Lights Fantastic

A weirdie. There are no characters in this cartoon, neither "humans" or funny animals. Its all sight gags and bad puns based on the Times Square billboards known as "spectaculars". The cartoon begins and ends with a "real life" shot of Times Square, red neon predominant. As another comment points out this was not an original idea in as much as it had been recycled from an earlier cartoon. However there might have been a powerful feeling of nostalgia behind this particular cartoon. The WW2 blackout turned off the juice to the Times Square spectaculars (the glow from the lights of big east coast cities was the perfect background for u boats to use to sunk allied shipping). Times Square was "dark". Seeing Times square as it once was and, it was hoped, would be after the war was won, was uppermost in movie audiences minds.

Sort of an updated version of "Billboard Frolics", Friz Freleng's eye-popping "Lights Fantastic" depicts a bunch of billboards - apparently around Times Square - putting on various skits. This cartoon really shows off Freleng's penchant for synchronizing music and action (especially with the conga beat). Freleng also made ample use of this in "Pigs in a Polka" and "Show Biz Bugs".

Mostly this was a place holder in 1942. By that point, Bugs Bunny was the undisputed Warner Bros. cartoon star, Chuck Jones had totally eschewed cuteness in favor of slapstick, and the United States' entry into WWII prompted a series of cartoons portraying the characters battling Nazis. But this was certainly a good place holder. Very similar to "Billboard Frolics", true, but I recommend it.

Not the most original of Fritz Freleng's cartoons, with a concept that later cartoons would explore later and perhaps at times to slightly funnier effect. But that doesn't take away from that Lights Fantastic is thoroughly entertaining and a delight to watch. The animation is lush and fluid, with great care evidently taken with the details and drawing, and the shots of Times Square are positively glitzy. The music is catchy, wonderfully orchestrated and full of energy, it has a remarkable ability to synchronise as well as it does with the action(like the best of WB/Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies) and also to add to it. Lights Fantastic is never less than amusing, at its best it's hilarious and has Freleng's style all over it. The play on words are snappy and smart and the eye test gag is really funny and inspired stuff. The pacing is crisp, never feeling dull, the characters are eccentric and fun and Mel Blanc's vocal characterisations are dead-on, bringing so much life and distinction to each character he played(in Lights Fantastic and every WB/Merrie Melodies/Looney Tunes he did). All in all, not quite classic but lights up in a fantastic way. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Friz Freleng's 'Lights Fantastic' is one of the more unusual cartoons in the things-coming-to-life subgenre. Set in Times Square, 'Lights Fantastic' turns the neon advertising billboards into a series of spot-gags, some funnier than others. As is usually the case with such cartoons, many of the gags are dated and beyond the comprehension of modern audiences when once they would have brought the house down. This was often compensated for by the development of some sort of plot but 'Lights Fantastic' sticks to spot gags all the way through, simply ending when it runs out of time. The animation is certainly attractive and there are a few bits that still raise a chuckle (the eye test skit is particularly amusing) but overall 'Lights Fantastic' is little more than an interesting product of its time. While it's never boring, neither does it ever really light up or come to life!

"Lights Fantastic" certainly offers the viewer of today a decidedly comical look at the prevailing glut of neon-lit advertising signage as it existed during the mid-20th century at the busy intersection of New York City's famous Times Square.

Competently directed by notable Warner Bros. animator, Friz Freleng - "Lights Fantastic" is definitely one of those animated shorts that isn't gonna appeal to all viewers since a number of its sequences can be clearly looked upon, today, as being quite politically incorrect in nature.