The Early Bird and the Worm

Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes, Hanna Barbera, Studio Ghibli and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons. With significantly broader knowledge of different directors, animation styles and studios, actually appreciate and love it even more now. 'The Early Bird and the Worm' is a fairly typical Rudolf Ising cartoon, whether you think that a good or bad thing is dependent on what your overall opinion of Ising is.

For me, he was a bit up and down as a director. There are cartoons of his that are good, sweet, charming and amusing (if seldom hilarious). Then there are others that are not so good, too cutesy and tired with bland characters and barely existent storytelling. 'The Early Bird and the Worm' sees a bit of both extremes, though thankfully with more the former than the latter. Which was surprising, seeing as it has a premise that could easily be entirely the latter.

'The Early Bird and the Worm' is not flawless. It is too saccharine, especially going into the middle. Like with all Ising cartoons, the story is best forgotten as there isn't really one and the pacing is not always secure.

Also did find the titular characters too bland and twee.

However, the crows (personally didn't find them at problematic, far worse stereotyping occurred in animation during this period) and the snake are anything but and the cartoon really comes to life when the snake in particular joins in the chase. The action later on is lively and a lot of fun to watch visually. The animation is rich in detail for design and backgrounds, vibrant in colour and crisp. Composer for the prime-era 'Tom and Jerry' cartoons and regular Tex Avery composer Scott Bradley provides a lush and atmospheric music score. The Rhythmettes' vocals are typically fabulous.

On the whole, 'The Early Bird and the Worm' is very charming and there are some very amusing moments later on and with the crows and the snake. Loved the merits of early rising discussion. The climax is visually exciting and a lot of fun.

Concluding, pretty decent if not exceptional. 7/10.

A bluebird goes out early to pursue a young, pipe-playing worm who's mother has warmed him about the early bird.

If you've read my reviews of other Harman & Ising cartoons from the middle of the 1930s, you'll know I respect their technical abilities and color design, but despise their stories, which are intended to satisfy morons: not just moronic children, but their parents who seem to live in perpetual fear that their children will see something naughty and find it irresistible. Is good behavior so deathly dull the way these people see it?

Perhaps. This is made a little worse by having Mack & Moran do a couple of voice-overs. They were blackface comics of the era, wildly popular and not in the least funny.

Whilst dated this is worth a look - if only for for the two crows.

Their opening scene where they are discussing the merits of early rising is very amusing.

Alas political correctness would probably rule them out today!

The rattle snake is a hoot too. The main characters - the bird and the worm - are rather twee but they provide enough entertainment to carry this 1930s short through at a fair lick.

8/10 for lovers of old style animation and watchers of historical footage. I am such a person and cartoons like this one can give insight into those early times. The director, Rudolf Ising, is highly regarded by lovers of old animation.He spent a lifetime producing and directing animated features. When the Thin Man DVD Collection was put together this was included as one of the special features. It is a good choice and gives the nostalgia lover a satisfactory glow!

It's a MGM presents "Happy Harmonies", a Hugh Harman & Rudolf Ising cartoon. The early bird gets up in the morning. The worm leaves home and says goodbye to his mom. The bird is soon chasing him. Then a snake with a rattle and two hungry lazy crows join the pursuit.

Of course, there is an issue with the crows. Like a lot of its compatriots, black crows are representations of southern black folks. I tend to see it as a relic of the past. It's not as egregious as others. Leaving that aside, this is a basic animal world cartoon. The rattle snake is a fun visual. It's in Technicolor. It's mostly fun.