Private Snafu Presents Seaman Tarfu in the Navy

During WWII, the US government financed a series of Private Snafu cartoons. Using a wonderful sense of humor, they were able to convey important messages to the troops--and the films were not shown to the general public. You can tell this in a few of the films, as the humor is a bit more adult than you could have gotten away with in theaters. Today, you can find these shorts on DVD as well as for free downloads at archive.org.

In the case of "Private Snafu Presents Seaman Tarfu in the Navy", this is a spin off--a new character who is in the navy instead of the army. Most of the antics are only mildly funny, but the sailor chasing the pretty girl gag is pretty cute. Worth seeing but not brilliant--and as far as I know it's the only navy Snafu/Tarfu cartoon. Oh, and if you get a chance, look up the terms 'tarfu' and 'snafu' and you'll see just how adult these cartoons were!

The final entry in the Private Snafu series of shorts made for use by the U.S. Army during WWII as instructional films for soldiers. This one was intended to introduce a new series for the Navy starring Seaman Tarfu, Private Snafu's brother. The plans were canceled, however, before more were made. The previous Snafu shorts were directed by the Termite Terrace gang over at Warner Bros. Greats like Chuck Jones, Frank Tashlin, Friz Freleng, and Bob Clampett lent their creative hand to making fun, edgy cartoons. This one is directed by Hugh Harman, who was good but didn't have the same kind of style that the WB animators did. So this is a tamer and less interesting entry in the series. Really, it's the worst of the lot. It's still watchable with nice black & white animation but it isn't very funny or racy like the others. Even the recurring joke of a sexy blonde walking by and drawing the sailors' attentions doesn't do much to liven things up.

This cartoon focuses on Snafu's brother, Tarfu.

It shows the basics of the Navy. The conditions and uniforms of it too.

Contains a few gags here and there. The Narrator does more talking than Tarfu does in this short.

It's just like the other Snafu toons even though Snafu isn't in it.

This is in fact the final Snafu cartoon that's ever been made. No other one has been made for 60 years.

They were original going to release more but they didn't due to the end of WW2.

I recommend this to those who do enjoy Snafu toons.

The final cartoon in the Private Snafu series, 'Private Snafu Presents Seaman Tarfu in the Navy' actually doesn't have Snafu in it and instead introduces Seaman Tarfu with the intention to be the debuting cartoon of a series of cartoons of Tarfu that never materialised.

'Private Snafu Presents Seaman Tarfu in the Navy' is a decent cartoon but also isn't all that great. There is certainly a good deal to like. The animation is very good with fluid character designs, detailed and not sparse backgrounds and lively colours/shadings. Scott Bradley, instead of Carl Stalling, does a great job with the music, throughout there is a orchestrally lush and lively in pace quality.

Seaman Tarfu is amusing and likable and the narration entertains and teaches without explaining too much and serves a point. Mel Blanc and Robert C. Bruce voice work is rock solid, and the instructional aspect of the cartoon admirable.

On the other hand, the best content is only mildly amusing and there is not much that is laugh out loud funny let alone hilarious, the most prominent emotion being cute. There is not much daring or edgy here, instead 'Private Snafu Presents Seaman Tarfu in the Navy' is rather tame, and the story doesn't feel enough to fill such a short running time.

All in all, decent but not great. 6/10 Bethany Cox