Cartoon a Day: Mexican Boarders

Mexican Boarders
1962
Directed by Friz Freleng & Hawley Pratt
Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 4

We've talked before about how Speedy Gonzalez cartoons were left off the Cartoon Network rotation for years, a casualty of political correctness run wild. Yet, it eventually came out that Mexicans didn't see the character as negative, but saw him as a national hero. I sometimes wonder if the true controversial character in the world of Speedy Gonzalez is one who appeared only twice...one of those times is today's cartoon. Tonight we experience the one and only Slowpoke Rodriguez.

In this cartoon, Sylvester has barely any energy left to chase the fastest mouse in all Mexico. But when Speedy's cousin Slowpoke comes for a visit, the putty tat is re-energized. Both Speedy and Sylvester are soon overshadowed by the scene stealing Slowpoke.

This cartoon came close to the end of the golden era of cartoons, yet this is a strong cartoon. Slowpoke is a hilarious character, it's a shame he was only used twice. Some might see him as a Mexican stereotype, but really he's simply the opposite of the leading man...a classic comedic situation. Like the slow wolf from some Droopy cartoons, I love the way Slowpoke moves and minimal amount of animation used to bring him to life.

Cartoon a Day: All A Bir-r-r-rd

All A Bir-r-r-rd
1950
Directed by Friz Freleng (as I. Freleng)
Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol 2

In this Tweety and Sylvester cartoon the duo are aboard a train. Both are riding in a luggage compartment and, as usual, Sylvester is trying to make a snack of Tweety.

There are some great gags in this cartoon, more of Freleng's great sense of timing at work. Freleng makes great use of two sets of running gags in this short. The first involves Tweety pulling an emergency brake cord to stop Sylvester's attacks.

The second is a hilarious use of a bulldog who also happens to be on the train. He and Tweety manage to switch places with each other several times, so much so that you can predict that last gag, but the gag fits so well you would'nt have it any other way.

Cartoon a Day: Yankee Dood It

Yankee Dood It
1956
Directed by Friz Freleng
Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 6

This is an odd Looney Tunes short that can be described with 4 words that aren't usually used to describe Looney Tunes..."It Just Ain't Funny."

Now, truth be told, this is really more of an educational short. It uses the story of the elves and shoemaker to teach about business. Seems the shoemaker needs to look to new technology and get past using elves. Elmer Fudd is cast as the head elf. Sylvester the cat is the only other classic character to appear.

There are some great designs that are classic 50's style animation. But, the complete lack of humor and some convoluted plot points (apparently elves turn into mice when the word "Jehosophat" is uttered) make for a disappointing film.

Cartoon a Day: Satan's Waitin'

Satan's Waitin'
1954
Directed by Friz Freleng (as I. Freleng)
Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 6

As you might imagine from it's title, "Satan's Waitn' " features one of the darkest story concepts you're ever going to find in a cartoon. This is a Tweety and Sylvester short which reveals a deep dark secret about cartoon characters...they can die.

That's right, and not only does Sylvester die just a few minutes into this short but he goes to hell! Lucky for him it's only his first of nine lives. So Sylvester #1 will have to wait until the others show up. The devil, a bulldog, is anxious to speed things up, so he heads up to encourage Sylvester on with his dangerous Tweety chasing ways.

There are some great moments in this short and some wonderful stylistic designs. The roller coaster sequence features some amazing visuals and the opening shots that feature Sylvester and Tweety running across a sea of wires and TV antennas (a bit of a jab at the new medium of the time) are great from a design standpoint. Even the shots of the "putty tat" riding a conveyor belt down to hell are fun from a design standpoint. But despite the laughs and the great art, it's hard to get into a short that is so...well...morbid. It's no fun seeing cartoon characters H-E-Double Hockey Sticks.

Cartoon a Day: Puss N' Booty

Puss N' Booty
1943
Directed by Frank Tashlin
Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 4

"Puss N' Booty" is a cartoon of unique historical significance. First of all, it is the final black and white Looney Tunes cartoon produced. In some ways you do feel like you're watching one of the color cartoons on a black and white TV. The film is also significant since this is pretty much a Tweety and Sylvester cartoon before those two characters existed.

In this cartoon, Rudolph the cat has his owner believing that her last several canaries have been escape artists. Rudolph's feather filled hiccup tells those of us in the audience different. There are some great poses during this sequence when the cat tries to gather up the feathers.

A new canary is ordered and Rudolph wait anxiously for the delivery truck. This is another great sequence which features some great poses for the cat. Especially funny is the moment where he tears a chunk of a brick wall out in order to make sure the approaching delivery truck sees the address sign.

Director Frank Tashlin eventually moved on to a career directing live action films. His great sense of comic timing is certainly on display in this short. It's kind of surprising that it took a little while for this cat vs. bird premise to catch on. Sylvester and Tweety would turn it into a classic premise a little while later.

Cartoon a Day: Back Alley Oproar

Back Alley Oproar
1948
Directed by Friz Freleng (as I. Freleng)
Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 2

The title card for this short gives a great hint at one of the great aspects of this cartoon. While it's a funny short and has some great animation, it's the backgrounds that are really great. I love the colors and the areas of shadow on those houses, that style continues throughout the short.

This shot of Sylvester against the moon is another great example of the cool backgrounds. This is an unusual short in that it casts Sylvester in the role the a character like Daffy Duck would usually fill.

Sylvester is usually the one on the receiving end of the gags, but here he's the one keeping Elmer Fudd awake with his late night vocal talents. Even in the end, when Elmer has blown both of them up, Sylvester gets the last laugh. One of his rare victories.

Cartoon a Day: Here Today, Gone Tamale

Here Today, Gone Tamale

1959

Directed by Friz Freleng

Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 4

For a long time, Speedy Gonzales was a victim of political correctness taken to the extreme. Some claimed that he was a negative stereotype of Mexicans. Yet when he was pulled from the air by Cartoon Network, who had exclusive broadcast rights to his cartoons beginning in 1999, the fans cried out. They learned that Speedy is a hero to many Latin Americans. He's certainly always been a favorite of mine.

"Here Today, Gone Tamale" features a group of Mexican mice starving due to a cheese famine when a boat full of cheese rolls into port. Sylvester the cat guards the ship, so Speedy is called in to get the cheese. There are plenty of great gags here, though the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" ending is a bit disappointing and abrupt.

This is also another great example of beautiful Looney Tunes background art. Both the scenery of the port and layout of the ship use some very creative elements. Just check out the interesting depth of field used in the background of the above shot.

Though I've never thought that Sylvester quite gelled as a great nemesis for Speedy like he did with Tweety, this is still a fun offering from the fastest mouse in all Mexico.