(1939 - d. Hugh Harman) Cartoon. p.c. MGM.
When mankind destroys itself by wars, the animals inherit the earth, and successfully live by mans set of rules.
Last year you will recall our review of 'Goodwill To Men' which was the 1950's 'scope remake of this outstanding film. At that time I brought to your attention this original version, pointing out that the BBC had an excellent print of it, and this was shown within two weeks of that statement appearing. Many collectors missed it however. due to it being transmitted during the afternoon - those on the Day however set their video machines and added to their collections one of MGM's best cartoons.
Despite my enthusiasm for the 'scope remake, this version, in my opinion is by far the better of the two. It's true that it is more cute than the remake, but the standard of animation more than compensates for this. The scene in which the last two surviving men shoot each other and sink below the muddy waters in the trench I find quite harrowing.
Some scenes of the troops at war have been rotoscoped and are very effective and of course the whole style of really fluid animation has long since gone, the victim of costs and stylization, and to those critics that argue that some of us collectors live in the past, well this cartoon is a very example of why we do. And why we collect vintage items.
Those who only like the later violent T&J, Roadrunner and late Bugs Bunny cartoons will probably find little to interest them in this film, however, if they are looking for a serious, yet beautifully animated cartoon, with just the message for Christmas (but suitable for any time of the year), then they need look no further than this superb Hugh Harman original. Other Harman cartoons I would like to see are the outstanding 1936 'Bottles' (look out for it on BBC TV), and 'The Field Mouse' (also in the vaults of the BBC), released by Red Fox on 8mm.
The print quality is very good indeed. Very good definition and superb colour. The only note of criticism on the two prints reviewed was the crackle on the soundtrack - similar to that on some prints of 'Casablanca' and recorded I understand by the same lab - Filmcare (USA). Well my hat off to them for the print quality of 'Peace On Earth' and 'Casablanca' but I urge them to locate - this very annoying sound fault.
By the time you read this, I hope they've been able to supply Derann Films with a 16mm track for this cartoon, so if you do have one with the crackle, check with them for the possibility in having it re-recorded. In the meantime Filmcare, please endeavor to, get your sound transfers as good as your print quality.
Very highly recommended.
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Original Distribution by:
Red Fox. |
The above review was printed in |
This page was last updated 02 Dec 2002