The Ostrich Egg and I

Just watched this Walter Lantz Maggie and Sam "cartune" on YouTube as linked from the Saturday Morning Blog. This is a hilarious short about Sam's getting an ostrich egg in the mail and his attempts to hide it from wife Maggie. Of course, it eventually hatches...Everything director Alex Lovy does here got wall to wall laughs from me and the music from Eugene Poddany was a good match to it. And what a treat to hear Daws Butler as Sam and Grace "Woody Woodpecker" Stafford as Maggie. By the way, Ms. Stafford happened to be married to producer Lantz. I mean, The Ostrich Egg and I was so funny that I can't remember anything from this cartoon studio that was even more hilarious (though I admit it's been years since I've watched many of the classic Woody Woodpecker and Andy Panda shorts from the '40s). So on that note, I highly recommend this.

. . . the so-called birds and bees. Back in the 1900's, America lacked government oversight regulations requiring songwriters, screenwriters, poets, novelists, columnists and playwrights to take remedial courses in basic biology when they propagate misinformation in such a totally clueless fashion as exhibited by THE OSTRICH EGG AND I. Generally speaking, no vertebrate animal, bird or fish is capable of spawning offspring on the very day it is born or hatched. While such Crimes against Nature may happen over on the dark side--aka, the insect world--they cannot occur within the more orderly precincts of bony creatures.

'The Ostrich Egg and I' (1956)

Opening thoughts: For me, none of the three Maggie and Sam cartoons were particularly good, with all three having the same many flaws to each other (as well as the same good aspects) and it is very easy to see why the series never got off the ground. Still saw them out of curiosity and as part of my quest to see as many lesser-known cartoons as possible. 'The Ostrich Egg and I' is by far the best, or at least the least flawed, of the Maggie and Sam cartoons. The other two are extremely weak, but despite some of the same flaws being present this one was average with a few improvements.

Good things: Starting with the good things, the animation is lush and colourful, with no signs of being rushed or static. Quite amazing considering how much the animation and writing qualities had declined a lot for the studio. Even better is the music, which is beautifully orchestrated and characterful.

Sam has much more personality compared to the other cartoons and it is an appealing one. The supporting character is nice and amusing, there are moments that are amusing and well timed and it is not as overly cute this time. Daws Butler and Gtace Stafford voice with enthusiasm.

Bad things: However, some of the same flaws of the other two Maggie and Sam cartoons are present. The story is paper thin, barely existent really, feels over stretched and the pacing is dull and lacks energy. What there is of the story does nothing new with a concept that is less than novel and is predictable and bland.

Also felt that the gags are nowhere near enough and generally they are quite tired and could have had more variety. Maggie is quite annoying and didn't add very much to the cartoon.

Closing thoughts: In summary, average but the best of the series definitely.

5/10.