Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs

Merrie Melodies short, directed by Bob Clampett, notable today for being one of the Censored Eleven. For those who don't know, the Censored Eleven are cartoons that were withheld from syndication because they were considered to be too offensive due to their use of racial stereotypes and imagery. This one, a spin on Snow White with a black cast of characters (mostly voiced by black actors), is arguably the best of all the cartoons on the Censored Eleven list. It's hailed as one of Clampett's masterpieces by many animation historians. Some viewers today might not see what all the fuss is about and will almost certainly be put off by the exaggerated racial stereotypes. But there is value here, particularly with the energetic animation and the incorporation of jazz music. And honestly it's funny in spots, too. Recommending cartoons like this is tricky business because people have strong reactions to anything racial. Many people will likely not enjoy it and may even find themselves uncomfortable watching a minute of it. But those who are able to view it through something other than a "modern lens" I think will see that there's a lot of artistic merit to it and, yes, even some entertainment. It's not for all tastes, though, obviously.

I've seen my fair share of racial, sexist, and/or politically incorrect humor. Some of it is funny, some just downright offensive, but this animated short is curiously not much of either.

I bought the bootleg tape after reading the praise in The 50 Greatest Cartoons book. OK soundtrack, some cute takes on Snow White, but really, I can't see what all the fuss is about. Kind of like the Disney film, Song of the South. WB's Coal Black is not terrible, but no great loss, either.

For years, I had heard of this cartoon yet never seen it. One of the infamous "Censored 11" (almost a dozen Warner Bros. theatrical cartoons that were forever suspended from television broadcast in the 1960s), it looked as if my chances would always be slim to none. But I have recently obtained a video copy of it and several other restricted "Looney Tunes" and "Merrie Melodies" and can now judge for myself how good it is.

As it turns out, all those critics were dead right! "Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs" is undoubtedly the flat-out funniest and most frenetically paced Bob Clampett cartoon I've ever laid eyes on - and this is up there with "The Great Piggy Bank Robbery", "Kitty Kornered", "Baby Bottleneck", "The Big Snooze", "Tortoise Wins By a Hare", Draftee Daffy", "A Tale of Two Kitties", and scads of others. Sure, its caricatures are seen today as appalling, but I know the context that this cartoon was supposed to be seen in. When thought of as a morale-raising wartime cartoon with one foot steadied in the world of jazz and black entertainment, this film is hilarious. In fact, several people have noted that this film's positive portrayal of blacks in the US Army was actually one of the few instances of such in film at the time. And the animation is certainly some of the best to come out of the Clampett unit - the dance scenes between Prince Chawmin' and So White, the flailing and unrestrained movements of the characters, and the Dwarfs' final attack on "Queenie" are all virtuoso pieces of work. The music and singing are astoundingly well-done, adding a jazzy spin to this particular Merrie Melodie. And as always, Treg Brown's sound effects make the film that much better (the numerous "p-zings" and "beyowhups" and "trombone gobbles" throughout the soundtrack never get old). Altogether this is a true winning effort. Despite its reputation, this cartoon can't be overlooked when observing Clampett's efforts at the Warner studio. As Steve Schneider put it in his 1988 book "That's All Folks! The Art of Warner Bros. Animation", this is a film masterpiece in miniature. And that is not a military secret.

Now, if I can only get my hands on "Tin Pan Alley Cats" and "Russian Rhapsody"...

Okay, I get why some mayn't like Coal Black and De Sebben Dwarfs, the characters are rather stereotyped. As for complaints of racism, I can kind of see why people say that, but I do think people need to remember when this cartoon was made, in the 40s, an era where racism was much bigger in a sense than it is now.

This aside, I think Coal Black and De Sebben Dwarfs is terrific, and one of Clampett's funniest and most unique achievements. The animation is really very good, the characters while on the stereotypical side are still well animated, the colours are plentiful, done in a subtle shade without dating the film one bit and the background art is smooth enough.

I also have to say that I love the music here. Merrie Melodies always have great music, but Carl Stalling's score here is very jazzy and extremely catchy. As I've said too, Coal Black and De Sebben Dwarfs is very funny, not just with the timeless fairytale done in a fresh twist but the quotes are quotable and irreverent with a lot of effective exaggerated comedic effect and I love also the subtle cues and nuances.

The voice acting is great, Mel Blanc for one lends his distinctive voice and once again excels. Need I mention as well that Snow White is one sassy babe? Overall, funny, unique, catchy, just a great cartoon really. 9/10 Bethany Cox

It's been a dream of mine for years to see Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs, and I finally achieved that dream. A friend of mine somehow got a copy, and he burned one for me, and at the age of 18 my life is complete. No, I don't think little kids should see it, but I have to say, it lives up to every word of it's reputation. The voice acting and music are great. But what gets me the most is the sheer energy of the thing. It's just a rush for seven and a half minutes. The introductions of each new character are really great (especially Prince Chawmin's. Just exhilarating), and the dance number is spectacular as well. I'm still on a total high. Any fan of animation should see it. It's a great one.