Pettin' in the Park

This is the third and last of the Merrie Melodies cartoons based on the songs of Gold Diggers of 1933 included in that movie's DVD. The first part has a policeman and a maid trying to woo each other on a park bench. Things seem to go well until an animal accidentally pinches the maid's behind. So she moves to someone with a car. After that part is over, we then segue to a swimming sequence. The seems really show in how there was only so much time one could use the title song for the first part before the animators knew they had to fill up the short's standard 6-minute running time. So no, Pettin' in the Park is no great shakes but interesting enough if you like looking at these early talkie cartoons.

I think the term 'petting in the park' didn't quite mean in the 1930s what it means today! The title when seen today certainly seems a bit risque! As for the cartoon, it's anything but risque!

The cartoon is set in a park. All the birds as well as a cop are trying to make it with their sweeties...though no actual petting occurs. Suddenly and without any real reason or transition, there's a poster announcing a water carnival and the remainder of the cartoon is an animal olympics sort of competition.

So is it any good? Well, yes and no. The animation quality is quite nice for 1934. But the singing and cute look of the cartoon are definite turnoffs...though fortunately this only is a problem at the beginning of the short. Overall, there aren't a lot of laughs but it's pleasant enough viewing...and odd seeing penguins and ostriches among the birds in this bizarro park!

Here is another cartoon by Warner Brothers that is plugging a song from its movie, "Gold Diggers Of 1933." This one doesn't have a tenth of the clever and zany scenes 'I've Got To Sing A Torch Song" did, and so it doesn't offer much in the way of entertainment except for the catchy title song. I have to admit I like the title song and it's the highlight of the short animated film.

What we get are birds of all kinds and a few people kissing in the park and singing, followed by a diving contest between several big birds, and then a swimming race, which has the best humor in the cartoon. Seeing the ostrich run through the water is pretty funny. Oveall, however, the cartoon is no big deal.