Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy

Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy by Max and Dave Fleischer is not only one of the very best films to come from the studio of these underrated animators, but is, in my opinion the best film ever made on the characters (dolls).

Here we see a combination of a wonderful, poignant and sensitive story most children and all adults that have managed to retain their child-hearts will enjoy. It is a lovely period piece and while not in the Disney style, matches anything to come from the Disney studio of the period. While Disney went on to greater heights, these two pioneers inspired the young Disney when he was still delivering newspapers in Kansas City.

The Fleischer brothers were innovators and pioneers of the art of animation at a time when nearly everything they produced was a delightful, breakthrough film. This one is memorable...a most precious gift for children, especially the sensitive ones, who will never forget it.

"Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy" is a lengthy cartoon short (about double normal length) about Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy. And, while the two used to be considered brother and sisters, here the Fleischer Brothers animation team have made them boyfriend and girlfriend.

The animation quality of this film is lovely for its time...and I recommend you see it just for that. As for the story, however, it left me a bit flat as the cartoon was very cutesy and a bit schmaltzy and I wish it had more edge. I guess I just like the more violent stuff from MGM and Warner Brothers from this time period, as the two studios had recently adopted a more edgy and less childish style.

From beginning to end, this works. First of all, we have a little girl who can only afford one doll, but they must be a pair. Then the proprietor of he toy store tells the story of the two. But it is more than a story because the country of Ragland comes to life, one of the most wonderful places ever presented. But ultimately it is a love story. Excellent animation and something with a heart.

The Raggedy Ann cartoons were not many, only one from Fleischer Studios (this one, made when they had drastically declined) and two from Famous Studios ('Suddenly It's Spring' and 'The Enchanted Square', both made in one of the studio's better years). All three are must watches. As indicated, Fleischer Studios were not near as good as they used to be by the early 40s, with the Popeye theatrical series being the only theatrical series of theirs to be watchable.

While loving all three of the Raggedy Ann cartoons and pretty much equally (the only flaw in all three being the jarring racial stereotype in 'Suddenly It's Spring'), 'Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy' is perhaps the best. Tough call though. It is easily one of the best of Fleischer's early 40s output, being one of the few outstanding ones, and proof that the studio hadn't completely lost it. It's even better than a lot of the late 30s cartoons which takes some beating.

'Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy' is wonderful in every way. The drawing in the animation is very smooth and elegant, and with no signs of roughness or jerky movements. The backgrounds are imaginative in look, are incredibly detailed with every one looking like hours went into making just that one. The colours and shades are well and truly lavish, with the darker colours giving off real atmosphere and the livelier colours being really sumptuous.

Music is also outstanding. Not only does it compliment the whimsy and poignancy of the story and visuals brilliantly, but it's just a wonderful score on its own as well. Rhythmically it has so much character, while the orchestration is lush-sounding and very rich in texture and tone colour, the lusher moments not being too syrupy at all.

Furthermore, while the story is slight (which is not always a bad thing, only when the pace is affected which is not the case here) it is also beautifully done and told here in 'Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy'. Simple but beautiful. It could easily have had a story caked in over-sentimentality and corniness, but neither is the case here. Sure the story is sentimental, but never overly so. The emotion here is actually incredibly touching and often tear-jerking, and the whole story is told in a deeply heart-warming way. There is also just the right amount of whimsical charm without being coy or cloying. Both titular characters are endearing and worth engaging with.

Concluding, wonderful. 10/10.