In the first part of 1946, new cartoon studios staked claims. Bob Clampett landed a theatrical release. Herb Lamb set up a studio. Harman-Ising reorganised. UPA planned to release theatricals. But the boom went bust. Clampett never released more than one cartoon. Lamb and Harman-Ising never got theatrical contracts. UPA eventually got its films released by Columbia, but only after Columbia disbanded its own operation. But those stories come later.
There’s no indication in the Film Daily which studio Steve Bosustow of UPA was talking with, but the choices were pretty limited. A shorts programme was beyond the means of minor studios as they didn’t own theatres which guaranteed play-dates. All the majors had cartoon deals sewed up, though eventually MGM got rid of its third unit and released cartoons from John Sutherland Productions in its stead (Sutherland had been releasing through United Artists).
There are few really interesting stories in the trade paper. It was publishing less and less news about shorts. And its cartoon reviews are interesting in that the Oscar-winner that year was pretty much dismissed.
We’ll get to Daily in just a moment. First, I want to pass on some clippings from Variety that didn’t make it into the other publication. MGM’s PR department was especially busy. You’ll notice the first rumblings I could find about “The Cat Concerto,” which won the Oscar the following year. The cartoon titles which may puzzle you were, according to Thad Komorowski, made up for the trade press. Too bad. Some sound funny. A Tex Avery two-reeler? That would have been something. And Walter Lantz was getting into the industrial business, with Walter Tetley voicing Reddy Kilowatt.
My thanks to Thad for going through the Variety archives and filling in missing words on some of these blurbs, after volunteering to help.
Warner Bros.: Eggs-Asperating. Warner Bros.' flacks were trying to dream up some Easter ideas, when someone suggested dragging the cartoon character, Bugs Bunny, into it some way. Query to his creator yesterday brought the department an ink job of the rabbit glowering at all and sundry, captioned: "What, doc? Me lay an egg? Not even if it is Easter!" (Apr. 16)
MGM: Jose Iturbi is virtually a stand-in for a tomcat these days. No offense—his finger movements are being copied for transfer to the tomcat who plays the Second Hungarian Rhapsody in Metro's "Tom and Jerry" cartoon. (Jan. 2)
Cats Hire a Hall. Metro will use authentic back grounds of Carnegie Hall for the first of its new cartoon series, "Cat Concerto." Fred Quimby is producing the film with William Hanna and Joseph Barbara co-directing. (Jan. 4)
At Liberty. Jack J. Stevens, in animation branch of Army Signal Corps Photographic Center for 22 months, resumes as cameraman in Metro's cartoon department. (Jan. 7)
Metro's cartoon producer, Fred Quimby, has launched a new kind of talent hunt. He's combing the country's art schools for young artists to enter the animation field.(Jan. 15)
MUSICAL CARTOONS BUILT ON CLASSICS NEW MGM PLAN
Metro plans new cartoon unit, as soon as studio can round up sufficient animators to take over work. Proposed product will be musical cartoons, using classics as a basis. Several scripts already are in process of writing, including "Second Hungarian Rhapsody," which provides key to format. Series will have characters who will carry plot.
Studio also intends to resume its "Barney Bear" cartoon series, which was discontinued when so many animators left to join armed services. Total of four are being prepared for this year's program, with plans for equal number of new musical cartoons.
Sixteen cartoons now are on studio's list for 1946. Balance includes four "Tom and Jerry" cartoons, and four with several other characters. (Jan. 16)
Lah, Blair Upped. Michael Lah and Preston Blair have been upped from animators to supervisor status at Metro for the Barney Bear Technicolor series. Fred Quimby, head of the inker deparment at Metro, announced that "Barney's Surprise Party" would be the pair's initial film. (Jan. 18)
Tex Avery, Joseph Barbera and William Hanna, Metro cartoon directors, will lecture on animation at Chouinard Institute. (Jan. 24)
Atomicer. Tom and Jerry, Metro's cartoon stars, will wallow in Uranium 238 in their new ink vehicle. Probing the atom bomb for laughs, film will be titled "The Mouse on 92nd Street," which William Hanna and Joseph Barbara will co-direct. (Jan. 25)
NEW BENDER. Metro's Tom and Jerry cartoon characters, impressed by Ray Milland's glorious binge in "The Lost Weakend," [sic] are going on a milk bender all their own. Pair yesterday started "Lost Squeakend," under co-direction of William Hanna and Joseph Barbara. (Jan. 30)
‘Slap-Happy Lion’ newest Metro Star. Fred Quimby returned yesterday from New York after a two-week business trip to confer with Metro officials and attend sales meetings. Quimby announced formation of a new cartoon unit at the studio, which will turn out "Slap-Happy Lion" inkers. Tex Avery is the director and personel includes Bob Bently, George Crenshaw, Gil Turner, Bud Crabe, P. D. Eller, Johnnie Johnson and Bob Gentle. (Feb. 6)
SPECIAL Academy Award may be in the offing for the Gene Kelly-Jerry Mouse dance sequence in “Anchors Aweigh.” The press and public have demonstrated great enthusiasm for the sequence, which combines cartooning with live talent en film. Metro Cartoon Producer Fred Quimby started from pen-scratch with 100 animators and took six months on the painstaking job. Quimby is keeping the process a secret. (Feb. 14)
New Contracts. Mike Lah and Preston Blair have been linked as directing team for Metro cartoons. Pair will bow as ink meggers with "The Bear and the Jumping Bean." (March 12)
John Crown recorded 88 work on the 2nd Hungarian Rhapsody yesterday at Metro for "Cat's Concerto." (Mar. 27)
Fred "Tex" Avery, Metro cartoon director, will direct "Old Mother Hubba Hubba," animated two-reeler. (April 8)
MG Preps 15 Cartoons. William Hanna and Joseph Barbara, Metro cartoon directors, have hit a new production peak with 15 leaping inkers being readied for 1946-47 release. Pair are creators of the Tom and Jerry series. (May 2)
The latest rumble from from the Metro cartoon department has it that Fred Avery has conceived a new character, Victor Vulture, who will make his debut in "Drool in the Sun." (May 7)
[Writer] Rich Hogan rejoined Metro's cartoon staff after 42 months in the Army. (June 12)
Famous: New Cartoon. Paramount’s Noveltoons will introduce a new cartoon technique combining animation with actual scenic backgrounds. First short will be "New York, New York," producer Sam Buchwald announced. Inker will feature travelog of Gotham with pen and ink characters. (Feb. 13)
Walt Disney: DISNEY STARTING FIRST BIG LIVE FEATURE. Filming of Walt Disney Productions’ “How Dear to My Heart” studio’s first non-cartoon feature, starts tomorrow with Harold Schuster directing. Only 300 feet of cartoon is used in the picture, which is budgeted at $1,500,000. Cast is headed by Beulah Bondi, Burl Ives, Bobby Driscoll and Lauana Patton. Company goes to Northern California location after one week of shooting at studio. (May 14)
Bergen, McCarthy and Snerd in Disney Pic. Edgar Bergen and his two dummies, Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd, have been signed for live action sequences in "Mickey and the Beanstalk," which starts at Walt Disney's May 22. Cartoon characters who will star in the Technicolor film are Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. (May 15)
ROGERS, TRIGGER INKED BY DISNEY FOR 'PECOS BILL.' Walt Disney yesterday made deal with Republic for loanout of Roy Rogers, his horse Trigger and Sons of the Pioneers for a combo live action-animation feature tagged "Pecos Bill." (June 20)
Walter Lantz: John Walker, Angel Jimenez and Wally Haynes returned to Walt Lantz' studio after GI duties. (Jan. 3)
Walter Lantz' "Poet and Peasant" Cartune clicked off seven weeks at New York's Winter Garden (Jan. 9)
A.A. Takes Lantz Short. "Enemy Bacteria," combination live action and cartoon film made by Walt Lantz, will be distributed by the Office of Inter-American Affairs in the Latin American countries. Short originally was made for the U. S. Navy. (Jan. 17)
Industrial concerns making arrangements with cartoon producers to make pictures for them are beginning to progress on theory of institutional advertising, rather than play-up of their name in relation to product. Case in point is Shell Oil Company, which recently made deal with Walter Lantz for short extolling oil business. Short covers oil industry ever since its inception, but not once does name of Shell appear. Even company's trademark is, by order of agreement, not to appear, even from a distance. Shell is taking attitude that short will benefit industry as a whole, and any increase will be shared by company proportionately. (Jan. 17) Lantz Doing Chopin. "Chopin's Musical Moments," based on four of the composers' works, will be the first of the New Classical Cartoon series to be produced by Walter Lantz. Series will be titled "Musical Miniatures" and will be done in Technicolor. Dick Lundy will direct. (Jan. 23)
[Pianists] Ted Saidenberg and Ed Rebner inked to record for Walt Lantz. (Feb. 4)
Lantz Sets 'William Tell'. Walter Lantz has set "William Tell Overture" as the third film in the series of classics he is making for Universal release. (Feb. 21)
Collins Due Today To Discuss 'Kilowatt'. Ashton B. Collins arrives from New York today to discuss future production plans with Walt Lantz, who just completed a commercial film, "Reddy Kilowatt," for Collins. Cartune, based on the story of electricity, will be specially screened during Collins' stay here. (April 8)
Walter Lantz's "William Tell," now in production, is his 350th cartoon in 18 years at Universal. (April 12)
Walter Lantz is going back to the soil - turning out a film on wheat for the John Deere Co., farm implement manufacturers. (April 10)
UPA: Ex-Disneyites Prep Full Length Cartoon United Film Productions will prepare "Brotherhood of Man," color animated cartoon, as its first feature length production. Company was formed by Stephen Bosustow, Dave Hilberman and Zachary Schwartz, all former Disney employes. (Mar. 13)
MORE COLOR SHORTS. Morey and Sutherland have inked deals for two Technicolor shorts, one with American Cancer Society for an educational reel, second with National Carbon Co., for industrial film. Former will be presented as an animated cartoon, latter in combination live action and animation to cost $50,000.
Cancer short is for showing to schools and social groups, to make public aware of disease and its diagnosis and cure. Film to be made for NCC will be exhibited by company before theatre projectionists, engineering and chemical societies and colleges. It is made for purpose of demonstrating latest development in arc lighting for color photography and arc projection in color.(May 3)
Morey-Sutherland Cartoons in Work First two of Morey-Sutherland cartoons, in firm's annual schedule of six for United Artists release, are in work, with third shortly to go into production. Pair are tagged “The Fatal Kiss” and “The Case of the Missing Ghost,” both one-reelers in Technicolor. M-S previously made puppet-type shorts for UA, but due to shortages in materials production was initiated of so-called flat cartoons. (June 21)
George Pal: Pal Buys 'Lion' Original story. "Wilbur the Lion," has been purchased by Paramount for use in the George Pal Puppetoons. New character is elderly circus lion who retires and returns to his native land. (April 29)
Lamb: Herb Lamb Productions started work on three animated color films yesterday, at the same time putting “Three Blind Mice” into final cutting stages. New trio of starters includes “Polar Picnic,” “The Famished Fox” and “Rhythm.” (Mar. 29)
Cinemette: VETERANS FORM CARTOON CO. New 16m animation company, Cinemette Productions, has been organized by trio of ex-Marines, John Chadwick, Keith Robinson and John Whitaker. They were in animation department of Marine Corps, and previously at Walt Disney's. First color cartoon in narrow gaugers is already in work. Company is designed also to provide service to producers of commercial 16m pictures. (May 31)
Cinemette Cartoon "The Story of Happy Sound" will be Cinemette Productions' first [film] (June 18)
Planet: Frank Graham will do narration for Planet's 16mm. color cartoon, "Honesty is the Best Policy." (March 1)
Miscellaneous: 'Siegfried' in Celluloid. Gene Blakely will produce a live action and animated cartoon based on the Wagnerian opera and titled "Siegfried." (Jan. 17).
SHORTS NAMED FOR ACADEMY'S OSCAR DERBY. Nomination of short subjects for Academy Awards—seven cartoons, six one-reel subjects and four two-reelers—was announced yesterday by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Jean Hersholt, Academy proxy, disclosed that the following are eligible for Oscars: Cartoons – “Rippling Romance,” Columbia; “Donald’s Crime,” Walt Disney; “Quiet Please," Metro ; “Jasper and the Beanstalk,” Paramount; “Mighty Mouse in Gypsy Life,” 20th-Fox; “Poet and Peasant,” Universal, and “Life With Feathers,” Warners. (Jan. 22)
3-Hue Cinecolor Features Near; Majors Eye Shorts. Cinecolor has developed its three-color process to point where company is talking with number of major studios regarding its use for short subjects. Development has not yet reached stage where it would be feasible for features, but this is expected within the next six to nine months. Three-color process already is utilized by Paramount in filming of its “Popeye the Sailor” cartoons, as well as other cartoons. Company, too, has used process successfully for production of commercial films for number of national business organizations, including such concerns as Ford and Dr. Pepper. Experiments in this three-color filming is expected to gain momentum as soon as new equipment is installed in September. Impetus, too, will be given company’s present two-color business, which is being used widely by majors and smaller studios alike in filming of features. Plant now is geared to capacity in turning out features in two colors, but with arrival of equipment orders can be doubled. Such studios as Metro have indicated their intention of making more features in Cinecolor, and company reports it is besieged almost daily with requests for commitment. (May 23)
Now, here’s what The Film Daily had to say. Note that the reviews include Warner’s Blue Ribbons.
January 16, 1946
Walter Lantz, Universal producer, will make four specials for his Cartunes lineup based upon great overtures.
January 18, 1946
Steve Bosustow Here on Cartoon Releasing Deal
Stephen Bosustow of United Film Productions, newly-formed screen cartoon group made up mainly of former workers in Walt Disney's studios, arrived in New York yesterday to complete negotiations for release by a major distributor of a group of 12 cartoon subjects. He would not reveal which distributor is to handle his product, since the contract is not yet signed.
Bosustow revealed also that his company is making a 1,000-foot Technicolor cartoon for the State Department on science. This contract is not with Assistant Secretary William Benton's International Information Office, however. Theatrical release for the science subject is contemplated.
January 22, 1946
Strike Call Authorized
The executive board of Screen Cartoonists, Local 1461, Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers of America, has been authorized to issue a strike call if the dispute between the union and Famous Studios is not settled to the satisfaction of the former.
January 28, 1946
Ralph Wilk column, Hollywood
George Pal is coming out with a whole new group of characters, designed for the Latin-American market as well as American audiences the tirst picture to be titled "El Groucho" with the principal character a soft hearted tough guy who sings a mean baritone and plays the guitar.
January 30, 1946
Famous Studios Signs Pact with Cartoonists
A one-year agreement was signed yesterday by Screen Cartoonists Guild and Famous Studios. Besides providing for wage boosts, the pact calls for an incentive bonus designed to increase production. Sam Buchwald, represented by Eugene M. Kline of Phillips, Nizer, Benjamin and Krim, conducted the negotiations for the employer, while the union was represented by Pepe Ruiz, its business agent, and Martin Cristenfeld, its counsel.
February 1, 1946
Live Action, Animation for New Metro Shorts Series
Popular appeal evidenced in the combination live action and animated cartoon sequence in "Anchors Aweigh" will result in the production of a short subjects series by M-G-M utilizing the process, Fred Quimby, head of shorts production, said in New York yesterday. It is planned to make three or four of these subjects in Technicolor, some of which may run 50 or 60 minutes.
The short subjects program for the 1946-47 season has not yet been determined, Quimby said, although he indicated that some new series will be added. A raw stock situation still faces short subject departments of the studios, Quimby said, and the laboratories are unable to give assurance as to when they can deliver prints on completed subjects. Approximately 32 of the 58 subjects announced for the current Metro program have been delivered.
Quimby expressed the opinion that exhibitors will be glad to get back to the straight entertainment short subjects and he lauded the theater men for their co-operation in showing the Government shorts, each of which, he said, had a vital purpose These pledged subjects took away a great deal of playing time from the regular shorts, Quimby said, but he believed the situation would right itself shortly.
One of the problems which have been facing cartoon producers has been the lack of animators. Quimby said he lost an entire department in 90 days, requiring the breaking-in of new people.
Quimby returns to the Coast this week-end.
February 4, 1946
Strike Vote on Thursday
A vote to call a strike at Terry-toon will be taken by the Screen Cartoonists, Local 1461 of the Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers, Thursday. The cartoonists are dissatisfied with the terms of a contract offered by the company.
February 6, 1946
Harmon-Ising Revamped; Peskay and Fizdale Join
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — With Edward J. Peskay as president, Harmon-Ising Pictures, Inc., has been reorganized by Hugh Harmon and Rudolph Ising following a four-year interruption during which they served in the armed forces. Tom Fizdale, who headed his own public relations counsel firm for 10 years, has been named vice-president and general manager.
Harmon-Ising plans the immediate production of three full length pictures to cost more than $3,000,000. One, and possibly two, of the pictures will employ "Animaction," a new process perfected and patented by Harmon and Ising and which combines live talent and cartoon characters. "King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table" will be the first on the program and will be made as a straight high-budget animated feature in color. The second, utilizing Animaction and color, will be "The Little Prince." The third attraction will be announced shortly.
The Harmon - Ising combination produced the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies for Warner Bros, release for five years and the cartoon series for M-G-M from 1934 to 1941, winning several citations including the Academy Award for "The Milky Way" in 1941.
February 11, 1946
New Cartoon Technique
A new cartoon technique, combining animation with actual scenic backgrounds, is utilized in a forthcoming Paramount Noveltoon subject, "New York, New York," scheduled for release in September. Sam Buchwald, Famous Studios head, said the cartoon features a tour of New York City, with well known landmarks serving as locales for the antics of the cartoon characters.
February 18, 1946
Herb Lamb Due Here
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Herb Lamb left for New York yesterday with a print of "Three Blind Mice," first in a series of color cartoons introducing something he claims to be distinctly new in animated characters. Film will be screened for the Eastern distribution staff of Herb Lamb Productions as a prelude to extensive sales campaign.
February 20, 1946
Max Youngstein Will Head Sales For UPA
In an expansion program United Productions of America has opened Eastern offices under the direction of Max E. Youngstein, who will be in charge of national sales, advertising and publicity.
With the completion of refinancing and the expansion of production facilities the company, which specializes in animated cartoons, will make feature-length films and shorts for both the 35 mm. and 16 mm. markets. The firm, which produced pictures for the Army, Navy and other Government departments during the war is negotiating for national distribution of its product.
Youngstein was formerly assistant director of advertising and publicity for 20th-Fox and special film consultant to the U. S. Treasury.
The company's offices here are at 1 East 57th St.
February 26, 1946
Lamb Here to Talk Deals
Herb Lamb, formerly associated with Walt Disney productions, has arrived in New York from the Coast to negotiate for world-wide distribution of a series of animated musical cartoons to be produced under his own banner. The initial cartoon in the series, "Three Blind Mice," features a musical score with the King's Men.
March 5, 1946
Phil M. Daly column, New York
• That 16 mm. color cartoon on racial tolerence produced by the United Automobile Workers will have its premiere at UAW Atlantic City convention this month. . . .
March 8, 1946
1945 ACADEMY AWARDS
SHORT SUBJECTS—Cartoon: “Quiet Please,” Frederick Quimby, producer (M-G-M).
March 18, 1946
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
United Film Productions will enter the feature cartoon field and is considering several American classics for the plunge
March 28, 1946
Ralph Wilk column, Hollywood
• • • GEORGE PAL IS APPARENTLY "SOLD" on the idea of mixing live action with his famous Puppetoon characters in the delightful shorts he turns out for Paramount release Because he has now revealed that he is dickering with Jimmy Dorsey for the appearance of his band in "Shoe Shine Jasper," a Technicolor Puppetoon built around a jitterbug dance contest Pal figures that, with their current popularity, the addition of a big name band will give his two-reelers the box office appeal of a feature.
April 2, 1946
"Make Mine Music" April 16
An advance tradeshowing of Walt Disney's "Make Mine Music" has been scheduled for the Normandie Theater April 16, at 10:30 a.m., by RKO Radio.
April 11, 1946
Phil M. Daly column, New York
• French prints of Disney's "Pinocchio" have arrived in Paris under a pre-war entry license and the cartoon features will open there next month, according to William Levy, back from Europe.
April 16, 1946
Phil M. Daly column, New York
• A Walt Disney original from "Peter and the Wolf" is being flown to Moscow by the Greater New York Committee for Russian Relief to decorate the Children's Hospital of the First Central Medical Institute there.
April 22, 1946
Disney's Tele Plans Wait for Full Color
Walt Disney Productions on Friday asked the Federal Communications Commission for permission to withdraw its application for a black-and-white tele station in the Los Angeles territory. The petitioner stated that it preferred to await the arrival of color television on a regular basis.
Petition for the dismissal of the application "without prejudice" was signed by Disney's counsel, Fred W. Albertson. The company is convinced, the attorney said, that "colored television is essential for the type of television program service it proposes to render."
April 24, 1946
Phil M. Daly column, New York
Bill Russell, musical director of Ted Eshbaugh Studios, will emcee Macy's 25 Year Club dinner at the Pennsylvania Hotel tonight, and on Saturday will similarly serve at the Celanese Corp. party at the Beekman Hotel.
April 29, 1946
Phil M. Daly column, New York
• Walt Disney's "Make Mine Music" going great guns at the Globe, with the first week topping $65,000 That would be 80 per cent more than the mark established by Disney's "Three Caballeros.". . .
April 30, 1946
New Pacemaker Series in Para’s 64 Shorts for '46-47
The 64 subjects will embrace 10 different series. Six will be two-reel Musical Parade featurettes in Technicolor. The others include six Pacemakers, 18 cartoons, six Speaking of Animals, six Popular Science, six Unusual Occupations, six George Pal Puppetoons, and six Grantland Rice Sportlights produced by Jack Eaton. The 18 cartoons embrace six Noveltoons, six Popeyes and six Little Lulus.
May 2, 1946
Phil M. Daly column, New York
• • • Those special morning cartoon shows sure are clicking ..... Loew's Theaters in the met. area staged 20 during Easter vacation period, drew more than 40,000 kids .... So there'll be a Loew encore on Memorial Day .... Good business, and what's also important, keeps the youngsters out of mischief.
May 8, 1946
Disney Given DSC for Kid Bond Certificate
West Coast Bur., THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Declaring that the cartoon-bordered, colored certificate originated by Walt Disney for baby Bond-owners was one of the greatest Bond sale stimulants developed during the war, Laurence M. Olney, assistant national director of the Savings Bonds Division, presented a Distinguished Service Certificate to Disney at the Burbank studios. Treasury officials give the cartoon producer a lion's share of the credit for selling more than $50,000,000 in Bonds for babies and small children in the past two and a half years.
May 17, 1946
Phil M. Daly column, New York
• George Pal will film the story of the Virgin of Macarenas as a Puppetoon "special."
May 20, 1946
Fifth Week for "Music"
Walt Disney's RKO release, "Make Mine Music," started its fifth week at the Globe Saturday.
May 22, 1946
Ralph Wilk column, Hollywood
Walt Disney will make two features combining animation and live action. Edgar Bergen, Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd will appear in "Mickey and the Beanstalk," and Beulah Bondi, Bobby Driscoll and Burl Ives will appear in the second, "How Dear To My Heart."
May 27, 1946
Six Series of Shorts
...Another highlight of the sessions was the announcement of the M-G-M short subjects program. Company will release six series of shorts totaling 58 reels, exclusive of the twice-weekly issues of News of the Day. All will be one-reelers except a series of four Two-Reel Specials. Schedule includes 12 FitzPatrick Traveltalks, 16 M-G-M Cartoons, 10 Pete Smith Specialties, six John Nesbitt Passing Parades, and six M-G-M Shorts.
May 31, 1946
GEORGE PAL'S PUPPETOON plans for 1947 call for the inclusion of subjects dealing with American folklore; Already set; "John Henry and the Inky-Pooh," "Johnny Appleseed" and "Davy Crockett."
June 3, 1946
South-American Boom Reported by Samuels
That South America offers unlimited sales opportunities for films is the opinion of Leo F. Samuels, assistant general sales manager for Walt Disney Prods., who has just returned from a six-week trip to Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Mexico and Panama to confer with RKO Radio representatives in these countries on the South-American premiere of "Make Mine Music" at Buenos Aires with other cities to follow. Special version to be shown will use well-known Latin-American stars.
Samuels reports that theater business is still booming with admissions generally low in proportion to other commodities. There is much discussion of new theater building throughout all of South America, he added.
June 10, 1946
Children's Shows Spreading
RKO to Try Out "Cartoon Festival" June 15
That the policy of special Saturday matinee shows for children is growing in favor with theatermen is indicated by information available here and by reports received from various sections of the country. Cartoons comprise the favorite form of entertainment for these performances.
RKO, which has tried cartoon shows for kids successfully in various towns outside of New York, plans to try the experiment in this city for the first time on Saturday, when a series of 17 cartoons will be shown in each of the circuit's 40 metropolitan houses beginning at 9 a.m. No two theaters will screen the same cartoons. The event will be designated as "The RKO Cartoon Festival." Seats are being sold in advance at 25 cents for children and 35 cents for adults, with tax included. A spokesman for the circuit said that the show might be repeated should it prove a success.
New Series for Loew's?
Loew's has had such success with the special cartoon shows it has staged for kids in some 40 of its 130 houses during the past two months that it may try them again in two or three months. The last of the current performances will wind up on Saturday.
In the Boston area 30 Mullin & Pinanski houses have inaugurated special Saturday morning kiddie shows consisting of Film Classics' "Funza-poppin Comedy Carnival," with admission prices varying up to 30 cents top. Fox West Coast is another circuit that has adopted the Film Classics show for its Saturday morning kid screenings.
The extent of windfall biz now accruing to morning matinees for kids, with the programs embracing cartoons and travelogs, is strikingly pointed up by the experience of the Sunrise Theater, Fort Pierce, Fla. The Sunrise was swamped at the inaugural, and it was necessary to hastily open the nearby Ritz to accommodate the overflow.
Circuits Report Success
Skouras, Century, Brandt and Warner Bros. are among the important circuits reporting great success with special Saturday morning shows for kids.
Theaters in Chicago report a big demand from juveniles for Saturday morning shows consisting of cartoons. One circuit house, seating 1,600, sold 1,800 advance admissions for a show comprising 15 cartoons running a total of 90 minutes.
300,000 In Audience As BBC Revives UK Tele
...After opening ceremonies, Walt Disney's "Mickey's Gala Premiere," last item to be telecast before the station was closed, was again shown...
Ralph Wilk column, Hollywood
Latest cartoon character slated for stardom is George Pal's Hi-Octane, hero of "Jasper's Derby" (Para. Puppetoon). Co-funny man will be Pal's newest, Wilbur the Lion.
June 21, 1946
Cutting Sees Markets Expanding Abroad
An expanding market for the distribution and showing of American pictures abroad is envisioned by James W. Cutting, director of Walt Disney's foreign department, who has just returned from a five-month trip abroad. He will remain here for the 15th annual sales meeting of RKO Radio, distributor of the Disney pictures. Cutting, who visited England, France, Italy, Sweden, Denmark and India, expressed enthusiasm about the possibilities in India where RKO is preparing to distribute a Hindustani version of Disney's "Bambi."
India Producers Concerned
He attended a meeting of the Indian M. P. Assn., and found the native producers much concerned over this development. He expects no serious opposition, however, feeling they are not in a position to boycott our dubbed pix. He said that about 342 features were made in India last year, but native pix are limited by lack of sufficient theater outlets.
While in France Cutting interviewed leading French composers and obtained source material for a proposed film gesture to France on the type of "Saludos Amigos" which, he stated, is a big hit in Rome and Naples.
Conditions in Italy at present are bad, Cutting stated, but there is a constant improvement. In Sweden, he said, production is very active and theater attendance excellent. He also reported that Disney pix are being readied for the Danish market.
"Bambi" will be first with super-imposed titles, and it will be followed by "Dumbo" which will be dubbed in Danish. Since the war, he said, dubbing costs in Denmark have increased 50 per cent.
June 25, 1946
Republic Will Release Six Trucolor Cartoons
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — A series of six cartoons in Trucolor will be produced by the newly-formed Bob Clampett Productions for release by Republic starting late this year. Initial subject is expected to be ready for Christmas release, with the others following at two-month intervals.
Clampett was associated with Warners cartoons for 16 years and is said to be the originator of the Bugs Bunny character. Associated with him are former Mid-western exhibitor Walter W. Arnold, vice-president and general manager, and Roydon Bosburg, secretary-treasurer.
June 27, 1946
3 Pix from Rank, 5 from Enterprise on ‘U’ Roster
Short subjects will include: 13 Walter Lantz Cartunes, in Technicolor; 13 Name Band Musicals, two special featurettes and two series of eight, "Sing and Be Happy" and "The Answer Man."
In addressing the convention yesterday, Lantz said that he has added a new series of four cartunes with music recorded by a 50-piece orchestra. Series will include "Chopin's Musical Moments." "Overture by William Tell," "Zampa Overture" and "The Poet and the Peasant."
Phil M. Daly column, New York
• George Pal has acquired screen rights to the late Ralph Stoner's series of satires on great lovers of history, and will use them to introduce a May Westian type of femme in Puppetoons .... Stoner was killed fighting for the Marines on Saipan.
REVIEWS
January 4, 1946
"Quite, Please" [sic]
M-G-M 8 Mins. Passable
The latest in the series of Tom and Jerry Technicolor cartoons is productive of a fair number of laughs. The two carry on their tiffing to the annoyance of a bulldog trying to knock off a little sleep. Quite a rumpus results when the dog finds his rest interfered with. This cartoon will manage to get by as a filler.
January 28, 1946
Universal 7 Mins. Mediocre
Few are the laughs in the latest of the Technicolor cartoons featuring Andy Panda. Children should make the best audience for the film, which has Andy torn between right and wrong. The good in him, taking shape as an angel, and the bad, personified by Satan, clash over the theft of some apples, with the decent side of him triumphing. Mild is the verdict.
"Catnipped" (A Flippy Cartoon)
Columbia 8 mins. Clever Cartoon
The Technicolor cartoon starts in flashback style as the Cat is brought into a hospital for "repairs" and one interne tells the other how it all happened. It seems as though the Cat was trying to catch the canary but kept getting involved with a brawny dog. The final shot shows the cat on a hospital bed getting a blood transfusion from the canary, lying on a bed opposite.
February 18, 1946
"Who's Who In The Jungle" (Terrytoon)
20th-Fox 7 Mins. Fair
Gandy Goose and his traveling companion arrive by plane in the deep jungles of Africa. A few of the ensuing sequences prove to be funny, the others not. They both escape finally, only to find several skunks in the plane. Children will probably enjoy this Technicolor cartoon.
February 19, 1946
Warner Bros. 7 Mins. Excellent
Based on the old folk tale of the “Shoemaker and the Elves,” this delightful cartoon is well done, ingenious and comical. Music and activity are co-ordinated as the elves mend shoes for the old man. Audiences will appreciate this one, which is in Technicolor.
"Mighty Mouse Meets Bad Bill Bunion" (Terrytoon)
20th-Fox 7 Mins. Funny
Mighty Mouse proves to be the hero in this Technicolor saga of the Wild West in which he rescues the favorite young actress of the barroom boys from the clutches of the notorious outlaw, Wild Bill Bunion. It should prove amusing to all.
"Talking Magpies" (Terrytoon)
20th-Fox 7 Mins. Humorous
This Technicolor short is fast-moving and quite humorous. It concerns Mr. and Mrs. Magpie in their quest for a home and their subsequent adventures as they force Farmer Alfalfa and his dog to give up theirs. At times corny, this should nevertheless have a big appeal for the kids because of its chatter and slapstick.
"Quentin Quail" (Looney Tunes)
Warner Bros. 7 Mins. Fair
This Looney Tunes short in Technicolor has a good idea but is slow. "Baby Toots" and "Daddy," as a take-off on Baby Snooks and Daddy, will undoubtedly have favorable reaction. Unfortunately the situations are the usual stuff, but the novelty of the narration will probably carry it off.
"Krakatoa" (Terrytoon)
20th-Fox 7 Mins. Amusing
Mighty Mouse, the hero, again arises to the occasion. This one being the eruption of a volcano which is running the otherwise perfect isle of Krakatoa, which is a tropical paradise. He arrives in the nick of time to save all the fleeing mice, subdue the volcano and enjoy the hula dancing of Krakatoa Katy, the isle's glamouse. The cartoon is in Technicolor.
"Svengali's Cat" (Terrytoon)
20th-Fox 7 Mins. Unique
Mighty Mouse, defender of the weak, proves himself once more in a Technicolor cartoon as he rescues a kidnaped damsel, captures a hypnotizing cat, and releases hundreds of mice that have disappeared. The plot is different, interesting and a little more intricate than most, which should prove satisfactory and beneficient.
March 7, 1946
"In Dutch" (Walt Disney)
RKO 7 Mins. Up to Par
Pluto and his dachshund friend, Dinah, maneuver themselves out of a a rather tight situation and prove to be heroes besides by discovering a leak in the dike. It has the Disney humor and should be enjoyed by all. The cartoon is in Technicolor.
Warner Bros. 7 Mins. Amusing
Here's another hilarious Bugs Bunny cartoon in Technicolor. Plenty of action is created when Bugs, taking exception to the dirty work employed by a bunch of tough baseball players against his favorite team, offers to play the bums all by his lonesome. Our hero has a heck of a time of it, but he winds up the winner. The Technicolor cartoon is a good one, although it isn't up to the standard set by many of its predecessors.
March 8, 1946
"Man's Pest Friend" (Little Lulu)
Paramount 8 Mins. Fun for Kiddies
Little Lulu provides much amusement for the kiddies in a Technicolor cartoon which has her matching her wits with a dog-catcher bent on grabbing the child's pet pooch. The battle rages back and forth until the last few moments, winding up with the dog-catcher the loser.
"The Friendly Ghost" (Noveltoons)
Paramount 7 1/2 Mins. Good
Here is an amusing Technicolor fantasy about a young ghost eager to make friends with people rather than scare them. His efforts at friendliness are of no avail until he meets two youngsters who take him to their hearts. The ghost wins over the youngsters' mother by preventing the foreclosure of the mortgage on the house.
March 15, 1946
Warner Bros. 7 Mins. Funny
Not up to its usual Bugs Bunny standard, this Technicolor cartoon is nevertheless quite humorous. Elmer Fudd tries to perform his Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde experiment. Natch, Bugs proves too much for the hero and Elmer is left bothered and bewildered. Audiences should enjoy it.
March 22, 1946
"My Man Jasper" (Puppetoon)
Paramount 8 Mins. Fair
Heavy vocal arrangement against a beating of tom-tom rythm, in a lengthy trial sequence of the Scarecrow, who envisions himself as Robinson Crusoe caught by a group of savages, takes the edge off the film's entertaining quality. However, this Technicolor cartoon carries the message that "crime does not pay."
"Little Lion Hunter" (Blue Ribbon Hit Parade)
Warner Bros. 7 Mins. Effective
A Minah bird is the unsung star of this reel. While out on a lion hunt, little Inky gets trapped by one and it is the bird who saves him. Some very amusing sequences will put this one over. It's in Technicolor.
April 17, 1946
"Make Mine Music!"
RKO-Disney 74 Mins.
DISNEY TOPS HIMSELF IN MUSICAL FANTASY THAT IS CERTAIN TO PROVE A TREMENDOUS NOISE AT THE BOX OFFICE.
You've got to hand it to Walt Disney. He's forever topping himself. Just when you think he's reached the non-plus-ultra of the art of animation up he comes with something that excels his previous big effort.
"Make Mine Music!" is a perfect illustration. The master's latest experiment in screen magic has brought forth a musical fantasy that is out of this world figuratively as well as literally. In the production are embodied all the techniques that have won for Disney recognition as the foremost exponent of the art of the screen animation. It is difficult to conceive of screen entertainment with a more universal appeal.
Highbrows and lowbrows and old and young alike will respond with fervor to what strikes the eye and ear in "Make Mine Music!". In the 10 unrelated items that make up the footage are expressed a variety of moods all creative of a supreme sense of pleasure. Full of the stuff of which dreams are made, the picture has every right to as big if not bigger box office take than any of its predecessors from the Disney realm of make-believe.
Using Technicolor with unparalleled audacity, expertness and effectiveness, Disney has made of each of the 10 parts a gem of art and entertainment. Time and again he achieves breath-taking loveliness and stirs the soul with pleasurable emotions. To say the over-all effect is spellbinding is underestimation.
"The Martins and the Coys," "Blue Bayou," "All the Cats Join In," "Without You," "Casey at the Bat," "Two Silhouettes," 'Peter and the Wolf," "After You're Gone," "Johnny Fedora and Alice Bluebonnet" and "The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met" are the titles of the 10 items, a number of which are interpretative and a number impressionistic. In their presentation Disney has employed some high-calibre talent that means plenty at the box offices of the nation. Nelson Eddy, Dinah Shore, Benny Goodman and his orchestra, the Andrews Sisters, Jerry Colonna, Andy Russell, Sterling Holloway, Riabouchinska and Lichine, the Pied Pipers, the King's Men and the Ken Darby Chorus are among the unseen artists who cater to a wide variety of tastes. Each is commendable in his or her own way.
Unlimited praise is due the army of artists who labored to make of "Make Mine Music!" something of which the art of the motion picture can well be proud.
UNSEEN TALENT: Nelson Eddy, Dinah Shore, Benny Goodman and orchestra, Andrews Sisters, lerry Colonna, Andy Russell, Sterling Holloway, Riabouchinska and Lichine, Pied Pipers, King's Men, Ken Darby Chorus.
CREDITS: Producer, Walt Disney; Production Supervisor, Joe Grant; Directors, Jack Kinney, Clyde Ceronimi, Hamilton Luske, Bob Cormack, Josh Meador; Story, Homer Brightman, Dick Huemer, Dick Kinney, John Walbridge, Tom Oreb, Dick Shaw, Eric Gurney, Sylvia Holland, T. Hee, Dick Kelsey, Jesse Marsh, Roy Williams, Ed Penner, Jim Bedrero, Cap Palmer, Erwin Graham; Art Supervisors, Mary Blair, Elmer Plummer, John Hench; Animators, Les Clark, Ward Kimball, Milt Kahl, John Sibley, Hal King, Eric Larson, John Lounsberry, Ollie Johnston, Fred Moore, Hugh Fraser, Judge Whitaker, Harvey Toombs, Tom Massey, Phil Duncan, Hal Ambro, Jack Campbell, Cliff Nordberg, Bill Justice, Al Bertino, John McManus, Ken O'Brien; Musical Director, Charles Wolcott; Associates, Ken Darby, Oliver Wallace, Edward Plumb; Songs, Ray Gilbert, Allie Wrubel, Eliot Daniel, Bobby Worth; Process Effects, UB Iwerks; Sound, S. O. Sylfield, Robert O. Cook; Effects Animators, George Rowley, Jack Boyd, Andy Engman, Brad Case, Don Patterson; Layout, Kendall O'Connor, Hugh Hennesy, Al Zinnen, Ed Benedict, Charles Philippi, Don Da Gradi, Lance Nolley, Charles Payzant, John Niendorff; Backgrounds, Claude Coats, Art Rile, Ralph Hulett, Merle Cox, Ray Huffine, Al Dempster, Thelma Witmer, Jimi Trout; Color Consultant, Mique Nelson.
Warners 7 Mins. Dog-gone Good
Patterned after the Hollywood Canteen, the Canine Canteen makes a bid for recognition in the pooch world. Each canine has the voice and appearance of his movie-star master, and the ensuing antics are witty and amusing. A colorful cartoon, this should sell well.
"My Old Kentucky Home" (Terrytoon)
20th-Fox 7 Mins. Very Good
The musical arrangements and medley of tunes are especially good in this Mighty Mouse Technicolor cartoon. Much action and situation is packed into the story of the Wolf who comes to foreclose on the mortgage if he doesn't get Nellie's hand in marriage. Nellie's boy friend, a jockey, promises to win the Kentucky Derby purse and save her. With the aid of Mouse's might the deed is accomplished.
"Throwing The Bull" (Terrytoon)
20th -Fox 7 Mins. Outstanding
This one marks a new peak in the Mighty Mouse Technicolor series with the vocal and musical background paralleling the action and humor. A bull-ring in Spain is used as the locale. Carmencita's hand in marriage is promised to the one who throws the ferocious Bull. The Bull tosses all the frightened picadors and toreadors out of the ring until M. M. answers the call and zooms from the sky to win Carmencita by dusting off the Bull and all his brothers.
UA 7 Mins. Wonderful
This new Technicolor puppet cartoon, produced by Morey and Sutherland, is tops in quality. It has entertainment, wit, and clever animation. The setting is Mexico and the story deals with a gay but poor caballero who finds himself the fall guy for a senorita who said "No!" Her family forces him to marry her, and when the storks fly over his home in battle formation he's the one who finally shouts "No!" The ornate Mexican serenaders who pop up from least expected places are one of the subject's highlights.
"It's All In The Stars" (Terrytoon)
20th-Fox 7 Mins. Excellent
A beautifully Technicolored effect of the Universe and the Milky Way for the opening of this newest of the Gandy Goose series serves as introductory mood for exciting dream sequences of Gandy and the Cat. Cat is accused of eating a canary which he freed from a cage, and becomes the target of the animal kingdom's wrath until he wakes up.
"Service With A Guile" (Popeye)
Paramount 6 Mins. Habitual Humor
Olive Oyl, the Zasu Pitts of the comics, is knocking herself out when Popeye and Bluto come along and offer to help. Trying their hand at servicing the car, they fail completely and the car falls apart. The nick of time act repeats itself, as Popeye eats his spinach, and speedily re-assembles the car. A rehash of Popeye situations, its humor is habitual rather than ingenious.
M-G-M 8 Mins. Silly
Well done in spots, this Technicolor cartoon leaves a rather negative impression. Lenny, a dog with Mortimer Snerd characteristics, wants a pal, and his owner decides Screwy Squirrel is it. But Screwy has other ideas, which leads to the inevitable chase through the house. Imaginative enough in places, as a whole it's fair entertainment.
"Fresh Fish"
Warners 7 Mins. Very Good
This cartoon will provide plenty of laughs as it meanders under sea in search of the Whim-Wham Whistling Shark. Animals of the deep pass by in rapid succession and is commented on by the narrator: i.e., sardines swim by pressed close together as if still in a can. The comments are funny, the cartooning very good and it should go over well.
"The Wicked Wolf" (Terrytoon)
20th-Fox 7 Mins. Entertaining
A musical version of the Three Bears, presented over a television set for a group of mice, is the basis for this Mighty Mouse Technicolor subject. The vocal background is noteworthy and a sequence where Goldilocks sings in Betty Hutton style is a real laugh-getter. Mighty Mouse is called into action when Goldilocks finds the wolves too much for her, and winds up a hero to the television audience as he zooms out of the set.
"The Golden Hen" (Terrytoon)
20th-Fox 7 Mins. Amusing
Several good laugh situations are injected in this clever Gandy Goose Technicolor short. Gandy's sidekick, the Cat, makes him put away a wooden hen he was nailing together and go to bed. A dream sequence which follows has the hen laying fancy colored Easter eggs. Each egg offers night-marish experiences for both with the hen itself turning into a witch until the pair wake up.
"Daffy Doodles"
Warners 7 Mins. Funny Sequences
Daffy, or, "The Mustache Maniac," as he is referred to in all the best papers of this Looney Tuner, is chased around town a bit by Porky Pig, the strong arm of the law, who hates to see Daffy dressing up billboards, pictures or anything in sight with mustaches. Finally captured, Daffy pleads innocence at his trial, and is set free, only to start drawing anew—this time, beards. Funny sequences and plot should sell this.
"Pluto's Kid Brother"
RKO Radio 7 Mins. Good for Laughs
This latest Walt Disney offering is satisfactory entertainment. Pluto has his hands full trying to keep his kid brother out of trouble. Melees with roosters, cats, bulldogs, and burglar alarms result. Action is fast and good for laughs, although the piece is not exceptional Disney amusement.
Warners 7 Mins. Slap-happy
Egghead, our determined little hunter, goes out duck-hunting, and after several vain attempts, captures Daffy, only to lose him to an attendant from a lunatic asylum. But Daffy, of the indescribable antics and routines, breaks away from his captors, and gleefully skips across the water, once more. Daffy is laugh-y in places—enough to make it rate.
April 23, 1946
"Cheese Burglar"
Paramount 7 Mins. Funny
Herman the Mouse, frustrated in his attempt to get food, tries to make enemies of the Cat and Dog who are buds, and who are his chief hecklers. When Herman is finally trapped in a wine-bottle, all three animals drink the stuff and end up as three soused pals. Just missing the excellent mark, its sure to bring several laughs.
May 15, 1946
"Hush My Mouse"
Warner Bros. 7 Mins. Clever
Aided by sparkling dialogue this cartoon should have extensive appeal. The scene is "Tuffy's Tavern," with Artie, the manager, (Tuffy ain't here) speakin.' Filligan (d-hhhh) is out for some mouse-knuckles to appease the appetite of customer, Edward G. Robbincat. Natch, Filligan fails in his mission, which maddens E. G., saddens Artie, and gladdens all others concerned.
May 20, 1946
Warner Bros. 7 Mins. Excellent
All sorts of weird goings-on result when a scientist lures batty Bugs Bunny to his laboratory to feed him to a monster. In his own inimitable fashion, Bugs, leads them both a merry chase. Heaping laugh upon laugh, this cartoon is a good item for any bill.
"Old MacDonald Had a Farm"
Paramount 7 Mins. Ee-yi, ee-yi, o-oh!
Farmer MacDonald rouses his barnyard chorus to a symphonic arrangement of "Mary Had a Little Lamb." Then the audience is invited to sing along on "Old MacDonald Had a Farm," following the bouncing ball. Cleverly animated, it has comedy and audience participation, which in this case, should really pay off.
Warner Bros. 7 Mins. Cat or Mouse?
When Tommy Cat falls ill he entrusts the job of watching the kitchen to his son. The mice completely ignore Tommy, Jr., and start on a rampage of the place. Jr. finally asserts himself, in fine feline tradition, and the mice menace no longer. Appealing to eye and ear, this cartoon is good fun.
June 11, 1946
"The Johnstown Flood"
Twentieth-Fox 7 Mins. Fact to Fiction
Mighty Mouse drinks an elixir of Atomic Energy and so saves the mice population of Johnstown, Pa., whose valley is being flooded. He stops the storm, gestures hypnotically, and turns back the rushing water. Natch, he is the hero, again demonstrating his incredible powers. Amusing and pleasant transferral of actual fact to cartoon capacity.
"Together in the Weather"
Para. 7 Mins. Should please all
This George Pal puppetoon features Punchy and Judy who live in two houses of a garden weather barometer. Although they're smitten with each other, they can't do much about it because Punchy leaves his house only when the weather is bad, and Judy only when the weather is good. Judy decides to woo Punchy with various changes in costume. Her technique is sure-fire. So much so that during a storm her house is struck by lightning, Punchy comes to the rescue, and before you can say "this is where I came in," they're man and wife. Cute story pleasantly told, it should please all.
"Peace-Time Football"
Twentieth-Fox 7 Mins. Scores a goal
Gandy Goose is captain of the mouse-team, who at the moment are engaged in total scull-duggery to root out their opponents, the fighting cats. Both teams suffer momentary losses, then gains, but Gandy wins the crowrn as his team employs a cannon barrage, and the defeated cats bring forth a white flag of surrender. Gandy again demonstrates his hectic, hilarious charms.
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