Pre-release of Uncensored Animation for GACers!

[Steve Stanch]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/Myrriad/Uncensored.jpg

The pre-release of "Uncensored Animation from the Van Beuren Studio" is just about ready to go! Copies will be shipped on or before December 15. I'm waiting for a final disc to come back with some commentaries this week....

This collection features some of the more risque'/ adult themed (although somewhat tame by todays standards) pre-code (and just after) cartoons from the Van Beuren Studio. The collection has been transferred from 16mm and 35mm Nitrate prints, with titles restored (or recreated on a few). Titles include:

A Close Call 29
Laundry Blues 30
Circus Capers 30
The Office Boy 30
Red riding Hood 31
Jungle Jam 31
Nursery Scandal 32
Panicky Pup 33
Doughnuts 33
Rough On Rats 33
Galloping Fanny 33
Sultan Pepper 34
The Rasslin' Match 33/34
The Lion Tamer 34

Extra include commentaries and liner notes. It's a cool collection of toons!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/Myrriad/pixfromuncensored.jpg



Pre-release includes 2 (count 'em!) 2 FREE BONUS DISCS!!!!!!!

Alpha Video's "Cartoon Rarities from the 1920s" and "Cartoon Rarities from the 1930's"

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/Myrriad/stevesfreebies.jpg

Somehow ( ;) ) I ended up with a few boxes of them, so I thought I'd spread the wealth!


Special pre release only available to the first 30 GAC list readers to respond. The price $14.95 plus $2 shipping. Email me for address, or paypal (make sure to list GAC special) to steves@thunderbeananimation.com

Thanks for all the great help from GAC members in supporting these little releases..

[FleischerFan]

There is a Santa Claus!

I have sent you my order via e-mail, Steve. Keep up the great work!

(Any hint as to when we might see a "Complete Van Beuren Tom & Jerry" disc?)

[Steve Stanch]

It's in progress. If all goes well it will be out next year at some point- I've got most of the films transferred for it but looking for better material on a few still. I'm closest to finishing (next) Rainbow Parades and Toddle Tales, Kinex films, Stop Motion madness, Complete Tom and Jerry and another I've only hinted at (last week here).

[lonesome-lenny]

Hi Steve...
I just e-mailed you. Please add my name to the list for this fabsational DVD offer!

Best,
Frank Young

(who watches the Thunderbean Aesop's Fables DVD, in part, at least once a week)

[Bradskey]

This looks great! I just sent you my order. I look forward to your other sets too.

[zavkram]

Steve,

I just sent you an e-mail, please let me know how to get a copy.

[Duck Dodgers]

Sent you the money trough PAYPAL!

[iwerks321]

What are the contents of the bonus discs?

[J. J. Hunsecker]

I like the cover. Who did the artwork? It looks like Milton Knight's drawing style.

[Bugsy-Kun]

If i have enough moneys, i can paid you this DVD. Sounds like a another terrific professionnal collection . :D

[Steve Stanch]

http://forums.goldenagecartoons.com/images/editor/separator.gifThe cover art is by Milton Knight. It was done for the VHS version of this title nearly about 18 years ago! Check out more of Milton's work at http://www.miltonknight.net/

[Valeyard]

What are the contents of the bonus discs?

Got this off the web:

Cartoon Rarities of the 1920s

TANKS (1917): The earliest cartoon on this collection, created by animation pioneer and inventor of the 'cell system,' Earl Hurd.

KO-KO IN TOYLAND (1925): A great "Out Of The Inkwell" cartoon from the Fleischer Studios. The Fleischers inked many of the characters in these films on paper, and overlayed backgrounds painted on animation cells.

MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME (1926): Quite possibly the first 'sound cartoon,' produced by the Fleischer studio.

A LAD AND HIS LAMP (1929): Another Van Beuren Aesop's Fables cartoon with a soundtrack added in the late 1940s.

KNIGHTHOOD (1927): A rare cartoon produced by the Bray studio, directed by Walter Lantz. Colonel Heeza Liar is one of the earliest cartoon characters, dating back to 1913.

MECHANICAL COW (1927): An "Oswald The Lucky Rabbit" cartoon from the Walt Disney Studio. Although the studio created the character, producer Charles Mintz pulled the series from Disney, prompting the studio to create Mickey Mouse.

ROMEOW (1928, 1930): Pat Sullivan Studios created Felix The Cat, the most popular cartoon character of the 1920s. Although Sullivan's name was at the forefront of all publicity, Otto Mesmer and a small crew of animators were the true masterminds behind these films.

SWEET ADELINE (1926): This film was part of the Song Cartune series, produced by the New York based Max Fleischer Studio. The Fleischers partnered with sound pioneer Dr. Lee Deforest, utilizing his 'Phonofilm' optical sound system to produce these films, made well before Disney's first sound cartoon, "Steamboat Willie" (1928).

FOUR MUSICIANS OF BREMEN (1923): One of the first Disney cartoon shorts, produced by his newly formed 'Laugh O' Grams' studio.

ALICE RATTLED BY RATS (1925): An entry in the Alice In Cartoonland series, also by Disney, featuring live action actress Margie Gay in a cartoon world. The series ran through 1927.

RED HOT RAILS (1926): A Life cartoon comedy by John McCrory. McCrory produced this series through the late 1920s.

THE HUNT (1927): Starring Dinky Doodle, this short series was created by Walter Lantz while at the Bray Studio, before starting his own studio in 1929.

ONE MAN DOG (1927): A really strange Aesop's Fables cartoon, produced by Van Beuren and Paul Terry.


Cartoon Rarities of the 1930s

TOYLAND ADVENTURE (1932): This cartoon was part of the ongoing 'Aesop's Fables' series at Van Beuren Studios. It features a great musical score, including "Goodnight Sweetheart" and "The Siamese Patrol."

PUDDLE PRANKS (1931): One of the first "Flip the Frog" productions by the Ub Iwerks Studio features Flip and his girlfriend dancing and singing in typical early '30s fashion. Iwerks, animator of the first Mickey Mouse cartoons, formed his own studio with Pat Powers in 1931.

BARS AND STRIPES (1931): A great entry in the Krazy Kat cartoon series, produced by the Columbia / Mintz Studio. This series has been one of the most difficult to see, having been withdrawn from TV since the mid '60s.

OLD MOTHER HUBBARD (1935): A rare Cinecolor treat, produced by the Ub Iwerks studio as part of the 'Comi-Color' series. A happy dog convinces the King to 'Cheer Up' in a nod to the FDR depression messages of the time.

TIGHT ROPE TRICKS (1933): A Tom and Jerry cartoon (remamed 'Dick and Larry' TV release). Van Beuren produced the Tom and Jerry cartoons from 1931 through 1933. These Mutt and Jeff-esque characters were possibly Van Beuren's most popular cartoons.

I WANNA BE A SAILOR (1936): A beautifully produced cartoon from Warner Brothers who were granted rights to Technicolor this same year, resulting in a lavish rainbow palette. Director Tex Avery went on to create some of the funniest and most memorable cartoons at both Warner Brothers and MGM.

PASTRYTOWN WEDDING (1935): This wonderful Van Beuren Studio production was the first in the "Rainbow Parade" series of cartoons. It was directed by Ted Eshbaugh, an independent producer who made beautiful color cartoons into the early '30s.

BIRD SCOUTS (1936): Another entry in the Rainbow Parade series by Van Beuren, this rarely seen cartoon is from a original Cinecolor print.

BEACHCOMBERS (1936): Walter Lantz produced the Oswald Rabbit cartoons from 1930 through 1940, after Disney lost the rights to the character and series.

BETTY BOOP'S KER-CHOO! (1932): This great Fleischer Studios entry from the 'golden age' of Betty Boop is loaded with gags and surreal imagery. Not long after this film was produced, the production code forced Betty to be a less provocative character.

BOSKO AT THE BEACH (1932): Producers Hugh Harman/ Rudolph Ising began their careers in animation with Walt Disney, and formed their own studio in the late 1920s. They eventually contracted with MGM, producing some of the most beautiful cartoons of the 1930's.

THE FARMERETTE (1933): In this Van Beuren production, the voice of our heroine is Bonnie Poe, one of the early voices of Betty Boop.

HUNKY AND SPUNKY (1935): As Disney and MGM achieved success with their color series, the Fleischers attempted to win the hearts of viewers as well. Hunky and Spunky debut in this color classic.

BOOM BOOM (1936): This early Porky the Pig cartoon featuring "Beans the Cat" has a most unusual comedic theme - trench warfare!

BEAUTY SHOPPE (1939): This rarity, supervised by Ub Iwerks, stars Gran' Pop Monkey, a popular character created by British cartoonist Lawson Wood.



Steve, just put my order in. Thanks for all your hard work.

Andrew

[cpdavison]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/Myrriad/Uncensored.jpg

The pre-release of "Uncensored Animation from the Van Beuren Studio" is just about ready to go! Copies will be shipped on or before December 15. I'm waiting for a final disc to come back with some commentaries this week....

This collection features some of the more risque'/ adult themed (although somewhat tame by todays standards) pre-code (and just after) cartoons from the Van Beuren Studio. The collection has been transferred from 16mm and 35mm Nitrate prints, with titles restored (or recreated on a few). Titles include:

A Close Call 29
Laundry Blues 30
Circus Capers 30
The Office Boy 30
Red riding Hood 31
Jungle Jam 31
Nursery Scandal 32
Panicky Pup 33
Doughnuts 33
Rough On Rats 33
Galloping Fanny 33
Sultan Pepper 34
The Rasslin' Match 33/34
The Lion Tamer 34

The cover art might be the same, but this looks like a great update to the original "Snappy Video" VHS version from 1991:

HOT TAMALE (30)
CROON CRAZY (33)
CIRCUS CAPERS (30)
SULTAN PEPPER (34)
RED RIDING HOOD (29 sic) - ONE OF MY FAVORITES!
NURSERY SCANDAL (32)
JEST OF HONOR (34)

Can't wait to see it.

Craig D.

[Lee Glover]

I've sent my enquiry by e-mail on Saturday, but alas, no reply. :(

[Lynn]

I sent funds thru PayPal. I never miss one of your offerings. Looking forward to an early Christmas Present.

[Larry T]

Order Paypal'd...

Hope I'm one of the first 30... those two extra DVDs are too good to miss!!

[FTAListCom]

Yet another PayPal payment from me. Sure hope to see those DVDs on my doorstep soon. Thanks!

[Valeyard]

Got my payment in earlier today. Looking forward to this one!

[lonesome-lenny]

I've paid too, via Paypal... couple of days back!

[Lee Glover]

I've sent my enquiry by e-mail on Saturday, but alas, no reply. :(

Just got Steve's reply. :)

Now that I know the cost for UK shipping, I've sent my payment by PayPal. Can't wait to watch this DVD, as I'm a HUGE fan of the B&W Van Beuren toons. ;)

[Steve Stanch]

Thanks for the responses everyone! I just watched some of the toons on the DVD on the video projection here... they look pretty nice! The copy of 'Nursery Scandal' is from 35, as are many others on the DVD... the copy on all the dollar DVDs is copied from one of our old VHS tapes- it's nice to see the first generation copy....

[J. A. Boschen]

This looks like a very fun set. I always enjoyed that one film on there NURSERY SCANDAL. I have never seen any of the Amos and Andy Cartoons, those will be a real treat!!

[J. A. Boschen]

It's in progress. If all goes well it will be out next year at some point- I've got most of the films transferred for it but looking for better material on a few still. I'm closest to finishing (next) Rainbow Parades and Toddle Tales, Kinex films, Stop Motion madness, Complete Tom and Jerry and another I've only hinted at (last week here).

Just out of curiosity, not to get off topic from this new DVD, this THUNDERBEAN DVD came up in my recommended section on Amazon the other day: The Strangest Cartoons Ever Made.

http://www.amazon.com/Strangest-Cartoons-Ever-Made-Vol/dp/B001ANHYCI/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1228961074&sr=8-1

I have not seen this listed anywhere before; is this a new DVD of yours?

[zavkram]

Did you read the one, solitary review on Amazon of this DVD? It is by none other than Steve, himself, and it lists the entire contents. I noticed that a couple of the cartoons in this compilation, Monkeydoodle and Is My Palm Red have been previously released by Thunderbean on Cultoons, Vol. 1 and Attack of the 30's Characters, respectively. No matter, this looks like a great compilation!

[Steve Stanch]

Strangest cartoons ever made was a compilation of (mostly) films already released in the other Thunderbean DVDs- it was for put together for distribution by Victory multimedia and a little more 'mass' audience.

It's mostly stuff you diehard Thunderbean fans have from Cultoons collections...

[zoink]

Thanks for another great collection Steve.
I paypaled you for it last week but I cant wait to watch it!!

[Bob K]

Strangest cartoons ever made was a compilation of (mostly) films already released in the other Thunderbean DVDs- it was for put together for distribution by Victory multimedia and a little more 'mass' audience.

It's mostly stuff you diehard Thunderbean fans have from Cultoons collections...

Even though it's mostly repeats, for some collectors "Strangest Cartoons Ever Made" might be worth it just for "Joi De Vivre", which I don't believe was ever on an official Thunderbean release.

[Jeffitarian]

Even though it's mostly repeats, for some collectors "Strangest Cartoons Ever Made" might be worth it just for "Joi De Vivre", which I don't believe was ever on an official Thunderbean release.

I believe that particular toon was on the forum-only bonus DVD that accompanied the pre-release of 'Cultoons 3'. I'm too lazy to pop it in the player and double check. :)

And yes, looking forward to the new release as well. I take it you managed to find an uncut copy of "Laundry Blues", Steve?

[David Gerstein]

I take it you managed to find an uncut copy of "Laundry Blues", Steve?He got it wholesale, I'm theenking—the mashuganneh! Oy! Oy!
(Off to iron my beard!)

[Tom Stathes]

I take it you managed to find an uncut copy of "Laundry Blues", Steve?
I used to have an uncut print myself, but traded it off before I started collecting Van Beuren! Gah! :eek:

[nickramer]

This is somewhat off-topic, but I got a question about one of the previous Thunderbean releases. Does anyone know what the full content is of the "Cartoon Commercials!" DVD? I'm thinking of getting it. Thanks.

[FleischerFan]

Okay, Steve, now I'm going to be like an annoying kid in the backseat: "Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"

When-o-when can we expect this delicious DVD to ship?

[Steve Stanch]

I'm shipping the orders a bit later this week. The final commentary was just done.

You know, I don't even have a very complete list of what's on the Commercials DVD, but I do know it's a pretty good collection... still, there's lots and lot of great spots I'd LOVE to put out at some point...

Tom, I would have traded you ANY of those rare Dinky Doodles, Bray or other stuff I've been hoarding for thaat Laundry Blues if it was an original print. Then again, you have LOTS of other gems at this point....

We did find an uncut copy of Laundry, and reconstructed Doughnuts from 3 prints (still missing one cut shot at the beginning....but close!).

Just to be a nice guy, I'm putting (unboxed) copies of 'Strangest Cartoons' in with the pre-orders. Joy of Life isn't the best copy- but watchable... I hope to get a really nice print at some point.

Johnny and the DK Robot is one of my favorite things ever though.....say this is your best robot voice: "your teeth will drop out!" "your teeth will drop out!" "your teeth will drop out!" "your teeth will drop out!"

[iwerks321]

[quote=Steve Stanch;127849]I'm shipping the orders a bit later this week. The final commentary was just done

Who does commentary and on which cartoons?

[Steve Stanch]

I'll post tomorrow with what the final commentaries are! They'll be on the disc tomorrow and ready to ship! YAY!

[zavkram]

What a special treat for the holidays... we should call you "Santa" Stanchfield! :D

[zavkram]

This is somewhat off-topic, but I got a question about one of the previous Thunderbean releases. Does anyone know what the full content is of the "Cartoon Commercials!" DVD? I'm thinking of getting it. Thanks.

There are so many commercials on the DVD that I think it would probably be time-consuming for Steve to try and list them all here. I own a copy myself and I can attest that the prints used are of excellent quality. A lot of previously-released animated-commercial compilations on DVD and VHS appear to have been derived from inferior 2nd and 3rd-generation sources.

One highlight of the DVD (and kudos to Steve for including it, even if it isn't animated, per se) is the old "American Express" ad with Mel Blanc from the late 1970's!

There are a number of commercials for various "Carnation" brand products that probably aren't on the market anymore. According to the captions these were voiced by Pat Harrington (who also did the voice of "The Inspector" in the DePatie-Freleng cartoon series of the same name and played the building superintendent, "Dwayne Schneider" on Norman Lear's TV sitcom, One Day at a Time).

The DVD also includes many of the Bugs Bunny ads for "Post" cereals and (IIRC) for "Tang" Breakfast Drink.

There are also the original animated end-titles for I Love Lucy (which, IIRC from the DVD captions, were done by the MGM Cartoon Studio)

[Gasmask Ted]

You can see a few screencaps from the Carnation ads on the DVD here (http://tag.rubberslug.com/gallery/master_query.asp?SeriesID=26355)(under sketch 2 for each of the Carnation cels).

[Ratso]

Also on the Cartoon Commercials: Woody Woodpecker for Rice Krispies, Flintstones for Winston, Mighty Mouse for Colgate, Bullwinkle for Cheerios, Pink Panther Flakes, Frankenberry and Count Chocula, Quisp and Quake, Cap'n Crunch, Trix, Lucky Charms, Funny Face, Starkist Tuna, Sugar Crisp, Nestle's Quik, M&Ms, etc.

[nickramer]

Well, I'm now convinced on buying this Commercial DVD. Even though there's not a full list, it sounds promising.

The only downside is that I the disc won't arrive until after Christmas according to Amazon.:(

[Valeyard]

Just to be a nice guy, I'm putting (unboxed) copies of 'Strangest Cartoons' in with the pre-orders. Joy of Life isn't the best copy- but watchable... I hope to get a really nice print at some point.


You, Steve, are the man!

Thanks!

[Jeffitarian]

You, Steve, are the man!

Thanks!

I second that. Counting the two pre-release DVDs plus the Strangest Cartoons disc, that makes four DVDs for the price of one! Merry Christmas indeed!:D

[zavkram]

Well, I'm now convinced on buying this Commercial DVD. Even though there's not a full list, it sounds promising.

The only downside is that I the disc won't arrive until after Christmas according to Amazon.:(

Still... you'll have something to chase away those post-holiday blues! :)

[Steve Stanch]

All but a handful of the DVDs were shipped today- the rest tomorrow! Thanks everyone for the orders...

Also- If you order the Commercial DVD from Thunderbean's Amazon marketplace I'll send it the same day (I think they sell it too-but I have 'em in stock...)

[Gossamer]

All but a handful of the DVDs were shipped today- the rest tomorrow! Thanks everyone for the orders...

Also- If you order the Commercial DVD from Thunderbean's Amazon marketplace I'll send it the same day (I think they sell it too-but I have 'em in stock...)

Cartoon Commercials indicated it was currently "Unavailable" and had one Marketplace listing for $14.95 (presumably yours-I didn't look). Amazon has also been listing one of your DVDs as "currently unavailable" and someone has a Marketplace listing of $399.95 (Van Beuren Studios, Vol 1).

Did you get my Paypal payment for the Uncensored Animation DVD? I never received an e-mail from Paypal, but the payment cleared.

Robert Reynolds
Tucson AZ

[Steve Stanch]

All the orders are sent, mostly via priority mail! I'll have to look through to see if your went through- email me....

Thanks again list for the support. People should be getting them in the mail in the next few days (let's hope all get there before Christmas- though the ones going to Italy, England, Australia and other places won't most likely...)

[Bradskey]

Got mine today, including the freebies and the "Strangest" DVD (overlooked that one -- thanks.)

[Magpie]

Just got Return of the 30s Characters in the mail today.:) :bosko:

[FleischerFan]

Got mine in the mail today!

What a deal - 4 discs for the price of 1.

Thanks, Steve! I have a little vacation time coming in the week after Christmas, so I will hopefully be able to plow through these!

[Gasmask Ted]

Received the great package. In the event there's time to correct the disc art, it has a copyright date of 2007...

[Bradskey]

Received the great package. In the event there's time to correct the disc art, it has a copyright date of 2007...

Also says "Pre-Release For GACers", cool! Another minor error, in the liner notes one of the pages, sorry I forget which one, had some random out-of-place text at the bottom that actually comes from the next "page".

I watched the first couple of cartoons on Uncensored Animation. I liked "A Close Call' because I thought the animation was decent, even if the attempts at perspective were a bit odd/awkward at times, and the rudimentary story was good (or I guess I'm impressed that there was a story and the cartoon didn't just end). What is the deal behind those weird mechanical horses that show up in so many cartoons of this vintage?

Then I watched Circus Capers. Instead of the usual generic Aesop Fables mice it has a pair that you will swear are Mickey and Minnie when they first appear. No doubt this rip-off pair got Walt's dander up, never mind he had been ripping off Terry's funny animals his entire career. Looking forward to watching more on this disc and hearing the commentaries.

Then I stuck in the 30s Cartoon Rarities disc and just by chance played Tight Rope Tricks, a retitled Tom and Jerry cartoon. It opens with animation almost wholly lifted from the Circus Capers cartoon I had just watched, with our heroes "Dick and Larry" substituted for a baton-wield cat. Then you see nearly the same voluptuous fat lady from Circus Capers, and a similar repeat of the diving horse trick before this film finally morphs into its own cartoon.

Anyway, I have a generally low opinion of Alpha Video, so although the cartoons on the giveaway discs are almost all poor retitled TV prints, all of them aren't as awful in quality as I had imagined. A few of them certainly are though, go Alpha! But hey, it was free, and the selection is certainly interesting.

[Valeyard]

Got mine today as well. Haven't had time to scan through them yet but will once my vacation starts.

Thanks for the speedy shipping, Steve! It's perfect present for the holidays.

[Tom Stathes]

I liked "A Close Call' because I thought the animation was decent, even if the attempts at perspective were a bit odd/awkward at times, and the rudimentary story was good (or I guess I'm impressed that there was a story and the cartoon didn't just end). What is the deal behind those weird mechanical horses that show up in so many cartoons of this vintage?

A CLOSE CALL is one of the tail-end cartoons depicting mechanical horses which were very common in 1920s cartoons, especially from Terry. One guess is that they were much easier and quicker to animate. Also, there are no functional ones in real life which makes for a cartoonish gag.

Anyway, I have a generally low opinion of Alpha Video, so although the cartoons on the giveaway discs are almost all poor retitled TV prints, all of them aren't as awful in quality as I had imagined. A few of them certainly are though, go Alpha! But hey, it was free, and the selection is certainly interesting.

Circa 1990, Alpha put out run-of-the-mill PD cartoon collections but actually in good quality with nice, decent packaging. Now, as in the case with the Cartoon Rarities discs, they pay a low amount for the video material sourced elsewhere. It does not exactly pay for the source to invest much more in the prints considering the return.

[Bradskey]

A CLOSE CALL is one of the tail-end cartoons depicting mechanical horses which were very common in 1920s cartoons, especially from Terry. One guess is that they were much easier and quicker to animate. Also, there are no functional ones in real life which makes for a cartoonish gag.

Interesting. I also remember Disney ripping off the mechanized horse gag in at least one or two Oswald films, and then later Harman/Ising/Freleng/etc using it in a Bosko or something I think. Seems to me if Terry had been less of a sweatshop and more character driven he would have had a case against pretty much everybody ripping off his work before they finally started innovating some time after 1930-32, although his untimely split with Van Beuren would have made it difficult I guess. Strange that he did finally assert rights to his one recognizable character Farmer Alfalfa. Then there was Julius -- that didn't bother Sullivan or Messmer?



Circa 1990, Alpha put out run-of-the-mill PD cartoon collections but actually in good quality with nice, decent packaging. Now, as in the case with the Cartoon Rarities discs, they pay a low amount for the video material sourced elsewhere. It does not exactly pay for the source to invest much more in the prints considering the return.

I guess you get what you pay for then -- not much.

[lonesome-lenny]

Hi Steve,

Rec'd my copy in today's mail! Thanks for such fast shipping.

Your essay on the ghettoization of more obscure cartoons was well-done. What you said needed to be said, to counter the "official" version of animation history.

Can't wait to see JUNGLE JAM, a cartoon that once gave me nightmares! Talk about confrontation therapy...

Merry Xmas to you!

[Jack G.]

Recieved mine Monday. Won't be able to watch 'till after Christmas.

But it's nice to have all the extra goodies with the pre-release. :)

[Noisejunkie]

Steve,

I have not received my copy of "Uncensored Animation" yet and I sent you the money a few weeks ago. I tried to send you a message, but it said your message box was full. I would greatly appreciate it if you could tell me if you received my payment or not. Thanks in advance.

Brian Marshall
Indianapolis, IN

[Jeffitarian]

Sounds like a good package! Looks like I'll have these babies waiting for me when I come back from the mainland.

Mele Kalikimaka!

(I think that's how you spell it. :) )

[zavkram]

I got mine in the mail on Monday. I watched most of it at 3:00 AM on Wednesday after I got my new DVD player, "rabbit ears" and Digital Converter Box hooked up to my TV set.

I like the cover art... it reminds me a little of "Ratfink"; that weird-looking character that used to adorn T-shirts and motorcycles.

Many Thanks, Steve! :)

[lonesome-lenny]

Great stuff! It's a joy to see decent restorations of these Van Beurens. Me and a friend watched the whole disc today, after a large Xmas meal at an Indian buffet...

Those are some wacked-out cartoons! I recalled what freaked me out about Jungle Jam. It's that scene where the cannibal king watches the voluptous tattoo on Jerry's chest. The way the animator drew him with one eye... and then the way the cannibal dude closes his eye and mouth... the way they scrunch up... aaaaaaggggghhhhh, that's freaky!

Rough on Rats remains among the most disturbing cartoons ever. Doughnuts was a delightful surprise... some genuinely fine animation throughout. Laundry Blues represents some kind of twisted apex of cultural profiling... the Chinese Hassidic Jew is hard to top!

I was surprised to see some Jim Tyer animation in the second Amos & Andy cartoon, The Lion Tamer. Those are curious cartoons. It's odd to see such dialogue-heavy, un-cartoony cartoons, with such reserved, mannered animation. They're as close as classic cartoons get to the likes of The Flintstones.

We also sampled the bonus "world's strangest cartoons" disc. The Little King Van Beuren on that disc, The Fatal Note, is an orgy of early Jim Tyer animation. He seems to have done everything except some of the close-ups. The crowd scenes, with myriad Tyer characters, are amazing.

We were most freaked out by Sniffy Escapes Poisoning. Such lavish animation, yet so primitive... and so many un-PC caricatures amongst those forbidden pills!

Monkey Doodles also did a number on our heads. My friend Jim commented: "This is the work of an obvious paranoid schizophrenic." Dazzling animation recognized, but I must agree. "What possible audience could this have been made for?" Jim asked.

"Other paranoid schizophrenics," I replied.

I think we will both refer to "that cleaaaaarrrrrr... cleaaaaannnnnn... taste" for some time to come.

Thanks for the cartoon orgy, Steve! It made my Xmas day!

[Ratso]

Those are some wacked-out cartoons!... aaaaaaggggghhhhh, that's freaky!...
"This is the work of an obvious paranoid schizophrenic." Dazzling animation recognized, but I must agree. "What possible audience could this have been made for?" Jim asked.
"Other paranoid schizophrenics," I replied.
I think we will both refer to "that cleaaaaarrrrrr... cleaaaaannnnnn... taste" for some time to come.

Sounds like you boys have been augmenting your cartoons with some of that wacky tobacky!

Still waiting for my package to arrive, and hoping I get the 3 bonus discs, too!

[Noisejunkie]

Mine finally came! Looks like I got some cartoon-watching to do. I've only seen five so far, but I like what I see.

[cpdavison]

My copies came yesterday. Thanks loads, Steve.

I'm impressed by what I've seen so far on both the Thunderbean and Alpha discs. If'n I can watch them all I'll try to organize my thoughts into a blog post.

Craig D.

[jazzman78]

I got my copy yesterday and I watched it last night. I haven't seen about half the cartoons and the other half of the cartoons either from the old Snappy VHS tapes - the PD DVD's. For me it was a treat to seen the Amos 'n' Andy's with the original titles. This dvd is quite an improvements over the common versions. Of the cartoons that were new to me my favorites are "laundry Blues", "Panicky Pup", "Rough on Rat's" & "Donuts".

The only problem that I had was with the menus - they were slow to navigate through especially going back to he main menu it would some times come up with a "dirty disc" error. It's hard to say but it just could have been my copy.

Good job Steve,

HS

[lonesome-lenny]

The only problem that I had was with the menus - they were slow to navigate through especially going back to he main menu it would some times come up with a "dirty disc" error. It's hard to say but it just could have been my copy.

I encountered the same problem when I watched the disc on my friend Jim's Mac. Plays jus' fine on my standalone DVD player.

(And, to answer Ratso, Jim and I were stone cold sober as we watched these cartoons. Obviously, you haven't experienced them yet... but you'll see... you'll seeeeeeeeeeee.....)

[craigoman8]

My disks arrived today. Lots of fun. I've got a few days off from work, so some time will be spent viewing these. Great job, Steve. To quote others, you are the man! -Craig

[Steve Stanch]

I'm glad you folks like the DVD! It was a fun one to put together. Doughnuts is one of my favorites along with Rough on Rats. Mark Kausler and Jerry Beck did a few nice commentaries for the DVD. I was so busy putting together the disc that I didn't get to do the few ones I wanted to; maybe when it gets the 'official' release. Chris Buchman is working on some more notes as well.

There's great spirit in Doughnuts, Rough on Rats and most of the VB cartoons in 1933 and 34. Finally seeing some of the missing links of the VBs like Panicky Pup has been a lot of fun.

The hardest thing about about putting together the newest collections is getting decent material (or sometimes ANY material) on some of the films. Again, the collectors have been amazing in letting me borrow and transfer films that otherwise are nearly impossible to find.

I'm on a hunt right now to complete or improve some of the material for the RAINBOW PARADES and TODDLE TALES DVD- so if anyone has any good color material Pastry Town Wedding, Chinese lanterns, the Parrottvilles or other early ones in the series up through Bird Scouts, please let me know! I've managed to find all of them in color and have transfers of most that are pretty good- others that require a combination of prints to make them look decent....though Chinese Lanterns is being restored by UCLA, so their print is not available to use. I found a link to someone that had SPINNING MICE in 35 nitrate, without title cards, though I haven't been able to get in touch with the poster.
I have 3 prints transferred from 16mm though, and it's looking nice. Picnic Panic looks very nice, as does some others... Sunshine Makers is astonishing- from 35mm nitrate.

With Uncensored, I had a similar issue with these burns on a Mac after I sent the discs- though they usually play fine. It could be the burner I used on them. If anyone has a disc with any problem, of course I'll send another.

[Ratso]

Still waiting for the parcel in San Francisco. Maybe you shipped it via Media Mail? (Not panicked yet, just can't wait to see 'em!).

CR~~

[DDC]

Recieved mine yesterday, I haven't had much of chance to look at it yet, but I am hoping to make my way through what looks like another great collection in the next few days.

[FleischerFan]

Just started my way through The Strangest Cartoons Ever Made disc and I have a couple of questions for Steve.

1.) Was "Monkeydoodles" pieced together from two different sources? It has several sections where the print looks a little fuzzier and the soundtrack goes temporarily silent although the characters are clearly moving their mouths.

2.) The nudity in "Monkeydoodles" was a little surprising. How did the cartoon's producers expect to get around cartoon censorship? While Fleischer and Van Beuren would get a bit risque, they never has anything as out there as what's in this cartoon.

3.) The copyright says 2008, yet this DVD is not listed on your site. Why?

Thanks again for all the great animation in 2008. Here's hoping 2009 is even better!

[Tom Stathes]

Don't mean to interject, but....
If Monkey Doodle was released, then it was before the Hayes Code. And if those nude scenes are in the silent portions of the new composite print, then it means the film had obviously been edited for release or for television.
The silent portions are sourced from home movie prints which many times used original versions from the producers themselves (or old stuff sitting around labs), which would not have been butchered by censors until being released or later on in years.

[Steve Stanch]

Just started my way through The Strangest Cartoons Ever Made disc and I have a couple of questions for Steve.

1.) Was "Monkeydoodles" pieced together from two different sources? It has several sections where the print looks a little fuzzier and the soundtrack goes temporarily silent although the characters are clearly moving their mouths.

2.) The nudity in "Monkeydoodles" was a little surprising. How did the cartoon's producers expect to get around cartoon censorship? While Fleischer and Van Beuren would get a bit risque, they never has anything as out there as what's in this cartoon.

3.) The copyright says 2008, yet this DVD is not listed on your site. Why?

Thanks again for all the great animation in 2008. Here's hoping 2009 is even better!

The print of Monkey Doodle is from 4 sources! The first print I found of the film was in 1987- A KRAZYTOONS print. A handful of collectors have prints with the original titles now (including the head at the beginning). I do wish an absolute complete sound copy would show up- but chances are it never will. The print used on the dvd is mostly from one very nice old original print with a few sections that had been spliced in from another print- and a few shots from another sound print still missing, and then the silent version.

UCLA has a 35mm print of the film without the cut things, so those shots (the strange nude footage) never made it into the original release in the 30's- so how it ended up in the silent print is most likely from a sale of the material by Elton, or who knows. you get Cultoons, volume 1, you can see Les Elton's other film, The Hobo Hero.

Strangest cartoons was made specifically to sell to a distributor called Victory Mutimedia. I've had victory distribute a few other titles for me, but what tends to happen is that if a distributor sells your dvds, they sell to a mega retailer who lists them on Amazon for a dollar or less than they pay- charging more for shipping... it kills any business beyond the ones you are selling them, so as a little producer it's hard to make back anything unless they sell a LOT- and from experience they really don't sell many. I've learned that as a little producer it's best to sell myself since it's specialty product. Strangest will vanish eventually....

[zavkram]

I watched "The Peanut Vendor" (AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!) the other day; I'm surprised I haven't had nightmares yet! :D

[Nelson]

Steve, is you read this, but how hard is it to track down 35mm prints of the Van Bueren cartoons?

[Tom Stathes]

I think Steve mentioned once being loaned 35mm theatrical reissue prints by a collector, am I right? I haven't seen any nitrates for sale in my years of collecting, though. Just some silent stuff and the occasional Ub Iwerks film, etc.

[Steve Stanch]

Yes- it's pretty hard to track down prints in 35mm of Van Beurens, or really too many of ANY studios. There are a lot of 40's and 50's (and later) prints floating around of famous studios and Warners cartoons, and some Columbias- but the Van Beurens are as rare as hen's teeth. Tom is right about those 35mm nitrate prints... here's what I've heard of/ seen/ transferred in 20 years of collecting :

A bunch of reels (from the same collector) of 'cartoon parades' from North Star pictures. They retitled original release prints and sent the films around as cartoon parades. They must have just looked at the 35mm frame when retitling- sometimes they got the title wrong (my favorite waws 'Jungle Sam' instead of 'Jungle Jam'. I transferred all those reels back in 1991 or thereabouts.

Since then, I've seen 35mm prints of the 2 Amos and Andy cartoons (but didn't get them- the collector who did get them didn't return emails), a 35mm of Spinning Mice without titles, 35 Sunshine Makers, Fairyland Follies, Chinese Lanterns and a few others. David Shepherd has the progressive negs and check prints to all of the Rainbow Parades starting with Molly Moo and the Indians; where the other negs and prints went is anyone's guess. I heard from another collector that he had part of Parrottville Fire Department, though these days he says he's never seen or had it!

35mm lavenders (print materials) for many of the Cubby Bears were once sent to Keith Smith at Modern sound pictures to make 16mm negs from when he licensed the films. He may have done printdowns (a direct 35mm to 16mm copy) from them for his 16mm prints....those are the most beautiful prints you've ever seen in 16.... he told me he had to destroy the 35mm nitrate material by order of the fire mashall sometime in the late 50's or early 60's.

So... yes. HARD to find!

Steve

[cpdavison]

HERE (http://who-really-cares-anyway.blogspot.com/2009/01/craigs-cartoon-corner.html) is my review, FWIW...

Craig D.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bneoRnNbfNE/SV_W1GXeeqI/AAAAAAAAB-k/dXGXH6K0eWc/s400/Office+Boy+2.JPG

[Lee Glover]

I watched the "Uncensored Animation" disc all through this weekend, and like all the other Thunderbean DVDs, it's great stuff! ;)

I'm a huge fan of the Van Beuren shorts, and this disc has everything I love about them: the Gene Rodemich scores, surreal gags, and its crude and inconsistent animation (the male mouse in "Circus Capers" ended up looking like a bear towards the end! :eek: ).

My faves are "The Office Boy", "Panicky Pup", and "Rough on Rats" (although the bacon-slicer scenes are a little upsetting to watch). "Laundry Blues" is one of the most bizzare cartoons I've ever seen. :D

I do plan to watch the other 3 discs during the next few weekends (best time to watch these gems, I believe). ;)

Thanks again for the discs, Steve! :)

[Magpie]

Got mine today...thanks Steve!:)