Film Dictionary

April 11, 1970

Moon Over Miami (1941) ***

Breezy musical about a Texan gal (Betty Grable) trying to find a rich husband in Miami. Songs:

"What Can I Do For You ?"
"Oh Me Oh Mi-A-Mi" *
"You Started Something" **
"I've Got You All To Myself" *
"Is That Good" *
"Loveliness And Love" *
"Kindergarten Conga" **
"Solitary Seminole" *

Penny Serenade (1941) **

The ultimate Hollywood tearjerker about a couple (Cary Grant and Irene Dunne) adopting a little girl. Unbearably sentimental, but incredibly effective in touching emotions.

Road To Zanzibar (1941) ***

Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour are trekking through the African jungle, wise-cracking, bickering, buying diamond mines, double-crossing one another and, of course, falling in love. The song "It's Always You" is preceded by some amusing brechtians commentaries. Musical numbers:

"You Lucky People, You" *
"On The Road To Zanzibar" *
"You're Dangerous" *
"It's Always You" *

The Crackpot Quail (1941) *****

After his triumph with Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd in 1940's "A Wild Hare", Tex Avery created two new characters (a smart quail and a stupid dog) and put them in a very similar cartoon, using the same 'hunting' plot formula, but adding more gags. The finest running gag involves the dog crashing into various trees, with the camera reacting differently to each accident. The first time, the camera pans rapidly to the right anticipating the direction of the chase, but has to pan back to reveal the poor dog lying on the ground after hitting the tree. Next time, the camera is smarter - the dog exits the frame to the right and his inevitable crash takes place off-screen. The final crash is the most spectacular - the dog is allowed to exit the frame and the camera slowly follows him, revealing the destruction on his path - crashed walls, destroyed fences and fallen trees, (many, many trees). It's probably the single best developped running gag in Tex Avery's long and illustrious career.

The Heckling Hare (1941) ****

A goofy dog (first seen in Avery's 1941's "The Crackpot Quail") chases Bugs Bunny and suffers greatly for his stupidity. The cartoon ends with both protagonists falling off a cliff and then applying the brakes and landing gently. The original ending had them falling off another cliff, but Warners' producer Leon Schlesinger stupidly objected to such a "tragic" conclusion and actually fired Tex Avery for trying to "kill" Bugs Bunny !

Superman (1941) ****

A mad scientist invents an Electrothanasia Ray and threatens to destroy an entire city. Superman finds his secret hidaway and destroys it, rescuing Lois Lane in the process. The first Superman cartoon, nominated for an Oscar, superbly designed, directed and edited, with memorable camera angles, dramatic dissolves and an effective use of shadows.

Truant Officer Donald (1941) ****

Donald forgets that school is closed during the summer and he sets out to catch his three nephews he suspects of playing hooky outdoors. Plenty of good gags as the three brats make a complete fool of their uncle.

Rhapsody In Rivets (1941) ****

A foreman "conducts" his workers at a construction site to the tune of Liszt's "Second Hungarian Rhapsody". Riveters and bricklayers turn into superb musicians, but their house-building efforts are more questionable (their skyscraper crashes down into a pile of rubble). The film, nominated for an Oscar, is a very successful effort, skilfully combining music and humor. Director Friz Freleng would further explore such musical concepts in his later masterpieces like "Pigs In A Polka" (1943) and "Back Alley Oproar" (1948).

The Screwdriver (1941) ****

In his third film, Woody Woodpecker drives a sports car, dances with dizzy dames and encounters a fat cop, who suspects him of being a speeder. The funniest gag has Woody impersonating a Chinese coolie.

Raggedy Ann And Raggedy Andy (1941) ****

One of Max Fleischer's most beautiful films, it's a colorful and enchanting story of two rag dolls undertaking a perilous journey in search of their identities. A sexy senorita doll lures Andy away from his girlfriend, but everything ends happily. The sentimental nature of the story is handled with rare sincerity and care.

Porky's Preview (1941) ****

Animator Porky proudly presents his latest cartoon, but audiences aren't very enthusiastic about crudely animated stick figures surrounded by abstract backgrounds. A very unusual cartoon from Tex Avery, a seminal work extending the boundaries of animation.

The Great Cheese Mystery (1941) ****

Terrific Screen Gems cartoon directed by Art Davis and written by Frank Tashlin.

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy Of Company B (1941) ****

Terrific, Oscar-nominated cartoon.

The Little Whirlwind (1941) ***

Mickey's efforts to clean Minnie's front lawn are constantly frustrated by a playful little whirlwind.

Lend A Paw (1941) ***

A color remake of 1933's "Mickey's Pal Pluto" and a winner of an Academy Award. The film stars Pluto as a reluctant savior of a cute little kitty.

Rhythm In The Ranks (1941) ***

Memorable Puppetoon about war.

Chef Donald (1941) ***

Donald Duck is frantically trying to follow cooking instruction on the radio, but mixes wrong ingredients and realizes that his culinary masterpiece falls far short of the mark.

Hollywood Steps Out (1941) ***

A sequel to "The Coo Coo Nut Grove" (1936), again featuring the caricatures of popular movie stars.

Boogie Doodle (1941) ***

Images drawn directly on the negative. Norman McLaren's first important film. Though released by the National Film Board of Canada in 1941, it was actually made in New York City in 1940, just before McLaren was invited by John Grierson to Canada to found the NFB's animation unit.

Joe Glow The Firefly (1941) ***

Another noble experiment in animation from Chuck Jones.

A Gentleman's Gentleman (1941) ***

Mickey asks Pluto to bring him a newspaper, but the poor dog experiences some unexpected delays and complications. A simple cartoon, with some amusing bits and clever gags.

Scrub Me Mama With A Boogie Beat (1941) ***

A nice cartoon with jazz music.

The Cagey Canary (1941) ***

Well-made cartoon about a cat and a canary.

Timber (1941) ***

Donald has to work for food, cutting trees in the forest. Starts slow, but includes an exciting chase on train tracks.

American March (1941) ***

Patriotic experimental film by Oskar Fischinger.

The Tangled Angler (1941) ***

A Screen Gems cartoon directed by Frank Tashlin.

The Midnight Snack (1941) ***

Tom and Jerry's second film (and the first where Tom is called Tom and not "Jasper").

All This And Rabbit Stew (1941) ***

A dim-witted black hunter chases after Bugs Bunny. The film includes the classic "hollow log" sequence, reused in Bob Clampett's "The Big Snooze" (1945).

Tortoise Beats Hare (1941) ***

Bugs Bunny becomes furious when he reads the title of the cartoon and challenges Cecil Turtle to a race for ten bucks. Cecil splits the money with his nine cousins (all identical), who have helped him win the race.

Abdul The Bulbul Ameer (1941) ***

Handsome cartoon about fight between a Russian officer and a Persian pasha.

The Rookie Bear (1941) ***

Barney Bear is drafted.

The Little Mole (1941) ***

Impressive MGM cartoon about a near-sighted mole.

The Cat's Tale (1941) ***

Quite different from other WB cartoons. Plenty of talk. A different sense of humor. Original.

Wabbit Twouble (1941) ***

According to the credits, "Wabbit Twouble" was directed by Wobert Cwampett (which probably stands for Robert Clampett, who worked for Warner Bros at the time). The cartoon itself is a delight, with Bugs playing some practical jokes on Elmer (who's much fatter here than in his earlier and later films).

Porky's Pooch (1941) ***

A poor, hungry dog decides to find himself a rich master (Porky Pig).

Pantry Panic (1941) ***

Woody and a cat are trying to devour one another. Hilarious, quite cynical cartoon.

The Trial Of Mr Wolf (1941) ***

A revisionist take on the "Red Riding Hood" tale, with the Wolf as an innocent victim of Red's (and Granma's) greed and violence.

Hiawatha's Rabbit Hunt (1941) ***

Oscar-nominated cartoon starring Bugs Bunny.

Porky's Bear Facts (1941) ***

A lazy bear, cold and hungry, invites himself to Porky's house and devours his dinner. A variation on the familiar "grasshopper and the ants" morality tale, quite pleasant, but short on gags.

Orphans' Benefit (1941) ***

This is a color remake of Donald Duck's second cartoon (and the first to reveal his true and memorable personality). Mickey's orphans constantly interrupt a benefit performance by Donald trying to recite a verse. Donald's attacks of blind rage are as entertaining as ever.

Dizzy Kitty (1941) ***

Andy Panda's father tries to wash a cat. Hilarious.

Woody Woodpecker (1941) ***

Woody introduces himself as a "crazy nut" and all animals in the forest agree. He finally decides to consult a psychiatrist. Also known as "Cracked Nut".

Hoola Boola (1941) ***

George Pal's Puppetoon set on a tropical island.

Notes To You (1941) ***

Porky tries to sleep, but a musical alley cat insists on singing looney tunes. Remade 7 years later as "Back Alley Oproar".

The Prospecting Bear (1941) ***

Barney is looking for gold in the Grand Canyon.

The Fox And The Grapes (1941) ***

Directed by Frank Tashlin, this Screen Gems cartoon has clearly inspired Chuck Jones' Road Runner series.

The Mechanical Monsters (1941) ***

An evil scientist uses a fleet of flying robots to loot banks and jewel stores. Lois Lane hides inside one robot and Superman must rescue her from torture.

Night Before Christmas (1941) ***

Tom and Jerry are playing among Christmas presents.

Sniffles Bells The Cat (1941) **

Sniffles is supposed to put a bell around a cat's neck.

A Coy Decoy (1941) **

A hungry wolf uses a female decoy to set a trap for Daffy, but the duck hides among a stack of books to evade his pursuer. An uneasy mix of two different Warner Bros. cartoon series: the "midnight in a bookstore" format and the "duck hunt" formula.

Inki And The Lion (1941) **

Inki, a lion and the Minah Bird.

It's A Hap-Hap-Happy Day (1941) **

Gabby invites himself on a camping trip, but his reluctant companion gets increasingly exasperated by trees falling down on his tent and other disasters.

Baggage Buster (1941) **

Rabbits pop out of hats when porter Goofy opens a magician's trunk.

The Goose Goes South (1941) **

A goose travels down to Florida.

Goofy Groceries (1941) **

Moderately amusing Merrie Melodie about a fearsome gorilla.

The Fighting 69 1/2th (1941) **

Trench warfare between red ants and black ants.

The Art Of Skiing (1941) **

Goofy learns the hard way about skiing.

The Art Of Self Defense (1941) **

This uneven cartoon presents the evolution of fighting techniques (from cavemen with rocks to knights with swords to noblemen with handkerchiefs to boxers with gloves).

We The Animals - Squeak! (1941) **

Interesting, though not entirely successful cartoon about a kitten whose son has been kidnapped by gangster mice.

Elmer's Pet Rabbit (1941) **

Elmer Fudd buys himself a cute little rabbit. Little does he know that his adorable pet is none other than Bugs Bunny. Best gag: Bugs "drowning" in a bathtub.

Early To Bed (1941) **

Donald's bed is very uncomfortable in this rather unexceptional cartoon.

Donald's Camera (1941) **

Donald goes hunting with his camera, but the forest animals are not very cooperative.

The Field Mouse (1941) **

MGM cartoon about field mice.

Robinson Crusoe Jr (1941) **

Porky's ship sinks during a hurricane and the pig finds himself on a desert island. Weak gags.

The Cute Recruit (1941) **

US Army and US Navy are competing for a young recruit. Directed by Art Davis.

The Alley Cat (1941) **

An alley cat fights a bulldog to impress a rich kitten.

Old McDonald Duck (1941) **

Farmer Donald tries to milk a cow, but an annoying fly...

The Nifty Nineties (1941) **

A Mickey Mouse cartoon set in the Gay Nineties (ie. 1890's). Nice music.

The Flying Bear (1941) **

Barney is a pilot.

Officer Pooch (1941) **

A canine cop chases a little puppy, rescues a little kitty and gets electrocuted. An MGM cartoon about a dog cop defending a kitten from fellow dogs.

Saddle Silly (1941) *

Boring cartoon western.

Little Cesario (1941) *

MGM cartoon about Saint-Bernard dogs.

The Haunted Mouse (1941) *

Horror cartoon set in a literal ghost town.

Rookie Review (1941) *

The army life is satirized in this rather lame cartoon.

Canine Caddy (1941) *

Mickey and Pluto are playing golf. Gags are weak and repetitive.

Brave Little Bat (1941) *

Sniffles befriends a bat.

Snowtime For Comedy (1941) **

Two dogs are playing in the snow.

Porky's Prize Pony (1941) *

Tedious cartoon about horse racing.

Meet John Dougboy (1941) *

A series of very lame gags about the military. Confusing and boring.

A Goodtime For A Dime (1941) *

Donald visits a penny arcade, where he admires a dance of the seven veils and enjoys the thrills of aviation. Fairly routine cartoon with laborious gags and few surprises.

Golden Eggs (1941) *

Farmer Donald learns about the skyrocketing prices of eggs, but his attempts to collect the merchandise are constantly frustrated by an abnoxious and proud cock. Donald disguises himself as a sexy hen to distract him. An inferior Disney effort.

Fire Cheese (1941) *

Gabby chases fire engines in this weak cartoon.

The Henpecked Duck (1941) *

Daffy is a lousy magician and his wife wants a divorce.

Farm Frolics (1941) *

A really sorry spectacle - every single gag falls flat. A total waste of talent, the cartoon desperately tries to find humor in the lives of various farm animals - and fails miserably.

The Bug Parade (1941) *

Mediocre cartoon about various insects.

Porky's Snooze Reel (1941) *

Truly tedious cartoon that tries to mock the newsreels, but fails miserably.

Two For The Zoo (1941) *

Zookeeper Gabby has to take care of two kangaroos with long trunks (maybe their pop was an elephant). Like most Gabby cartoons, this is hardly an enjoyable film.