Shinbone Alley

1970's "Shinbone Alley" was adapted from the Broadway presentation of humorist Don Marquis' Evening Sun creations Archy and Mehitabel, first popularized during World War I, Archy a poetic cockroach composing fanciful verses about alley cat Mehitabel. By 1954 a musical album was recorded with Eddie Bracken as Archy and Carol Channing as Mehitabel, later done for Broadway with Mel Brooks as coauthor (Eartha Kitt replacing Channing), and this became the basis for the movie produced by Fine Arts Films, retaining the original stars in their signature roles. Archy emerges from the river a lowly, ugly cockroach, having been a poet who once wondered what it might be like to be an insect, 'transmutated' into one after suicide by drowning, and still infatuated with loose and lusty feline Mehitabel. By night the composer of stories on an abandoned typewriter in an empty office, Archy paints a portrait of Mehitabel's wayward nature, always hoping that she'll make something better of herself but unable to resist the persistent advances of tomcat Big Bill (Alan Reed, best remembered as Fred Flintstone). Abandoned as always, she hardly thinks twice about turning over a new leaf when 'simple, unassuming genius' Tyrone T. Tattersall (John Carradine) serenades her with promises to make her a star, sweeping her off her feet to join him for Shakespeare at the local theater. Unfortunately, despite her constant feeding of his ravenous appetite, this entrepreneur proves dismissive of her acting talents, which may be more impressive than his due to her penchant for literally singing the praises of Romeo and Juliet. Banished for taking too many bows at her expense, Tattersall is rapidly replaced by Big Bill, whose seductive ways do not include fatherhood, Mehitabel's newborn litter putting a cramp in her style until Archy suggests a new occupation as housecat to get through the winter cold. The music is plentiful and the cast excellent, Carol Channing's persona expertly rendered in shapely feline form, alternately purring and spitting at the hapless Archy, whose infatuation finally results in a day of reckoning to see all the hep cats rejoice when Mehitabel makes a triumphant return to Shinbone Alley. The true revelation is John Carradine, whose basso profundo was rarely displayed on screen but was heard on Broadway in the early 60s as Marcus Lycus opposite Zero Mostel in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." It's likely that he was familiar with the original 1957 musical and requested the part of the Shakespearean alley cat, obviously tailor made for his unique gifts, and offering plenty of screen time to show off his 'grand manner' (he renders three songs: "Come to Meeoww," "They Don't Have It Here," and "Romeo and Juliet"). Released by Allied Artists, still in business after outgrowing its Monogram roots, the picture was neither a critical nor box office success, the filmmakers clearly inspired by The Beatles' "Yellow Submarine," a devoted cult following but not really aimed at children. A promotional two reel short narrated by Carradine was also completed, "The Incredible Art of Animation: A Living Art Form," offering behind the scenes footage of the filmmakers at work, plus the leading players acting out their roles for the soundtrack.

"shinbone alley" is one of the most powerful and interesting animated features I've ever seen. It is also one of the most mismarketed animated features as well. The distributor, Allied Artists, states in this add that it is "SOPHISTICATED ENOUGH FOR KIDS".

It is not. Kids simply won't understand the dark humor of the Don Marquis stories and the Mel Brooks-Joe Darion musical on which this is based. They'll also be brought down by the bleak tone of the film, which opens with what I'll simply describe as suicide, to spare your feelings.

However, I highly recommend this film to older teenagers and adults. "shinbone alley" is a visionary wonder; kind of like "Yellow Submarine" combined with "Dark City". The story involves archy (voiced by Eddie Bracken), a lovesick roach who is the reincarnation of the suicide victim in the opening moments. (The title of the film and names of characters are written in lower case on purpose; one of the plot strands is that archy writes essays and poems on a typewriter by jumping on the keys; in his human form, archy was a lovesick poet) The object of his affections is mehitabel (Carol Channing), a cat who I'll simply describe as the town floozy. Basically, the film is about their friendship and various trials and tribulations.

"shinbone alley" is bleak, but what visuals! New York is used as a backdrop for various psychodelic musical numbers lifted from the musical. The songs are very good here. As in all great musicals, they enhance the story instead of being set pieces. The vocal performances are excellent as well, especially Carol Channing as mehitabel. I don't understand why most people are down on Channing's vocals. I think she's perfectly cast as mehitabel and is an asset to the success of the film. Eddie Bracken is also well cast as archy and I think he is responsible for much of the humor infused in the character. And Flintstones fans will recognize Alan Reed as the boss cat in the gang mehitabel hangs around.

"shinbone alley" is a wonderful movie, but I urge all parents to take my advice and not to let their kids see this film. It has parts in it that made me break down and I'm sure kids will take it even harder. But is a rewarding experience for teens and adults.

**** out of 4 stars

SHINBONE ALLEY is a fascinating mess. Given the discussions of sexual morality and that one musical number with the prostitute ladybugs, I'm going to assume this was not meant for children. It's a musical, but the songs are mostly forgettable. I only watched this movie last night and aside from Carol Channing's jazzy rendition of Shakespeare, I cannot hum any of it.

The story is very loose, more a character piece than a full-bodied narrative. The cockroach poet Archy is in love with the seductive alley cat Mehitabel, and in a Pygmalion impulse, seeks to tame her freewheeling ways in the guise of protecting her from predatory men. The film is also a member of that MOST 60s/70s of film genres-- the "New York City is an urban hell" film best exemplified by TAXI DRIVER.

On the whole, this is all interesting, but it can be a chore to watch. A lot of the characters just shout and screech their lines, and the story's meandering becomes tiresome.

I have been a fan of archy and mehitabel for a long time. I like don marquis's commentary of life using a cockroach to speak for him. The animated film has music and wonderful voices to supplement the books of his columns. I have known several children that love the film too. It is not too depressing. Quite the opposite. archy and mehitabel show a remarkable joy of life even as they suffer from being an insect or an alley cat. Carol Channing was a favorite of mine for as long as I knew her. Her voice is unmistakable. Who else could have done Romeo & Juliette with such zest! Some of the musical scenes such as "flotsam & jetsam" are outstanding. archy's wonder of the passions of the world at ground level gives one pause for thought. He even envies a moth that wants to burn itself to death because of its desire for that one brief moment of intense beauty. He no longer wants to kill himself when he experiences so much richness, however mean and coarse it might be.

I remember seeing this back in the Early-Mid 80's during a Holiday weekday on STV. Obviously the station realised too late that this was not your typical Kiddy Fodder as it was never shown again (a minor miracle for anyone who knows STV). I'm not surprised.

It was Soooo depressing. Suicide-Unrequited Love-Sleaze-Despair. Fun viewing for all the Family. Has to be said though that it did stick in my mind, though maybe not for the right reasons.

An odd curiosity that was very out of place for its time. Can't believe it was made in the 70's.

Probably traumatised more kids than Bambis' Mother.