Shinbone Alley

I have been a fan of archy and mehitabel for a long time. I like don marquis's commentary of life using a cockroach to speak for him. The animated film has music and wonderful voices to supplement the books of his columns. I have known several children that love the film too. It is not too depressing. Quite the opposite. archy and mehitabel show a remarkable joy of life even as they suffer from being an insect or an alley cat. Carol Channing was a favorite of mine for as long as I knew her. Her voice is unmistakable. Who else could have done Romeo & Juliette with such zest! Some of the musical scenes such as "flotsam & jetsam" are outstanding. archy's wonder of the passions of the world at ground level gives one pause for thought. He even envies a moth that wants to burn itself to death because of its desire for that one brief moment of intense beauty. He no longer wants to kill himself when he experiences so much richness, however mean and coarse it might be.

Shinbone Alley is not like every other animated film. It brings a unique approach to animation. It is almost like viewing an animated jazz opera in some respects. The characters are well defined and quite good, and some of the backgrounds are almost works of art on the New York scene. It is true that some very small children might not understand it, but a vast majority of people who view the film will find aspects of it that they will love; like the George Herriman sequence when archy declares war on humans. Carol Channing is wonderful as mehitabel, especially when she sings Shakespeare. Eddie Bracken is great as archy. This is the type of film that can be viewed again and again, and you find something new and interesting each time you see it. It was definitely a style setter in 2D animation, and should be applauded for its unconventional approach. Throughout the years, there have been a handful of animated films that could truly be called one-off, style setting, animation treasures -- Fantasia, Yellow Submarine, Toy Story, for example. I feel that Shinbone Alley easily fits into this select group of animated films.

Even with its release on DVD a few years ago, "Shinbone Alley" has stayed pretty obscure over the years, and seeing it you'll understand why. I imagine many people will be turned off by the animation style, which is similar to animation found in the early years of "Sesame Street", pretty crude and sketchy. It still could have worked if it was engaging in other areas, but it isn't. Those who are unfamiliar with the original "Archy and Mehitabel" stories (especially kids) will be confused by some parts of the screenplay. Some kids who are more sensitive may be upset by elements such as suicide, though I think most kids who manage to sit through this will be bored stiff. But what really sinks the movie are the characters. Archy the cockroach is an annoying whiner who will get on your nerves, and Mehitabel the cat is a dim-witted slut who only thinks of herself. I would recommend this movie only for adults who are die-hard fans of animation, though I would suggest they don't watch it all at once.

1970's "Shinbone Alley" was adapted from the Broadway presentation of humorist Don Marquis' Evening Sun creations Archy and Mehitabel, first popularized during World War I, Archy a poetic cockroach composing fanciful verses about alley cat Mehitabel. By 1954 a musical album was recorded with Eddie Bracken as Archy and Carol Channing as Mehitabel, later done for Broadway with Mel Brooks as coauthor (Eartha Kitt replacing Channing), and this became the basis for the movie produced by Fine Arts Films, retaining the original stars in their signature roles. Archy emerges from the river a lowly, ugly cockroach, having been a poet who once wondered what it might be like to be an insect, 'transmutated' into one after suicide by drowning, and still infatuated with loose and lusty feline Mehitabel. By night the composer of stories on an abandoned typewriter in an empty office, Archy paints a portrait of Mehitabel's wayward nature, always hoping that she'll make something better of herself but unable to resist the persistent advances of tomcat Big Bill (Alan Reed, best remembered as Fred Flintstone). Abandoned as always, she hardly thinks twice about turning over a new leaf when 'simple, unassuming genius' Tyrone T. Tattersall (John Carradine) serenades her with promises to make her a star, sweeping her off her feet to join him for Shakespeare at the local theater. Unfortunately, despite her constant feeding of his ravenous appetite, this entrepreneur proves dismissive of her acting talents, which may be more impressive than his due to her penchant for literally singing the praises of Romeo and Juliet. Banished for taking too many bows at her expense, Tattersall is rapidly replaced by Big Bill, whose seductive ways do not include fatherhood, Mehitabel's newborn litter putting a cramp in her style until Archy suggests a new occupation as housecat to get through the winter cold. The music is plentiful and the cast excellent, Carol Channing's persona expertly rendered in shapely feline form, alternately purring and spitting at the hapless Archy, whose infatuation finally results in a day of reckoning to see all the hep cats rejoice when Mehitabel makes a triumphant return to Shinbone Alley. The true revelation is John Carradine, whose basso profundo was rarely displayed on screen but was heard on Broadway in the early 60s as Marcus Lycus opposite Zero Mostel in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." It's likely that he was familiar with the original 1957 musical and requested the part of the Shakespearean alley cat, obviously tailor made for his unique gifts, and offering plenty of screen time to show off his 'grand manner' (he renders three songs: "Come to Meeoww," "They Don't Have It Here," and "Romeo and Juliet"). Released by Allied Artists, still in business after outgrowing its Monogram roots, the picture was neither a critical nor box office success, the filmmakers clearly inspired by The Beatles' "Yellow Submarine," a devoted cult following but not really aimed at children. A promotional two reel short narrated by Carradine was also completed, "The Incredible Art of Animation: A Living Art Form," offering behind the scenes footage of the filmmakers at work, plus the leading players acting out their roles for the soundtrack.

I remember seeing this back in the Early-Mid 80's during a Holiday weekday on STV. Obviously the station realised too late that this was not your typical Kiddy Fodder as it was never shown again (a minor miracle for anyone who knows STV). I'm not surprised.

It was Soooo depressing. Suicide-Unrequited Love-Sleaze-Despair. Fun viewing for all the Family. Has to be said though that it did stick in my mind, though maybe not for the right reasons.

An odd curiosity that was very out of place for its time. Can't believe it was made in the 70's.

Probably traumatised more kids than Bambis' Mother.