The Lost Cartoons, Vol. 2: Famous Studios
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Movie Reviews of The Lost Cartoons, Vol. 2: Famous Studios
Movie Review: Nine Famous Studios shorts from 1946-50
Summary: 3 Stars
GOOD TIMES VIDEO is one of the original budget-label home video purveyors. You may recall their red boxed VHS tapes of public domain movies from 25 years ago, or their various "Bloopers" compilations from that same era. This company has never been known for highest technical quality. Their claims of "loving restoration" of this collection may be hyperbole, yet I believe any lack of perfection when balanced against price point and content still favors this manufacturer.
THE LOST CARTOONS, Vol. 3 (also from GTV) showcases seven Van Beuren Studios shorts, plus two made by UB Iwerks.
PROGRAM LIST for "Vol. 2: Famous Studios" --
[6:08] Pleased to Eat You (1950) - "Hungry Lion" enters a zoo in search of a meal.
[6:46] Sudden Fried Chicken (1946) - Literally henpecked Henry is encouraged by buddy Herman to learn boxing, so he can drink beer and pick up "chicks" without fear of wifey's ire.
[7:24] The Lost Dream (1949) - Little Audrey meets a lost dream in her sleep and escorts him back to Dreamland.
[6:18] Ups an' Downs Derby (1950) - Lightning the racehorse falls asleep before the big event and his jockey can't seem to awaken him.
[8:10] Land of the Lost Jewels (1950) - Isabel loses a favorite pin while fishing and she and Billy are led on an underwater guided tour to the titled "Land."
[7:15] The Big Flame-Up (1949) - Singalong short stars Tim Turtle as one of the firemen battling an inferno at the Fire-Proof Storage Co.
[7:11] A Mutt in a Rut (1949) - Dog Face is jealous of a kitten rescued by his mistress until he dreams of going to Doggie Hell.
[6:50] The Emerald Isle (1949) - Pun-laden Irish-flavored singalong features a rousing version of "McNamara's Band."
[6:20] Little Red School Mouse (1949) - A naïve mouse brings a cat to school and the feline wants to eat all the rodents, especially the plump teacher.
Movie Review: you get what you pay for
Summary: 2 Stars
The only thing breath-taking about this dvd is the ad copy. The "restoration" comes from running the toons through DVNR set on high, which is no real service. Lines disappear, digital artifacts are everywhere. Plus there's a paltry nine cartoons. Goodtimes has always been the cheapest of the cheap producers. Unless there's one cartoon here that you have to have, spend a little more money on some of the Thunderbean releases (Aesop's Fables, Cubby Bear, the Little King, Cultoons, etc.) They are truly restored and rare films. Movie Review: worth a look
Summary: 3 Stars
The claims of "restoration" are of course, wildly exaggerated, yet this collection (from Famous Studios) contains, by far, the best available print of Bill Tytla's "Sudden Fried Chicken" to appear in the public domain. The program also includes better than average transfers of Little Audrey's "The Lost Dream" and "Land of the Lost Jewels" (it's lovely title sequence newly restored), while such entertaining toons as "Mutt in a Rutt" and "The Big Flame-Up" at the very least, qualify as rarities. Only Paramount, in the end, can truly do justice to its vast and varied cartoon legacy, but for now, this inexpensive package from GoodTimes offers pretty good value.
Also worth a look, the Van Beuren (and Iwerks) collection, which features an excellent print of "Parrotville Old Folks" plus, such charming additions to the "Rainbow Parade" as "Three Merry Kittens", "Spinning Mice" and "Picnic Panic" - these last two, an extension of the short-lived series of "Toddle Tales" combining live-action and animation - the live inserts are seriously faded, but the cartoons are the major attraction here, and they retain their vibrant cinecolor hues. This may be their first release on video. Animation buffs should take note.