IMDb shows us that the film was directed by Dick Huemer, written by Otto Englander, with music by Paul J. Smith. This was the period where George Johnson had taken over from Pinto Colvig as Goofy's voice. This FINAL draft is just dated 1938, though the film was released 3/17/39, nr. 10 in the 2nd. RKO series (1938-39).
Animation by Woolie Reitherman, Bernie Wolf, Izzie Klein, Ed Love and Art Babbitt, with effects by Josh Meador.
For some of my dearest friends, this is the film they love to hate.
I am not mentioning names! Instead I just present this document and hope for your insightful comments!
Thanks for putting this up!
ReplyDeleteBabbitt is here, he does 3 scenes listed on page 6; the scenes of Goofy messing around with a frog.
Ed Love gives Woolie Reitherman a run for his money on the 'Comic action' scenes here. He does some pretty wild takes!
Babbitt is on the draft, he animates the scenes of Goofy chasing the frog. (Top of page 6) Mostly it's Woolie Reitherman, though - his Goofy looks blander than Art Babbitt's or Ed Love's... his facial features look more geometrical. This can also be noticed in "Polar Trappers".
ReplyDelete2218 is an interesting production number... I take it this comes between RM17 (Donald's Lucky Day) and RM19 (Donald's Golf Game). I wonder why it has a 22 rather than an RM designation, then.
Oops: Re: Babbitt: I am going through this stuff too fast! It's been a busy day! Fixed it - thanks!
ReplyDeleteAs to production numbers, around this time all numbers changes from letter-number codes to just four numbers, but in this transitional period, you often find both on a production.
This film probably started out internally as M-18, then officially became RM-18 (for RKO Mickey-series nr. 18.) and was then changed to 2218 in an effort to streamline the bean-counting, at the same time when F-1 (Snow White) became 2001.
Another example: my barsheet for The Pointer is called M-27, but the film eventually was nr. 2227.
I have to admit - I've not really seen this short so why should I criticize it when I haven't seen it. ;)
ReplyDeleteBut I will try and get time to see it and express my opinions.
Mmm, Art Babbitt appears to have been long credited here and only does a few scenes - I wonder if he planned some of the scenes as well or was just given then by the director.
Once again, it seems a few small changes have been made between draft and screen, although they could just be accidental ommissions in the draft.
ReplyDeleteThe shot of the fish falling back into the water after Wilbur spits at them is not on the draft, although it may just be a camera cut within scene 42. Also, there is a shot of the frog in the middle of scene 47 (before Goofy says "HEY, COME BACK HERE!") -- which I suspect might be an ommission on the draft, because the next scene is numbered 50.
Also, a few scenes on the draft didn't make it on screen - 53 and 54 (Goofy trying to fly and falling into a tree), and 58 (animals coming out of holes in the tree).
I bet Woolie animated a lot of Goofy in "The Fox Hunt", his "Polar Trappers" and "Goofy and WIlbur" style seems very prominent there.
'Goofy and Wilbur' originally was RS-8; the code for 'The Ugly Duckling'!
ReplyDelete