Thank You Mask Man

Thank You Mask Man is featured as a bonus on the DVD of the Lenny Bruce performance film, and I was very glad I watched it. It reminded me of what I saw once in a Carlin special from the 80s where he put in little animated bits that all visualized his bits. That this comes more than a few years before that is impressive, but more so that it actually works to fit the riff-style comedy that Bruce excelled at. This is basically drawn like, well, basics- the comic-strip characters could've been taken out of any newspaper or other, and it's all crude to the point of not having to focus as much on it. Perhaps most of the strengths, aside from the curious, off-kilter nature of the drawings, do spring out of the material, as a story of a bunch of people having to deal with a 'masked man' on a horse. It happens to be a good Bruce bit on its own, but then the curious thing does happen that towards the end of the film- when the townspeople then all taunt Masked Man to be gay- the comedy and the look of the film do totally gel somehow. That Bruce is also behind a good part of the style of the picture himself probably explains how some of the same inspired dementia in this story in particular (one with an absurdity to it but also some truth sprinkled around) merges with simplistically weird animation. It's probably not one of my favorites ever, to be sure, but I had a lot of fun watching it, as a crazy little anecdote given life and still kicking more than forty years later.

Usually most (controversial) cartoons are done in Hollywood and they are made by such as Disney, Warner Brothers, MGM, Universal and Paramount and the make fun of Japanese and black people. This one is an independent film and it makes fun of homosexuals. This short subject is the earliest form of "Stanimation" (basically it is a cartoon, in which the soundtrack is nothing but a stand-up comedy act) before Comedy Central's "Shorties watching Shorties". If I am making a Top 11 list of controversial cartoons, this would be number one. The rest will be all Hollywood-made. Be surprised who made this cartoon. Could you guess? Jeff Hale. Now what's he known for, apart from playing Auggie Ben Doggie in "Hardware Wars" (1977)? Give up? He is known for doing the Ringmaster segments, the Typewriter guy skits and the Pinball Machine sequences from "Sesame Street". I bet you are all surprised now by the time you are done reading this comment.

Bottom line: Not suitable for children.

Not rated: but a PG-13 would do fine due to all the language and sexual references going on.

This short video must be viewed with a grain of salt. You must also view it with the understanding of the times. The Lone Ranger (spoof) makes a huge issue about why he never sticks around after helping the town. He doesn't want to stick around for his "Thank you, Masked Man". Then he finally does, and we see an immediate change in attitude. Then the truth comes out! You must watch this over and over again, to understand everything the people say, as with Lenny Bruce...he's a fast talker. Quite ingenious. A must see. A classic of it's own. I would say, most people that rented the "Performance Film" never saw this cartoon, because it was after the credits.

This short comic is outright hilarious. My brothers and I saw it once about 15 years ago and recorded it on a cassette and passed it out to everyone we knew. We haven't stopped laughing about it or watching it since. We just ordered it on disc and can't wait until it arrives. My best friend is gay and could not stop laughing through the entire show.We have gotten dozens and dozens of people hooked on this short cartoon. We are trying to find other short cartoons like this one. I can't seem to find any more by this particular comedian.If anyone knows of any, please let me know. I would definitely recommend this to anyone.

Classic Lenny!

I found this on a 'Cartoon Scandals' video that I picked up in Philly in 1989. Since I can't find this anywhere else, I kept this video even though I've been changing to DVD's.

The way the story unfolds is actually pretty good. And pay attention because he fills it with non sequitors. ("How many times did he take out the garbage? Sweep the yard?")

The best line? "I like what they do with fags, they put them in jail with other men. Very clever."

Despite the limited animation, this is well worth owning. I've never seen animation like this anywhere else either come to think of it.

I only wish it were easier to find.