Granite Hotel

Will admit to really not caring for the previous Stone Age cartoons from the short lived and generally not particularly good 1940 series, comprising of 12 cartoons, from Fleischer Studios. They were not unwatchable as such, but one can see why the series didn't last long in what was by far the studio's worst period. Actually liked to loved a lot of their previous work namely throughout the 30s, but it does pain me to say that the decline in quality in the 40s was drastic and obvious.

Not all of the Stone Age cartoons were mediocre or less (found that most though were), and one of the exceptions is the fourth cartoon (third one being reviewed though as the first cartoon seems to be as of now unavailable) 'Granite Hotel'. Which to me is a very strong contender for the best of the series, and not just marginally but by some way. It is not my definition of a great cartoon, somewhat unexceptional, but there are a few major improvements here.

'Granite Hotel's' story is very slight and could have done with more momentum at times. Although the gags are generally not too bad for this series, they could have been fresher, being generally rehashes, and a few sharper in timing.

The cartoon can be corny as well and some familiarity with what is being referenced/played upon may be in order. Some of the characters could have had more personality rather than most being come and go, the most memorable character being the switchboard operator.

However, 'Granite Hotel' is one of the better looking cartoons in the series, and much more appealing than the previous Stone Age cartoons. Being smoother and having more attention to detail. Even better is the music, which was the best asset with all the cartoons in the series. It is suitably merry and lush and dynamic with what's going on.

In terms of the humour, 'Granite Hotel' is one of the funnier Stone Age cartoons by far. There are more gags than is usual for the series and they are mostly very amusing and don't feel repetitive or stale. The ending is particularly well done, and there is a strangeness that was appealing and a cuteness without being overly so. Jack Mercer is on voice acting duty with more to work with than with the 'Way Back When...' Stone Age cartoons and he has fun with it. The momentum is mostly there.

Summing up, decent as far as the series goes but unexceptional. 6/10

This short film by Fleischer Brothers is unusual for many reasons. First, unlike most of the Popeye and Betty Boop cartoons they made and were famous for, this cartoon is actually entertaining and original. While some of the humor is quite corny, it is about on par with what Warner Brothers was producing at the time. Second, in many ways, this cartoon seems like much of the inspiration for the much later Hanna-Barbera cartoon series, THE FLINTSTONES, as it is set in the stone age (along with MANY modern conveniences). Apart from Fred and Barney, the whole look of the short is very similar (though it is done in black and white and features higher quality animation than Hanna-Barbera).

All in all, a very strange but watchable curio. Give it a try.