stephen0684 Reviews

Two Gophers from Texas (1948)

The best Goofy Gophers and possibly best Art Davis Warner short he directed

[10/10 · 26 September 2021]

As the short starts, a dog who is based vocally on John Barrymore, is fed up with dog treats, and decides to hunt game. Unfortunately for the dog, his target is the Goofy Gophers His 1st attempt with knife and fork fails and crashes to a cliff. Next he tries a surprise package but the surprise backfired. For his third attempt he dressed like a baby then after seeing the weapons, they take the "baby" for a long fast ride. For his last attempt he tried to get rid of them with music, but it to fails, and in the end, he regrets reading the book.

Overall, this short was great and it has been restored for HBO Max if you want to see this classic short for yourself. Just subscribe to them. Or wait until Me-TV Aires it. A solid 10 out ten.

Speedy Ghost to Town (1967)

Not a good start for the Alex Lovey/ Warner Bros Seven Arts era

[4/10 · 16 October 2016]

Aside for a couple of gags this picture is not that good. Daffy overhears Speedy and friend about a mine and somehow concludes that it has gold. So he spends the majority of the picture trying to get the map from the mice but fails. He does however reach the mine and eventually finds out what really is in the mine. But OK so did the mine has gold? If not then what? All I can say is that Dailymotion has the short if you want to see it for yourself. But don't expect it to be a good start for the 67-69 WB era. However, there are a few Alex Lovey WB cartoons that are while not the same as Chuck Jones, Friz Freleng, Tex Avery, Robert McKimson, Frank Tashlin, Arthur Davis, or Bob Clampett this is not one of them. Lovey better WB shorts were with his one shots and Cool Cats. While only maybe a couple of his Daffy and Speedy shorts are at best decent.

Overall, 4 out of 10.

Now Hear This (1962)

Don't forget Treg Brown and William Lava's effort as well.

[9/10 · 13 October 2008]

While Chuck Jones did do an superb job in directing this short, the credit should also go two men who helped made the picture enjoyable, Treg Brown in sound and William Lava in music. The picture starts off with the devil searching for his lost horn. Little did he know, an British gentleman finds it and uses it as a hearing aid. However, he soon found out that the "hearing aid" has an mind of it's own, and takes him on a wild ride. By the end of the film, the British man decides to retrieve his old horn (that he threw away eairler in the cartoon,) and walks off. (Or rather limps off.) Seconds later, the devil (from the start of the picture), returns and finds his missing horn. Another character arrives to give the moral and ends the film. The combine efforts of Brown sound effects through out the film was done well along with Lava's music of "Yankee Doodle" and "Rue Britania" as well was also good along with the rest of music of the picture. It will be available on DVD later this month as part of Looney Tunes Golden Collection, Volume 6. It's also available on the DVD intitled Warner Bros. Home Enterainment Academy Awards Animation Collection, 15 winners 26 nominees as well. I highly recommend this picture. an 9 out of 10. By the way, the only flaw, very little to no background.

Dial 'P' for Pink (1965)

An Pink Masterpiece

[9/10 · 2 March 2008]

In 1965, this short was released. The picture features the music from Shot in the Dark and was done wonderful by William Lava as well. In the film, the Pink Panther tries to sleep in the safe. However, an would be thief tries to rob the safe. No matter what the thief does, the panther always finds a way to have the thief fail. Eventually, the thief uses his head to carry the safe like an balloon but, the panther pops the balloon and dropped it on the thief. Next, the panther tricks the bandit into taking an exploding safe. Which at first the thief thought was an bomb but then thought it had money and reclaim the safe. I highly recommend the picture for the ending and the gags between the thief and the panther. It's was available on DVD so, if you can find the DVD, watch it and you'll enjoy it as well.

An 9 out of 10

Pinkfinger (1965)

Never Listen To Paul Frees.

[7/10 · 25 February 2008]

This was the second of three Pink Panther shorts to feature Paul Frees. In this picture, Frees advises the panther on how to be an secret agent, in order to catch an spy. (Who was voiced by Dave Barry.) Meanwhile, the spies tries to get rid of the panther through out most of the picture, and with Frees helping the panther, he dose not stand an chance. The panther chases the spy to the train station and was nearly blown up on the train. Piror to that, the spy used an alligator to get rid of the panther but that to had failed. Soon, the panther tired, (after captures the spy,) found Frees trapped with the alligators as Frees begs the panther to help him, the panther just leaves him with the alligators, as the film ends. In case you were wondering, the other two films that Frees was involved in was Sink Pink, and the Pink Pranzer. The moral is never listen to Paul Frees, he'll get you in trouble. Just ask the Pink Panther and Tom.

Overall, I give it an 7 out of 10.

The Case of the Stuttering Pig (1937)

An Tashin and Porky classic

[9/10 · 10 February 2008]

Shortly after assuming Porky's vocal duties, Mel Blanc once again plays the stuttering pig's voice in this 1937 classic. In this picture Porky and his brothers and sister inherit an old house and property from their late uncle. However, if anything should happen to the pigs, then the lawyer (Goodwill) would get everything. Soon Goodwill mixes up an formula that changes him to an monster and tries to get rid of the pigs. All the while, he threatens the guy in the third row throughout the rest of the picture. Eventually, Goodwill captures all the pigs but Porky and just as Porky finds the missing pigs, Goodwill attacks however, the guy in the third row saves the day by throwing his chair and defeat the villain. Although we don't know his name but the third row gag would be used by Tashlin a few years later in Cracked Ice. (In that picture, it would be another person in the third row.) Still, I recommend the picture and it's part on the Looney Tunes Golden Collection. Volume 4 that is.

I give it an 9 out of 10.

That's My Mommy (1955)

Who would had guess that Tom had an change of heart?

[7/10 · 6 February 2008]

More of an dramatic picture if anything, this first of the post Quimby production era begins as the the baby duck's egg rolls to Tom and the cat hatches the egg. The baby duckling (named Quackers) adopts Tom as his mother. Even though Jerry tries to warn the duck, by showing him an picture book of an mother duck and duckling on one side, and the mother cat and kitten on the next page. Meanwhile, Tom tries to cook the duckling various times. Yet every time, Jerry saves the duckling from being cooked. Eventually, the duckling realized the truth and decides to cook himself and yet, still tells Tom that he still loves him. In an surprise move, Tom cries NO! and saves the duckling just in time and tears are seen coming from Tom's face. Meanwhile, Jerry, after freeing himself from the pan that Tom dumped in the well, couldn't believe his eyes. As both Tom and Quackers are seen at an nearby lake quacking at each other. The duckling gets the last word by telling the audience that Tom is his mommy. I though the picture was good for it's dramatic scenes but for comedy, not so much. I still recommend it only for it's dramatic parts and the ending.

I give it an 7 out of 10.

The Million Dollar Cat (1944)

Tom gets rich meanwhile Jerry goes to far.

[8/10 · 20 January 2008]

In this picture from 1944, Tom gets an telegram that states he inherited a million dollars. Provided he dosen't harm any living creature including an mouse. Jerry loves the clause but Tom dosen't. They end up in Park Avenue in an New York City apartment and throughout the picture, Jerry keeps reminding Tom about the telegram. Which forces Tom to seemingly to make sure Jerry's death was acendental. However, no matter what Tom does, there was Jerry not far behind. They even shared an bed together expect that Jerry pushes tom off the bed and just when Tom is preparing to kill Jerry with an bat, he reminds Tom about the telegram. So, Tom hits himself with the bat. Eventually, Tom's had it and stuffed Jerry's mouth with the telegram,and starts his revenge with Jerry. He tells the audience that he's throwing away an million dollars. But, he's happy and resumes his revenge. Now this is one of an few films that either character speaks as well. I recommend it as well.

This picture gets an 8 out of 10.

Wacky Races (1968–1969)

An Hanna Barbera Classic

[10/10 · 18 January 2008]

For only one year, this classic series featured eleven drivers and they tried to win the race. Featuring an all star cast of voice over actors including Janet Waldo, Paul Winchell, Daws Butler, Don Messick, and John Stevenson. Each race Dastardly and Muttley (Winchell and Messick respectfully) would try to cheat to win the race however, no matter what they do, they (esepectly Dastardly) would always get the worst of it. Meanwhile, the others would get sidetracked Dastardly's ideas and yet eventually return to the race to run up front. Now on occasion, they would show the viewers the finishing orders for the other ten drivers but it's usually the top three finishers only. Then the camera would pull back to see the end result of Dastardly's final idea. The series would eventually spawned not one but two spin-offs for Penelope (Waldo) and Dastardly just one year later. I highly recommend this classic series.

10 out of 10.

Carmen Get It! (1962)

Dietch's swan song (thank goodness)

[5/10 · 3 June 2006]

Don't get me wrong, Dietch was struggling money wise since MGM gave him a fifth of the Hanna Barbera budget, but still Gene could had done a better job with the film quality. Anyway, Ton chases Jerry into a opera house and needless to say and gets thrown out of the theater. So Tom dresses as a violinist to gain entrance. And oh by the way, he has a tape recorder in that violin. Which Jerry designs to play the tape fast to get the cat caught. Sometime later, Jerry notices some ants and designs to have some fun with Tom who is now the conductor. The impostor cat gets caught again and on that note Carman comes out but she's scared of Jerry who steals the show but, the fun ends when Tom catches Jerry much to the conductor's dismay. So they play a round of bull fighting while Jerry conducts the performers once more. Yes, this was Gene's final Tom and Jerry film and out of the thirteen films he did, it was OK not good but OK. Therefore, this film gets a 5 out of 10 this go round. Oh well, you can't win them all.

Tease for Two (1965)

Goofy Gopher's swan song.

[8/10 · 14 November 2005]

Daffy tries to strike it rich with gold but he find that the hole is the property and home of the Goofy Gophers. So unsuccessfully he tries to remove them. Some of the gags are not that bad but just how did the gopher pulled the jeep apart anyway? Anyway the gun bit is the best gag of the short. Daffy even tries to flood the hole but it to failed and travel to space where he lands at an barrel. Then the gopher moves the arrow to fool the greedy duck but just as Daffy almost gives up the gophers pulls one last gag to Daffy as they give him an painted an rock gold as the duck assumed that the rock was real gold. This was one of Daffy's best work of the Depatie-Freleing era but that just not saying much but i still recommend it.

Final Score: an 8 out of 10.

Electra Woman and Dyna Girl (1976)

Nice try Kroffts.

[12 November 2005]

I saw it a few years ago on TVLand but it wasn't good. The series was created by Joe Ruby and Ken Spears and the only person I knew was Norman Alden who was Aquaman's voice at the time. Still, the series stunk. It was about two females who are superheros. Yeah right. Still the one thing that I can say good about it is that it's no longer on the air waves. Anyway, the plot was corny, the costumes were bad, the acting was also corny but they tried. Still, I strongly advise you to watch another Crofft series but no matter what, STAY AWAY FROM THE SERIES. Sadly though the series was the Kroffts worst series along with Ruby and Spears so folks, do yourself an favor stay away from the series at all cost. You probably can see it if you want to but why bother? Final Score: an 1 out of 10.

Easter Yeggs (1947)

An McKimson and Bugs classic

[9/10 · 9 November 2005]

Bugs has to fill in for an brown easter rabbit who don't want to deliver the eggs and talks Bugs into deliver them. In his first stop he pays an spoiled brat an visit and he gets the best of Bugs. Although Bugs wants to quit, he tries once more. His next stop was at Elmer's house who wants an Easter Rabbit Stew to eat. He tries to trap Bugs by drowning him but it failed. Instead, Bugs has an raft and goes into an log that was oddly enough the Tunnel Of Love. After they leave the log, Bugs tries out an couple of tricks but, they failed. After an brief chase, that includes the brat, Bugs paints Elmer's head to look like an easter egg and the brat attack Elmer. With one egg left, the lazy rabbit carries it unknowing is was an bomb that Bugs had made. How did Bugs made an bomb, I don't know but it works and Bugs laughs as the film fades.

Overall, the cartoon was good .I recommend it as an McKimson classic as well as an Bugs Bunny classic as well. It's not perfect but it's still an classic. Final Score: an 9 out of 10

The Perils of Penelope Pitstop (1969–1971)

Pretty good with an all star voice over cast

[9 November 2005]

This spin off is good not great, but still good. Penelope is in line for an vast fortune but her guardian, Selevester Sneekley aka, the Hooded Claw. For you see, he wants her money. To stop him she teams up with her Wacky Races co stars The Ant Hill Mob. The cast are Gary Owens, Mel Blanc, Janet Waldo, Paul Winchell, Don Messick, and Paul Lynn. The henchmen of the Claw, The Bully Brothers always seem to bungle it. The series was based on an old silent film series featuring an girl named Pauline who always gets herself in trouble as well. Most likely it was set in the early 20th century and still good after all these years and the cast was perfect. Today, Bommerang has the season on the air and it's on DVD so if you want to see it those are your only ways to see the series.

Overall score: an 9 out of 10

Elmer's Pet Rabbit (1941)

Same voice actor, different voice

[6/10 · 6 November 2005]

Yes, Mel Blanc voiced Bugs in this short. But, in an different voice. Anyway, Elmer buys Bugs at an pet shop and takes him home. Bugs complains about his surroundings when he sees the gate and home Elmer has built for him. Bugs decides to get in Elmer's home and move in with his owner. How DID Bugs got in Elmer's home in the first place? We'll probably never know. Still, the bathtub gag was good far as worrying Elmer to death. Bugs isn't through he even tries sleeping in Elmer's bed twice. The first time lead to an brief chase but Bugs went back to Elmer's bed again. Also, at one point the two characters danced, which lead Bugs to be kicked out. Now the animation was OK, but the one thing that I didn't like was Bugs Bunny's voice I mean what is, an prototype voice or something? Anyway it's OK but, unless you love Bugs or Elmer, don't watch it.

Final score: an 6 out of 10.

Count Me Out (1938)

An Egghead short with an dream sequence

[8/10 · 3 November 2005]

Egghead wants to fight so he gets some free pointers from the ACME School of Boxing. (First time that ACME's been used in an Warner Brothers cartoon.) Soon he's ready to fight the champ, Beef Stew. As the fight begins, Egghead tries everything that the record tells him. The plan backfires and eventually destroys the record and the record player as well. After that, Egghead's had enough and tries to leave the ring. But he still gets clobbered. Finally, he wakes up as apparently the fight was an dream sequence. Yet, he gets clobbered one last time as the film ends. Besides Hare-Um Scare-Um, this was Hardaway's and Dalton's best film. They overall stunk expect these two films. Still, I enjoy it and I recommend it for the Egghead fans because it was one of Egghead's best films as well. (Dafy Duck and Egghead being the other.) I give it an 8 out of 10.

The Cat Came Back (1988)

An gem from Canada.

[10/10 · 2 November 2005]

Mr. Johnson founds an yellow cat at his front door. But he soon regrets finding it. After the cat wreaks the house, Johnson tries every trick that he can think of to get rid of it. However, every time fails and somehow the cat returns every time. Eventually Johnson even tries to blow up his own house but it to fails because it kills him and the cat as well. But, the cat's spirits case Johnson's ghost at the end of the picture. Still, after all these years it's still an gem. Sadly, since the cancellation of O Canada, this Canadian masterpiece hasn't been scene in the States and it's an shame because it's one of a few cartoons from Canada I enjoy. However, I highly recommend it for its humor and plot. So good luck trying to track it down because it won't air in the States anytime soon. At least not yet.

Final Score: an perfect 10 out of 10.

Scooby Goes Hollywood (1979 TV Movie)

Scooby's lone special.

[8/10 · 29 October 2005]

The special begins with Scooby and Shaggy fed up with their Saturday morning lineup. As the special continues Scooby gets less and less sure about his new role after all of Shaggy's and Scooby's attempt for Scooby to get more famous fails. All of the Scooby Doo cast members from the Scooby Doo Show are back and are surprised about Scooby's decision. The special also spoofs several 70's films and television series like Happy Days, Sonny and Cher, Charles Angels, and an few more. An song was also sung by Frank (Fred), Pat (Velma), and Heather (Daphine) as they and eventually his fans miss Scooby. It was an team effort as Scooby decided to return to his own show. Overall, it wasn't bad but still, Unless you love Scooby don't watch it. Unless you want to. Oh by the way, In the spoofs, they should have the stars of the series they were spoofing to help out as well.

Final Scooby Score: 8 out of 10 Final animation score: 6 out of 10

Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo (1979–1983)

Scooby's longest show to date

[29 October 2005]

From 1979-1983. Scooby was with Scrappy during the series. During the 79-80 season, the whole gang was there. From 80-83, the chickens were there with Scrappy. Lennie first voiced Scrappy again just for the 79-80 season. Then Don took over for the rest of the series. During the 82-83 season, Scrappy was with Yabba Doo for one segment during each episode. Then, in an partnership with Ruby Spears Enterprise the Pete the Pup series conclude the then hour long show. Today, the last season only has the first half with Yabba. Bommerang currently brodcasts the first and third years with the second and last seasons rarely seen. Overall, as of now, it's Scooby's longest show to date and it's not to bad. As an Scooby fan it's good but animation fans may not like it that much.

Final Scooby Score: 9 out of 10 Final Animation Score: 5 out of 10

I Haven't Got a Hat (1935)

Porky's debut cartoon.

[8/10 · 23 October 2005]

The cartoon served as an pilot for an replacement for Buddy and even though Beans was originally going to replace Buddy, Porky eventually replaces both. Anyway, the cartoon begins at an local school and yes it's loosely based on the Our Gang series. First was Porky who tries to recite Paul Reverce's Ride but fails. Then Miss Kitty tries to recite Mary had an Lamb. But, it to failed. Ham and Ex (Twin Dogs) sings the title of the cartoon and were good. Finally, an unexpected duo courtesy of Beans and Oliver. While Oliver plays, Beans puts an cat and dog in the piano. Everyone though it was Oliver was playing until the cat and dog left. Then the boos came, Beans laugh, Oliver sprays him with his pen,and Beans land an can of paint on Oliver's head, and they shakes hands thus ending the cartoon. Porky didn't appear much in this short and it was one of an few downside. Still, the cartoon is good. I recommend it for all the Porky's fans out there. But I wish Mel Blanc voiced Porky from the start though. But Joe Dougherty wasn't that bad. Final Score: an 8 out of 10

Scaredy Cat (1948)

A Chuck Jones Classic.

[9/10 · 23 October 2005]

While the only downside in this cartoon is that Sylvester didn't speak, this is still an classic by the late Chuck Jones. Porky and Sylvester arrive an an run down house (the last that the real estate agent had,) right away the cat gets scared by an bat. Porky loves the house and decides to turn in while Sylvester sleeps in the kitchen. That's where the fun really starts. He gets scared by every little thing and runs to Porky who is trying to sleep. In one scene they're outside and Porky asked Sylvester to closed the window which launches the bed back to the house which was an good gag. Eventually, Porky is fed up with Sylvester and checks it out for himself. The pig gets tied up and gagged and Sylvester runs away. Then his angel arrived and convinces him to remove the mice. Which he did expect 1 who drops an bowling ball on Sylvester's head. Like I said, the downside is that Sylvester is silent but it's still an classic by Chuck Jones. I highly recommend it and its squeal Claws for Alarm. Final Score: an 9 out of 10.

Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie (1997)

Not to bad, but it could have been better.

[9/10 · 22 October 2005]

To Recap, Divatox wants this creature named Larigo to get his key like crystal to bring her groom to be to live. Meanwhile on Earth, the boys are training for the karate tournament while the girls are returning from an softball game. During training, Rocky injures his back and pretty much ends his ranger career. Alpha calls the rangers about Larigo and Justin overheard this and eventually joins them. In the jungle, Tommy and Kat finds him after they fell to the falls to escape an snake. Larigo heals Kat's leg and they head to the chamber. There they first learn about the Turbo Powers and Tommy, Kat, Tanya, and Adam becomes the 1st group of the Turbo Rangers. Eariler, Kim and Jason gets kidnapped by Divatox and she wants to exchange Kim and Jason for Larigo. It turn's out that they were dummies. Still, the now 5 Turbo Rangers trails Divatox to an island frees their new and old friends. The Turbo Megazord with the rangers in it, fights Marago and wins. And that's all. Overall, I like on how the story lines went to play, and the appearances of Kim and Jason but, the producers could have made it better. And on that note, I give the film an 7 out of 10.

Heathcliff (1980–1984)

Mel's television swan song

[22 October 2005]

Heathcliff was Mel Blanc's final original character and starring role before he continued to reprise Barney Rubble and Mr. Spacely for Hanna Babera and the Looney Tunes for Warner Brothers. It was my favorite series in the late 80's to early 90's. Today it's out on DVD which is good so many others can enjoy Heathcliff and his friends as many times as you want. This was last scene on Bommerang. Even though it was the Ruby/Spears effort their version wasn't bad. But, DIC's effort was and still is far better. therefore if you had to choose only one, the DIC series is your best bet. But the Ruby/Spears series I can also recommend just to see Heathcliff only. Overall, this is an classic series. With one of the highest vote I could give, it's get an 9 out of 10.

Little Boa Peep (1974)

Blue Racer's Swan Song

[8/10 · 20 October 2005]

The film begins when the Blue Racer asks on his appearance. After spying an mirror, he realizing that he's an snake. Seeking help, he pays and psychologist who was an owl (voiced by Paul Winchell). The owl asks him on what the Blue Racer wants to be. It turn out that he wanted to be an sheepdog. After several failed attempts, he reads the encyclopedia and learns about sheep. He even catches an wolf in disguise as an sheep and saves an heard. Where he's hired by an sheepdog and helps him guard the heard. This was the last of the Blue Racer shorts and this was good. While this isn't an gem of the DePathe Freleing Enterprise studios, you still get an few laughs out this snake on Bommerang. Final score: an 8 out of 10.

Purr-Chance to Dream (1967)

Tom and Jerry's theatrical swan song.

[9/10 · 19 October 2005]

Besides this was one of the few Ben Washam directed Tom and Jerry shorts, this was the last one from the Chuck Jones era as well. It's pretty good to. In this cartoon, Tom dreams that he chases Jerry but an big dog was clobbering him. Tom awakes and soon chases Jerry. Little does Tom knows however, Jery orders an dog for protection. But don't let the dog's size fool you though, it's bite is an lot worst than its bark. Tom at first doesn't think that the dog is dangerous but he was wrong. Soon Tom tries to get rid of the dog first before he can have Jerry but, all of his plains backfire. Eventually, Tom locks the dog in an safe and hides it but the dog escapes and again clobbers Tom. Finally, Tom gives up and takes sleeping pills to sleep while the dream dog clobbers him once more. Overall, this was one of the best from the Chuck Jones era and the series. For Tom and Jerry fans I highly recommend it as it gets an 9 out of 10.