The Bear That Couldn't Sleep

MGM had been distributing cartoons for nearly a decade in the 1930s by contracting with independent animated companies to make its cartoons. At the time Hollywood's biggest studio never originated any in-house animation. That all changed in the late 1930s when MGM created its first bonafide original cartoon character in the form of Barney Bear in June 1939's "The Bear That Couldn't Sleep."

MGM set up shop for its new cartoon department in March 1937, but it experienced a rocky beginning before the studio finally rolled out its new cartoon character, Barney Bear. The animated bear was a cross between actor Wallace Beery and one of its creators, Rudolf Ising, a pioneer in early animation. Ising was one of Walt Disney's original hires in Kansas City, and he helped launch Warner Brothers' Merrie Melodies in 1931. He and fellow artist Hugh Harman went independent a few years later and created 1935's 'The Plantation,' the first Technicolor three-strip cartoon after Disney's exclusive agreement with the company expired. MGM later contracted the pair to produce its 'Happy Harmonies' series, only to get fired in 1937 for going over budget. The head of the new MGM cartoon department, Fred Quimby, decided to rehire the two in October 1938, where Ising came up with Barney Bear.

"The Bear That Couldn't Sleep" introduced the public to Barney Bear, who appeared in 26 of his own cartoons from 1939 to 1954. His first appearance was outfitted with wrinkled clothes, six eyebrows and shaggy fur. In the inaugural cartoon the bear is preparing for the long winter in his underground hut when a series of disturbances continuously interrupts his sleep, including locking himself out of his own house. The red-eyed bear fails to get a wink of sleep throughout his hibernation as the warm weather rolls around. The success of the Barney Bear series assured MGM would continue to finance its own in-house team of animated artists. The cartoon department soon created its most popular series, 'Tom and Jerry,' under the creative geniuses of Joseph Barbera and William Hanna.

It's hibernation time but Barney Bear can't seem to get to sleep. It's always something keeping him awake. It's a Rudolf Ising cartoon. It's a classic story and the most obvious story for Barney Bear. He's a bear and he hibernates. It lends itself with a variety of issues. I am a little surprised that he doesn't get an antagonist. Otherwise it is very standard and very well made.

There's definitely a decent formula here to get a lot of relatable gags out of being unable to go to sleep, especially with all of the wacky distractions keeping Barney Bear (in his debut) from going to sleep. Unfortunately, director Rudolf Ising can't seem to find anything funny to put here, which you'd think would be an easy task for him considering that this short was inspired by his reported sleepy demeanor. Barney's sympathetic personality does shine through well enough, but the short's content comes off as more frustratingly sad than hilariously frustrating. If you want viewers to place themselves in this kind of character's shoes, make the situations they end up in humorous rather than merely painful, that way we can laugh with them while also feeling sorry for them.

To the short's credit, the animation done by the likes of Carl Urbano, Pete Burness, Mike Lah and more is pretty well done and Barney's house looks cozy from its mere decor alone. There are also a few interesting visual tricks that give the cartoon some surreal flair from time to time, including a particularly inspired sequence of Barney going nuts trying to count sheep. In addition, Scott Bradley's score remains delightfully intrinsic and fits nearly every scene that calls for musical accompaniment. That all said, none of these strong qualities can really save this short from its wasted potential. As Barney Bear's first ever appearance, it's an ok enough start, but as a short on its own, just watch the Warner Bros short What's Brewin Bruin? Instead to see this premise done better and funnier.

While not one of my favourite cartoon characters, Barney Bear was a very funny and likable character where his sluggishness was a huge part of his charm. He was also interesting for being modelled on both his creator Rudolf Ising (who also was his first voice actor until 1941) and the mannerisms of Wallace Beery.

His debut cartoon 'The Bear That Couldn't Sleep' is a great one. The story is predictable in a way, especially if you are familiar with the very familiar concept (having been done a lot in animation) well before seeing 'The Bear That Couldn't Sleep'. It is though executed very well, one does feel sorry for Barney and anybody who's been through his situation will empathise. It also excels in establishing Barney's personality and it was no surprise that he went on to have his own series shortly after. A good deal of them are very enjoyable but the quality didn't stay consistent. 'The Bear That Couldn't Sleep' is among the better ones.

The animation is colourful and beautifully drawn with fluid movements and meticulous attention to detail. The amount of detail given to Barney's character design was incredibly and it was a shame that it became simplified later on and lost its special uniqueness. The music, courtesy of Scott Bradley, is lushly and cleverly orchestrated, with lively and energetic rhythms and fits very well indeed, even enhancing the impact of actions and gestures. The pre-existing music of the likes of Brahms and Mendelssohn is inserted cleverly.

It's a beautifully timed and very funny cartoon too, while showing sympathy for the situation particularly at the end.

Barney is easy to like and one is with him every step of the way in his frustration of wanting a peaceful hibernation. Ising does a great job voicing Barney.

Overall, Barney's debut cartoon does him justice. 9/10 Bethany Cox

In the very first Barney Bear cartoon, our hero settles in for his long winter's nap..... but can't get to sleep. There's leaking water, and flapping shutters, and all the indignities that stops the knitting up of the raveled sleeve of care.

Rudy Ising had spent a decade working with Hugh Harman in producing soppy cartoons suitable for children who are heavily drugged and tied up, before he directed this charming and funny one. I give a lot of credit to Heck Allen, the uncredited writer. Judging by his later collaboration with Tex Avery, the man knew what was funny.