Van Beuren cartoons are extremely variable, especially in the number of gags and whether the absurdist humour shines through enough (sometimes it does, other times it doesn't), but are strangely interesting. Although they are often poorly animated with barely existent stories and less than compelling lead characters, they are also often outstandingly scored, there can be some fun support characters and some are well-timed and amusing.
In 1934, the studio made three cartoons mixing animation and live action, besides 'A Little Bird Told Me' there was also 'Grandfather's Clock' and 'Along Came a Duck'. The series was named "Burt Gillett's Toddle Tales" and while none of the three cartoons are terrible (far from it, Van Beuren certainly did far worse), it is also not hard to see why it was short lived and more were not made.
Under review here is 'A Little Bird Told Me'. It's the last of the three cartoons. It's also by far the best, being the only above average one of the three to me. Had mixed feelings on 'Grandfather's Clock' and didn't care all that much for 'Along Came a Duck'.
The best asset is the music, which was outstanding. It is beautifully and cleverly orchestrated, full of energy, great fun to listen to and it not only adds a huge deal to what is going on it also enhances it.
'A Little Bird Told Me' is also the best-looking of the three cartoons. There is more finesse and more elaborate details. The character designs are interesting and one is immersed in the inventively rendered bird world and their occupation.
Synchronisation and sound is neat, there is a lot of charm here without being saccharine, the pace is lively and it has more gags than the previous two "Toddle Tales" cartoons and quite clever and amusing ones. The bird characters have nice personalities that are more distinct than one thinks they would be. The voice work is good.
On the other hand, the story is thin as ice, pretty non-existent apart from the start. It drags a touch in the first third or so of the cartoon, and then it comes to life once the animated portion begins.
Not making the live action sequence so long would have helped things. The live action sequence is too sugary sweet for my tastes and is fairly dull, while the children are more cloying than cute.
Dialogue generally tends to be corny.
Altogether though, pretty decent and by far the best of the three "Toddle Tales" cartoons. 7/10 Bethany Cox
