The Olympic Champ

A Walt Disney GOOFY Cartoon

THE OLYMPIC CHAMP was the greatest athlete of the ancient world. And then there's the Goof...

This very humorous little film was one of the best of the Sports Goofy cartoons, what with its above average animation and sly commentary. Tidbits of interesting information may be gleaned concerning the tradition of the Torchbearer and various Olympic track & field sports - running, hurtling, the pole vault, the hammer throw and the decathlon. John McLeish narrates in his best documentarian manner.

Walt Disney (1901-1966) was always intrigued by pictures & drawings. As a lad in Marceline, Missouri, he sketched farm animals on scraps of paper; later, as an ambulance driver in France during the First World War, he drew comic figures on the sides of his vehicle. Back in Kansas City, along with artist Ub Iwerks, Walt developed a primitive animation studio that provided animated commercials and tiny cartoons for the local movie theaters. Always the innovator, his ALICE IN CARTOONLAND series broke ground in placing a live figure in a cartoon universe. Business reversals sent Disney & Iwerks to Hollywood in 1923, where Walt's older brother Roy became his lifelong business manager & counselor. When a mildly successful series with Oswald The Lucky Rabbit was snatched away by the distributor, the character of Mickey Mouse sprung into Walt's imagination, ensuring Disney's immortality. The happy arrival of sound technology made Mickey's screen debut, STEAMBOAT WILLIE (1928), a tremendous audience success with its use of synchronized music. The SILLY SYMPHONIES soon appeared, and Walt's growing crew of marvelously talented animators were quickly conquering new territory with full color, illusions of depth and radical advancements in personality development, an arena in which Walt's genius was unbeatable. Mickey's feisty, naughty behavior had captured millions of fans, but he was soon to be joined by other animated companions: temperamental Donald Duck, intellectually-challenged Goofy and energetic Pluto. All this was in preparation for Walt's grandest dream - feature length animated films. Against a blizzard of doomsayers, Walt persevered and over the next decades delighted children of all ages with the adventures of Snow White, Pinocchio, Dumbo, Bambi & Peter Pan. Walt never forgot that his fortunes were all started by a mouse, or that childlike simplicity of message and lots of hard work will always pay off.

This was part of a series of shorts, some very good and others, like this one (yawn) not as effective. While it's an interesting idea, there isn't a great deal of energy to this one (yawn) and it just sort of sleepwalks along (yawn) to the end. If I keep writing this much longer, I'll fall asleep at the keyboard, so you'll have to excuse me. It is worth watching for the animation, though.

"2716 years ago, was born an institution known as the Olympic Games". That's where we begin with a narration that illustrates the evolution of successive Olympiads - all helped along by "Goofy" who is clearly having difficulty keeping the flame burning. We start with running - sprinting to marathon running then the rather curious sport that is the "walk" - more of a dance; hurdling (or tripping over them); pole vaulting explains the principles of apexes of vertical lifts and arcs whilst inspiring some Tennyson from John McLeish. High jump; dizzying hammer throwing - don't forget to let go; then finally the decathlon - who'd give "Goofy" a javelin or a discus and not expect chaos? Trophies not medals are awarded here in this quickly paced and quite entertaining look at the stadium events that make up a Olympics. Fortunately, he stays well clear of the pool!

Disney movies, shows and shorts have always had a large place in my heart, and I have always considered Goofy one of their best, funniest and most unique characters. It is very easy to see why in The Olympic Champ. The animation is beautifully done, it is crisp and colourful and the colours really do have a sense of life to them. The music has often been one of the best things about the Disney shorts, the rousing and texturally rich feel that the music has in The Olympic Champ ensures that it is not an exception here. It also does a fine job of enhancing the action and humour. The slyly written and thoughtfully voiced commentary/narration occurring throughout is just another strong asset, and how the running track is demonstrated and Goofy running around with a torch were fun, uplifting scenes. The gags are similarly clever, the one with the oil derrick especially is hilarious. Maybe there are more tighter paced Disney shorts around, but there is still great energy and I didn't find it dull really for a second. Goofy this time doesn't take on different characters and personalities, he is here just his appealing everyman persona demonstrating all the Olympic tactics to the audience. To decide which of those personas he's better at is difficult, as he is so great at both and at no point does it feel out of character when he does either, and he certainly excels here. Overall, beautifully animated and very funny with a likable and perfectly placed lead character. 10/10 Bethany Cox