 1940
NLRB DISMISSES SCG CERTIFICATION PLEAS
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington—NLRB yesterday announced dismissal of petitions filed by Screen Cartoon Guild for investigation and certification of representatives of employes for four Hollywood animated cartoon producers. Companies involved are Walter Lantz Productions, North Hollywood; Loew's, Inc., Culver City; Raymond Katz Studio, Los Angeles; and Leon Schlesinger Productions, Hollywood.
The NLRB specified that this dismissal will not preclude Screen Cartoonists Local 852 of International Brotherhood of Painters, Paperhangers and Decorators of America (AFL) claiming to be a successor to the Screen Cartoon Guild, from filing a petition for certification of representatives with respect to any of these employes.
Following the announcement of an election order on Oct. 23, 1939 Local 852 requested the NLRB to reopen the record for the purpose of receiving additional evidence to establish that Screen Cartoon Guild is now non-existent and that Local 852 is its successor. Local 852 further requested the board to exclude cameramen from the unit found to be most appropriate.
The Board stated that under all the circumstances the better procedure would be to deny the motion of Local 852 and to dismiss the petition without prejudice. The board added that there was no statement by Local 852 that the question concerning representation which it had formerly found to have arisen, now exists, or that a new question concerning representation has since arisen. The board stated that it would not determine whether Local 852 was the same entity as or one different from Screen Cartoon Guild.
January 16, 1940
Grecian Inspiration
Miami — Next Fleischer cartoon feature for Para. will have a story from Greek mythology.
January 17, 1940
"Pinocchio" Opens at Center Theater Wed. Night, Feb. 7
Walt Disney's "Pinocchio" will have a gala world premiere at the Rockefeller Center Theater in Radio City on Wednesday evening, Feb. 7, RKO announced yesterday. Starting Thursday morning, the Disney feature cartoon will play an extended engagement on a continuous run policy at popular prices.
January 23, 1940
Darneille Joining Staff of Gen'l Film Industries
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—George J. Darneille, vice-president of Cartoon Films, Ltd., of Beverly Hills, has joined the staff of General Film Industries, Inc., New York subsidiary of General Film Co. of Hollywood. Darneille remains an officer and active partner of Cartoon Films, Ltd., and his joining with General Film Industries organization is a further development of the co-ordination of the efforts of these two companies. Darneille will headquarter in New York.
Cartoon Films, Ltd. has been and is currently engaged in the production of animated cartoon playettes in Technicolor for the Shell Oil, W. K. Kellogg Co., Standard Oil of California, Lever Bros., Kraft Phenix Cheese and others. It is also actively engaged in the preparation of a series of theatrical animated cartoons to be released the early part of this year.
Center Staff for "Pinocchio"
Press offices for Walt Disney's "Pinocchio," which opens at the Center theater, Radio City, Feb. 7, have been established at the house. Richard Condon is directing exploitation, with John McGeehan assisting. Douglas Whitney is in charge of publicity, assisted by Toni Spitzer, of the RKO-Radio Pictures offices, and Robert Baral, handling trade coverage. Sydney Goldman is house manager.
For "Pinocchio's" run, John K. Hyatt, Center's managing director, is adding 50 ushers, and 10 cashiers, likewise engaging four additional doormen for the Rockefeller Center Garage which he also manages.
January 25, 1940
"Pinocchio" Skating Plug
Dorothy Lewis and her troupe of 15 skaters will appear today on the_ Rockefeller rink in costumes depicting leading characters in Walt Disney's production of "Pinocchio." Stunt will be staged between 1-3 p.m. with Pathe News covering the affair.
January 30, 1940
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Eleven short subjects will be voted on for Academy Awards at the annual banquet next month. "Oscars" will be awarded for three classifications of shorts, one-reelers, two-reelers and cartoons. Nominations in each group, as announced yesterday, are:
Cartoons: "Detouring America," Warners; "Peace on Earth," M-G-M; "The Pointer" and "The Ugly Duckling," RKO-Disney.
January 31, 1940
Para. Completes Bowling Tie-up; New Cartoon Ready
Paramount has completed an exploitation tie-up with Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co. on its current short subject release, "Bowling Skill," to enable exhibitors to cash in on the present popularity of the sport.
It was also announced yesterday by Paramount that the first of the new Max Fleischer Stone Age series would be released Feb. 9. Title is "Way Back When a Triangle Had its Points."
February 1, 1940
Set Walt Disney Exhibit for Radio City's Museum
Exhibit displaying detailed work done on "Pinocchio," Walt Disney's second full-length production which has its world premiere on Feb. 7 at the Center Theatre, Radio City, will be opened in the New York Museum of Science and Industry in Radio City. The showing is said to be the most complete exhibition of Walt Disney material ever assembled for public viewing. Following the tour, Walt Disney short subjects will be shown patrons in the museum's little theater.
February 7, 1940
Five New Film Companies Get New York Charters
Albany—Five new film industry companies have been chartered by the Secretary of State:
East Coast Animation Co., Inc., New York City, to produce and distribute motion picture cartoons, capital 550 shares preferred stock $20 par value and 450 shares common stock non par value. Byron Rabbitt, Jack Rubin, Sam Morganstern, incorporators. [The other four do not involve animation].
February 8, 1940
Walt Disney's "Pinocchio" Surpasses Anything Yet Accomplished in Animated Entertainment
Walt Disney's "Pinocchio," glorified by the hues of Technicolor at its best, world premiered last night at the local Center Theater before an audience of distinguished personages who acclaimed its virtues as surpassing anything yet accomplished in the world of animated film entertainment. Intensely human and humorous, the Disney production exacted frequent applause-demonstrations from the onlookers, who marveled at the grandeur of the delineation and thrilled to the footage's content of rousing and amusing scenes. Reaction generally was that "Pinocchio" marks a milestone in film annals and adds immeasurably to the already achieved pre-eminence of Disney in the sphere of the "drawn" drama. The elevator operator who transported this reviewer to the third-floor Press Room after the performance was solicitous (not having seen the film) as to the possibility of its long occupancy of the Center's screen. Long will he run the "lift" for the "Pinocchio" engagement!—(See Along The Rialto, Page 3, for account of the premiere.)—MORRIS.
Phil M. Daly column, New York City
• • • A little child did lead them 3,500 strong into the Center Theater last night—a child brought to life from puppetdom through the good offices of the Blue Fairy ...... and the genius of Walt Disney the child being Pinocchio
• • • THE brilliant audience whose ranks comprised the Who's Who and the Social Register packed every nook and cornet of the vast theater which is the little brother, or sister, if you prefer of the gigantic Radio City Music Hall ... Although the world premiere of "Pinocchio" was slated for 8:45 p.m. a good half hour before the prescribed time saw swanky limousines discharging their cargoes of "greats" at the door eager to be in proper time for the main title flash of what is easily the high point in Disney's already spectacular career ... for in this department's opinion, "Pinocchio" is Walt's piece de resistance in French or in any other language
• • • SHORTLY after nine o'clock the Disney-hungry throng was licking its esthetic chops ... but to make sure that all hands would be on hand for the full presentation of the picture the solons of RKO Radio presented as an hors d'oeuvre ... a newsreel which was followed by the latest issue of "Information Please" ... probably to make sure that the Rockefellers had finished their dinner.
• • • FINALLY "Pinocchio" started and it was not long before the captivating cleverness of Disney made deep inroads in the emotional make-up of the onlookers ... There was the early metamorphosis of Pinocchio from lifelessness to life ... the coy Cleo, the goldfish ... Figaro the cat ... Gepetto, the wood-carver ... Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio's "conscience" to carry the action along ... Then there appeared Stromboli, J. Worthington Foulfellow (a glorious force of evil) and his side-kick, Gideon ... Lampwich and the Coachman to provide the sinister influences and the excitement ... But what most thrilled the sophisticated gathering was Monstro, the whale ... which symbolized the colossal production which "Pinocchio" really is.
• • • LOOKING over the sea of evening dress which pervaded the main floor, mezzanines, and balconies ... one could not help but think of the famous line penned by the poet Wordsworth ... to the effect that "the child is father of the man" ... Everyone last night in the Center Theater was a child at heart watching with undisguised rapture this Disney fantasy ... Mister Exhibitor in every section of the land should have been present ... 'cause the ovations accorded to the film at frequent intervals throughout the premiere were eloquent testimony of the vast gold which lurks for him in this Disney masterpiece packed with gorgeous touches of humor and divine human appeal. • • • THIS department stood by the lobby doors ... which were bathed in the beams of sunlight arcs atop the trucks of Charles Ross ... to witness the in-pouring of one of the greatest collections of celebrities ever to attend the opening of a film in New York's dynamic history ... Be it said that they came not in vain for "Pinocchio" marks a new high in rapturous entertainment which will ever remain a milestone in motion picture production.
February 9, 1940
N. Y. Critics Acclaim Disney's Pinocchio
TIMES: ... the best thing Mr. Disney has done and therefore the best cartoon ever made.
HERALD TRIBUNE: It is pure animated cartoon, fashioned with the rarest of artistry. In short, "Pinocchio" is another masterpiece.
DAILY NEWS : ... the most enchanting film ever brought to the screen.
DAILY MIRROR: This is really grand and happy stuff. Don't miss it.
WORLD-TELEGRAM: It is a lovable film, full of endearing bits of comic characterization and incident—one that leaves you tingling with joy and laughter.
SUN: ... a screen classic, another of Walt Disney's cheerful masterpieces.
JOURNAL and AMERICAN: "Pinocchio" is picture making at its best.
POST: To put it in the simplest possible terms, this film is fantastically delightful, absolutely perfect, and a work of pure, unadulterated genius.
EAGLE: There is a pair of everything good in "Pinocchio." There is no other way in which Disney could surpass Disney.
February 12, 1940
"Pinocchio" to Out-Gross "Snow White," Says Smith
Basing his opinion on critics' reviews and public reaction, Andy Smith on Friday predicted that "Pinocchio" would top the grosses of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." The RKO Eastern and Canadian sales manager said the latest Walt Disney feature length cartoon would set new records for long runs and intake.
First dates outside of New York and Los Angeles have been set for a score of Florida situations and Buffalo and others will follow in key cities on a big scale early in March, Smith said.
February 20, 1940
“Pinocchio's” National Release for Easter Week
"Pinnochio" will be released nationally during Easter week, coast-to-coast dates having been set. The Walt Disney production currently is playing only in New York and Los Angeles.
"Pinocchio's" second week at the Center Theater, which winds up tomorrow, will outgross the first, according to Manager John Kenneth Hyatt. The "take" for last Friday was the biggest for any week day of the run to date, including the opening. The b.o. line throughout Saturday and Sunday varied from one to three blocks in length.
February 23, 1940
Cartoon Films Exec. Here to Talk Distribution Deals
Dave Biedermann, vice-president in charge of sales for Cartoon Films Ltd., of Beverly Hills, has arrived in New York to discuss distribution deals for a series of cartoons in color which his company is producing on the Coast.
Negotiations, it is understood, are being carried on currently with a "semi-major" here. Three of the series have already been finished.
Second "Pinocchio" Week At Center Ahead of First
Walt Disney's "Pinocchio" yesterday began its third week at the Center Theater, New York, and the Hillside and Pantages, Los Angeles. John K. Hyatt, manager of the Center, reported that the second week of the picture out-grossed the first and that he looked for a bigger third week.
February 26, 1940
Disney's Expansion Plans to Bring Stock Flotation Up to $4,000,000
Details of the new financial structure of Walt Disney Productions will be submitted to the SEC by March 1, it was indicated over the week-end, following the announcement that the Disney organization would float a stock issue of between $3,750,000 and $4,000,000.
Under present plans, between 150,000 and 160,000 shares of cumulative convertible preferred Stock, having a par value of $25 per share, will be offered to the public. The issue will be underwritten by Kidder, Peabody Co. and Harriman, Riply & Co.
Floating of the stock issue was made necessary by the huge expansion plans under way. It was said over the week-end that Disney has six feature length cartoons in various stages of production. "Fantasia" will be ready for release as a road show by Oct. 1 and "Bambi" will be completed and ready for release on Jan. 15, 1941.
Net value of the Disney company is placed at between $14,000,000 and $16,000,000.
"Pinocchio" Opens in 100 Keys Beginning March 21
"Pinocchio" is schdeuled to open in more than 100 key cities beginning March 21-22, it was announced by RKO on Friday when it was revealed that the Walt Disney feature topped by considerable margins the grosses of "Snow White" in Washington birthday openings in Miami Beach, Lincoln and Oklahoma City.
Lincoln—Playing the same house, the Stuart, "Pinocchio" in its first day did 10 per cent better than "Snow White" despite less favourable weather conditions.
February 28, 1940
White With Terry-Toons in Promotional Capacity
Gordon White, prominent film publicist, joins the promotional forces of Terry-Toons, effective today, and will headquarter at the organization's studios in New Rochelle.
Acquisition of White's services by Paul Terry, producer of Terry-Toons, is in line with the latter's recently initiated moves to generally strengthen the promotional department. White's experience in the script end of shorts played a part in his appointment.
February 29, 1940
Third "Pinocchio" Week 10% Ahead of Center's Second
Disney's "Pinocchio" began its fourth week at the Center Theater, Radio City, yesterday, with the third week's "take" said by RKO to be 10 per cent over that of the second and close in total gross to the first week. Fourth weeks begin at the Hillstreet and Pantages, Los Angeles, Saturday.The Disney production holds over for a second week at the Stuart, Lincoln, Nebraska, and the Criterion, Oklahoma City.
March 1, 1940
SHORT SUBJECTS
Cartoon: "The Ugly Duckling." (Walt Disney).
March 5, 1940
FAIR AT FRISCO MAY HAVE DISNEY STUDIO
San Francisco—If present negotiations are successful, Walt Disney will build both a studio building and a 1,000-seat theater at the Golden Gate Exposition, the two structures occupying a site at the entrance to the Fair's Gayway, it was learned yesterday.
Disney project additionally provides for a Fairyland Village, to be peopled with film characters created for Disney cartoons. Studio and workshop would turn out cartoons for exhibition in the theater, permitting visitors to study Disney operations.
Exposition's management, it was also learned yesterday, is also discussing plans for a Movie Stunt Week at the Fair with Y. Frank Freeman, prexy of the Association of Motion Picture Producers. If the deal goes through, film stinsters would come on to re-enact film thrillers.
In all probability, the steamer Dog Star, used in Para.'s "Rulers of the Sea," will be brought to Treasure Island for a maritime exhibit.
Local exposition this year will have its own aquacade, with 200 foot tank, located in the Home and Gardens Building.
March 6, 1940
Disney's New Burbank Studio First to be Wholly Air Conditioned; Install GE Plant
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Burbank—Filmland's first completely air-conditioned studio is nearing completion on the 51-acre tract near here in the San Fernando Valley. Its boss, Walt Disney, together with William Garity, Disney's chief engineer, and a staff of General Electric technicians, are currently solving one of the most complex air-conditioning problems ever posed. Utmost provision is being made for employes' comfort, despite complications created by need for unusually stringent control of sound, air movement, temperature and cleanliness. Slogan of the new studio has been "Keep it clean!," since every particle of dust may be harmful to a finished picture.
March 11, 1940
10,000 Terry-Toon Sales Give Series Record High
Terry-Toon theater contracts, passing the 10,000 mark, have hit an all-time high, according to William J. Clark, shorts subject sales manager for 20th-Fox. Series is in its 11th year.
March 12, 1940
Disney Expected to File Financing Plan This Week
Walt Disney Productions will file this week a registration statement covering 155,000 shares of 6 per cent convertible preferred stock of $25 par value, to be underwritten by a eroup headed by Kidder. Peabody & Co., Harriman Ripley & Co., both of New York, the Pacific Capital Corp., and Mitchum, Tully & Co.
March 14, 1940
Disney Plans Own Distribution Setup For “Fantasia”; to Restrict Bookings
By AL STEEN FILM DAILY Staff Writer
An entirely new departure in screen entertainment will be released by Walt Disney in October to a limited number of theaters in which special reproducing equipment will be installed, it was announced yesterday by Hal Horne, Disney's vice-president and eastern representative.
Tentatively titled "Fantasia," the enterprise can not be described as a feature cartoon nor can it be termed as a picture with live talent, Horne said. Theme and other characteristics are being kept a secret until the project has been developed further, but in any event, Home asserted, nothing like it has been attempted before. It will run 2½ hours.
"Fantasia" will be distributed by the Disney organization, itself, and will not be sold or released by RKO, present outlet for Disney cartoon shorts and features.
The musical background was recorded last February and March by Leopold Stokowski and his Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra which was augmented to include 103 musicians. Approximately 450,000 feet of sound track was recorded and since then it has been "mixed" and assembled to form the musical basis for "Fantasia."
Picture, if that is what it will be, can be shown only on a road show policy because of the special equipment, developed by Disney's engineers, which will have to be installed in each theater in which "Fantasia" will play. The equipment, or device, is said to make the musical accompaniment so real that the audience will feel that the live musicians are present, eliminating all mechanical impression.
March 15, 1940
DISNEY FAMILY KEEPS CONTROL OF COMPANY
Control of Walt Disney Productions will remain with the Disney family under the proposed public financing plan involving approximately $4,000,000 now before the SEC.
Registration statement covers 155,000 shares of 6 per cent convertible preferred stock, $25 par value, of which 150,000 will be offered to the public, with 5,000 reserved for officers and employes, and 155,000 shares of common reserved for conversion of the preferred. All present common is held by the Disney family.
The SEC statement disclosed that on Monday the company entered into an agreement employing Walter E. Disney as executive production manager of the company for seven years at $2,000 a week and certain traveling and other expenses. It added that under date of March 8 the company agreed to pay $1,000 weekly for seven years and traveling expenses to Roy O. Disney as business manager.
The statement reported that the company's gross income from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" to Dec. 31, was $4,677,862.97.
Balance sheet of Walter Disney Productions as of Dec. 31, shows total assets of $7,758,463.
March 18, 1940
Terry Plans Color 2-Reeler
Plans are being discussed by Terrytoon producer Paul Terry for a two-reel cartoon in Technicolor for the program he will deliver to 20th-Fox for distribution next season, it was learned at the week-end. This venture, if it is carried through, would mark the first venture of Terry in the color field over the standard one-reel length, it was said.
"Pinocchio" Opens Today in London's New Gallery
London (By Cable) — "Pinocchio" opens today at the New Gallery Theater for an indefinite run; it's the first foreign booking of the Disney feature. "Snow White" ran 36 weeks in the same house.
Song Decision Pending
Federal Judge Edward Conger on Friday reserved decision after trial of the song infringement suit of Thornton W. Allen against Walt Disney Productions, Ltd., RKO Radio Pictures and Irving Berlin, Inc. Plaintiff claimed plagiarism of his song, "Old Eli March," by "Some Day My Prince Will Come," sung in "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
March 20, 1940
Six Disney Shorts Linked Into Program for Europe
Six Walt Disney shorts, each linked together in a manner of a story book of children's fables, are doing what is said to be sensational business at the Cinephone Theater in Paris, according to cables received bv RKO. The six shorts, features as La Grand Parade de Walt Disney, have been assembled into a single film and is an experiment that Disney is trying out in France, Belgium and Switzerland.
The subjects include "The Brave Little Tailor," "The Practical Pig," "Farmyard Symphony," "Donald's Golf Game," "The Ugly Duckling" and "Ferdinand the Bull." Experiment will be tried out only in Europe, although it may be tried in the U. S. later.
March 26, 1940
Disney Insurance Risk to be Shared by 50 Cos.
Chicago—Life insurance policy for $1,500,000 to be written for Walt Disney as a result of his new financing deal will be for a 10-year term, with an annual premium in excess of $17,000. From 40 to 50 companies will share the risk.
March 28, 1940
NBC Will Telecast Four Feature Films Next Week
Four feature films will be telecast by NBC's W2XBS next week. "Man in the Mirror" is set for Sunday afternoon, "Our Daily Bread" for Thursday night, "Texas Gun Fighter" for Friday afternoon and "Rainbow's End" for Saturday afternoon.
Aesop Fable film cartoons are also being revived for television, the new week's television program discloses.
March 29, 1940
18 Underwriters to Market Walt Disney Stock Offering
Total of 18 underwriters, headed by Kidder, Peabody & Co., will market the first public offering of Walt Disney Prod, stock, amendment filed to the company's SEC registration statement discloses.
The 155,000 shares of 6 per cent cumulative convertible preferred will be offered by the following underwriters in the amounts indicated:
Kidder, Peabody & Co., 30,000 shares; Harriman, Ripley & Co., 25,000; Pacific Capital Corporation, 20,000; Mitchum, Tully & Co., 17,000; William R. Staats Company, 8,000; W. E. Hutton & Co., Lee Higginson Corporation, Graham, Parsons & Co., Stone & Webster and Blodget, Inc.; G. M.P. Murphy & Co., and Merrill, Lynch & Co., Inc., 5,000 shares each; Alex Brown & Sons, Pacific Company of California, Baker, Watts & Co., 4,000 each; Schwabacher & Co., 3,000; Page, Hubbard & Asche, 2,000; Moore, Leonard & Lynch and Banks, Huntley & Co., 1,500 each.
The price at which the shares will be offered will be disclosed in an amendment to the company's registration statement. The prospectus is dated April 2.
April 2, 1940
"Pandora," New Fleischer
Feature, to Start June 1 Miami—Max Fleischer will start work on his second Paramount cartoon feature, "Pandora," about June 1. Screenplay is by Edmund Seward. Dan Gordon will direct. Pix will cost about $1,500,000.
Disney Preferred to be Offered at $25 a Share
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington—Walt Disney Prods. yesterday filed an amendment to its statement with the SEC providing for 150,000 shares of $25 par 6 per cent cumulative convertible preferred, through underwriters at $25 per share and to employes at the same price. The statement also provides for 155,000 shares of $5 par common, resei'ved for conversion.
April 8, 1940
Dave Fleischer to Direct Original Cartoon Feature
Miami—Published reports to the effect that Fleischer Studios would start work on "Pandora," feature cartoon, for Para. release on June 1 are described as misleading by Dave Fleischer.
Fleischer says that the studios are working on an original story for which he will function as co-producer as well as direct when the film goes into work, duplicating the setup for "Gulliver's Travels."
Edmund Seward, identified as the author of "Pandora" in the published reports, worked with other writers on a rough narrative for "Pandora," Fleischer says, but has not been associated with the studios for some time. Additionally, says Fleischer, no screenplay has been written on "Pandora."
April 12, 1940
Disney to File for Listing of New York Stock Exchange
Walt Disney Enterprises will file for listing on the stock exchange shortly, it was learned yesterday. Roy Disney returned to the Coast last night after completing all details in connection with the floating of the stock issue on Tuesday.
April 15, 1940
Morris, Cartoonist, Dead
Nyack — William C. Morris, 66, caree animated cartoonist and veteran newspaper cartoonist, died here.
April 19, 1940
Phil M. Daly column, New York City
• Outa Hollywood comes word that for the first time in cartoon history ... via the medium of trick photography, et al ... the character "Porky Pig" will be seen on the screen with actual motion pictures serving as background for his escapades ... Another cartoon precedent'll be when "Porky" actually meets on the screen ... his creator, Leon Schlesinger ... with whom he's gonna shake hands ... Subject is a Looney Tune titled "You Oughta Be In Pictures" ... as if both aren't!
April 22, 1940
Second Fleischer Feature for Paramount is Definite
Fleischer studio definitely will make a second feature cartoon for Paramount release, it was said in New York Friday by Dave Fleischer, here for story conferences at Paramount. Fleischer expected to return to Miami over the week-end.
April 23, 1940
Leon Schlesinger Inks Two-Year Warner Deal
Hollywood—Leon Schlesinger has renewed his cartoon producing deal with Warners for two years, and will contribute 42 short subjects to the Warner 1940-41 releases—26 "Merrie Melodies" in Technicolor and 16 "Looney Tunes," starring Porky Pig.
Schlesinger has already completed 33 cartoons on the 1939-40 program with only nine more to go. Entire series will be finished before June 28—month ahead of schedule, at which time the entire plant will close down for annual two-weeks vacation.
April 25, 1940
NBC to Mark First Tele Anniversary
NBC will mark its first tele anniversary en Wednesday night, with Station W2XBS transmitting a two-hour program, starting at 8:30. Program embraces Diosa Costello, dancer; Hildegarde, personality singer; Mrs. Elizabeth Berg in "The House of Class," drama; NBC Pages and Guides Minstrel Show, Fashion Show by Lentheric and Franklin Simon; "Harlem Highlights," with Avis Andrews and the Berry Brothers; "The Ugly Duckling," a Walt Disney cartoon, etc.
Film program for the new week runs strongly to shorts, only one feature, "The Bat Whispers," being carded. Latter is set for the night of May 4.
April 26, 1940
RKO to Group Three Disney Shorts as "Academy" Unit
RKO is preparing to release three Walt Disney shorts as a unit to be known as the Walt Disney Academy Award Special. Included in the group will be "The Ugly Duckling," "The Old Mill" and "Ferdinand the Bull." New prints and paper will be issued.
April 29, 1940
Coming and Going
DAVE FLEISCHER, ISIDORE SPARBER, DAN GORDON and TED PIERCE have returned to Miami from New York.
May 10, 1940
Sonovox to Be Used By Para. and Korda
West Coast Bur., THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Gilbert Wright, inventor of Sonovox. staged a demonstration of his device here. It can translate any audible sound, whether made by animals or instruments, into understandable English. It can be effectively used in dubbing English pictures into foreign versions, or vice versa.
Lester Cowan is Wright's partner and has made deals whereby Paramount will use the device in the musical score for "The Ghost-Breakers" and Alexander Korda on "The Thief of Bagdad." Walt Disney is also planning to use it in connection with some of his cartoon shorts.
May 13, 1940
Universal Lineup of 59 for 1940-41 to Include More Top-Budget Films
...Six color cartoons will be re-issued as the Color Cartune classics.
May 20, 1940
Paul Terry Boosts Year's Budget 20%
Paul Terry will celebrate his twenty-fifth anniversary in the picture business, his tenth as producer of Terrytoons, by spending 20 per cent more than ever before. Having doubled his staff and the size of his quarters in the two years since he signed his current contract with 20th-Fox, Terry plans further additions to both, and this, added to the fact that he plans to make more Technicolor cartoons this year, will account for the higher budget.
One of the pioneers in the making of animated cartoons, Terry's proudest boast is not that his Aesop Fables were the first cartoon series but that he has never missed a release date.
Although his plans for the coming season call for "as many Technicolor Terry-Toons as the returns from the field warrant," — an indefinite number— it is generally conceded that this will mean 12 or more in colors.
In the 1938-39 season Terry’s commitment was for eight Techicolor pictures and he delivered [number unreadable].
Last season it was for 10 and he delivered 10.
Metro's "Crime" Series Will Spotlight Racket Inquiries
...Eighteen cartoons, in Technicolor, will be divided between producers Hugh Harman and Rudolph Ising.
May 23, 1940
Walt Disney to Add New Characters to Shorts
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Walt Disney will introduce several new characters in his next two years' output of short productions. Ample space in his new studio has made possible increased activity in work on the shorts. Disney's feature directors will also handle some of the shorts alternately with their future assignment work.
May 24, 1940
Para. Lineup Calls for 44-50 Films
In addition to the features, the company for 1940-41 will have 86 shorts, including ... eight Max Fleischer cartoons starring "Gabby," "Gulliver's Travels" character... 12 Max Fleischer "Popey[e]" cartoons ... "Raggedy Anne," a two-reel cartoon in color... [no mention of Fleischer feature].
May 28, 1940
RKO Reduces Features, Shorts
No Disney Pix Announced
The new lineup does not include a Walt Disney special, due, it is understood, to the fact that "Bambi" may not be ready for delivery while the experimental "Fantasia," also in production, is designed for distribution through Disney's own setup. ...
RKO Radio shorts lineup for next season calls for 86 shorts in addition to the usual Pathe News releases, the company's sales convention was informed at the Waldorf-Astoria yesterday.
Walt Disney will make 18 single reels, with 10 starring Donald Duck, Roy Disney disclosed.
June 3, 1940
"U" Sets Shorts Reissues
Universal's six one-reel color cartoons to be reissued next season are set as "Jolly Little Elves," "Toyland Premiere," "Candyland," "Springtime Serenade," "Three Lazy Mice" and "Fox and the Rabbit."
June 5, 1940
[Columbia's] Shorts Schedule [for 1940-41] ...16 Color Rhapsodies, 8 Columbia Phantasies cartoons...
June 10, 1940
Pal to Make Doll Shorts Series on Coast for Para.
Paramount has closed a deal with George Pal, Hungarian producer, for a series of six short subjects in which dolls or puppets perform against actual background sets. The dolls are not controlled by strings, movement being achieved by the stop-motion system similar to that used in animated cartoons. Shorts are to be made in Hollywood and will be in Technicolor.
The series is to be known as Merry Models and are to be distributed on Paramount's 1940-41 shorts program. An illusion of third dimension is said to be evident.
Pal first made his doll shorts in Holland for the commercial and non-theatrical market but improvements and developments have made them now suitable for the entertainment field.
June 12, 1940
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Cartoon Films, Ltd. will make "War Graphs," a series of 26 one-reel subjects dealing with current war events. First cartoon subject deals with the invasion of Norway. Others will cover Poland, Finland, Holland, Flanders and Czechoslovakia. Lawson Harris producer, Paul Fennell director, Thomas Freebairn-Smith narrator.
June 14, 1940
Justice Schmuck Dismisses "Snow White" Voice Suit
New York Supreme Court Justice Peter Schmuck yesterday dismissed the $200,000 damage suit of Adriana Caselotti against Walt Disney Productions, Ltd., and RCA Manufacturing Co., Inc.
Suit had claimed that the defendants had unauthorizedly used a recording of the plaintiff's voice which was dubbed-in to the part of Snow White in "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."
The Court ruled that the plaintiff had signed a number of talent vouchers which acknowledged salary payments and gave Disney the right to reproduce her voice in any manner.
June 17, 1940
Coming and Going
GERALD JAMES and FRANK COPP, employes of the Walt Disney studio on the Coast, en route to England to join the Allies army.
June 26, 1940
Terry-Toon Studio Closes July 3-15 for Vacations
Terry-Toon studios, New Rochelle, will close July 3 for the vacation period, resuming activity on July 15. Staff of more than 100 thus will vacation simultaneously. When the vacation period starts Paul Terry's organization will have three pictures, including two Technicolor subjects, completed for Twentieth Century-Fox release in the new season; five more cartoons will be in various stages of production.
Cinecolor Filling Color Reduction Print Orders
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Walter O. Gurlohn, Inc., New York, has placed large orders for 16 mm. color reduction prints of 16 different cartoons with Cinecolor, Inc. Several already have been delivered. [no titles listed].
June 27, 1940
Disney-Benchley Talk Deal
Hollywood—Walt Disney and Robert Benchley are discussing the possibility of Disney producing a combination live action and animation Technicolor feature with Benchley starred and playing the role of a new befuddled employe wandering around Disney's new studio.
Phil M. Daly column, New York
• Leon Schlesinger maker of "Merrie Melody" cartoons ... has received a request from Uncle Sam's Dept. of the Interior, National Park Division ... asking for the privilege of using a series of mirthful scenes from the recently-produced Schlesinger subject "Cross Country Detours" ... in which a bear hits a tourist over the head with a sign reading: "Don't Feed The Bears" ... Washington officials were obviously delighted with the scenes ... which will be used as posters in National Parks ... and featured in an educational campaign ... pointing out the dangers of bear-feeding.
REVIEWS
January 8, 1940
"The Film Fan" (Looney Tune Cartoon)
Warners 7 mins. Amusing Cartoon
Porky Pig gets himself into trouble in this Leon Schlesinger cartoon when he is sent to the store by his mother and goes to the movies instead because kids are being admitted free that day. Newsreel on the screen is made up of a lot of wacky and amusing incidents which will get some laughs. Finally, Mrs. Pig calls the theater, and an announcement from the stage for the little boy to go home who had been sent to the store empties the whole house in nothing flat.
"Screwball Football" (Merrie Melody)
Warners 7 mins. Highly Amusing
A satire on football, we see the great Chili Bowl classic, the worst football game of the century, but by all odds the most amusing. The players are punted, golfed and walloped around in every which way, with the game finally ending in a tie. The burlesque action on a football game is cleverly done and it should draw a lot of laughs.
"A Boy, A Gun, and Birds" (Color Rhapsody)
Columbia 7 mins. Lesson for Kids
Here's a run-o'-the-mine cartoon in color, recounting the experience of a small boy who goes hunting, accompanied by his dog. The youngster snoots and wounds a baby bluebird, which tumbles to the ground, arousing the wrath of his kindred feathered folk. Regret for his act overtakes the juvenile hunter, who vows never to go bird shooting again. This moral lesson will doubtless serve to teach the kids in the audience to respect birds, but it's only an average short at best.
January 24, 1940
"The Mad Maestro"
M-G-M 8 mins. Highly Amusing Cartoon
"The Mad Maestro" is a completely mad cartoon that will get laughs aplenty from any audience. The principal character, Dr. Stanislausy Smellerdorff, is one of the funniest cartoon images to hit the screen in some time. Making his first American appearance the Doctor steps to the rostrum and the symphony commences. From there on, one good gag after another should keep the audiences laughing. Hugh Harman produced.
January 29, 1940
"Andy Panda Goes Fishing"
Universal 9 mins. Amusing Cartoon
Young Andy Panda has a hairbreadth escape from trouble in this reel which will amuse the kids. While fishing, Andy meets a turtle that shows him a number of tricks to catch fish. Andy, however, sticks to his old fashioned methods and catches an electric eel that creates plenty of excitement. The eel and the turtle help Andy escape the Panda hunters when they close in and the three comrades rout the foe completely before the short ends.
February 2, 1940
Paramount 7 mins. Amusing Cartoon
This irresistible Pop Eye manages to defeat Bluto again in this short with aid of his trusty spinach. The audiences who enjoy Pop Eye will get a kick out of the reel. Pop Eye and Olive are appearing as Romeo and Juliet on the stage. Bluto attempts to gum up the works, but he gets his just deserts before Pop Eye finishes with him.
February 8, 1940
"Mighty Hunters"
Warners 7 mins. Fine Cartoon
First cartoon in a series based on the James Swinnerton characters, Canyon Kiddies, this reel should get a favorable reception, especially from kids. Another unusual feature is the use of oils to paint the backgrounds, giving a sense of depth and natural color that is very effective. Reel shows the kiddies starting on a hunting trip. They have a number of adventures before they return empty handed, but safely, to their beds in the peaceful Indian village. Leon Sehlesinger was the producer.
"Edgar Runs Again"
20th-Fox 7 mins. Amusing Cartoon
Edgar, a broken down race horse, is the hero of this cartoon. Edgar is ousted from his park bench and chased by the cops when he becomes a fugitive from a glue factory. However, his luck turns when he upsets a peddlar's cart and the man befriends him. He pulls the cart, but his zeal to help his new master gets them both in trouble with the police. It looks bad for them when the police radio is tuned in on a race. Edgar breaks loose and makes a beeline for the track. He wins the race and the junkman and Edgar invest their winnings very satisfactorily. Short is a Paul Terry production.
"Dog In a Mansion"
20th-Fox 7 mins. Fair Cartoon
This cartoon will probably amuse kids. It depicts the life of a pampered dog. The poor animal gets egg shampoos and all sorts of other annoying indignities heaped upon its shoulders when it would rather be out digging in the dirt. Comes a day when Fido gets loose and invites all the gutter dogs in and a merry time is had by all. Reel is a Paul Terry production.
February 9, 1940
"Harvest Time"
20th-Fox 7 mins. Excellent Cartoon
Filmed in Technicolor, this is one of the best cartoons Paul Terry has produced to date. The characters in the reel are entertaining and any type of audience should get a big kick out of it. Depicting the glories of an opulent countryside at harvest time, the reel introduces the busy bugs who are storing up their winter supplies. Their activities will get plenty of laughs. However, everybody doesn't work, and a vagabond grasshopper comes along with his fiddle. He gets into trouble on several occasions, but when a spider captures the leading lady in the bugs pageant when their work is done and the grasshopper rescues her, he becomes quite a figure in bugville.
"Africa Squeaks"
Warners 7 mins. Very Good Cartoon
Porky Pig sets out on a trek through the African jungle, and there are plenty of belly laughs before the windup. Porky encounters a number of strange sights en route, only possible in cartoon Africa. After a vain search for Livingston he finds a currently popular radio star to provide a musical ending. Leon Schlesinger produced the reel.
February 23, 1940
"Kitten's Mittens" (Walter Lantz Technicolor Cartoon)
Universal 8 2/3 Mins. Amusing Short
This is a well-made, amusing short which will be appreciated by patrons of all ages. It recounts how the Three Little Kittens, going out to play, are admonished by their mother to take very good care of their mittens, 'cause if they lose them, the young culprits won't get any pie. Walking through the woods, they meet an orphan kitten whom they hold in disdain since it has no mittens. Summarily the trio lose their own in a brook, and, in fear they will go pie-less when the loss is reported to ma, they cook up a yarn about how they'd been robbed of their hand-coverings. Caught in their lie, they get more deeply involved by having to identify the robber in a police line-up. The vagrant orphan cat is there, so he's accused. But all turns out well, including a good moral about the virtue of telling the truth.
March 4, 1940
"Little Lambkin"
Paramount 7 mins. So-So Cartoon
Only fairly amusing, this cartoon is not up to the usual Max Fleischer standard. Reel depicts a baby and establishes the fact that he can do a number of things his parents are unaware of. The baby, friendly with the animals living nearby, is taken to the city by the family. However, he jimmies up everything in the house so they won't like it and they promptly move back to the country and the baby's animal playmates.
"Way Back When a Triangle Had Its Points"
Paramount 7 mins. Fair Cartoon
First of a new series of Max Fleischer cartoons based on the stone age era, reel is fairly entertaining. Short opens with a stenographer applying for a job. The boss takes her out after calling his wife to say he won't be home, but a radio broadcast discloses to the wife that they are together in a night club. The customary roughhouse ensues with the wife making little pieces of the night club.
March 13, 1940
M-G-M 8 mins. Amusing Cartoon
Cartoon opens with a mouse trapped by a cat that is playing with it. However, the mouse is determined to get away, and just as determined to get even with the cat by getting it in trouble. The cat while chasing the mouse smashes a vase and is chased by the housekeeper and warned that he goes out of the house the next time anything is broken. The mouse contrives to smash practically everything in the place with plenty of laughs ensuing from his antics, and the cat gets put out.
March 25, 1940
"The Mouse Exterminator"
Columbia 6½ mins. Fair Cartoon
Allie Kats, well known mouse exterminator, is called by a lady who is annoyed by a troublesome young mouse. The exterminator employs several of his noted methods and succeeds in capturing the mouse, but each time he does the mouse pleads so hard for his freedom that Kats breaks down and lets him go. Each time he gets away the mouse jeers at him and finally traps Kats in a high powered vacuum cleaner and goes merrily on his way.
March 27, 1940
"Much Ado About Nothing" (Terry Toon)
20th-Fox 7 mins. Fair Short
Filmed in Technicolor, this cartoon depicts the difficulties of true love. Reel opens with an idyllic scene between a little black duck and a yellow chick. Trouble starts when the chick gets in a pond and blames the duck for it. The duck is spanked by the chick's mother and he precipitates a barn yard feud when his family seek justice for the spanking. Everything ends well when the two youngsters settle their quarrel.
"All's Well That Ends Well" (Terry Toon)
20th-Fox 7 mins. Amusing Cartoon
The liquidation of four new born kittens goes astray when the black one in the lot, the most ingenious, jumps on their basket and paddles it to shore. However, this is just the start of his troubles as he has to feed the other kittens as well as himself Some strategy and determination finally fix things up and a bullying dog becomes his ally.
M-G-M 9 mins. Cute Cartoon
Introducing a new rabbit character and a cute calf, this cartoon should appeal to kids particularly. The difficulties and troubles of the two characters are pleasingly presented in the reel. Short is well conceived and the continuity is good. The calf has plenty of difficulties with a wolf before his rabbit friend brings help to rescue him. Hugh Harman was the producer.
April 10, 1940
"Ants in the Plants" (Color Classic Cartoon)
Paramount 7 mins. Amusing Subject
Out of the studio of Max Fleischer comes this amusing, anticful reel which recounts the invasion of an ant colony by an ant-eater. The latter is delineated in humorous, fantastic fashion, with his vacuum-cleaner-like "trunk," the sight of which causes panic among the ants. However, both the organization and resourcefulness of the insects stand them in good stead, and the invader is finally repelled, after his captives, including the colony's queen, have been placed in an imprisoning bottle. But the ants' "suicide squad" effects their release. It's lilting, light stuff, which old and young will enjoy. The color is excellent and adds immeasurably to the reel's appeal.
Paramount 7 mins. Mirthful Adventure
Followers of the antics of the spinach-guzzling Popeye and his gangling spouse, Olive Oyl, will discover them herein on shipboard. Olive Oyl is proud and happy in the possession of a newly acquired goldfish who oogles contentedly from a tiny bowl. The piscatorial pet, however, accidentally lands in the sea. Popeye bravely goes to the rescue, which is effected only after a most trying session, culminated by his being enveloped by a great jelly-fish. But spinach supplies the spark of strength to escape and he lands back on the ship with the goldfish who was playing hookey. Dave Fleischer directed this mirth-provoking opus.
April 11, 1940
"Way Back When a Nag Was Only a Horse" (Stone Age Cartoon)
Paramount 7 mins. Mildly Entertaining.
Travesty on modern life via depicting existence in the Stone Age is the basic theme of this series, and is carried out entertainingly in this instance via scenes of caveman hubby going on a shopping tour with his spouse in a pre-historic department store, christened "Rock's Fifth Avenue." Hubby Henry is supposed to wait outside the emporium's entrance to transport the bundles home, but decides to kill time by seeing the merchandise. He finally lands in the music department where he whoops it up with some cavegals, only to be set upon by his irate wife. Henry asserts himself as boss of the family and carries both his better half and her purchases back to their cave. Short is mildly entertaining.
April 18, 1940
Warners 7 mins. Amusing Cartoon
Porky Pig is cast as the captain of the good ship Mayflower in this reel, latest in the Looney Tune series. The ship makes a momentous voyage to the new world and the adventures, happenings and people en route not only add a modern touch to the famous trip, but provide a number of amusing incidents as well. Leon Schlesinger produced.
April 30, 1940
"Cross Country Detours"
Warners 7 mins. Funny Cartoon
Satirizing travelogues, this cartoon depicts a number of things []g filmed in travelogues with an amusing sequence running through it of a dog traveling from Alaska to California. Reel shows what are reported to be the redwood forests, the Grand canyon, Yellowstone and a number of other places. Very amusing commentary insures laughs. Leon Schlesinger produced.
"The Greyhound and the Rabbit" (A Color Rhapsody in Technicolor)
Columbia 7½ mins. Fair Cartoon
A so-so burlesque cartoon version of a greyhound racetrack meet with the dogs chasing the mechanical rabbit and the rabbit chasing the dogs in a wild melee before the race is straightened out.
"Stealin' Ain't Honest"
Paramount 7 mins. Fair Cartoon
Popeye has considerable difficulty with the troublesome Bluto in this reel. Popeye and Olive are on their way to an island which has a secret gold mine. Bluto manages to secretly photograph their map and disable the boat. However, Popeye overcomes this slight setback by propelling the boat to the island with an egg beater. Once there a terrific struggle ensues with Bluto, but Popeey's ration of Spinach fits him to overcome all obstacles. Max Fleischer produced.
May 9, 1940
Universal 7¼ mins. Amusing Cartoon
There are several good laughs in this cartoon. Young Andy Panda gets delivery of a magic set his father has bought for him. Waving the magic wand and mumbling the magic word Andy immediately starts confusion on a wholesale scale. Andy has trouble with the local witch doctor, his father and several other people, including the doctor's pygmies, before the end of the reel.
"Me Feelins Is Hurt"
Paramount 7 mins. Amusing Cartoon
The redoubtable Popeye once again proves the efficacy of Spinach in one reel. Docking his ship after a sea voyage, he finds that Olive has deserted him and gone West. Popeye heads his ship West via a few short cuts overland and finds Olive on a ranch. Popeye's ups and downs as a cowboy are amusing, and he finally wipes up the ranch with Bluto [] his hands to regain Olive's favor. Short is a Max Fleischer production.
May 29, 1940
A Leon Schlesinger "Looney Tune"
Warners 8 mins. Entertaining Short
A new idea, and one that may have far reaching effect in the making of cartoon shorts, this film employs human actors and hand drawn characters with synchronized voices. For something that was no doubt intended to be largely an experiment, "You Ought To Be In Pictures" is very entertaining, and equal in quality to any of the Schlesinger shorts. The story deals with the attempt of Porky Pig, Schlesinger's cartoon star, to leave the comedy field and enter the feature field. It is very well told. Music is good; photography and synchronization excellent. The background is the cartoon plant, and the major live actor is Leon Schlesinger. He is so good that he ought to be in pictures.
"Tugboat Mickey"
RKO 7 mins. Good Cartoon
Mickey and his cronies, Donald and Goofy, are captain and crew on a tugboat. Hearing an announcement over the radio of a ship in distress, Mickey immediately galvanizes his boat into action. Finally, after some frantic mishaps and straining the tug breaks loose from its moorings at the dock, which nobody thought to cast off, and they head to sea. Everything happens from there on, the boiler blows up, the tug blows up and they all land in the water, only to learn from the radio as it sinks that the broadcast was a program. Reel is Walt Disney production in Technicolor.
"The Riveter"
RKO 8 mins. Riotously Funny
Donald Duck's experience in this cartoon as a riveter will get belly laughs from any audience. Donald applies for a job as a riveter when he sees a sign in front of a construction job. Hired by the [] tough foreman he has the rivet machine tossed into his hands without even knowing how it operates. What happens from then on is hilarious to an extreme degree. Reel is a Walt Disney production in Technicolor.
"A Kick in Time" (Color Classic)
Paramount 7 mins. Cute Cartoon
The further adventures of Max Fleischer's donkey characters, Hunky and Spunky, are amusingly done in Technicolor. In this one, Hunky is captured by a mule auctioneer who sells him to a junk dealer and mama has quite a time before she can rescue her overworked offspring.
"Billposters"
RKO 8 mins. Highly Amusing
Donald Duck and his sidekick, Goofy, are out pasting up handbills on the surrounding countryside. Reaching a likely looking farm, the two go to work. The results are hilarious as Goofy gets tangled up with a windmill, Donald gets mixed up with a very mad goat and both of them get mixed up with their pastepots and handbills. There and loads of laughs in this short. Reel is a Walt Disney production in Techinicolor.
"Donald's Dog Laundry"
RKO 8 mins. Funny Cartoon
Donald Duck builds a mechanical dog washer from blueprints to cleanse the canines in the vicinity. He sees Pluto and decides to try out the washer on him. Several good schemes to lure Pluto to the washer go awry and Donald falls in himself. The results are highly amusing and any audience will get a kick out of it. Reel is a Walt Disney production in Technicolor.
May 31, 1940
"Officer Duck"
RKO 8 mins. Many a Laugh Here
Donald portrays an officer of the law in charge of a radio patrol car in this reel. Assigned to go out and get Tiny Tim, dead or alive, Donald rushes to the address expecting to see somebody smaller than himself. Imagine his consternation when he discovers the wanted man is the size of Gargantua. However, the resourceful Donald solves this problem by some skullduggery and lands his man with many a laugh forthcoming in the process. Short is a Walt Disney production in Technicolor.
"Catnip Capers" (Terry-Toon)
20th Century-Fox 7 mins. Cartoon Nightmare
Kitty becomes a nuisance to the mice raiding cheese in the kitchen so they overturn a box of catnip and let her go on a binge. Transported to dream land via a pink elephant, the cat runs the gamut of nightmares from Oriental splendors to the usual chase by a green-eyed train. Done in Technicolor the reel should amuse cartoon fans.
"Swiss Ski Yodelers" (Terry-Toon)
20th Century-Fox 7 mins. Fair Cartoon
The adventures of a pig learning to ski highlight this just fair reel. Surrounded by experts on the snow, the pig blunders along to an eventual fall into a bear's cave. His rescuers find he is safe, having managed to beat the bear in a poker game.
"Mr. Duck Steps Out"
RKO 8 mins. Hilarious Short
Donald Duck goes jitterbug in this short with hilarious results. He goes to pay a call on Daisy Duck after tricking his three small nephews into staying at home. However, when he arrives he discovers the nephews have gotten there first and his troubles start. A general riot ensues with a piece of business dealing with an ear of popping corn screamingly funny. Reel is a Walt Disney production in Technicolor.
"Swing Social"
Metro 8 mins. Fair Cartoon
On a certain Sunday morning in the deep South, the deacon sees one of his flock fishing while he is on the way to church. He stops and tells the man why he won't catch any bass that day. Explanation shows the audience that the bass are having a swing social which takes up their entire time.
"Granite Hotel" (Stone Age Cartoon)
Paramount 7 mins. Dull Cartoon
The goings on around Granite Hotel, where the telephone operator claims "nothing ever happens" is the basis for this rather episodic subject. Guests are shown being showered with ice water, covered the bear skins, and bounced to their respective floors. Finally the dinousaur fire department dismantles the place while the operator still chants that "nothing ever happens."
June 13, 1940
"The Fouled Ball Player"
Paramount 7 mins. Fairly Amusing
Latest of the Max Fleischer Stone Age series, this cartoon has some laughs. It depicts a baseball game between the Granite Giants and the Marble Midgets. The game opens with the Giants piling up a big lead, but the girl friend of one of the Midgets discovers that the Giants' pitcher gets hay fever from flowers. Result, the game is a sneezing victory for the Midgets in short order.
Warners 7 mins. Entertaining Cartoon
Tiny Tom Thumb and his father, a woodchopper, live on the edge of a huge forest. Tom accidentally falls into a pan of water and is drowning when a bird smashes through the window and rescues him. His father returns and tries to catch the bird, believing it had injured Tom. However, Tom is rescued by the bird again and everything is all right. Children should be particularly pleased with this subject.
"Onion Pacific"
Paramount 7 mins. Spinach Scores Again
The redoubtable Popeye once again demonstrates the efficacy of his spinach. Popeye and Bluto, engineers on two rival engines racing for a franchise, get off to a fast start. Olive gets on board accidentally. Bluto's dirty work fails to keep the determined Popeye from winning.
Paramount 7 mins. So-So Cartoon
Popeye has woman trouble in this reel. He proposes to Olive and she tells him to return the next morning for an answer. During the night, Olive dreams that she and Popeye are married and have four little Pop Eyes. After what the children do to her, when Popeye comes around for an answer the next morning, he gets a very flat "no" for his answer.
June 13, 1940
"Norway" ("War Graphs")
Cartoon Films, Ltd. 9 mins.
"War Graphs" is a decided novelty in the cartoon field. By the use of cartoons, graphs and drawings the invasion and destruction of Norway are vividly depicted. The subject is a cross between "The March of Time" and a news weekly and gives a factual account of what occurred in the peace-loving country of Norway when the Nazi hordes, with their modern warfare and equipment, went into action. It is an educational and instructive subject. The background music is effective. Lawson Haris the producer, Paul Fennell the director and Thomas Freebairn-Smith the narrator.
June 17, 1940
"The Chewin Bruin"
Warners 7 mins. Amusing Cartoon
Porky Pig is the interested listener to an old fur trapper's recollections of his days in the woods. Porky is told the story of the Chewin Bruin, the bear that chewed tobacco. The experiences of the trapper and his dog with this unusual critter will get laughs. Short was produced by Leon Schlesinger.
June 28, 1940
"Circus Today" (Merrie Melody)
Vitaphone 7 mins. Circus Cartoon
A funny burlesque of the various acts familiar to a circus. About everything the performers try backfires, but in a manner that will amuse the average audience.
Nice to see my hometown was one of the 36 Key Cities in the Gulliver's Travels ad! Though it's kinda weird seeing where they play Toronto given that shouldn't be on the map anyway but they decided to stick them on Michigan's "Thumb".
ReplyDeleteProbably my least favorite 1940 cartoon is 100 Pygmies and Andy Panda.
ReplyDelete