Motor Mania

I first saw this cartoon when it was part of a cartoon compilation episode of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color, narrated by Professor Ludwig Von Drake. It stars Goofy who plays a Jekyll and Hyde-type character named Mr. Walker and Mr. Wheeler. When he is walking about any but his car, he is a kind and benevolent man. But, when he takes behind the wheel, he turns into a crazy, wild driver.

It is an interesting cartoon short, hilarious to see Goofy act in an ominous and scary demeanor as he crashes into other cars and yells at people in fits of road rage. It's also a lesson to be learned - everybody should drive defensively.

The animation is colorful and brilliant and the plot is full of laughs and entertainment. An enjoyable one featuring Goofy.

Grade B

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!

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.

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

Disney's short Motor Mania concerns Goofy as Mr. Walker, a calm, competent pedestrian who is just your average Joe as he walks down the street every day. But when Mr. Walker gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, he turns into "Mr. Wheeler," a venomous, hateful man, consumed by road rage. Nobody every drives fast enough for Mr. Wheeler, it seems, and it doesn't help his big mouth and reckless driving get him into more accidents than the average person. What happens to Mr. Walker when he gets behind the wheel and how come he can't simply drive without being filled to the brim with malice and hatefulness?

Unfortunately, what I will now call "The Walker/Wheeler Complex," some people can be the nicest, most warm- hearted people when they're simply walking down the street but as soon as they get in a car, they become consumed by rage and morose feelings that they lash out at other drivers. It's a sad, true reality Jack Kinney's Motor Mania illustrates very well, with quick-moving action scenes and moments that inspire laughs as well as winces because of true and relevant they actually are. Despite being part of a whole other world, Disney, with their variety of short films offering social commentary on a number of issues, prove once more they were and still are very much in the loop.

Directed by: Jack Kinney.