Schlesinger told the United Press the idea for the cartoon was his and it came to him in March. The Hollywood Reporter revealed on June 3rd the film had been shipped to New York.
Boxoffice magazine’s reviewer wasn’t impressed, opining in its edition of June 17, 1939 “Probably the first animated capsule of Americanism handled in a manner which will make exhibitors wonder why they have to pay for it. It’s strictly flag waving and has only bits of fine cartoon work to recommend it.” But in the same issue, Ivan Spear called it “a noteworthy and highly commendable contribution to Hollywood’s still unofficial Americanization campaign,” adding it was “light, but topnotch, entertainment.”
Trade papers at the time stated the release date was going to be July 4th. But you can see an ad to the right for a theatre in Pittsburgh which showed the cartoon starting Friday, June 30th. (At two theatres in Chicago, it opened on July 5th with Eddie Robinson’s Confessions of a Nazi Spy).
Some of the rotoscoping in the cartoon is distracting because the animation could be more fluid, and I’ve always been creeped out by Patrick Henry’s teeth after he pulls out a sword (why is he carrying a sword?) and stares at the camera like he’s half insane.
Chuck Jones directed the cartoon and mimicked shots in live action films where the camera looks down or looks up at the action. (I do not know who the layout artist was).
>
Jones made sure he had shadows on clothes and faces in all kinds of scenes.
Jack Warner wrote about his studio’s patriotic two-reelers in a United Press story at the time the cartoon was released. He didn’t mention Old Glory, possibly because it was only released by Warners, not made by the studio. But he said “I feel it is high time that the people in the United States of America think in terms of fostering peace between each other in our own land. We should also aid in the abolishment of all the mercenary and selfish preachings of hate among our citizens.”
You can read Schlesinger's comments about the cartoon in this post.
I never found Patrick Henry's teeth as startling as his resemblance to Patricia Neal. "Give me liberty or give me Maxim!"
ReplyDelete"TO ARMS! TO ARMS! TO ARMS! TO ARMS! TO ARMS! TO ARMS! TO ARMS!..."
ReplyDeleteThis one was a staple on local television in our area when I was growing up. The funniest comment at the time was made by my baby brother after Patrick Henry says: “ Give me DEATH!!!” The cannon goes off, there is smoke around him, and my bother says:: “ Did they blow him up?” As young he was, he was already used to what happened to folks..animal and human in. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies.
ReplyDeleteAlso a local staple in local YB in our area;;;
DeleteThe scene with Patrick Henry was roto-traced from the "Give Me Liberty" short, with John Litel as Henry (he also played Thomas Jefferson in the "Declaration of Independence" short).
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that. John Litel was one of my favorite underrated character actors. Many from my generation came to know him from the early to mid 1940s Universal Pictures he showed up in during the whole " Shock Theater " era. Interesting, I appreciate the info.
ReplyDeleteLitel was typecast as lawyer types in '30s Warner films. I saw "Give Me Liberty" late one night on TNT cable (in its early pre-TCM incarnation), and when it got to the end when Henry climaxed his speech, I immediately recognized the scene from "Old Glory" (but in live action).
DeleteAnd I saw the "Declaration" short in school - my classmates and I laughed at the scene where someone was bulldogged off a horse and a fistfight ensued - it was sped up, and looked ludicrous (a scene befitting an old B-Western).
Decades ago we used to show 16mm backyard movies every Independence Day before running next door to watch downtown fireworks from my neighbor's deck. Would always run OLD GLORY and kids would always loudly complain. Still have that lovely low fade print, can't remember the last time I was able to shanghai anyone else to watch it with me!
ReplyDelete