Chuva de Setembro

Ah, I'll probably kick the bucket before they put this one on DVD......mainly because it's been cut to shreds in TV prints. This isn't an OFFENSIVE cartoon--merely a celebration of America's pop-and-jazz heritage. The two prize-winning musical numbers here are the ones censored: Al Jolson as the Cream-o'-Wheat chef, singing the title song to his "mammy,"Aunt Jemima. Then, there's the climactic "Nagasaki" number, with Louis Armstrong & Fats Waller as the Gold Dust Twins; with the Sunshine Baker & the Arm-&-Hammer guy on percussion. (This bit was reused in Clampett's "Tin Pan Alley Cats.") Hey, Warner Home Video: put THIS one in your next "Golden Collection!"

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. Actually appreciate it even more through young adults eyes, due to having more knowledge of it, various animation styles, studios, directors and how it all works.

'September in the Rain' is not one of Friz Freleng's, a director who did many great cartoons and a director held in high admiration by me, best, not being one of his funniest, wittiest or freshest. For relatively early Freleng, 'September in the Rain' is worth watching though he would do much better later. It is never what one would call properly hilarious (but is never unfunny), Freleng's later efforts show more evenness and confidence in directing and the story.

Sure, 'September in the Rain' is quite thin in terms of story, while also feeling far too short, being the shortest cartoon from the studio and Freleng, and choppy (even in the uncut version, when censored it's a butchery).

However, the characters are cute and amusing. Regarding the racial stereotyping, compared to other cartoon criticised for racial stereotyping there is not an awful lot to be offended by, there are stereotypes but found them harmless actually. Just my thoughts.

The cartoon has enough very amusing moments, some variety and there is a good deal of liveliness. Recognising the caricatures is an enormous part of the fun, they are great to spot and they're incorporated well, while there is a good deal of cuteness and charm.

Animation is very good, it's fluid in movement, crisp in shading, vibrant and very meticulous in detail. The music is outstanding, a character of its own and the best thing of the cartoon, it is lovely on the ears, lushly orchestrated, full of lively energy and characterful in rhythm, not only adding to the action but also enhancing it.

Overall, worth watching. 7/10 Bethany Cox