The first half of 1941 in the animation world contained a few interesting tidbits and reels upon reels of cartoons that The Film Daily dubbed “amusing.” Cartoon Films, Ltd. was working to release cartoons through Columbia Pictures. The Fleischers considered releasing Superman cartoons in black and white (the prevailing attitude in the ‘30s seems to have been the star characters—Porky, Popeye, Mickey—didn’t need colour to sell them to the public). Paramount evidently loved stop motion series. Not only did it release George Pal’s Puppetoons, it was also putting a Charlie Bowers short in theatres. Pal, incidentally, gave work to former Lantz head writer Victor McLeod and ex-Disney and Harman-Ising animator Norm Blackburn. And Pat Powers was still around, wheeling and dealing with Astor Pictures to re-release old Ub Iwerks Comi-Color shorts.
I’ve included the review of the first Speaking of Animals short. It wasn’t really animation (other than mouths over top of animal footage), but Tex Avery worked on it. You can get an idea of the timeline prior to his departure from Leon Schlesinger’s studio.
The Film Daily missed three stories about Warner Bros. writers. Variety caught them.
May 9, 1941
Maltese Given 5-Year Schlesinger Pact
Michael Maltese has been handed five-year term contract as story and gag man at the Leon Schlesinger cartoon plant where he came up from the animation ranks.
June 9, 1941
Carson with Schlesinger
Les Carson, former radio writer, has joined the Leon Schlesinger writing staff.
June 16, 1941
Ted Pierce Returning To Schlesinger
Ted Pierce, former story head for Leon Schlesinger cartoon studio, resumes post (23) after more than a year with the Fleischer studios
With Maltese’s promotion was born one of the greatest writing careers in cartoon history. His name had already appeared on credits so the contract must have been a renegotiation after a writing deal expired. Schlesinger picked another winner. As for Carson, he never did get credit for work on any cartoons. Less pleasant news was a Variety story of April 29th that Chuck Jones was bedridden with pleurisy and was expected to be off for several weeks.
So let’s take a look at Film Daily.
January 14, 1941
Ralph Wilk column, Hollywood
"DIPSY GYPSY," the second of the George Pal Puppetoons, which Paramount is releasing, is now in production. Andre Kostelanetz' music will again be featured as it was in the first of the series, "Western Daze." One of the features of the cartoon will be a rendition of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody played by an orchestra of puppets. "Dipsy Gypsy" is based on a short story by Vic McLeod.
January 15, 1941
Technicolor Treatment For "Superman" Series
Shift of plans to make the series-picture, "Adventures of Superman," in Technicolor instead of in the originally planned black-and-white, has necessitated the postponement of the productions release until the Spring, it was learned yesterday from sources close to the situation. Originally, release was announced for December or the present month.
The film is currently before the color cameras at the Fleischer Studios in Miami, Fla., with the staff there concentrating on the initial "chapter," of which there will be 12 when the entire series is completed.
Production is based upon the comic strip character, "Superman," and the first chapter of the adventures will deal with his advent on earth from the fictitious planet, Krypton.
Paramount will distribute the film.
January 16, 1941
Title Chore for Schlesinger
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Leon Schlesinger who did the animated title for Paramount's "Love Thy Neighbor," has been given a similar chore on "The Lady Eve," Preston Sturges' production.
"Fantasia" Aldine Deal Arouses UA Opposition
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Possibility of a suit against Warners and the Stanley Co. by United Artists over the booking of "Fantasia" at the Aldine Theater, Philadelphia, was foreseer here in a notification to UA producers that the booking was in violation of a contract UA had for bookings in the theater, it is reported.
It was said that the company was considering asking for an injunction to prevent playing of the picture at the house and a simultaneous action for damages due to the fact that the Disney picture would probably play the house for at least six months and UA pictures would be excluded during that time Suit would be based on alleged breaching of the contract, it was said. On the damage claim, it is expected that an arbitrary sum would be asked for every picture that would have played the house during that period.
Whether or not this action would be taken without the consent of the UA producers could not be determined. It also could not be learned whether or not UA has sought any other booking arrangements from the Warner theater department, or whether or not the facilities had been offered.
January 30, 1941
Announce Nominations In Five Award Groups
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Academy Award nominations in five divisions—art direction, shorts and cartoon classifications—are announced. Preliminary judging is under way, with screenings scheduled tonight and tomorrow.
The nominations:
Cartoons: "Snubbed By A Snob," Fleischer; "You Ought To Be In Pictures." WB; "A Wild Hare," WB; "Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy," Fleischer; "Knock, Knock," Universal; "Puss Gets Boots;" [sic] M-G-M; "Billy Mouse's Akwakade," 20th-Fox; "The Mad Hatter," Columbia; "Western Daze,"—(Pal) Para.; "Wimmin Is A Mystery," Fleischer; "Early Worm Gets the Bird," WB; "Cross Country Detours," WB; "Recruiting Daze," Universal; "Milky Way," M-G-M.
February 3, 1941
Disney Plans New "Fantasia" Numbers
New numbers for "Fantasia" are being prepared but whether they will be incorporated into the present version has not been determined. The sequences, under the direction of Leopold Stokowski, include "Peter and the Wolf," "Till Eulenspiegel," "Invitation to the Dance," "The Swan of Tuonela" and "The Flight of the Bumblebee."
February 4, 1941
Threaten to Boycott Disney Pix Over Company Union
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Cartoonist Local 852 has filed charges with the NLRB against Walt Disney Productions accusing the Disney organization of unfair labor practices in sponsoring the company union.
Aubrey Blair, representative of the A F of L, declared that unless Disney agrees to abolish the company union and bargain with his employes regarding wages, hours and working conditions steps will be taken by A F of L to boycott his product throughout the United States and Canada.
Bugs and Beetles Intrigue Fleischer
Miami, Fla.—Al Wilkie, of Paramount, is conferring here with Mervyn Houser on plans to publicize Fleischer's newest feature-length cartoon, as yet unnamed. Feature deals with the difficulties of bugs and beetles living just off Broadway.
February 6, 1941
Fleischer Starts Second Feature
Miami—Fleischer studios yesterday started production on its second feature length cartoon titled "Mr. Bug Goes to Town." Picture, which will be in Technicolor, has been a year in preparation and will be released by Paramount late this year. Theme of the cartoon is said to be neither fantasy nor fable, but an original based on the fight for life by a community of insects "45 seconds from Broadway." It will require 700 artists ten months to complete.
Final Nominations for Short Subjects Awards
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—The following subjects are the final nominations for the M.P. Academy short subject awards with one subject to be picked in each group for honors: Cartoons, "Milky Way," M-G-M; "Puss Gets the Boot," M-G-M; "A Wild Hare," Warners.
February 11, 1941
Dunningcolor Introduces New 3-Color Process
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood —- A new three-color process for motion pictures, perfected by Dunningcolor Corp., will be immediately introduced on the theater screens in a series of pictures produced by Cartoon Films, Ltd., and released by Columbia Pictures. Prints for the first of the series are now being processed in the Hollywood plant of Dunningcolor.
Process is the result of several years research by the engineering staff headed by Carroll and Dodge Dunning, and is said to greatly simplify and reduce the number of laboratory operations for turning out release prints, via the three-color system.
Phil M. Daly column, New York
• • • THAT big title-line "must" ... which tells the world that the events, characters and firms depicted in this photoplay are fictitious" ... and "any similarity to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental" ... is being knocked into a proverbial cocked hat by murmurings down Miami way ... Rumor has it that (quite coincidentally, of course) the characterizations in Fleischer's Studios' new million-dollar Technicolor production ... —"Mr. Bug Goes To Town"— ... were patterned after Hollywood stars ... Our scouts declare that Honey, the bee heroine, bears a striking (or "stinging," if you prefer) resemblance to Deanna Durbin ... while Hoppity, the grasshopper, has characteristics a la Jimmy Stewart ... and that Beetle, the heavy, is astonishingly like Gene Lockhart ... Max and Dave Fleischer may not seriously consider this suggestion but ... a world premiere in Washington's Department of Agriculture looms as a "natural"
February 24, 1941
Universal will add two new short subjects series next season. One is to be personality band subjects in which contract players also will appear. Another will be a series of Technicolor cartoons by Walter Lantz, in addition to his Andy Panda subjects.
February 26, 1941
"Fantasia" to Do $19,000 in Chi.
Chicago—"Fantasia's" first week at the Apollo here is expected to hit $19,000, it was said by Hal Horne prior to his departure for San Francisco where the Disney cartoon feature is also set to open. Horne returns East for the Cleveland opening and then returns to the Coast for conferences with Walt and Roy Disney.
February 27, 1941
Ralph Wilk column, Hollywood
"DIPSY GYPSY" second in the Paramount Madcap Models series of shorts, produced by George Pal has been completed. The next release will be "Hoola Boola," with a South Sea background, and the film to follow this will be "Pan-Americana."
"Fantasia" Pittsburgh Bow As Greek War Aid Benefit
Pittsburgh — At two meetings of committees representing distributors and exhibitors in the Western Pennsylvania territory plans were completed for the campaign to be conducted to swell the Greek War Relief Fund, at which Harry M. Kalmine, division chairman, presided.
The local premiere of Walt Disney "Fantasia," at the Fulton March 5 will be a benefit for the Greek War Relief Fund. Tentative plans also call for a post-premiere radio broadcast in which attending celebrities will participate.
Arthur E. Braun is chairman of the local committee and Steve J. Contos is in charge of arrangements for the premiere.
February 28, 1941
SHORT SUBJECTS
Cartoon: Rudolph Ising, "The Milky Way," (M-G-M).
MUSIC
Best original score: Leigh Harline, Paul J. Smith and Ned Washington, "Pinocchio." (Walt Disney, released through RKO Radio).
Best song: Music by Ned Washington, lyric by Leigh Harline for "When You Wish Upon a Star" in "Pinocchio." (Walt Disney, RKO release).
March 3, 1941
Defense Program Limits Fantasound Production
"Fantasia" will be shown in only 12 cities during the early part of this year because of limitations placed on the production of Fantasound units by the National Defense program, it was announced by Walt Disney from the Coast over the week-end.
Premieres have been announced for Washington, St. Louis, San Francisco, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, and Detroit. Picture is currently showing in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston.
Additional cities may be added, Disney said, when restrictions are relaxed on instrument companies which are giving all their products to Government agencies.
March 10, 1941
Rushing Patriotic Short
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Leon Schlesinger is lushing production on "Gone With the Draft," a Merrie Melodie cartoon patriotic short.
March 26, 1941
Astor Takes Color Reels
Six Como-Color [sic] one-reel cartoon subjects produced by P. A. Powers will be released by Astor Pictures Corp. through its national franchise holders. First is "The Brave Tin Soldiers" and will be released April 15. Others, to be released on a schedule of one every six weeks, are "Puss in Boots," "Queen of Hearts," "Aladdin," "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "The Little Red Hen."
Exemption Hearings Under Way at Coast
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — President Edward Gilbert of Screen Set Designers was the first witness heard at the hearing before Merle D. Vincent, chief of the hearing's and exemptions branch of the Work-Hours Administration Branch of United States Dept. of Labor. ...
Cartoon animator assistants were claimed as non-professional or inbetweeners" by George E. Bodle, counsel for Screen Cartoonists Local 582.
March 27, 1941
Para. Sets 1941-42 Shorts; Single Reels Ruling
Eighty-five one-reel films, a two-reel special Technicolor cartoon and 104 issues of the newsreel will comprise Paramount's short subject program for the 1941-42 season.
Three new series are to be introduced on the new lineup and several other groups will be expanded. New series will include 12 “Superman” cartoons...
Other shorts on the schedule will be six "Madcap Models" Puppetoons in Technicolor...12 "Popeye" cartoons...
The "Superman" subjects and "Popeye" will be made by Max Fleischer in Miami.
Disney Studio to Go on Five-Day Week Saturday
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Beginning on Saturday the Walt Disney studio goes on five-day week. This is the first time this has been done in the history of the organization. Previous hours included period of 8:30 to 12:30 on Saturdays.
Reason for the switch was the number of Disney employes coming under the Wage and Hour scale. The studio estimated that a good two-thirds of the personnel came under the Wage and Hour scale which calls for a 40-hour week, while a third of the personnel consisting of top creative group work 44 hours a week at the present time. This meant confusion, production hindrance, and added overtime expense to the necessity of staggering the other four hours.
Company officials feel that by going on five-day week they will speed up production and cut down on studio maintenance. The decision was not put through until the creative group had assured studio executives that they could turn out as much or more work on a concentrated five-day week when all employes were on the job all the time.
“HOOLA BOOLA,” George Pal's latest Paramount Puppetoon, has a new leading lady, a gorgeous puppet named "Sarong-Sarong." She is "Jim Dandy's" third co-star, the others having been "Prunella" and "Ninya." They appeared in "Western Daze" and "Dipsy Gypsy" respectively.
March 28, 1941
GOLDWYN - DISNEY IN JOINT PRODUCTION
Combine to Make "Life of Hans Christian Andersen"; RKO Reported Distributing
Deal whereby Walt Disney and Samuel Goldwyn will join forces in the production of "The Life and Stories of Hans Christian Andersen" was announced jointly yesterday.
Picture based on the well known writer of fairy tales is expected to combine real life and cartoon characters, Goldwyn producing the story of Andersen's life and Disney producing Andersen's literary contributions in animated cartoon technique.
Leo Spitz, representing both Disney and Goldwyn, signed the contract yesterday morning. Although not confirmed, it was reported that RKO would handle distribution.
This Goldwyn-Disney production is slated for July 1942 release. Disney will start his work on the picture in June and Goldwyn in November, each planning a lengthy production schedule. No budget has been set or any players or directors engaged. Picture will be in Technicolor.
Para. Takes Up Pal Option
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Paramount has exercised its option on George Pal's Puppetoons, extending the contract for the 1941-42 season with Pal to provide six additional musical shorts.
March 31, 1941
"Fantasia" Prices Cut 50% For Uniformed Service Men
Broadway theater today institutes a special half-price "Fantasia" admission scale for all service men in uniform. It's the first New York house to make such a concession, which will be in effect for any performance Monday through Friday. Walt Disney personally okayed the plan.
Disney will produce cartoons under a Government contract to be used to demonstrate how certain mechanical processes involved in the National Defense Program are performed if a deal now being discussed with the OPM in Washington goes through.
To conform with local admission scales, prices for "Fantasia" have been lowered in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. New scale, ranging from 50 to 75 cents top, has caused advance sales to triple.
"Reluctant Dragon" Song To be Published by BMI
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—BMI has closed a deal for the publication of the title number from "The Reluctant Dragon," new Walt Disney feature starring Bob Benchley. Number is by Charles Wolcott, Ed Penner and T. Hee. Film will have its world premiere about May 1. RKO distributes.
April 2, 1941
"Dragon," Disney's Next; Fantasound for "Bambi"?
Walt Disney will release "The Reluctant Dragon" via RKO as his next feature and campaigns are now being prepared for the pix which has Bob Benchley starring.
Whether Disney's "Bambi" will be recorded on Fantasound and released on the same basis as "Fantasia" has not been determined.
April 9, 1941
Paramount Tilts Shorts Program Budget 40 P. C.
Paramount's short subjects budget for the coming season represents an increase of approximately 40 per cent above that of the current season. This indicates that Paramount is going after short subjects business to a greater extent than in previous years.
Oscar Morgan, head of the short sales department, yesterday began his Coast-to-Coast conferences with exchange personnel. Pep talks and discussions of sales policies will be held in all company branches.
Popeye, the Sailor, is joining Uncle Sam's Navy and will be seen as a gob in the first three cartoon subjects on Paramount's 1941-42 lineup. Titles are "Popeye Joins the Navy," "Blunder Below" and "Rootin', Tootin', Recruitin'." It's the first move of its kind.
TO THE COLORS!
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Dale Tholen of George Pal's studio staff is the first there to get a call to the colors. He goes to Randolph Field.
April 10, 1941
100% Demand Halts Disney-AFL Parley
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Discussions between A F of L representatives and Walt Disney studios were halted yesterday with the studio agreeing to consider the unions' demands for 100 per cent A F of L affiliation. Aubrey Blair, Hollywood organizer of A F of L. stated that with Schlesinger productions practically in A F of L "bag" and all other short producers signed, Disney cannot afford to hold out longer.
New light on the matter is the unions' possible pressure which may be brought on George J. Schaefer, RKO prexy, to use his influence as Disney's distributor to force Disney to a favorable and quick decision.
Spokesman for the unions, desiring not to be named, states that with RKO distribution of Disney shorts amounting- from 10 to 14 per cent of gross, RKO cannot afford to jeopardize the favor of the unions on the 85-90 per cent of their other pictures.
Informant also stated that any action taken, if outcome of discussions are not favorable to the unions, will be picketing and boycotting of theaters showing Disney product rather than the studio. Schaefer could not be reached for statement on the RKO stand.
April 11, 1941
Leon on the radio:
April 14, 1941
EXTEND DISNEY -RKO DISTRIBUTION
Two New Features Included in Deal; Full-Length Mickey Mouse Pictures and "Dumbo" to be Produced
Extension of the present Walt Disney-RKO releasing arrangement on a long-term contract and covering two new Disney Technicolor features, including a full-length Mickey Mouse subject, was announced Friday by George Schaefer, RKO president. The second feature is "Dumbo," an original animated story with new characters.
New deals follow earlier announcements that RKO would also distribute the two coming Disney features. "The Reluctant Dragon" and "Bambi."
The Mickey Mouse feature will include all the well-known characters associated with the figure, Pluto, Donald Duck, Minnie Mouse, Goofy and several new characters.
"Dumbo" centers around the adventures of a little circus elephant and will introduce a new "actor," Timothy Mouse.
April 23, 1941
Fleischers Offer to Make Training Films
Miami—Max and Dave Fleischer in a letter to the President have offered the services of the Fleischer studio here to produce educational cartoons to assist in training U. S. troops. Fleischers turned out 20 one-reelers in 1917-1918 for the Government. Studio is now making "Mr. Bug Goes to Town," feature, for Para.
April 24, 1941
"Fantasia" to Leave Hub I May 3 After 15 Weeks
Boston—"Fantasia" will close in Boston run May 3 after 15 weeks at the Majestic. The Disney interests retain control of the theater but to date have not decided whether to place another picture in the theater immediately or wait until mid-Summer to do so.
April 25, 1941
Ralph Wilks column, Hollywood
WALT DISNEY has engaged ZaSu Pitts as the voice for a harp girl character in his first feature-length Mickey Mouse cartoon which it is expected will be ready for release in December.
April 28, 1941
RKO Releasing "Fantasia" Using Standard Equipment
Walt Disney's "Fantasia" will be road-showed on a wider scale trough the perfection of a method whereby the picture may be presented on standard equipment. Disney’s organization has been handling the showings which have been contained to only a dozen large cities, but under the new setup it will be distributed by RKO.
Under the new method, the present nine channels of sound may be compressed without any loss of tonal quality upon the single channel of standard width film, making it possible for a great number of theaters to road show the picture.
Same policies and de luxe form of presentation as conducted by the Disney company will be followed by RKO. All engagements will be two-a-day and all seats will be reserved. “Fantasia” is now in its 25th week in New York and is playing extended engagements in other large cities. Gross has reached the $1,[5]00,000 mark.
April 29, 1941
Ralph Wilks column, Hollywood
THE gravel-voice of "Bugs" Bunny, zany rabbit in Leon Schlesinger's "Merrie Melodies," has been placed under contract by the producer. The voice is that of Mel Blanc. (Note:Daily Variety reported on April 25th that Blanc had signed a term contract, the first voice artist to do so).
May 1, 1941
Cartoonists Federation Held Company-Dominated
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—W. R. Walsh, NLRB Regional director, yesterday ruled that the Federation of Screen Cartoonists at the Disney studio is a company-dominated union. Following a hearing, Walsh said that he would notify the NLRB in Washington to that effect.
Gunther R. Lessing, attorney and vice-president of the Disney studio, denied at the hearing that the company controlled the federation and countered with a formal written statement saying the A. F. L. Screen Cartoonists Guild, through its business agent, Herbert Sorrell, threatened to turn the Disney plant into a "dust bowl."
Lessing declared that in five years the Disney studio staff had grown from 300 to 1,200 employes. He said the average weekly wage was between $55 and $60, that there were no top-heavy salaries, and that Disney's led the list a $350 a week.
"Reluctant Dragon" on June 6
Walt Disney's "The Reluctant Dragon" will be released by RKO on June 6.
May 6, 1941
"Fantasia" at 70-30 Under RKO Release
GWTW terms of 70-30 per cent are being asked for Walt Disney's "Fantasia," now being distributed by RKO, it was reliably reported yesterday.
"Fantasia," heretofore handled by the Disney organization, is being sold by RKO on contracts providing for roadshow treatment in all spots.
Cartoon feature was scheduled to close at the Majestic, Boston, after week-end, but remains there for another week. It is understood the dates for Worcester, Springfield and Cape Cod are being set.
"Fantasia" starts at the Apollo, Indianapolis, for an extended run May 13.
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—RKO is using front[?] funds in Switzerland to pay Felix Salten for the screen rights to his works and options on his services as a scenarist. Rights were purchased by Walt Disney and RKO will pay for them and be credited by Disney from the sums due on Disney releases.
Salten, who lives in Switzerland, sold rights to "The Hound of Florence," "Perri," "Renni," "City Jungle," and "Bambi's Children." Bambi sequel was purchased to prevent possible production interference with Disney's nearly completed "Bambi."
The bear featured in a number of recent M-G-M Technicolor cartoon is about to jump on the defense bandwagon. The cartoon character will be inducted into army life in "The Rookie Bear" and will then transfer to the air service for "The Flying Bear." Later on he will be moved to the Navy and then to the Marine Corps.
May 8, 1941
15 Roadshow Engagements Set for Disney's "Fantasia"
Fifteen roadshow engagements of Walt Disney's "Fantasia" were announced yesterday by Ned Depinet, distribution head of RKO. Picture starts in Washington at the National Theater on May 13 and the Apollo, Indianapolis, on the same date. On May 15, engagements have been set for the Strand, Louisville; Warner's Regal, Hartford, and Maryland, Baltimore.
Other May dates include the Park, Reading; Senate, Harrisburg; Strand, Memphis; Granada, Duluth; Fox Blue Mouse, Seattle; Shubert, Cincinnati; Regent, Elmira; Wisconsin, LaCrosse; Fox Music Box, Portland, Ore., and in Montreal at His Majesty's on either May 26 or June 2.
May 13, 1941
Disney Takes Helm of Chinese Campaign
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Walt Disney has accepted the chairmanship of the campaign for Young China of United China Relief, it is announced today by James G. Blaine, National Chairman of the campaign.
Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland will direct the China Stamp Club for Young China, and will actively lead the campaign to provide homes, food and clothing to China's 300,000 war orphans.
Campaign which Disney heads is being conducted by the American Committee for Chinese War Orphans and the China Aid Council, both coordinating their efforts in United China Relief's $5,000,000 campaign.
May 14, 1941
Lewis's "Bongo" to Disney
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Walt Disney is acquiring film rights to Sinclair Lewis's "Bongo" with a view to cartoon feature production.
Eight More Months To Finish “Mr. Bug”
Miami — Fleischer Studios have about eight months to go on the cartoon feature, "Mr. Bug Goes to Town," it was said yesterday. Feat ture has been in work for 11.
May 15, 1941
Ralph Wilk column, Hollywood
“HOOLA BOOLA,” George Pal's third animated puppetoon for Paramount’s "Madcap Models" series, has a native musical score. Under the baton of Thurston Knudson, music was supplied by 25 members of the Royal Tahitian native orchestra headed by Augie Goupil, Decca record album star.
May 20, 1941
Leon Schlesinger Closes Studio in SCG Controversy
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Leon Schlesinger has closed his cartoon studio in a dispute with the Screen Cartoonists' Guild. Harry G. Sadicoff, Schlesinger's counsel, stated that the plant will remain closed so long as the union makes "demands impossible of fulfillment."
He said that the union monetary demands have been increased about 300 per cent recently and that Schlesinger had agreed to many requests made by the employes last December. About 200 employes are on the Schlesinger payroll.
May 21, 1941
Schlesinger, Cartoonists Guild Start Confabs
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—In an effort to settle the differences which resulted in Leon Schlesinger, cartoon producer, declaring a lockout, conferences started yesterday between representatives of Schlesinger and the Screen Cartoonists' Guild. Schlesinger stated that because of outside influence, the union's monetary demands were increased 300 per cent. He insisted on a three-year deal, with the Guild demanding a one-year contract.
Disney to Sign With Union Winning Most Workers
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Appearing before Trial Examiner Paradise of the NLRB, Gunther Lessing, vice-president of Walt Disney Productions, announced his organization has agreed to sign a consent decree which ordered the company to cease interfering with organization of company employes. Lessing stated the Federation of Screen Cartoonists to which NLRB has objected had been dissolved.
The newly formed American Society for Screen Cartoonists and Screen Cartoonists' Guild, an American Federation of Labor affiliate, will contend for supremacy between Disney's 900 artists at an election to designate the sole bargaining agency. Gunther said the company would sign with whichever union represented a majority of the employes.
May 22, 1941
Schlesinger Cartoonists End Strike, Sign Pact
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles—Strike of cartoonists at Leo Schlessinger Studio has been settled, with work resumed yesterday. Contract was signed yesterday afternoon.
The new three-year agreement provides for a 40-hour week, 100 per cent Guild shop.
Union executives estimate the wage increase will be approximately $36,000 per year.
May 26, 1941
Columbia Increases Number of Shorts
Single-reelers—16 Color Rhapsodies in Technicolor; 8 Columbia Phantasies, Cartoons; 8 Columbia Fables, Cartoons.
All Up to Disney Employes
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Employes of Walt Disney are free to join or not to join any union or organization which they may select or prefer, according to a statement issued by Disney late last week.
May 28, 1941
Studio Will Remain Open, Disney Assures Employes
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—In face of a strike called for today by Screen Cartoonists Guild, Walt Disney informed his personnel that in event of a strike the studio will remain open and full protection will be given all employes desiring to continue work.
"No blacklist, fines or other threatened measures could possibly be made effective except through agreement on the part of our company in event of a strike, and such conditions will never be agreed to by our company or by me," said Disney.
Walter P. Spreckels, labor conciliator for Disney, said the studio wants the NLRB to hold an election to determine whether the Guild or the American Society of Screen Cartoonists should be recognized. This proposal was rejected by the Guild.
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Threat of a new strike at the Leon Schlesinger studio was averted late yesterday when a three-year agreement between Schlesinger and the Screen Cartoonists Guild was signed. It provides that negotiations can be reopened annually.
"Fantasia" Spurts Here; Closing Date Uncertain
As "Fantasia" went into the 29th week at the Broadway Theater, the house announced that the Walt Disney picture was in its "last weeks" but termination of the run has not been decided. Business took a spurt over the last week-end and indications are picture will remain several more weeks.
While "The Reluctant Dragon" has been hinted as the next attraction at the Broadway, the booking has not been set definitely.
May 29, 1941
309 Out of 1,214 Disney Workers Cross Picket Line
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Only 309 out of 1,214 members of studio personnel reported for work when a strike was called at the Walt Disney plant yesterday morning, according to studio representatives. Spokesmen also declared that normal production schedules were being met and that union studio musicians, cameramen and cutters crossed the picket line.
Aubrey Blair, A F of L organizer, claims that electricians, teamsters, actors, labor, culinary workers, painters and machinists were among the crafts observing the picket lines.
The Society of Motion Picture Editors will hold a meeting June 3 to determine whether their members will join the walkout at the Disney plant.
June 2, 1941
NLRB Order Probe Of SCG's Disney Charge
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—NLRB has ordered an investigation of the charges made by the Screen Cartoonist Guild that the American Society of Screen Cartoonists is dominated by Walt Disney Productions.
The company denies this, and declares that although the Guild originally was designated no supervisory or miscellaneous studio classification were to come under the membership jurisdiction. It is now claiming seven supervisory classifications as well as departments including comic strip, messenger department and training school employes.
June 4, 1941
Disney Okays Secret Election on SCG
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Walt Disney representatives have notified Lyman Sisley, United States labor conciliator here, that Disney is willing have an election held with the present and former employes to vote secretly on a "yes" or "no" proposition, with the Screen Cartoonists Guild to be only organization named on the ballot.
This would enable strikers and non-strikers to designate whether or not the Guild should be their sole bargaining agent. Sisley will also contact union leaders and make his report to the Conciliation Department in Washington.
June 5, 1941
Threaten Nation-Wide Boycott of Disney Pix
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Screen Cartoonist Guild officers declare a nation-wide boycott, by unionists, of Walt Disney pictures will be instituted if the Central Labor Council places the Disney organization on the unfair list.
The Society of Motion Picture Film Editors announces its members will not cross Disney picket lines.
Lantz Planning Four Based on ‘Pop’ Songs
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Four subjects based on popular songs will be included in the 13 cartoons Walter Lantz, head of Universal's cartoon department, plans for 1941-42. With the shipping of "Andy Panda's Pop," Lantz has completed the scheduled 13 for the current season.
June 10, 1941
Central Labor Council In Final Disney Confab
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Central Labor Council committee which is acting as a mediator between Screen Cartoonist Guild and Walt Disney in the strike at the Disney plant conferred with him yesterday in a final effort to reach a settlement before reporting back to the Council which threatens to institute a national boycott of Disney pictures if a settlement is not effected.
The Guild board of strategy has been expanded to include representatives of six crafts which joined the walkout at the plant. Wives of the strikers and members of the Guild at other plants are organizing an auxiliary Guild to do co-operative buying of groceries and supplies.
Veto of Bill to End Calif. Secondary Picketing Hurts
San Francisco—State assembly's upholding of Governor Olsen's veto of a bill designed to stop secondary picketing looks like a serious headache for exhibs. here.
First effect probably will be to hit theaters now showing Disney cartoons. Understood that strikers in Disney's Hollywood plant have requested support from San Francisco unions.
June 11, 1941
SCG Presents 11 Points To Disney for Agreement
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Four members representing the Screen Cartoonist Guild met with Walt Disney, Harold V. Smith and Herbert K. Sorrell at a session yesterday to present the following eleven points for agreement:
Reinstatement of all employes who were on the payroll May 15; Recognition of the Screen Cartoonist Guild as the bargaining agency for all craft artists employed by the studio; Membership in Screen Cartoonist Guild as condition of employment, new employes to be given 15 days to join the union or obtain work permits; A 10 per cent increase in pay to all employes; Agreement on wages, hours, working conditions consummated by collective bargaining within 30 days; Lay-offs or discharges within the next 30 days to affect only strike breaking employes; All earned and unpaid balance of salary or bonuses to be paid within five days; No discrimination for union activities; Time lost during strike not to impair vacation rights; Payment on regular prior rate for time lost during strike; Speedy and equitable adjustment of grievances under machinery proposed.
Demand for immediate payment of approximately $10,000 earned by striking animators and assistant artists employed by Walt Disney Productions and yet unpaid were made at the studio yesterday by George E. Bodle, counsel for Screen Cartoonist Guild.
June 12, 1941
Disney's Secret Ballot Proposal Nixed by SCG
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—The Screen Cartoonists Guild has refused to accept Walt Disney's proposal for a secret election of a bargaining agent for employes of his studio.
Only way the strike can be terminated, according to the SCG, is by complete recognition of the Guild as a collective bargaining agency.
June 17, 1941
Disney Studio Strikers Make Counter Proposals
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Walt Disney studio strikers late yesterday endorsed the following counter proposals to be made to Disney: Full Guild shop; reinstatement of all employes as of May 16; and an expression of willingness to hold an election under NLRB if the way to such a procedure is legally cleared.
June 19, 1941
Screen Cartoonists Guild Signs Up Screen Gems
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Screen Gems, Inc., releasing cartoons through Columbia, has signed a contract with the Screen Cartoonist Guild. The contract affects some 60 cartoonists at that studio.
An increase from 30 to 45 per cent is gained in the lower brackets while a general overall of $5 a week is gained by everyone.
The agreement provides for 100 per cent Guild shop; vacations with pay; holidays with pay; eight-hour, five-day week; establishment of a grievance committee.
Not to Make Cartoons in B.A.
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Walt Disney denies a published report that he would make some cartoon subjects in Buenos Aires.
June 24, 1941
To Charge Disney With Violating 42-Hour Week
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—Attorney George Bodle, representing the Screen Cartoonist Guild, conferred with the wages and hour division of the United States Department of Labor yesterday and announced he will charge Walt Disney studios with violation of the 42-hour week, failure to maintain a record of homework done by employes outside of working hours, and wages for time worked in excess of the 42-hour week.
Guild officials estimate that between $50,000 and $100,000 are due its striking members.
Bodle also filed an amended complaint with NLRB alleging that Disney violated the Wagner labor act in fostering a company union and that the new animated cartoonists organization former [formed] last week is also dominated by Disney.
June 25, 1941
Universal Revamps Shorts for 1941-42
...Walter Lantz' contribution to the program will be 13 Andy Panda Technicolor cartoons...
Report Hal Horne Quitting Disney Posts
Hal Horne, Eastern representative for Walt Disney since December, 1937, and whose election as vice-president in charge of distribution and a member of the Board of Governors of Walt Disney Productions was announced on May 16, 1939, was reported yesterday to have resigned his posts with the company to assume an as yet undisclosed position in the industry.
It was also reported that Richard Condon, aide to Horne in the promotional aspects of the Disney organization, has also tendered his resignation, and that announcement is expected to be forthcoming shortly of the elevation to the Eastern publicity post of Antoinette ("Toni") Spitzer, who has been associated with Walt Disney Productions in public relations work for a number of years.
June 26, 1941
150 Dates for "Dragon"
RKO will send off Walt Disney's "The Reluctant Dragon" to its first playing time this week-end with engagements now set for 150 key situations for the closing week of June and the first week of July. The first Canadian run is set for Loew's Montreal, starting July 4.
June 27, 1941
Republic Demands $50,000 In 'Superman' Balm Action
Suit for $50,000 damages was filed yesterday in the New York Supreme Court by Republic Productions, Inc., against Detective & Superman, Inc., owner of the comic strip "Superman." Republic claims that in April, 1940, it made a contract with the defendant which gave it the right to make a film serial based on the "Superman" cartoon. Subsequently, according to the complaint, the defendant breached the contract and gave the film rights to Fleischer Studios.
Disney Reps, and Striking Artists Again Negotiate
West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood—New efforts to find a common meeting ground for a settlement of the Screen Cartoonists Guild strike against Walt Disney Productions started yesterday at a discussion between five striking artists and two Disney representatives.
"The groups are making an effort to determine what points can be stipulated by both sides to clear the way for discussions upon a minimum of essential differences," said President [Bill] Littlejohn of the Guild. "They hope to continue meetings until they can arrive at a basis on which Disney and the Guild negotiating committee may be brought together for the negotiations."
It is understood the question of recognition of the Guild as the bargaining representative for Disney artists, point on which previous mediation attempts have deadlocked at start, is now being assumed by both sides as an ultimate certainty if the other points are agreed upon.
June 30, 1941
What's Heat to "Dragon?"
Canton, O.—Opening in the face of a 98-degree heat wave, Disney's "The Reluctant Dragon" gave the Palace here its best opening day for the last six weeks.
REVIEWS
January 8, 1941
"Syncopated Sioux"
Universal 7 mins. Amusing Cartoon
Rain in the Face, a jeepy Indian chief, believes in instilling rhythm into his tribe. The warriors are informed of the approach of a couple of palefaces and their syncopated drummers sound the alarm. There are quite a few good laughs before the battle winds up as a draw. Reel is a Walter Lantz production.
"Mrs. Ladybug"
Metro 8 mins. Amusing Cartoon
Mrs. Ladybug has a terrific time handling her huge brood of children, and finally in desperation she advertises for a maid. A spider, envisioning the thought of a nice meal of young ladybugs, disguises himself and gets the job. However, one of the young ladybugs sees through the spider's disguise and he is routed from the house. Rudolph Ising produced.
January 10, 1941
Western Daze"Paramount 9 Mins. Bow of Swell New Series
Here's proof that there is, after all, something new in the short subject sun. Credit the innovation of George Pal, originator and producer of Puppetoons (registered trade mark) who in this, the first of a series of six Technicolor shorts for Paramount, presents his new plastic puppet technique to American audiences.
Pal conceived and developed his idea in Europe about two years ago It calls for the employment of the puppets against miniature sets, and nets a striking third dimension photographic illusion. No strings are used for manipulation. Animatic is of the liveliest.
First subject in the series, dubbed "Madcap Models," is genial burlesque on horse oprys, with story credit to Vic McLeod and Norm Blackburn and original music to David Raskin [sic]. Ork is under the direction of Andre Kostelanetz. No hint as to whether Pal intends to keep the same characters throughout the series, but Prunella is too comely and shapely a lass to pass. Prunella could be the shorts' Sweater Gal, given a chance.
January 21, 1941
Warners 7 mins. Amusing Cartoon
The red ants and the black ants go to war over the remains of a picnic lunch left in the woods by some people. After a hard fought battle, a truce is called. But when the leaders of the two armies try to agree on equal distribution of a piece of cake that is left, they get into a row and the war is on again. It's amusing . . . and more, if you want to regard it as allegorical. Leon Schlesinger produced.
January 22, 1941
"Problem Pappy"
Paramount 7 mins. Fairly Amusing Cartoon
Popeye has trouble again with his Pappy in this reel from the Max Fleischer studios. Pappy is espied by his son sitting on top of a flag pole. Pappy refuses to come down so Popeye goes up, but Pappy refuses to be rescued until there is a lightning storm. It's fairly amusing.
"A Helping Paw"
Columbia 7 mins. Poor Cartoon
The characters in this cartoon are not very funny and neither is the action. A doctor has a dog that helps him. The dog gets drunk and his leading a patient home provides most of the action. It scores few laughs.
January 31, 1941
"Timid Toreador"
Warners 7 mins. Laughable Cartoon
Porky Pig has his troubles in this new Leon Schlesinger one-reeler. Porky is peddling hot tamales in the bull arena of a Mexican town that is having a fiesta. During the bull fight Porky gets cornered by the bull, but Porky finally manages to trick the bull into defeat to save his own skin and win the plaudits of the crowd. It's laughable.
"All's Well"
Paramount 7 mins. Fair Cartoon
Town crier Gabby gets into trouble again in this short, produced by Max Fleischer. Gabby notices a baby crying on his rounds and he decides to do something about it. He attempts to change the baby's diaper, but after a furious struggle he leaves in disgust with the diaper pinned on himself.
RKO 8 mins. Amusing Cartoon
Pluto gets in and out of a considerable amount of trouble with amusing results in this new Disney subject. Pluto awakens from a sound sleep to smell the enticing aroma of cooking ham. He unleashes himself and steals into the house. Everything happens to him as he tries to steal the ham, including the accidental swallowing of some soap which causes him to literally surround himself with bubbles every time he burps. Pluto doesn't get the ham, but he does escape punishment through a nick-of-time escapes from the kitchen.
"Paunch 'n Judy"
Columbia 6 1/2 mins. Just Average
This average cartoon contains few laughs. Subject matter deals with the efforts of a little girl’s father to get a picture of her with a new camera. Everything goes haywire and the picture making turns out to be a very unhappy affair.
February 5, 1941
"Mouse Trappers"
Universal 7 mins. Amusing Cartoon
Andy Panda's pa is a mighty trapper of the old school, according to pa. Every time pa tells a story there is a laughing hyena mounted on the wall of his den that laughs out loud. Andy's mother complains about a mouse, so the intrepid big game hunter and Andy set out on his trail. Outwitted at every turn by the wily mouse, pa decides to blow him up, but the mouse lights the powder keg first and pa lands in a frame on the wall next to the hyena, who laughs louder than usual.
February 6, 1941
"What A Little Sneeze Will Do"
20th-Fox 7 mins. Not So Funny
Oscar the pig has a cold, and is besieged by well-meaning friends who give him remedies. Upshot is that he mixes them all together when he sneezes again and he goes out like a light. After a very unpleasant dream he comes to and disposes of the next medicine vendor with a well-directed sneeze. It's not-so-funny. Reel is a Paul Terry production.
"The Temperamental Lion"
20th-Fox 7 mins. Fair Cartoon
A lion captured by a big game hunter gets very indignant about being locked up in a zoo. His complaints get nothing but ridicule from the other inhabitants, but when he gets an opportunity he breaks loose and gets even with the explorer. Reel is a Paul Terry production and is in Technicolor.
"Mississippi Swing"
20th-Fox 7 mins. Entertaining Cartoon
Filmed in Technicolor, this cartoon is a lively musical number. A showboat appears on the river and the Negroes assemble for the entertainment. Several Stephen Foster pieces are "swung" in approved fashion. The show on the showboat is good for some laughs. Reel is a Paul Terry production.
February 10, 1941
Universal 6 2/3 mins. Amusing Cartoon
The country fair is under a full head of steam with plenty of excitement as the prize animals go through their paces. The characterizations are good and there is a running gag worked throughout the picture that will get laughs.
February 17, 1941
"Two For the Zoo"
Paramount 7 mins. Amusing Cartoon
Gabby, the town crier, insists upon delivering a newly arrived rare baby specimen to the royal zoo. However, Gabby doesn't notice that the baby animal has hopped out of its mother's pouch when he starts his journey and when he turns around and discovers that he is leading a full sized specimen he is surprised, to say the least. Gabby has plenty of trouble before he gets himself out of his jam. Cartoon is a Max Fleischer production.
February 20, 1941
"Wild Oysters"
Paramount 11 mins. Ususual Cartoon
Latest in the Charles Bowers' Animated Antics series, this one is cleverly done. Two mice live comfortably in a hole in the wall, but their troubles start when pop goes out for the morning milk and gets embroiled with the household cat. However, his troubles with the cat are as nothing to the terrifying experience he has with a bunch of oysters before he escapes back to his home in the wall.
February 27, 1941
RKO-Disney 8 mins. Amusing Cartoon
The irrepressible Donald Duck has more than a fair share of troubles in this short as he gets mixed up with a tough logging camp boss. The proceedings are amusing and should entertain any audience. Donald finally makes a hairbreadth escape from his tormentor and shuffles off down the tracks looking for new fields to wander in. Reel is a Walt Disney production in Technicolor.
"Pluto's Playmate"
RKO-Disney 8 mins. Very Funny Cartoon
Introducing a new and completely captivating character in a baby seal, this new Disney cartoon is a dandy. The seal meets Pluto on a beach and Pluto is baffled by the seal's efforts to get him to play ball with him. The antics of the two animals are highly amusing and should thoroughly entertain any audience. Pluto and the seal are fast friends when the reel closes as the seal has saved his life. Short is in Technicolor.
March 6, 1941
"The Haunted Mouse"
Warners 7 mins. Amusing Cartoon
This one-reel cartoon produced by Leon Schlesinger has a number of laughs. A weary cat enters a ghost town and goes nearly crazy as he is tormented by a ghost mouse. However, finally the mouse gets plenty scared when a ghost cat appears on the scene.
"Sniffles Bells the Cat"
Warners 7 mins. Fair Cartoon
A meeting is held by the mice to select someone for the task of belling the cat. Straws are drawn and Sniffles gets the dubious honor. Sniffles bells the cat accidentally and becomes a hero among his friends. Leon Schlesinger produced the one-reeler. Subject is in Technicolor.
March 15, 1941
Universal 7 mins. Fair Cartoon
Starting with Columbus this cartoon burlesques a number of famous American historical events. A running gag is worked through the picture where two old maids try to detour the soldiers into their home every time an army marches. Reel has a few laughs.
"The Streamlined Donkey"
Columbia 7 mins. Amusing Cartoon
A young donkey is told by his mother that it is undignified for him to be frisky and frivolous and he should follow in the best traditions of the family. But the young donkey is a gay blade and pays no heed. Finally he has to rescue his mother from a cruel taskmaster that is breaking her down with too much work.
"Speaking Of Animals"
Paramount 9 mins. Novel And Amusing
Through a new wrinkle in trick photography and animation this short is one of the most novel and amusing one-reelers seen in some time. Any audience should get plenty of laughs from it and exhibitors can't go wrong in booking it. The trick processing produces a perfect illusion of animals talking, and their comments are highly laughable. The commentator takes the audience down to a farm and then introduces it to the various animals, with the animals commenting on what they are thinking about. Fairbanks and Carlisle produced the short.
"Quiet! Pleeze"
Paramount 7 mins. Weak Cartoon
The kids may like this one, but it is not up to the standard of other Popeye cartoons. Popeye walks in on his Pappy and finds he is suffering from a terrific headache, actually a hangover. Immediately Popeye starts quieting all the noises in the neighborhood by ingenuity and brute strength. However, when he returns from one of his anti-noise campaigns he hears a riotous party going on in his own apartment house and discovers Pappy performing as the life of the party. Reel is a Max Fleischer production.
"The Little Whirlwind"
RKO-Disney 8 mins. Amusing Cartoon
Mickey Mouse is hungering for a piece of cake Minnie is baking, but he has to offer to clean up the yard before he can make a deal. Mickey sets to work with vim and vigor, but a little whirlwind dances into the yard and causes no end of mischief. Mickey gets irate and chases the little whirlwind, but big mama whirlwind takes things into hand and creates havoc of the first water. Mickey gets the cake, right in the face after Minnie sees the damage that has been done. Subject was produced in Technicolor by Walt Disney.
April 9, 1941
Warners 7 mins. Funny Cartoon
When the Tortoise challenges Bugs Bunny to a race, the hare gives him a big laugh. The bet is made and the race gets under way with Bugs off in a cloud of dust as the tortoise slowly follows. But the tortoise has friends and relatives all along the race course and Bugs finds himself the victim at the finish of an amazing upset. Very funny. Reel is a Leon Schlesinger subject.
Warners 7 mins. Novelty Cartoon
A grocery store shelf, peopled by the various cans and packages is the setting for this cartoon. A ferocious inmate of the animal cracker box breaks loose and goes on a rampage, but his reign of terror is finally overcome by the strategy of the threatened victims. As a novelty, it's okay. Subject was produced by Leon Schlesinger.
"Abdul the Bulbul Ameer"
Metro 8 Mins. Amusing Cartoon
The legendary battle between Abdul The Bulbul Ameer and Ivan Scavinsky Scavar is presented by cartoonist Hugh Harman in this reel with entertaining results. The charterizations are good, the action is fast and funny and Technicolor enhances the subject.
"The Cat's Tale"
Warners 7 mins. Amusing Cartoon
The little mouse gets tired of being chased by the cat and decides to have a showdown. Much to the cat's amazement the mouse boldly confronts him and tells him that it is up to the cat to get the dog to stop chasing him and then he will no longer have any desire to chase mice. The dog refuses to listen to reason and the mouse is again on the run. It's very amusing. Leon Schlesinger produced the reel.
"Porky's Bear Facts"
Warners 7 mins. Fair Cartoon
Porky warns his neighbor, the lazy Bear, that unless he does some work he will be hungry when winter comes. Winter arrives and the bear is slowly starving until Porky takes him in, and the bear states that he has learned his lesson. With warm weather, however, it is the same old story. Rate it as just fair. Leon Schlesinger produced the subject.
April 10, 1941
RKO 7 Mins. Amusing Short
Pluto is engaged as Mickey's valet-butler and what-not in this reel. Having served Mickey his breakfast in bed, Pluto is sent to get the Sunday newspaper. Pluto immediately gets in hot water and gets himself more involved with time, until when he returns the paper is a mess and he is covered with mud, which he smears all over Mickey. Reel was produced by Walt Disney in Technicolor.
April 17, 1941
"Fishing Made Easy" (Terry-Toon)
20th Century-Fox Good Cartoon
A funny reel showing a competition between a cat and a pig will amuse audiences. The cat has the old-fashioned bent pin and worms while the dude pig has a hook on fishing lures and their antics are comical.
"The Home Guard" (Terry-Toon)
20th Century-Fox 7 mins. Good Technicolor Reel
Gandy the goose joins up with the home guard and in a fast, colourful subject manages to single-handedly turn back a vulture attack on the barnyard. It's a good Technicolor reel.
"When Knights Were Bold" (Terry-Toon)
20th Century-Fox 7 mins. Amusing Number
The adventures of Robin Hood as he fights to rescue his gal from the king who would marry her to the idiot prince make up an amusing subject. Seems that the king is broke and needs the prince's money to refurbish the treasury but Robin Hood manages to save his light of love and they escape.
April 18, 1941
"Dipsy Gypsy"
Paramount 8 Mins. Amusing, Novel
This is the second of the series of shorts made for Paramount by George Pal. Reel is not only novel and amusing, but is in handsome Technicolor. Old and young will enjoy the little story of the lad, Jim Dandy, who, walking a sylvan trail with his dog, meets pretty Ninya, the gypsy girl. Infatuated with her, he fellows her to the camp where her fierce father, is in both meanings of the term,—the "leader" of the gypsy band. Jim is given an opportunity to play a fiddle, which he does in hot swing style, and wins the girl's heart and hand. Music, conducted by Andre Kostelanetz, is excellently arranged and rendered. Footage is done in the George Pal technique. All around, it is a neat short.
"The Prospecting Bear"
Metro 9 mins. Highly Amusing Cartoon
Papa Bear goes prospecting, and with highly amusing results in this cartoon. Rudolph Ising is the creator of the characters. Reel is in Technicolor. The bear and a little burro, so overloaded you can just see his feet, finally arrive at a likely spot in the mountains. The bear discovers gold in huge quantities, the burro eats the dynamite and things go up in a cloud of smoke shortly afterward. The characterizations are excellent.
RKO 8 mins. Funny Cartoon
Donald Duck tries to cash in on the rising egg market in this reel. He puts a hot record on the henhouse phonograph and the hens turn out peak production. But Donald runs afoul of the rooster, boss of the barnyard, and is a sadder and wiser man before the rooster finishes with him. Reel, of course, is a Walt Disney production, and is in Technicolor.
"Swing Cleaning" (Gabby Cartoon)
Paramount 7 Mins Gets by Okay
Folks who annually go through the pangs and pains of Spring cleaning will find lots to smile o'er in the antics of Gabby, who gets permission from the King of Lilliput to personally supervise putting the castle in slick shape. The intention is perfect; the results ghastly, for the stupid Gabby wrecks the handsome joint and is reprimanded thoroughly. He wasn't content to give the orders, but to demonstrate just how each job should be done. The carnage to carpets, pictures, china, draperies et al, is immense. Subject is in Technicolor, which helps make it bright and visually appealing. There is not much individuality to this one but as comedy it gets by okay.
April 21, 1941
"Toy Trouble"
Warners 7 mins. Entertaining Short
Sniffles, the little mouse, and his friend, the Bookworm, pay a visit to the toy department of a big partment store during the night. [missing word] is the order of the day until a cat gets after them. They barely get away with their lives. Leon Schlesinger was the producer. It's entertaining.
"Flies Ain't Human" (Popeye the Sailor)
Paramount 7 mins. Fair Entertainment
With warm months at hand,—and with them, the eternal and infernal house fly,—this cartoon has a timely touch. Popeye is snoozing when attacked mildly by a fly, who, however becomes something to conjure with when it devours some of our hero’s spinach. Thus fortified, he makes Popeye's life miserable. Latter equipped with a swatter, is unsuccessful in downing his prey. The fly makes his victim so mad with annoyance that eventually the entire house is torn apart. Laughs are fair, and so is entertainment reel affords.
Warners 7 mins. Amusing Cartoon
An amusing satire on the fable of Little Red Riding Hood, this reel gives the wolf a chance to present his story to a jury. The wolf puts the blame on Little Red Riding Hood and Grandma, but circumstance would seem to prove that the wolf had exaggerated to some extent. Leon Schlesinger was the producer of the subject.
April 23, 1941
"Porky's Preview"
Warners 7 mins. Fair Cartoon
Porky invites his friends to a preview of an animated cartoon he has produced on his own. Some of the characterizations are amusing, and when the lights go up and Porky goes out to find out how his friends liked it, he discovers the sole viewer in the house is a skunk. It was produced by Leon Schlesinger. Rate it as just fair.
May 5, 1941
"Popeye Meets Rip Van Winkle"
Paramount 7 mins. Just Fair
Popeye meets up with Rip Van Winkle just as the old gent is being dispossessed for 20 years non-payment of rent in this fair cartoon. He takes Rip home to finish the famous nap but, after a round of wild adventures with a gang of dwarfs, the old man accuses the sailor of robbery and blazes away with his musket.
May 9, 1941
"Dizzy Kitty"
Universal 7 mins. Fair Cartoon
The trials and tribulations of Papa Panda as he tries to wash an alley cat so as to enter the feline in a pet show produces a few laughs in this color short. Kitty's natural aversion to water foils the effort and Papa and Andy Panda end up in the swimming pool with the cat on the lam.
"Triple Trouble" (Animated Antic)
Paramount 7 mins. Fast Cartoon
Sneak, Snoop and Snitch, animated stooges, try to break jail in this fast-moving and funny subject. Little Snitch has a pardon but his larger cronies squelch him and their attempts to dig to freedom lead to a longer incarceration.
"Scrub Me Mama With a Boogie Beat"
Universal 7 mins. Cartoon, with Jive
A light brown gal arrives in Lazytown and wakes the locals to the tune of a rhythm number. The music is hot and the former sleeping inhabitants step right out to it in this fast color cartoon. A couple of skirt silhouette shots and some exaggerated body movements make this one questionable for kid matinees.
"Baggage Buster"
RKO-Disney 7 mins. Amusing Cartoon
Goofy has a job as station master, and as per instructions takes a magician's trunk out onto the platform to put it aboard a train due in a short time. The trunk goes into operation and Goofy sees some amazing things happen in a short space of time. Reel, a Walt Disney production, is in Technicolor. It should amuse any audience.
"The Little Mole"
Metro 9 mins. Fair Cartoon
A new characterization has been created by Hugh Harman in this cartoon, a young mole and its mother. The young mole ventures too far away from his front door, and when sold a pair of glasses by Prof. Skunk, his whole aspect of life changes. A garbage dump he thought was a fairy castle is no more, and other things also change. But, after a frightening experience when his glasses are broken, he is a chastened youngster when finally rescued by his mother. Reel is in Technicolor.
May 15, 1941
"A Good Time For A Dime"
KRO-Disney 7 mins. Dandy Cartoon
Donald Duck is back with a plentitude of hearty laughs for audiences in this short. The irrepressible Donald ventures into a penny arcade and immediately gets his blood pressure up. He finally winds up by taking a terrific beating in a model airplane. Reel is in Technicolor and was produced by Walt Disney.
Metro 8 mins. Amusing Short
Another new character is added to the Metro cartoon roster in this reel in the person of a young Goose. The cartoon is amusing and should get a number of laughs. The young Goose starts South for the Winter on foot, as his big brothers and the grownups wing their way along overhead. The Goose has quite a few difficulties and gets the runaround from a double-talking motorist, but the Goose gets the last laugh when they both reach Florida. William Hanna and Joe Barbera created the character. Reel is in Technicolor.
May 21, 1941
"Farm Frolics"
Warner Bros. 7 mins Good
There is no story to this "Merrie Melodies" but the comments of the animals as the audience is taken around the farm are highly amusing. Each incident to the animals and fowls is funny and well-executed. Should go over okay.
June 5, 1941
"Salt Water Daffy"
Universal 7 mins. Amusing Cartoon
A satire on the Navy, this cartoon has a lot of laughs. It depicts Daffy, one of many young recruits, learning Navy life the hard way. The characterizations are good and the gags are funny. Walter Lantz was the producer of this Technicolor short.
June 6, 1941
"The Reluctant Dragon" with Robert Benchley, Frances Gifford, Walt Disney and the Disney staff
RKO-Disney 72 Mins.
COMPLETELY FASCINATING PICTURE; UTTERLY DIFFERENT FROM OTHER DISNEY WORKS, IT COMBINES CARTOONS AND THE "INSIDE" ON THEIR PRODUCTION.
As entertainment for general audiences, this offering is first rate, as an educational feature on the "inside" of cartoon production, it is a fascinating film, and as a feature attraction exploiting Disney, his studio and product, it is tops.
Certainly there is no member of any audience that is not curious and greatly interested in the production of films, and more so about the production of cartoons, as less is known about them by the public. In addition, it is a novelty even for Disney, it bears the Disney stamp and name which give it box office drawing power, and it also features Robert Benchley, who has a large following, although he cannot be classified as a screen star.
The picture deserves all the effort exhibitors put behind it to sell it to the public, and it offers one of the greatest natural exploitation angles any picture has ever had. The idea of selling the public on seeing the new Disney studios, where Disney produces all his famous characters, seeing the pictures made and meeting, via the screen, the people responsible for their production cannot be oversold. On its own merit the picture is definitely interesting, entertaining and very amusing.
The cartoon sequence in the film about the dragon is a corking job, with the dragon characterization a very funny one. A Pluto sequence, one with Donald Duck and another with a new character, "Baby Weems," are also in the film. Remainder of the film concerns the making of the films, with Robert Benchley stumbling from one wonder to another in his own inimitable fashion. The picture, well integrated, never seems to be disconnected, which usually happens in a case of this kind.
Technicolor and black and white are used, with the first introduction of the Technicolor skillfully devised. Frances Gifford makes a lovely guide and instructress for Benchley in his wanderings, and Nana Bryant, Barnett Parker, Buddy Pepper, Claud Allister, Billy Lee and a host of other people including the Disney staff are seen and heard.
Story is developed from Benchley's wife nagging him to try to sell Disney the idea of producing a cartoon based on the story of "The Reluctant Dragon." After seeing the sights Benchley finally meets Disney in the projection room, and much to his surprise discovers that they are screening "The Reluctant Dragon," having just completed it. All in all, the picture is another fine job from a master craftsman, and it should do well every place, deserving its earnings richly.
CAST: Robert Benchley, Frances Gifford, Nana Bryant, Barnett Parker, Buddy Pepper, Claud Allister, Billy Lee, Florence Gill, Clarence Nash, Norm Ferguson, Ward Kimball, Jimmy Luske, Alan Ladd, Truman Woodworth, Hamilton MacFadden, Maurice Murphy, and the staff of the Walt Disney Studio.
CREDITS: Producer, Walt Disney; Screenplay, Ted Sears, Al Perkins, Larry Clemmons and Bill Cottrell; Additional Dialogue, Robert Benchley and Harry Clork; Musical Score, Frank Churchill and Larry Morey; Cameramen, Bert Glennon and Winton Hoch; Directors, Alfred L. Werker, Hamilton Luske, Jim Handley, Ford Beebe, Erwin Verity and Jasper Blystone; Editor, Paul Weatherwax; Production Manager, Earl Rettig; Art Direction, Gordon Wiles; Set Decoration, Earl Woodin; Sound Recording, Frank Maher; Color Director, Natalie Kalmus; Story for "Reluctant Dragon" and "Baby Weems" sequences, Ed Penner, T. Hee, Joe Grant, Dick Huemer and John P. Miller; Art Direction on cartoon sequences, Ken Anderson, Hugh Henesy and Charles Philippi; Background, Ray Huffine and Arthur Riley; Special Effects, Ub Iwerks and Joshua L. Meador; Animating, Ward Kimball, Fred Moore, Milt Neil, Wolfgang Reitherman, Bud Switf, Walt Kelly, Jack Campbell, Claude Smith and Harvey Toombs.
DIRECTION, Expert. PHOTOGRAPHY, Fine.
June 18, 1941
Warners 7 mins. Caricature Novelty
Latest Leon Schlesinger foray into the realm of caricature will interest and amuse. Scene is a Hollywood night club and the well-done caricatures include Clark Gable, Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, Greta Garbo, Henry Fonda, and many other film well-knowns.
June 19, 1941
Metro 9 mins. Very Funny Gags
A large bear, peacefully hibernating for the Winter, believes that he gets a draft notice and forthwith inducted into the Army. The gags are very funny, the bear characterzation is excellent, and the reel is topped off with a very funny ending wherein the bear actually gets a wire with a p. s. that this time it was no dream. Rudolph Ising was the producer of the Technicolor short.
"Hiawatha's Rabbit Hunt" (Merrie Melody)
Warners 7 mins. Very Funny Cartoon
Leon Schlesinger pits his cartoon Hiawatha against Bugs Bunny in this Technicolor cartoon and the result is a howl from start to finish. The serious-minded Indian's efforts to catch the screwball rabbit for stewing purposes, makes a live and comical race. Bugs Bunny gets better and funnier with every screen appearance.
"A Coy Decoy" (Looney Tune)
Warners 7 mins. Amusing Cartoon
Book covers form the background for this fast and funny subject wherein the characters step off the covers and go into their story of the duck who falls for the female duck planted by the wolf. Daffy Duck leads the wolf a wild chase over the covers until he is able to open a copy of "The Hurricane" and get rid of the menace.
June 24, 1941
Paramount 9 mins. Good Novelty
Third of the George Pal Madcap Models has Jim Dandy captured by cannibals in a colorful reel. The distinctly novel subject is bound to go over despite a tendency to subordinate action to the backgrounds and the characters' posturing. Photographed in Technicolor, the backgrounds and puppets are fine.
"Fire Cheese"
Paramount 7 mins. Fair Cartoon
This quick-paced Technicolor cartoon has a fair amount of laughs. Gabby butts into the fire department organization and before they get rid of him a building is destroyed from what started out to be a small fire.
"Twinkletoes—Where He Goes—Nobody Knows" (Animated Antic)
Paramount 7 mins. Weak Cartoon
A not-very funny reel showing the adventures of a messenger pigeon who is engaged to carry a time-bomb. Losing the address, the bird goes back to the sender where the package blows up.
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