Animated Controversy In The 1930s - Disney Cartoons

 

I saw this recently of an obscure newspaper page. Now I don't agree with everything that's published, it's not possible that way but this honestly surprised me. It's from the earliest years of Disney's Golden Age from 1934. 

Yeesh, drawing Disney with wild-hair and creepy eyes while showing us the most saftest, most tamest wolf design ever created is going too far.

This is coming from someone as an artist who understands appeal and what's useful to the demographic, some of these viewpoints I relate to even today, even though humor doesn't only come from daily comics anymore.

I mean how would you feel if there was a film only centering around wolves, rats and wasps? You may think that sounds unpleasant but what if the wolf had a good personality, the rats were helpful and wasps were just centered as background characters? 

I seen enough of the Disney shorts at this point, and my experience to these characters were just tolerable. I honestly think that the wolves from Beauty And The Beast were more terrifying in my opinion and heck alot of people grew up with that movie during their childhoods. 

I wasn't particularly a Disney kid until I fell for the classics as a teen. From there, I was inspired by some of these classics. The Pied Piper (1933) was one I forgotten about though, and when I saw they mentioned the rats from that film, I was like what did they do to poor Piper?! And guess what? They just ate food and became Piper's followers. I know a little about the fable, in fact my first experiences to it were from Garfield And Friends apparently. 

Yeah, too many rats is often uncomforting for a younger audience. I wouldn't like it if it was a ton of bugs though. Also I actually haven't seen The Steeple Chase. I like the Mickey Mouse shorts when they're full of action and competition. I like some of his more heart-warming cartoons too like with Mickey's Good Deed but I was surprised to hear about this one.

To me, I always had a small theory on this type of humor where it's similar to slapstick you see in old comedies, but it's alot more rubbery and chaotic. It came from watching a quick scene from Sullivan's Travels, where Sully and the rest of the audience laughs at the flypaper gag from Playful Pluto. It's honestly such a beautiful scene to me because it represents joy and pleasure in a manner to leave the realities of the world. I'm not an escapist, but it was enjoyable, and this scene of the wasp stings looks really painful, but hey so as most of Tom and Jerry. I reread the bit and it wasn't as truly upsetting to McCord's viewing of something like The Big Bad Wolf. 

I think now that 2D animation is slowly losing less popularity, and there's more knowledge to be learnt like kid's programming now that theatrical shorts are not primarily scaring everyone anymore? Gosh, this is a weird topic. Would anyone still enjoy a little bit of a detailed creepy villain like this?

Even if you can't have a villain, or teeny tiny creatures in a cartoon, you can catch upon some stuff that isn't suitable to everyone. 

Some of the best cartoons from it's Golden Age didn't have a bad guy, or villainous scheme.

I think even when it comes to entertainment, there should be enough value and elements to challenge someone just like reality can. I think filmmakers do a really good job at it. I don't feel like it's perfectly ok to show a kid a film like Secret of NIMH or an Old Hollywood movie but there should be variety to films in particular like strong and individual characters, and dark atmospheric imagery at times, that's why Disney, Don Bluth and some of my favorite films do it so well.

Well that was bizarre. A modern perspective on old Disney animation being menacing is something else.

Sleeping Beauty (1959) - Screencaps

 

I watched Sleeping Beauty (1959) just about 2 weeks ago, and upon re-visiting it, it is one of the most massive, incredibly ambitious, most pleasurable animated film I ever seen.

You ever just watch a film with the vibrant colors, cute characters, and didn't expect as an adult to relate to the emotional depth of the characters, and some symbolism and dark imagery?

Sorry to say but Disney rarely does that in their films in my opinion. I mostly found their movies to be more aimed at beginners who are looking for something to start being amused by. Moana, Tarzan, Aladdin, they're perfect for regular people but not for me. 

Sleeping Beauty is just beautiful, simple as that. There's a purpose at least and there's a natural intelligence to the entire film that makes it likeable.

The start of the film is just perfect. So much power, my favorite bits are when The Three Fairies watch Aurora at birth and they grant gifts and we get to see these utterly cool effects. 

Maleficent is truly wicked and her castle is just like her personality, I love the green color palette. 

We get a glimpse inside of the castle.

What I notice is that the movies I like especially animated in this era, are not full on the dialogue. It's strange because movies I absoutely enjoyed that weren't fully animated are dialogue heavy to be honest, it's so weird. But maybe I just have certain tastes that fit the genre of the films best.

They did so good with the final act of the movie. The final fight of Maleficent's dragon transformation and everything.

Credits to FILMGRAB.

This movie was insane production-wise. It had taken nearly a decade to make. It was made during Cinderella's release and further releases like Alice In Wonderland and Peter Pan. There was alot of experimental elements to the movie, using the Cinemascope method like in Lady And The Tramp, the angular but still charming art style, and the rise of TV from Walt Disney's studio. It was alot, and luckily this film was confident enough to be released in January of 1959.

Tony from Lady And The Tramp

 

I always loved this character, not because he's funny but his design and acting is spectacular.

Animator John Lounsbery certainly has animated some incredible characters over the years but this is by far my favorite character out of all the others.

I adore every facial expression each and every few frames this character is performing. The pencil sketches are very solid.

I honestly felt both Tony and Joe deserve more attention than the other characters. I really liked the whole vibe of their calm restaurant.

I just realized how incredibly well-drawn his hands are. They're realistic to the maximum, it's just beautiful.

I'm starting to learn how to study drawing realistically detailed hand proportions nowadays.

I can think of other mentionable character designs I'm inspired to. Most specifically Disney. Their details, construction and movement are very appealing. They also have great personalities. Captain Hook, Goofy, Von Drake, Aurora, The Blue Fairy, and Brer Fox.

Would love to show some recently added characters I've drawn. Does these drawings feel similar to the characters I'm quite inspired to? I try to be inspired by live action characters as well. It's very fun. Did these sketches on my phone.

Animation Scenes Frame-By-Frame

 

I've been recently on Sakugabooru and it's been really useful for me. They label such animators who worked on particular scenes in films. It's a great website, feel free to check it out. I set it to animated, if there's any animators you respectfully admire feel free to search their work.

https://www.sakugabooru.com/post?tags=animated

I selected some of my favorites or most likely my favorite animated characters in terms of their movement and fluidity. 

This to me is an incredible frame sequence, it's so smooth. It's only a second of actual animation. I looked into the Hans Perk drafts, this was animated by John Lounsbery. Really underrated animator. He's probably my favorite of the Nine Old Men. What I notice is that one frame looks like the original pencil sketches. I also love the intense colors of the skies.

This is one of my favorite Looney Tunes scenes. From Daffy Duck Hunt (1949). I like Porky's throat slitting gesture. I'm guessing this animation is Charles McKimson. Still fantastic nonetheless. Also like the lip-syncing.

Sir Ector is a phenomenally well animated character in my opinion except for when he head swaggles. Mostly a Milt Kahl staple. It can get repetitive, but I absolutely like when Ector points directly at Wart. It is re-used in other scenes but I liked it more without the sword, since I kinda want to study more on drawing realistically detailed hands. 

Lastly is another incredibly well-animated character, Captain Hook. I really like these scenes in particular. I absolutely adore the original movie most of the time, but something about Hook and Smee in particular gives me a little inspiration. Hook was mostly animated by Frank Thomas and Smee by Ollie Johnston and Cliff Nordberg. I really like those hand movements, like that fist. It's almost sorta live action-like.

Last December I created a post similar to this one. I would recommend you checking that out. They were animated scenes I was heavily inspired while I was still invested in animated short films.

https://sngexplorationblog.blogspot.com/2024/12/my-favorite-classic-animated-scenes.html?m=1

Also to point out, I wouldn't really say that The Wearing of Grin is dull, I kinda enjoy that cartoon nowadays. 

Mickey's Christmas Carol - Scrooge's Worst Nightmare

 

Last year I decided to watch Mickey's Christmas Carol, I liked it at first, but I seemingly like it more nowadays because of how more dramatic and deep this film is. It's still really timeless after 42 years! The particular scene I'm discussing is Scrooge's haunting nightmare. This is some stellar stuff for a rather harmless franchise. 

The imagery in this scene is fascinating.

Also given that Scrooge McDuck chosen the role of Ebenezer Scrooge is just perfect.

The colors remind me of Secret of NIMH especially with the final act. Those clouds though. Just wonderful.

The blue smoke layers add a little more depth. It's extremely well-crafted.

I always kinda liked the original story, it's dreadful but very interesting for what it is especially with the truly dark and menacing moment when Tiny Tim Cratchit loses fate. It's really emotional but well executed. 

I love this scene. Great animation and feeling of utter grief as Mickey sheds a tear. 

I also really miss when animated films added details to make the scenes more unique like when Mickey places Tim's crutch on the gravestone. 

If you haven't watched this film yet it does feature cameos. It was nice to see some traces of old Disney movie characters since I'm more interested in them than the Mickey Mouse characters. Characters from Robin Hood, and Wind In The Willows. They don't feel pointless either. 

Now we get into the most threatening part of all. Ebenezer's last fate, as the Ghost of Christmas Future lights a candle revealing his name on the gravestone.

It turns out to be Pete and smacks him inside. To be fair, Pete has never been a truly terrifying antagonist to me, but here he feels like an actual good villain, great animation as well.

It's insane to think this was an actual dream that Scrooge had all because he was too selfish and his lack of welfare. This type of behavior will put you in bad condition so that's why you should trust other people. 

Then, the coffin opens and shows the flames of Hell. 

My goodness, this is some cruel stuff. It's hard to allow these certain elements to a film that originally released in theaters but also television.

After Scrooge's unpleasant nightmare is over, he then learns his lesson. He spreads joy and happiness around London and comes to visit The Cratchit family house to send over gifts and gives Bob played by Mickey Mouse, a raise. Sometimes one dream could ultimately change you.

My final thoughts? I absolutely loved it. This might be one of my favorite adaptations of the original novel. I could easily relate to all the morality and emotion behind it. When they show scenes of the food, it really looks tasty and delectable. The early to mid 80s for Disney was honestly underappreciated. I felt like their concepts and character development was at their best, probably better than the Golden Age and Renaissance era. What's also special about this film is that it's getting more recognition. It's free to watch on YouTube, probably for a limited time though but feel free to experience it yourself. 

I would give this film a 9.5/10.

Once Upon a Wintertime

 

We got snow this morning and it's also Walt Disney's 124th birthday today, so that's great. I admire the older Disney movies and there's a great scene from Melody Time (1948), Once Upon A Wintertime. The colors are absoutely pleasent and it's also very simple yet cute.

Thought I would show some screencaps. 

This short film is so stylish but I mean that in a good way. There's no slapstick, no damsel in distress, it's just great animation and passion.

The color styling is very memorable and inspiring. Often using two-tone color palettes. I had to look into more research with this short. It has had recognition over the years, re-releasing the animated film in September of 1954 and a wondefully illustrated Little Golden book. Dennis West explains the short more clearly than I do but I would definitely check out the video of this particular short on his channel, West Of Neverland. It's great.

Here's a little clip of the actual short.