AND YET WE have another example of the Disney Production crew bringing us an example of creating a cartoon around the caricaturing of popular Hollywood figures. Due to the successes achieved by the Studio with the titles such as MICKEY"S GALA PREMIER (1934), MICKEY"S POLO TEAM (1936)and the Donald Duck vehicle, THE AUTOGRAPH HOUND (1938), the subject had grown into a favourite; being repeated often.
IN MANY RESPECTS, this entry belongs at the top of the list. With its multitude of episodic gags, each and every one being tailored to both the Mother Goose Story and to the Star(s) being fitted to the mannerisms and physicality of that subject, it has a unity of purpose and theme. That it is both diverse and concise at once.
ONE OF THE main differences that separates this from the other is that there is no Disney character that is cast in the main, starring role. Other than the very brief appearance of Donald Duck, in what can only be described as the quintessence of the Cameo, no other regular cartoon characters appear.
THE CARTOON LIKNESSES of the Elite of Film-land, on the other hand, are legion in their numbers. Going chapter by chapter, the all so familiar stories of the Mother Goose are lampooned by the infusion of the stars persona. For example, we have Katherine Hepburn as LITTLE BO PEEP, Charles Laughton (as Captain Bligh from MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY), and both Spencer Tracy & Freddie Bartholomew (from CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS) as the THREE MEN IN A TUB.
THE MANY OTHER appearances we find are: Hugh Herbert, Ned Sparks, the Marx Brothers, Eddie Anderson, Laurel & Hardy, Edward G. Robinson, Greta Garbo, Eddie Cantor, Cab Calloway, Fats Waller, Lincoln Perry (Stepin Fetchit), Fred Astair and many others.
BEING THAT THIS Cartoon was a part of the SILLY SYMPHONY Series, one could infer and assume that the Musical Score would be both important and elaborate. Well, you'd be right. All the way from the opening Theme to the various musical quotations that appear in the incidental music, it is outstanding and indeed a great listening experience.
ANOTHER REMARKABLE ASPECT of this short is its seeming freshness. Although it is now over 75 years old, it couldn't be better if it were made yesterday. This is due to a couple of factors.
FIRST OF ALL, the films and actors being lampooned are all classic and well remembered today. Most all of those characters are instantly recognizable due to the near immortal status achieved by those performers in their lifetime.
SECONDLY AND PERHAPS the most obvious reason for the almost legendary reputation associated with films such as this is that it is a Walt Disney Production.
WE BELIEVE THAT this factor needs no further proof or validation.
