Action Analysis &Animation Artifacts &Disney 19 Jul 2011 07:00 am
Action Analysis – April 5, 1937
- We’re taking a step back before we go forward. Last week I posted the April 12th, 1937 edition of the Action Analysis notes from the Disney studio’s after hours class. I had to skip the April 5th notes because all I really had was the cover page. The actual notes weren’t included. Mike Barrier to the rescue. He sent me the correct notes for April 5th, and I’m now able to post them here.
Don Graham conducts the session which includes some footage from “Bum Voyage” starring Thelma Todd and Patsy Kelly. This is a 1934 feature from MGM and Hal Roach Studio. A madcap sequence which shows Thelma being chased by Patsy in a Gorilla outfit. Unfortunately, Netflix doesn’t seem to have this film, nor has TCM issued a dvd, as yet.
Mark Sonntag directed me to this great still
from “Bum Voyage” for sale on ebay.
Those who participate in the lecture include: Izzy Klein, Bernie Wolf, Joe Magro, Roy Williams, Eddie Strickland, Stan Quackenbush, Jacques Roberts, Chuck Couch and Jack Hannah.
1
2 
3
4 
5
6 
7
8 
9
on 19 Jul 2011 at 8:44 am 1.Mark Mayerson said …
Just to clarify, Bum Voyage is a two reeler, running 19 minutes. It was produced by Roach and distributed by MGM.
It’s very frustrating to me that TCM hasn’t licensed the Hal Roach library for Canada. I see the Roach films on the TCM schedule, but something else is substituted for Canada.
The Roach films have been very poorly served on DVD in North America, considering the library includes the work of Laurel and Hardy as well as Thelma Todd, Charley Chase and Harry Langdon.
on 19 Jul 2011 at 8:48 am 2.Michael said …
They have shown this film on TCM in NY as part of an all day program that also included a lot of Zsa Zsu Pitts short films. They were the ones I looked for. Thelma Todd was pretty funny, too. I watched several of them though moved away during this one. I was never keen on people in gorilla suits.
on 19 Jul 2011 at 11:32 am 3.The Gee said …
Zasu Pitts is a reliable marker of quality film. I have no idea why that is but even though she’s usually in a supporting role for a lot of movies, the movies are often good ones, or good enough.
Apparently, according to something on this site, she inspired the cartoon voice of Olive Oyl. And, there are a few other cartoon connections.
http://www.reynoldsbrothers.net/index.php/site/about/zasu_pitts
————————–
As it goes, I know rights issues dominate too much but I would have thought that the Roach studios output would get more airtime. There’s so much of it.