Good-Bye Mr. Moth

GOODBYE MR. MOTH was the first Andy Panda cartoon that presented the character as an adult and the first one without his oafish father. As in other cartoons I've seen, the grown-up Andy Panda has little personality. Bernice Hansen's adorable voice, while appropriate for the child Andy, seems too girlish for the male adult panda here. (Walter Lantz would subsequently rectify this error by employing Walter Tetley as a suitably masculine Andy.) However, uncredited director Lantz and his crew effectively use the panda as a stooge when he struggles to press pants in his tailor's shop and as a straight man/antagonist when he battles a ravenous moth.

The moth, who devours clothes like cartoon mice devour cheese, is wisely given considerable screen time. A feisty and impulsive creature, he has considerably more personality than Andy Panda and his antics provide much of GOODBYE MR. MOTH's spark. He is definitely a pest, but he is nevertheless endearing not only because he is funny but because he lacks malice. After all, he doesn't eat clothes for the heck of it but because they provide sustenance for him. The moth doesn't speak, except in gibberish, but the Lantz crew provide him with such a drolly expressive face, he doesn't need dialogue.

GOODBYE MR. MOTH is a delightful cartoon worth seeking out. Lantz effects the gags at a breezy pace so even when they are average, they are efficiently delivered. Since this cartoon was produced during World War II, there are a few wartime jokes such as when the holes of a shirt the moth has just eaten read "Buy Defense Bonds." As always in a Lantz cartoon of this vintage, the gags are punctuated by Darrel Calker's sprightly musical score. Indeed the theme used to open Andy Panda cartoons during this era is particularly rousing. This theme, along with other choice cuts from Calker's work should be issued on CD.

I feel that Darrell Calker's music scores during his employ with Walter Lantz's studio represent some of the most musical and profound in all of animation... or any films for that matter.

Woody Dines Out, The Hollywood Matador, The Dizzy Acrobat, Goodbye Mr. Moth and Pantry Panic are just a small example of the superb original writing style Mr. Calker utilized. You might hear a great jazz violin, vibraphone, piano or guitar soloists featured in any of his original music.

His blending of instruments, color, harmonies, tempos and timing to the animation are impeccable. He knew the art of reinforcing the visual with the mystique of a finely crafted music score.

In far too many instances, the music is rarely given the credit it deserves. And yet, it's the music that often makes the difference in whether the completed effort works at all. And there's no greater area of music importance then in the imaginative world of animation.

I agree with the earlier comment, there should be a CD release of Darrell Calker's music contribution, much like the Carl Stallings CD's Warner Bros. put out.