Confidence

The original set of Oswald cartoons from Walt Disney were a lot of fun. However, the studio decided to fire Disney and his friend, Ub Iwerks, and make the films themselves to save money. In screwing Disney, the studio inadvertently pushed Disney to make his own studio--one that ended up burying most of his competition. Unfortunately, the non-Disney Oswald cartoons were generally disappointing--losing much of their goofy humor and made Oswald seem rather dull.

"Confidence" is one of the later Oswald cartoons. In fact, he really looks and acts almost nothing like the Disney version. This Walter Lantz cartoon is really much more like a political propaganda piece and because of that, it's even less entertaining.

The Depression has hit the farm and all the animals are depressed and lethargic. So, Oswald sets out to Washington to meet with lawmakers to find out how to cure the problem. He's told people just need confidence, so he returns with a giant hypo and starts injecting everyone! Years later, they'd make anti-drug cartoons to try to undo the damage done by Oswald!! Overall, an interesting curio but not a very good or funny cartoon.

When Oswald's farm animals are suffering from depression, Oswald goes to see good ol' FDR who prescribes a good dose of "Confidence" to make the farm once again productive. As I recall Fred Avery was given a screen credit during the opening titles.

Despite Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and his cartoons being popular and well received at the time, they have been vastly overshadowed over time by succeeding animation characters. It is a shame as, while not cartoon masterpieces, they are fascinating for anybody wanting to see what very old animation looked like.

Oswald in the Disney years saw mostly good to very good cartoons, and while the Winkler years had some duds there were also cartoons as good as the best of the Disney years. The 1929-1930 batches of Walter Lantz-directed Oswald cartoons were a mixed bag, with some good, some forgettable and not much special and a few mediocre. The 1931 batch was mostly underwhelming, with only 6 out of 18 cartoons being above average or more. The 1932 batch had a few not so good, though the cartoons in question were nothing compared to the worst of the previous 3 years, cartoons, but most were decent to good and some even very good.

So far the 1933 Oswald cartoons have been of a good standard with no duds yet, and far more consistent than especially the 1931 batch. The best were 'The Plumber' and 'The Shriek', two of the best Oswald cartoons in a while, and the weakest being the still decent 'Beau Best'. Like the previous cartoon 'Ham and Eggs', 'Confidence' is a pretty good if different Oswald cartoon.

It is disappointing that the gags are few in 'Confidence' and they are more raise a chuckle-worthy than properly funny or hilarious. The theme is an important one that holds much relevance still, and while it is done quite well occasionally what is being shown and said is laid on slightly too thick.

However, the animation is impressive with no recycling or repetition here like in 'Ham and Eggs'. There is the looser and more elaborate look of many of the previous Lantz era Oswald cartoons, but it was surprising and lovely to see parts of the animation reminding one of the animation style of the Disney years in places.

Can't complain about the music either, which is infectious and lushly orchestrated and despite some occasionally muffled moments even the sound quality can't diminish its impact. In fact, most of the funnier moments come from the music and the way it is synchronised (as ever very good and natural by the way).

Oswald is endearing and one relates to him. The support is fun.

In conclusion, pretty good Depression-oriented Oswald cartoon, if different to usual and not as funny as one would have liked. 7/10 Bethany Cox