There are at least two in The Phantom Rocket (1933), a cartoon which seems to exist solely as an exercise to see if the staff can animate the rocket in perspective (the design changes from scene to scene). The first booze gag is near the start of the cartoon, where a trombonist spots a bottle of hootch in the back pocket of a dignitary at the launch ceremony. The dignitary reacts.
The timing of the cartoon is all messed up (not to mention the animation of the dignitary jerks as if several in-betweens were missing). The politico has one of those shake takes with a wavy outline of the character alternating with a smooth one. But you can see the tuba is already reacting. It would have worked better if the dignitary shook for maybe six or eight frames, then the tuba could move in and zap out a raspberry which sends the dignitary on his heels.
The story makes no sense in spots, and some of the gags are poorly executed, but this is a Van Beuren cartoon after all. However, Gene Rodemich provides an enthusiastic score.
Frank Sherman and George Rufle are the co-directors in this final T & J outing.
Given that a Tom and Jerry is a cocktail, after all, the booze gags seem appropriate.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea it was a cocktail. Very interesting. I never even thought that Tom and Jerry (Van Bueran)'s names were inspired by prohibition and booze.
DeleteI love the Van Beuren cartoons despite their flaws. Heck, I love the Van Beuren cartoons *because* of their flaws.
ReplyDeleteProhibition was hard on animators, so they turned to booze jokes.
ReplyDelete