. . . vitamins. For instance, no one realized that Vitamin C Cured Cancer (or that you could obtain this miracle drug from rose hips). During SUDDENLY IT'S SPRING, released before Today's crack scientists discovered the Periodic Table of Vitamins, a character named Ann needs to jump through all kinds of allegorical hoops during her desperate effort to save her mistress Nancy. However, if Ann was fortunate enough to live in Today's Enlightened Times, all she would need to do is go down to her local department store and purchase some Vitamin D, even if it was cloudy outside.
6 Reviews
Prior to this our Modern 21st Century, very little was known about . . .
pixrox16 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Whitewashed History.
ilikepuppies18 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Whenever I stumble across a collection of DVDs priced at $1 a piece, I'm interested. It's not because of the frugal nature inherent in the peasant culture I come from. It's due to the fact that these things are usually fraught with the real grit of pop culture which time (and market forces) inevitably scrubs out. In other words, our inaccurate view of the past through rose-colored glasses can be penetrated by viewing these things.
Here's a great example that I found buried toward the end of a $1 DVD titled, "Daffy Duck and the Dinosaur." Actually, everything on this DVD is a good instance, each cartoon short including something which many today would find politically objectionable. Mostly involving race or unsavory attitudes about WWII, during WWII.
It's easy to see how these discount collections come to be. Some startup production company (in this case 'Digiview Productions') has bought the rights to some shorts which Warner Brothers (and others) have ostensibly deemed financially obsolete. Most likely for pennies. Then they package them as a normal Looney Toones collection.
It doesn't take long in viewing these to see that they are from the bottom of the barrel. One is taken aback by the inclusion of a stuttering "yes-massah" black child character in a Warner short. It does offend.
But the tradeoff is worth it. This is the stuff which disappears from history, leaving us an incomplete picture of our own culture, circa the time period. If you see these, your idea of race relations in 1944 will be jarred, in a valuable way.
That aside, I found one of these shorts particularly interesting, one entitled, "Suddenly it's Spring," which is part Wizaard of Oz, part Betty Boop. Oz because it follows the same template of a child resolving a real-life problem through a dream journey. Here the ill child dreams that her doll embarks on a magical quest to save her life, and wakes up miraculously cured. And Betty Boop because of the dark under-worldish racially-tinged cosmology.
But again, included is a character, a lazy old black man, who is depicted in all his stereotypical glory. There is no demographic for this stuff nowadays, aside from the culturally curious, and as a result the company which released this had to market it dishonestly, giving no hint of the DVD's real contents.
If we cared about history we would show one of these alongside every "What's Opera, Doc?" or "Duck Amuck." Shame. On so many levels.
Here's a great example that I found buried toward the end of a $1 DVD titled, "Daffy Duck and the Dinosaur." Actually, everything on this DVD is a good instance, each cartoon short including something which many today would find politically objectionable. Mostly involving race or unsavory attitudes about WWII, during WWII.
It's easy to see how these discount collections come to be. Some startup production company (in this case 'Digiview Productions') has bought the rights to some shorts which Warner Brothers (and others) have ostensibly deemed financially obsolete. Most likely for pennies. Then they package them as a normal Looney Toones collection.
It doesn't take long in viewing these to see that they are from the bottom of the barrel. One is taken aback by the inclusion of a stuttering "yes-massah" black child character in a Warner short. It does offend.
But the tradeoff is worth it. This is the stuff which disappears from history, leaving us an incomplete picture of our own culture, circa the time period. If you see these, your idea of race relations in 1944 will be jarred, in a valuable way.
That aside, I found one of these shorts particularly interesting, one entitled, "Suddenly it's Spring," which is part Wizaard of Oz, part Betty Boop. Oz because it follows the same template of a child resolving a real-life problem through a dream journey. Here the ill child dreams that her doll embarks on a magical quest to save her life, and wakes up miraculously cured. And Betty Boop because of the dark under-worldish racially-tinged cosmology.
But again, included is a character, a lazy old black man, who is depicted in all his stereotypical glory. There is no demographic for this stuff nowadays, aside from the culturally curious, and as a result the company which released this had to market it dishonestly, giving no hint of the DVD's real contents.
If we cared about history we would show one of these alongside every "What's Opera, Doc?" or "Duck Amuck." Shame. On so many levels.
Get past the racial stereotype.
C-Cat14 March 2008
Warning: Spoilers
If you can manage to get past being offended by the "racial stereotypes" in these old cartoons, some of them are real gems. You must remember when these were made, and that ALL the characters are caricatures. No one seems to get offended that mean old Mr.Zero is white! Putting that aside, this is a wonderful little film. Not intended to be hilariously funny, it has some humorous moments, but sentiment is it's strong point. When Mr.Zero tosses Raggedy Ann on the cold floor, rejecting her plea to allow the snow to melt 2 weeks early so that Nancy can get well, it brings me to tears. Computer animation be damned! They just don't make 'em like this any more.
The World is Longing for the Sunshine
elicopperman2 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Following the first cartoon adaptation of Johnny Gruelle's Raggedy Ann series, another one was created by the replacement of the Fleischer Studio known as Famous Studios (later Paramount Cartoon Studios). Entitled Suddenly it's Spring and released in 1944 as part of Famous Studios' Noveltoon series, this second attempt at bringing Raggedy Ann is a lot more concrete than Raggedy Ann & Raggedy Andy albeit not quite as imaginative. Considering that the Famous Studios were often more successful in their dramatic narratives than their comedic ones, this short is a decent effort overall.
The main focus of the short is Raggedy Ann trying to get old man winter to let the sun out to cure her sick owner child Nancy's sickness. The scenario is as basic as it gets, so much so that the short doesn't really explain much about what Nancy is suffering from specifically and the belief that sunlight is the ultimate cure is questionable to say the least. However, the main focal point is meant to be the restoration of light in general, which many can relate to when going from one season to another. Raggedy Ann's goal to bring the sunlight back is executed from meeting one character after the next, such as the sun itself, to an unfortunately outdated stereotype for a lazy cloud, to even the cold breeze just before getting to meet old man winter (named Mr. Zero in the short), which does substitute a genuine personality in favor of simply moving the plot along. While the sentimental tone does border on schmaltzy territory, there is something comforting about multiple forces coming together in bringing the sunshine back, especially in regards to aiding a young child's illness.
Going into other notable qualities, this cartoon is arguably more technically ambitious than a lot of Famous' other output, even at their creative pique. On top of boasting strong emotional performances through each character, the special effects and camera motion are quite ambitious within the short's time length and budgetary constrictions. As this short's animation is credited to lead animator Orestes Calpini, who's repertoire seemed to steer into strong layouts and dynamic cinematic techniques borrowed from the Fleischer days, the setting of the world above the one below breathes lush lighting and scenery just by primarily being made of cloud particles and abstract ornaments. In addition, the vastly under appreciated Winston Sharples lends his harmonious score through strong orchestrations and a heart wrenching song sequence that beautifully wraps the short up. If the Famous Studios ever got the chance to make a feature film like the Fleischers were able to do so, perhaps this subject matter might've fit them to a proper degree.
Although Suddenly it's Spring doesn't offer quite enough substance outside of its basic plot line, it does showcase the possibilities in a tale of restoring peace to the world just through the power of sunlight. In a day and age where happenings like global warming and seasonal depression are coming more and more into play, it's works like this that remind us why we have summer and winter every single year. Whether or not you find the subject matter interesting enough is up to you as far as recommendations go, but one cannot deny how the world can often use more light than darkness.
The main focus of the short is Raggedy Ann trying to get old man winter to let the sun out to cure her sick owner child Nancy's sickness. The scenario is as basic as it gets, so much so that the short doesn't really explain much about what Nancy is suffering from specifically and the belief that sunlight is the ultimate cure is questionable to say the least. However, the main focal point is meant to be the restoration of light in general, which many can relate to when going from one season to another. Raggedy Ann's goal to bring the sunlight back is executed from meeting one character after the next, such as the sun itself, to an unfortunately outdated stereotype for a lazy cloud, to even the cold breeze just before getting to meet old man winter (named Mr. Zero in the short), which does substitute a genuine personality in favor of simply moving the plot along. While the sentimental tone does border on schmaltzy territory, there is something comforting about multiple forces coming together in bringing the sunshine back, especially in regards to aiding a young child's illness.
Going into other notable qualities, this cartoon is arguably more technically ambitious than a lot of Famous' other output, even at their creative pique. On top of boasting strong emotional performances through each character, the special effects and camera motion are quite ambitious within the short's time length and budgetary constrictions. As this short's animation is credited to lead animator Orestes Calpini, who's repertoire seemed to steer into strong layouts and dynamic cinematic techniques borrowed from the Fleischer days, the setting of the world above the one below breathes lush lighting and scenery just by primarily being made of cloud particles and abstract ornaments. In addition, the vastly under appreciated Winston Sharples lends his harmonious score through strong orchestrations and a heart wrenching song sequence that beautifully wraps the short up. If the Famous Studios ever got the chance to make a feature film like the Fleischers were able to do so, perhaps this subject matter might've fit them to a proper degree.
Although Suddenly it's Spring doesn't offer quite enough substance outside of its basic plot line, it does showcase the possibilities in a tale of restoring peace to the world just through the power of sunlight. In a day and age where happenings like global warming and seasonal depression are coming more and more into play, it's works like this that remind us why we have summer and winter every single year. Whether or not you find the subject matter interesting enough is up to you as far as recommendations go, but one cannot deny how the world can often use more light than darkness.
Beautiful and moving Raggedy Ann cartoon
TheLittleSongbird6 June 2015
While not a personal favourite by all means, Suddenly It's Spring is a beautiful cartoon in many ways and has a lot of emotional impact.
The animation in Suddenly It's Spring looks wonderful, and it's clear a lot of care and hard work went into it. It's beautifully and smoothly drawn, the backgrounds are both picturesque and imaginative with a hint of surrealism and the colours give off a very colourful and luscious atmosphere. Also top-notch is the music score, whimsical, haunting, lively and rich in orchestration, it's typically outstanding music from Winston Sharples(whose music was nearly always one of the highlights of the cartoons they featured in, even in cartoons that don't fare as good).
Suddenly It's Spring has a couple of humorous moments, but as has been said it was not intended to be funny and any more humour or any other type of humour would have been too out of place. If anything, it's one of those cartoons that really tugs at the heart-strings without feeling manipulative, Suddenly It's Spring has a lot of heart and sentiment but in a way that's truly moving and never cloying. A good deal of the 'Color Classics' cartoons also succeeded in having a spirit that's surreal and quite unique, and some of Suddenly It's Spring comes very close to that.
The characters are likable and engaging, especially the title character, and are all solidly voiced. For me, the only thing that mars it is the crude and somewhat unnecessary inclusion of a character, in the form of a lazy cloud, that's rather racially stereotypical, which is not going to bode well with some. Sure, Suddenly It's Spring is hardly the only cartoon of that time to include racial stereotypes and other cartoons(i.e. Scrub Me Mama with a Boogie Beat) did it much worse, but with the nature of the story the character did stick out like a sore thumb in not a good way.
Overall, aside from that one character Suddenly It's Spring is a beautiful and moving cartoon. 9/10 Bethany Cox
The animation in Suddenly It's Spring looks wonderful, and it's clear a lot of care and hard work went into it. It's beautifully and smoothly drawn, the backgrounds are both picturesque and imaginative with a hint of surrealism and the colours give off a very colourful and luscious atmosphere. Also top-notch is the music score, whimsical, haunting, lively and rich in orchestration, it's typically outstanding music from Winston Sharples(whose music was nearly always one of the highlights of the cartoons they featured in, even in cartoons that don't fare as good).
Suddenly It's Spring has a couple of humorous moments, but as has been said it was not intended to be funny and any more humour or any other type of humour would have been too out of place. If anything, it's one of those cartoons that really tugs at the heart-strings without feeling manipulative, Suddenly It's Spring has a lot of heart and sentiment but in a way that's truly moving and never cloying. A good deal of the 'Color Classics' cartoons also succeeded in having a spirit that's surreal and quite unique, and some of Suddenly It's Spring comes very close to that.
The characters are likable and engaging, especially the title character, and are all solidly voiced. For me, the only thing that mars it is the crude and somewhat unnecessary inclusion of a character, in the form of a lazy cloud, that's rather racially stereotypical, which is not going to bode well with some. Sure, Suddenly It's Spring is hardly the only cartoon of that time to include racial stereotypes and other cartoons(i.e. Scrub Me Mama with a Boogie Beat) did it much worse, but with the nature of the story the character did stick out like a sore thumb in not a good way.
Overall, aside from that one character Suddenly It's Spring is a beautiful and moving cartoon. 9/10 Bethany Cox
A Lovely Piece, Then Suddenly It's-- Racist!
AnnieLola31 December 2013
Warning: Spoilers
This is a beautiful and touching piece of work, with Raggedy Ann going to plead with all the winter elements in hopes of an early spring that will save her mistress Nancy, who is dangerously ill and needs sunlight. The sun can't do a thing unless the clouds move away, but the clouds are too lazy to move and need the wind to blow them aside.
Here's where things get unfortunate; the cartoon is temporarily marred by the lazy cloud being characterized as a kind of super Stepin Fetchit, since of course! The exemplar of sloth is a lazy black man, right? Well, those were the times. White cartoon producers certainly could be clueless.
Anyway, the wind blowing the clouds away won't help unless 'Mr. Zero' takes off the freeze and lets the ice and snow melt, so Raggedy Ann, though rebuffed, sets to work to melt Mr. Zero's heart with a beautiful song. Like the other Raggedys, this is pretty much a chick flick, but anyone should be able to appreciate the great animation and design, and forgive the lapse into racial stereotype.
This doesn't actually appear to be presented as a dream, as described by another reviewer; the story is a fantasy that holds to its internal reality. Raggedy Ann really does all that! And little Nancy doesn't awaken all cured; she opens her eyes when the sunbeam falls on her, and we know that she's safely on the mend at last. The workings of kindly toys and winter elements are secrets shared only by children-- and other cartoon viewers.
Here's where things get unfortunate; the cartoon is temporarily marred by the lazy cloud being characterized as a kind of super Stepin Fetchit, since of course! The exemplar of sloth is a lazy black man, right? Well, those were the times. White cartoon producers certainly could be clueless.
Anyway, the wind blowing the clouds away won't help unless 'Mr. Zero' takes off the freeze and lets the ice and snow melt, so Raggedy Ann, though rebuffed, sets to work to melt Mr. Zero's heart with a beautiful song. Like the other Raggedys, this is pretty much a chick flick, but anyone should be able to appreciate the great animation and design, and forgive the lapse into racial stereotype.
This doesn't actually appear to be presented as a dream, as described by another reviewer; the story is a fantasy that holds to its internal reality. Raggedy Ann really does all that! And little Nancy doesn't awaken all cured; she opens her eyes when the sunbeam falls on her, and we know that she's safely on the mend at last. The workings of kindly toys and winter elements are secrets shared only by children-- and other cartoon viewers.
See also
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