OT: Jam Handy/Chevrolet Cartoons

[musicradio77]

Has anybody seen the Jam Handy/Chevrolet cartoons? As you may know, many of the old Chevrolet cartoons produced by the Jam Handy Organization. I found something from archive.org that they have a couple of cartoons from the 1930's that were made for Chevrolet by Jam Handy. Here are the following shorts as shown on the link:

1. "Down The Gasoline Trail" (http://www.archive.org/details/DowntheG1935) (1935 Jam Handy/Chevrolet)
2. "A Coach for Cinderella" (http://www.archive.org/details/Coachfor1936) (1936 Jam Handy/Chevrolet)
3. "A Ride for Cinderella" (http://www.archive.org/details/RideforC1937) (1937 Jam Handy/Chevrolet)
4. "Peg Leg Pedro" (http://www.archive.org/details/PegLegPe1938) (1938 Jam Handy/Chevrolet)
5. "The Princess and The Pauper" (http://www.archive.org/details/Princess1939) (1939 Jam Handy/Chevrolet)
6. "Something For Nothing" (1940 Jam Handy/Chevrolet)
7. "Drawing Account" (http://www.archive.org/details/DrawingA1941) (1941 Jam Handy/Chevrolet)

[Ray Pointer]

Yes. These would most accurately be referred to as the Nicky Nome series. Not only have I seen them, but I first heard about them 38 years ago when I first started working at Jam Handy. I don't know very much about the details other than the first, A COACH FOR CINDERELLA was done at the Detorit facility, directed by Frank Goldman. The follow up, A RIDE FOR CINDERELLA (1937) looks as though it was contracted out to west coast animatiors, as it resembles a Walter Lantz cartoon of the 1930s, and is more refined and skillful than the first. In all, they are very impressive, and a real eye-opener for those who have had the concept that cartoon animation was limited to only studio series characters in mainstream theatrical releases. These elaboratly animated Technicolor cartoons were produced for trade shows and fro the promotion of the new models of Chevrolet, which featured special shock absorbers and window vents that let air in, while keeping the weather out.

[TnAdct1]

Don't forget the most memorable of the Jam Handy/Chevrolet cartoon shorts: A Case of Spring Fever" ("NO SPRINGS!!!!" *whistle*).

[J. B. Warner]

Don't forget the most memorable of the Jam Handy/Chevrolet cartoon shorts: A Case of Spring Fever" ("NO SPRINGS!!!!" *whistle*).

I first read about that short in "Animation Art" by Jerry Beck. Then I saw it on "Mystery Science Theater 3000" and I kept falling out of my chair with laughter - of course, in regards to what Mike, Tom, and Crow were saying about it ("I dunno, I'd rather have A Case of Bass Ale", "Shouldn't this be over by now?", etc.)

[TnAdct1]

I first read about that short in "Animation Art" by Jerry Beck. Then I saw it on "Mystery Science Theater 3000" and I kept falling out of my chair with laughter - of course, in regards to what Mike, Tom, and Crow were saying about it ("I dunno, I'd rather have A Case of Bass Ale", "Shouldn't this be over by now?", etc.) Oh yeah, it was MST3K that first introduced me to this short, and the comments of Mike and the 'Bots and the evilness that is Coily, the Spring Sprite left in stitches throughout the short (and during a sketch that happened afterwards which involves Mikey, the Mike Sprite, removing Mike out of existance, only to realize that Tom and Crow don't mind his disappearance at all).

[Ray Pointer]

I first read about that short in "Animation Art" by Jerry Beck. Then I saw it on "Mystery Science Theater 3000" and I kept falling out of my chair with laughter - of course, in regards to what Mike, Tom, and Crow were saying about it ("I dunno, I'd rather have A Case of Bass Ale", "Shouldn't this be over by now?", etc.)

If you are referring to the chapter on "Industrial Strength Animation," I was the author of that section, as well as three others in thre recent ANIMATION ART from Flame Tree Press.

[MF TOON]

Funny you should mention this as I just watched them all (on DVD) earlier this afternoon. I found some of the cartoons more interesting than others, they certainly have their charm but some of the rough character designs in the early shorts and pacing seem to lag in a few of the productions... certainly no "Merry Oldsmobile" but worth checking out!

[frizfrelengfan]

The Nicky Nome cartoons don't have the humor of Looney Tunes, the surrealism of Fleischer, or memorable music. But they're professionally done, and enjoyable. They even show a little bit about how cars work.

[musicradio77]

The Nicky Nome cartoons don't have the humor of Looney Tunes, the surrealism of Fleischer, or memorable music. But they're professionally done, and enjoyable. They even show a little bit about how cars work.

You're right, the cartoons that I'm referring to was the Nicky Nome series. Jam Handy produced several of the Nicky Nome series for a car dealer Chevrolet. It was one of the rarest cartoons ever in the history of advertising. Think back to "Boy Meets Dog" was a Walter Lantz cartoon. The commercial for a toothpaste was Ipanta was in the cartoon. Just like Jam Handy/Chevrolet cartoons did. The cartoons as I said at the top of the thread was rare. It was kinda more like Flesicher's Color Classics or Iwerks' Comi-Color cartoons. I found this picture off the other website for old cars.

http://www.dyna.co.za/cars/Chevrolet_36_Boattail_Sedan_sf3.jpg

[Ray Pointer]

The Nicky Nome cartoons don't have the humor of Looney Tunes, the surrealism of Fleischer, or memorable music. But they're professionally done, and enjoyable. They even show a little bit about how cars work.

The music is rather good, and the "Cinderella" theme is memorable, as it is repeated throughout each cartoon, as well as being reused to maintain a consistency. The scores are equal to any Hollywood cartoon, which adds a great deal to their atmosphere, charm, and excitement. Although these cartoons do not have the "humor" of LOONEY TUNES, there were not required to have it.

Industrial films are more "straight" in their storytelling, as their purpose is to showcase a sponsor's product. Because of this, the puns and gags must support and compliment the product, not overshadow it to get a laugh for its own sake. This is yet another aspect of animation, and a most pracitcal commercial application. In this respect, the overall impression of the production values has a psychological effect that creates a positive impression that encourges buying, and/or stimulates sales agents. That is the purpose of these cartoons first, and foremost.

[Chow Hound]

I've only seen the Springs one on MST3K, like others here. I was thinking of buying the "History of Advertising Animation" DVDs. Can anyone here who has seen these DVDs please tell me if they think they are worth getting?

Thanks