Prepare your handkerchiefs folks, because this one's a real tearjerker. "The Enchanted Square" is a Noveltoon released on 5/9/1947, with Raggedy Ann, a character created in 1915 by the writer/illustrator Johnny Gruelle. This is the third appearance of Raggedy Ann in Paramount cartoons (the previous two were in Fleischer's two reel special "Raggedy Ann and Andy", and in "Suddenly It's Spring", a Famous cartoon from 1944).
The plot of this cartoon is simple: Police Officer Flanagan gives a Rageddy Ann doll to a little blind girl, and she is told she can see it if she uses her imagination. Soon, the whole slum neighbourhood where the little girl lives is transformed into an enchanted fairyland, and the rest of the cartoon is one big fantasy sequence, not unlike the similar ones from various Little Audrey cartoons. The motto of this cartoon is "with your imagination, anything is possible."
OK, it's somewhat sappy and sentimental cartoon, yet it doesn't step into the complete cornyness, and the lavish artwork makes it still quite effective and touching. It's the Famous Studios at the most Disneyesque level, and it's unusual that this cartoon haven't been supervised/directed by legendary Disney animator Bill Tytla, who worked for the studio during the second half of '40s.
You can watch the whole cartoon here (it's an unrestored, but decent quality print):
And here are the screenshots from a superb restored print shown 9 years ago on French TV. Enjoy!
I have been enjoying your blog for sometime now. Who is restoring these cartoons? Why is it being done in Europe and not in America?
ReplyDeleteHoly crap. I just noticed that the first scene was edited in the video you posted. but uncut in the frame by frame version you posted!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIs this avaliable anywhere???
ReplyDeleteWould you post the french print of "The Stupidstious Cat"?
ReplyDeleteEven though the PD prints have the orginial titles, they're dupes.
It is one of the most easily found of all of the Paramount cartoons.
Why don't you post a video comparison?
By the way, Hammerson or Andrea (Duck Dodgers), here is the link to a VERY typical print:
http://www.archive.org/details/noveltoon_the_stupidstitious_cat
>> Would you post the french print of "The Stupidstious Cat"? <<
ReplyDeleteYes. I'll post the screenshots later today, or tomorrow.
"Yes. I'll post the screenshots later today, or tomorrow"
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen a post on "The Stupidstious Cat" yet!
>> I haven't seen a post on "The Stupidstious Cat" yet!<<
ReplyDeleteHow dare you!
I have enough of this kind of posts, Hammerson is an extraordinary artist, blogger and person and made the post anyway.
We are not here working for you, you can politely ask a certain cartoon to be highlighted and we'll try to do it BUT you cannot demand it!
Don't ever post any comments on this blog, if I'll find them I'll delete them.
And keep being nice at least on GAC (you are doing ok there). We are always watching you there!
What do you use to get those bright, clear screenshots?
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't you approve my previous comment?
ReplyDeleteIt's probably one of the greatest cartoons I've ever seen without a doubt.
ReplyDeleteWith a print like that, it would be possible to bring it here and put it on an official DVD, which is my wish. I mentioned that on my post at the Golden Age Cartoons forum. Check it out, OK?
http://forums.goldenagecartoons.com/showthread.php?t=10862
Regarding the "Enchanted Square" cartoon, believe it or not I have seen it in the Dollar Tree stores here, and on DVD!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI was just wondering where you obtained the French version of 'The Enchanted Square'. Would it be possible for you to post the film (like the English utube version)?
Thanks so much for all the information. I really appreciate you taking the time to make this blog.
There is an old cartoon that I use to watch that was on the same vhs that I use to have. It was about a hippo who had a stork best friend and when the hippo went to get shots from the doctor (who was a crocodile) the hippo changed colors... Anyone know the name of this old cartoon??? If so please email keep tabbiyoung13@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI got this cartoon on the very big collection of cartoons on DVD! Six hundred of them. This is not your ordinary collection.
ReplyDeleteThis cartoon is not only one of the best of the Noveltoon series, but one of the best cartoons that Famous Studios ever produced, period. Interestingly, this one did not have the usual Famous writers attached to it. Instead, Orestes Calpini and Shane Miller, the animation director and scenic artist respectively, both pulled double duty by also writing the script. This was the only script that either man ever worked on, but what a cartoon to do it.
ReplyDelete