Fleischer were responsible for some brilliant cartoons, some of them still among my favourites. Their visual style was often stunning and some of the most imaginative and ahead of its time in animation.
The character of Betty Boop, one of their most famous and prolific characters, may not be for all tastes and sadly not as popular now, but her sex appeal was quite daring for the time and to me there is an adorable sensual charm about her. That charm, sensuality and adorable factor is not lost anywhere here, and she is very well supported by the ever fun Koko.
'Ha Ha Ha' is perhaps, as said in the summary, Betty Boop at her most bizarre, so much so that one is amazed at much the cartoon gets away with, but it is so deliciously entertaining that it is a case of bizarre not actually being a bad thing. As much as it doesn't matter so much that the story is thin and doesn't make much sense, nor did it need to as it's not that kind of cartoon.
As ever, the animation is still incredibly good, the detail is immaculate, there are the typical imaginative moments like with the laughing tombstones for instance (both hilarious and creepy) and everything is beautifully drawn. Every bit as good is the music, which is full of zippy energy and lyrical elegance.
Content-wise, much has been said about the strangeness, but 'Ha Ha Ha' is also an extremely clever and funny cartoon and up there with the most risqué (very ahead of the time for back then and even now it would be one of a kind) and surreal. The voice acting from Mae Questel is fine.
In conclusion, delicious fun and an example of bizarre not being a bad thing. 10/10 Bethany Cox
The character of Betty Boop, one of their most famous and prolific characters, may not be for all tastes and sadly not as popular now, but her sex appeal was quite daring for the time and to me there is an adorable sensual charm about her. That charm, sensuality and adorable factor is not lost anywhere here, and she is very well supported by the ever fun Koko.
'Ha Ha Ha' is perhaps, as said in the summary, Betty Boop at her most bizarre, so much so that one is amazed at much the cartoon gets away with, but it is so deliciously entertaining that it is a case of bizarre not actually being a bad thing. As much as it doesn't matter so much that the story is thin and doesn't make much sense, nor did it need to as it's not that kind of cartoon.
As ever, the animation is still incredibly good, the detail is immaculate, there are the typical imaginative moments like with the laughing tombstones for instance (both hilarious and creepy) and everything is beautifully drawn. Every bit as good is the music, which is full of zippy energy and lyrical elegance.
Content-wise, much has been said about the strangeness, but 'Ha Ha Ha' is also an extremely clever and funny cartoon and up there with the most risqué (very ahead of the time for back then and even now it would be one of a kind) and surreal. The voice acting from Mae Questel is fine.
In conclusion, delicious fun and an example of bizarre not being a bad thing. 10/10 Bethany Cox