George Pal’s stop-motion animation is some of the most influential in film history. The detail of his puppets, their movement and the grand scope of the productions are truly amazing. However, what makes many of his films so wonderful are good stories.
THE PUPPETOON MOVIE is a compilation of Pal’s PUPPETOON short films, book-ended by stop-motion animation featuring Gumby, Pokey and other famed stop-motion characters directed by Arnold Leibovit. The book-ends make you only appreciate Pal’s work more because they’re hokey and maudlin.
Musical revues like THE PHILIPS BROADCAST OF 1938 and PHILIPS CAVALCADE blend Busby Berkeley dance numbers with Looney Tunes zaniness. The level of detail in some of the scenes is spectacular. Dozens of characters are moving in a scene, meaning each one had to be moved meticulously every frame.
TULIPS SHALL GROW is a wonderful comment on the destruction of war as the mechanical “Screwball” army rolls into a windmill and tulip filled city wrecking havoc. TUBBY THE TUBBA is a cute tale of a sad tubby who wishes he could play a lead part in the orchestra. There’s also a wonderfully grand depiction of the John Henry story in JOHN HENRY AND THE INKY POOP. TOGETHER IN THE WEATHER tells the tale of Punchy and Judy, two young lovers who make different effects on the climate. The short has a hormone charged feel like a Tex Avery short. It’s sweet and very funny.
Some of the shorts feature character designs that may be deemed racist, but never once are any of the toons demeaning. The collection of shorts in this film is impressive, entertaining, charming and thought-provoking. This is one of the truest examples of the magic that animation can create.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
