Crazy Cruise

Disclaimer: Despite the title, this is not a post about the wacky antics of a certain movie superstar. OK, we settled that, now we can proceed with...



"Crazy Cruise" is a WB cartoon released on 03/14/1942, and it is one of the few cartoons started by Tex Avery and finished by Bob Clampett after Avery left the studio (the other two are "The Cagey Canary" and "Aloha Hooey"). Both directors are uncredited, but "Crazy Cruise" clearly shows much more of Avery's influence. In the major part of cartoon, the gags, timing, and animation look completely indistinguishable from Avery's previous travelogue parodies. The only scene that can be assigned to Clampett with great certainity is the last one, with the rabbits and the Japanese vulture (and Bugs Bunny cameo at the end). A different animation style, character design, timing and especially the wild camera movement - all these are signs of Clampett's involvement.



However, the main focus of this post is the scene that came before the final one, about the two big-game hunters (the caricatures of Friz Freleng and Michael Maltese) in search for the giant cannibals.



The last part of this scene contains a hilarious tirade by a little African native (who looks like Elmer Fudd in blackface). The screenshots from this particular scene were requested last month by one of our regular readers, and with a good reason. While lasting barely 9 seconds, it's a real showcase of wonderful acting, funny drawings, and superb lip synch. Each frame is an example of solid and well constructed cartoon drawing. I think this scene was animated by Robert McKimson. Can anybody confirm or deny that?