Russian Rhapsody

This cartoon answers the question of what Hitler would order at a deli. In fact, Hitler's entire speech centers on the subject! Very funny! What an outstanding cartoon, with many references which people of my age won't understand. (I need to ask my dad about these things). Highly recommended.

Throughout the Cold War, it was customary to portray Russians as drunk at best, evil at worst. Even today in movies, Russians tend to get relegated to the roles of mobsters and corrupt oligarchs. Apparently, we've forgotten that the Soviet Union was our staunch ally in World War II. "Russian Rhapsody" sticks with that. It portrays Hitler -ranting like in "The Great Dictator" - concerned about German planes going missing over Russia, so he decides to fly there personally (he's the best pilot). During the flight, Gremlins from the Kremlin start dancing all over his plane and dismantling it.

I should say that this isn't the best Looney Tunes cartoon. Far from it. But I just like that there was one cartoon that portrayed Russians positively.

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.

'Russian Rhapsody' is classic Bob Clampett in style. This is meant in a good way, Clampett's distinctively wild and outrageous style is all over 'Russian Rhapsody' in visuals and humour and like his best cartoons a lot of the cartoon is pretty anarchic (again typical of prime-Clampett). By all means, 'Russian Rhapsody' is not one of his best cartoons overall, but it is very good and does Clampett in his prime period justice.

By all means, 'Russian Rhapsody' could have been better. Some of the references may go over some viewers heads, especially if they are not familiar with what is being referenced (it was a bit hit and miss with me, some were familiar, others weren't), and the ending falls somewhat flat.

However, there is so much to admire about 'Russian Rhapsody', that Clampett's style can be found all over it and that he's on top form is just one of the things. It's a very strange cartoon certainly, with a fairly positive view of Russians, gremlins and Hitler like you've never seen him before in a cartoon, and it may not be for the easily offended or historians looking for accuracy (it is a lampoon cartoon so that should be pushed at the back of the mind).

It is also though a very funny, and often hilarious, cartoon, with some very witty dialogue, deliciously weird, anarchic and for the time perhaps daring sight gags and the visual humour provides a lot of the fun too. One does admire how much is gotten away with here in 'Russian Rhapsody', the gremlins come close to stealing the show and personally will admit to thoroughly enjoying this interpretation of Hitler. Stalin is even included and it's a highlight.

As to be expected, Mel Blanc is outstanding as always. He always was the infinitely more preferable voice for Porky, Joe Dougherty never clicked with me, and he proves it here. Blanc shows an unequalled versatility and ability to bring an individual personality to every one of his multiple characters in a vast majority of his work, there is no wonder why he was in such high demand as a voice actor.

When it comes to the animation, 'Russian Rhapsody' is very good. Much of it is fluid in movement, vibrant and very meticulous in detail, much of it also pretty imaginative. Ever the master, Carl Stalling's music is typically superb. It is as always lushly orchestrated, full of lively energy and characterful in rhythm, not only adding to the action but also enhancing it. The song is very catchy.

Overall, not one of Clampett's best and not for everyone perhaps but strange and great fun. 8/10 Bethany Cox

That's one of the shtick jokes from this wartime jewel. I gave it an 8 out of ten for its one flaw, a screw-up in continuity.

Basically, it's a vehicle for silly slapstick at Hitler's physical expense. Some of the gremlins bear striking resemblances to the gang at Termite Terrace. And where else would you hear "Volga Boatmen" at 8-to-the-bar?

I said there was one flaw, in continuity. There was another flaw - a social one. See, there was one bit at the end I found eye-brow-raising by 1999 standards where Hitler, dazed from his plane crashing on top of him, looks Oriental - read Japanese. You can say, "yeah, it was racist, but it was the 1940s, it was WWII, everyone was like that, &c." But the casual, remorseless, didn't-think-twice-about-it attitude of the joke struck me from beyond the film-frames of this cartoon.

Hitler is furious with the Soviet Union that he wants to bomb Moscow all by himself.

So he flies from Berlin to Moscow by airplane. But little does he know is that little invaders are taring his plane apart. And those invaders are Gremlins from the Kremlin!.

These little guys sing and tor mechanical stuff apart with pleasure.

And they even pull a few pranks on Hitler himself.

Will these Gremlins be able to prevent Hitler from bombing Moscow? Well you try to guess that when you see this cartoon.

This cartoon was originally titled "Gremlins from the Kremlim" but due to Disney and Warner Bros both wanting to do their own cartoon about Gremlins. They had to change the title that doesn't have the word Gremlin in it.

It's a good WW2 short. Also be on the look out for 9 Gremlins that resemble the producers, writers, and creators behind the Looney Tunes.

Good luck in finding this short by internet search cause it's hard to tell when it'll ever be released on DVD.