Automaboule

NOTE: CONTAINS BRIEF SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Disney here combine two themes to create this cartoon. One is their version of the classic Jeckyl/Hyde story, the other being an exaggerated account of motorists when in their cars. The comedy is brilliant, the animation is superb, and although the cartoon is not the greatest thing since sliced bread, it is certainly one to look out

This cartoon short has probably been seen by more than nearly any other. Why? Because often drivers education classes used the film as a how-to on how NOT to behave behind the wheel.

It all begins with a Goofy-like character, Mr. Walker leaving his house in the morning. He's described as a lovely man...but once he gets behind the wheel, he undergoes a Jekyll and Hyde-like transformation into Mr. Wheeler....a selfish, angry jerk! He drives like a road hog, has no consideration for others and lets his anger control him...all very educational AND funny to watch at the same time...a very rare thing!! Well worth seeing.

Though the 1950s is far from my favorite decade as far as the Disney studios are concerned, there is no denying how awesome the Goofy cartoons were, especially under the direction of Jack Kinney. Motor Mania (1950) is among the best of the bunch. It features Goofy as a mild-mannered fellow who becomes a homicidal, road-raging maniac when put behind the wheel. Not only is it bizarre to see Goofy so malicious, but it's funny too, especially because many of the film's observations about the manners of drivers have not aged or become irrelevant. The pacing is great, gags both surreal and grounded in reality come flying at you with no mercy whatsoever-- a great time!

One of the finest Goofy films. Brilliant body language. The parallels between pedestrians / motorists to Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde and the other gags are funny and still hold up.

Certainly one of my favourites alongside Goofy Gymnastics. It is not just one of the funniest cartoons I've seen with its inspired Jekyll and Hyde vibe, but with the serious problem of motorists in cars it is also important. The animation is just wonderful, sometimes scary and sometimes cleverly exaggerated. The music is full of energy and never feels out of place, the humour is imaginatively timed in that it would tickle your funny bone in an appropriately jarring sort of way and the narration is sardonic and thoughtfully delivered by John McLeish. Goofy is a tour-De-force as Walker and Wheeler, lovable as the former and quite scary as the latter. All in all, a superb cartoon and one of the best that Goofy has been in. 10/10 Bethany Cox