Hollywood Capers

Despite the best efforts of the security guard, "Beans" - one of the "Boston Beans" don't you know, manages to smuggle himself into the Warner Bros. Set disguised as Oliver Hardy and to gatecrash a film shoot (which might well have been the best thing that could have happened to it!). With the ambidextrous turtle providing the soundtrack, "Beans" is soon causing chaos and gets chucked out - only to find himself on one of James Whale's fully plugged in Frankenstein sets! Even more mayhem now ensues as the monster wakes up and runs riot. Somehow "Beans" has to put things right whilst there's still studio left standing. It's quite good fun, this animation, with plenty going on and a bit of insider Hollywood humour to keep it a bit different.

"Beans," one of Boston Beans (according to him) gets rudely rebuffed from entering "Warmer Brothers" studio. In fact, he gets thrown out twice, once at the entrance in his car, and later, bodily given the heave-ho out of the studio.

There is no real story here, just Beans getting into the studio, accidentally getting in the way, accidentally pulling a switch and bringing the Frankenstein monster to life, and then dealing with him. The "story" has a very abrupt ending.

Humorous moments included the dancing camera on tripod; bartender playing music to cash register keys and the monster eating the camera, spitting it out and adjusting his jaw.

Although there wasn't much to it, I enjoyed it. The scenes were fast-moving and you have to keep in mind this was made over 70 years ago. This was part of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 3 DVD.

Some naive critics have often dismissed Beans as a character with little (or perhaps having no) personality. I wonder if they know what they're saying? If you were to ask me to describe Beans in one way, I'll give you four. These words are: adventurous, feisty, full of enthusiasm, and never giving up during struggles. And if there's anything that has no personality whatsoever, it's a lifeless mannequin.

I must admit Porky's speaking difficulty is very distinguishing, and therefore becomes a trademark of that character. Well it should be understood that this trait of his nothing new even to animated films of its time. In a 1932 Krazy Kat short called Seeing Stars, there's an announcer who speaks in a similar fashion.

The film of Hollywood Capers demonstrates the value of persistence. Although our hero, Beans, gets rejected and thrown out from entering the studio, it didn't stop him from trying get inside which he did successfully. He even shows it again when he takes on the Frankenstein monster.

Jack King's 'Hollywood Capers' is a very early Looney Tune which stars several of the characters who were introduced as potential new stars in earlier short 'I Haven't Got a Hat'. The character that finally became a star from that cartoon was Porky Pig but he does not feature here. Instead, 'Hollywood Capers' gives top billing to Beans, a mischievous cat. It also features cameos from Oliver Owl, Little Kitty and teacher Miss Cud. 'Hollywood Capers' is convincing evidence as to why none of these characters caught on with audiences. They are cute but largely devoid of personality and the times when 'Hollywood Capers' comes to life are when they are not on screen. There are a couple of fun but ever-so brief skits with caricatures of W.C. Fields and Charlie Chaplin at the beginning of the short and when Frankenstein's monster enters the narrative he gets to perform a camera-eating and self-repairing routine which is the highlight of the cartoon. Unfortunately, Beans keeps coming back with limp antics which give the cartoon a stilted feel. Conceived as a possible replacement for the lacklustre Buddy (Warner Bros' previous attempt at creating a star, many of whose cartoons were also directed by King), Beans was not much of an improvement. While it's not especially funny, 'Hollywood Capers' is a fascinating artefact in which some early characters are auditioned but ultimately lose out to a stuttering pig who had the good sense to opt out of this particular film!

Was expecting something mediocre considering the rating and the general indifference towards Beans. After watching it, 'Hollywood Capers' surprisingly was a good cartoon, though not a classic and there are more compelling and interesting characters out there than Beans.

Beans himself is not a bad character and neither are his friends. Their personalities are not as memorable as Looney Tunes' later more iconic characters, that are also more interesting, more layered and less cutesy. However, they all are very charming, amusing, quite likable and have an appealing innocence.

There are more consistently funny cartoons before and especially since. There are some great moments, especially the nods to WC Fields, Charlie Chaplin and the cartoon's highlight Frankenstein's monster, the part with the camera-eating being the funniest part and the most inventive one visually. Beans' antics are cute and amusing, but other parts are a tad limp at the same time. Story is also thin and not much more of an excuse to string scenes/skits together.

'Hollywood Capers' animation is remarkably pristine, detailed and fluid for an early black and white cartoon, with the characters being well drawn and with imaginative range of expressions.

Its music is lushly orchestrated and rich in energy and character, not just being dynamic with the action but also enhancing it. Pacing is solid, and while scenes fare better than others there is a sense of fun and charm throughout. The voice acting is strong and fit the characters well.

All in all, was expecting a mediocre cartoon in 'Hollywood Capers', instead got a good if not great one. 7/10 Bethany Cox