Joe Glow, the Firefly (1941)

[Gordan]

I just saw Chuch Jones' JOE GLOW, THE FIREFLY (1941) on Canadian MOVIEOLA TV channel. It's an interesting black and white cartoon, which takes place at night. I had never seen or heard about it before and I see on IMDB that the short is not available on either DVD or VHS.

I thought the film was quite good. This is one of those Jones' films that has the Disney feel; however it is a bit more unpredictable and a bit faster. I like the night setting, the film's use of perspectives (Interestingly, it was released the same year as the Fleischers' MR. BUG GOES TO TOWN). Also, there is only one line of dialogue in the film (is it called dialogue if there is only one line :rolleyes:?).

Anyway, what are your opinions of this cartoon?

[Pietro]

I first saw "Joe Glow" back in 1999, when I purchased it on volume five of the Shokus Video "Cartoon Collection" tapes.

I found it to be an enjoyable short. It seems as though Jones invites us to view the world through the eyes of an insect. He used a similar formula in a handful of other shorts during this period, such as "Porky's Ant" and "Porky's Midnight Matinee".

-Pietro:daffy:

[J Lee]

"Joe Glow" is a cartoon that really should be seen on the big screen, in order to appreciate what Jones did with the black & white medium. It was both the first non-starring character Looney Tune ever made, and Jones' first cartoon in B&W, and by setting it at night, he took full advantage of the ability to use shadows and gray tones, which really come across in a theater setting, due to the slower pace and quiteness of the short.

[rex racer]

I've a vhs version I recorded off of the old Nickelodeon Looney Tunes show back in the early 90's. Like most of you I thought it to be an excellent use of the black and white film medium, and the perspective work from a small insects point of view is first rate! I'm fairly certain this one will turn up on a Golden collection soon, probably when WB starts doing more themed collections featuring Jone's work...

[ltnut]

Joe Glow was on the Cartoon Craze Vol. 19 - Porky's Cafe DVD. It might not be the greatest copy, but it's the only place I've seen it on PD videos.

[Nick]

It was both the first non-starring character Looney Tune ever made, and Jones' first cartoon in B&W, and by setting it at night, he took full advantage of the ability to use shadows and gray tones, which really come across in a theater setting, due to the slower pace and quiteness of the short. Wasn't Tex Avery's "The Haunted Mouse" the first one-shot character Looney Tune made? I remember that it was released before "Joe Glow", but it may of been produced after.

[J Lee]

Wasn't Tex Avery's "The Haunted Mouse" the first one-shot character Looney Tune made? I remember that it was released before "Joe Glow", but it may of been produced after.

You're right -- I confused the release date for "Joe Glow" (March 6) and Jones' "Elmer's Pet Rabbit" (Jan 4) in my head when I posted. Avery's return ot B&W was released in-between those two dates.