Car of Tomorrow

I remember first seeing this Tex Avery spot-gag animated short on the "Tom and Jerry" show during the late '70s. Many of the gags were funny then and many are funny now though some of them may make you cringe in these more politically correct times like one involving an American Indian (or Native American), another one involving Chinese stereotypes, likewise a few concerning "women drivers". But most of them are as funny as before, so on that note, I recommend The Car of Tomorrow.

Tex Avery did a series of cartoons describing the future-here he describes what the "Car of Tomorrow" might look like-in typical Tex Avery fashion, it is the starting point for some sight gags galore fired rapidly, one after another. There is some verbal humor in the narration, including one joke reminiscent of Death Race 2000! The best of the "Tomorrow" series, it's an often hysterically funny short. Runs on Cartoon Network fairly often. Recommended.

Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons.

Also have much admiration for Tex Avery, an animation genius whose best cartoons are animated masterpieces and some of the best he ever did. 'Car of Tomorrow' may not be one of his very best, only because his masterpieces were so many, more so than most other animation directors. Occasionally, limitations show in some of the backgrounds (in comparison to his cartoons from the 40s), but actually a vast majority of the animation is very good. As said in my review for 'Cellbound', when Avery was not at his best he still fared much better than most other animation directors at their worst, some can only dream of having their best work on the same level as the masterpieces from Avery.

Have not seen all Avery's work, though that's my goal as of now, but as of now have yet to see anything "bad" from him, even if there are perhaps a few very early efforts that are not at his usual top standard.

Some limited backgrounds and some unrefined drawing aside, the animation has a lot of colourful colours and expressive, inventive drawing and expressions. The music from the always never less than dependable Scott Bradley is lushly and cleverly orchestrated, with lively and energetic rhythms and fits very well indeed, a lot of the action is even enhanced by the music.

'Car of Tomorrow' is one of those cartoons that is very funny, with plenty of clever, imaginatively timed gags that really deliver on the humour, and also manages to be very informative and educational with its demonstrations without preaching. Despite being made over 60 years ago, the subject and what the cartoon says actually feels ahead of its time and somewhat current are very much relevant today, or at least to me it did.

Expectedly, Avery fares very strongly in the directing, even if other cartoons show off his unique wild and wacky style a little more.

The characters carry 'Car of Tomorrow' very nicely and June Foray (one of the most talented voice artists of that era and ever) is characteristically great.

Overall, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Tex Avery tackles the silliness in automobile styling, trends, and mother-in-law jokes in this typically funny MGM cartoon. It's pitched as a survey of a car show, showing off the latest models and gadgets, and in typical Avery fashion, is formatted as a series of brief blackout gags: set-up, payoff, and on to the next joke.

Avery is still using a full animation and background style of work, even as every other studio had retreated to simpler designs in the face of falling movie attendance and post-war inflation. Even he would soon find himself moving towards a cheaper style of cartooning.

This is an animated short from Tex Avery. It's a spoof of those industrial shorts of the era. The cars are ridiculous and this is generally fun. It is of its time.