Ub Iwerks's Flip the Frog series of cartoons was short-lived, only lasting from 1930 to 1933. On the most part the Flip the Frog cartoons are not great or cartoon/animated masterpieces and it is sort of understandable as to why Flip didn't make it bigger. However they are far from terrible ones either and do hold some interest.
1930's 'Fiddlesticks' is the first cartoon in the Flip the Frog series. It is also a historically interesting cartoon in more than one way, being the first Iwerks cartoon after leaving Disney and the first complete sound cartoon to be photographed in two-strip Technicolor. On those front, 'Fiddlesticks' has historical significance and that is the main reason to see the cartoon, because in quality overall it's not particularly great.
Not bad at all by all means. The animation is remarkably good, with beautifully detailed backgrounds, rich use of colour and nicely drawn characters with mostly smooth movement for early on. Carl Stalling's music makes even more of an impact, it is lushly and cleverly orchestrated, full of lively energy and not only adds brilliantly to the action it enhances it.
There are a few nice music-themed little things and some charming supporting characters, like the tobacco-chewing robin (providing the cartoon's funniest moment easily) and just as memorably the Mickey/Mortimer Mouse-like mouse. The setting is colourfully immersive.
However, Flip doesn't really have a very interesting or compelling personality which is a very big problem in general in the series, 'Fiddlesticks' is a case that even in his debut the supporting characters are more memorable. Willie Whopper who came later was an even more short-lived character and to me while also limited he was a much better character. Pacing wise, the cartoon is a bit dull and the general lack of gags/humour (what little there is is not very funny), lack of charm and at times an over-cutesiness contribute to why that is.
As well as the very thinly plotted story, which actually is not much of one at all.
Overall, historically interesting but very average character/cartoon debut for Flip the Frog. 5/10 Bethany Cox
1930's 'Fiddlesticks' is the first cartoon in the Flip the Frog series. It is also a historically interesting cartoon in more than one way, being the first Iwerks cartoon after leaving Disney and the first complete sound cartoon to be photographed in two-strip Technicolor. On those front, 'Fiddlesticks' has historical significance and that is the main reason to see the cartoon, because in quality overall it's not particularly great.
Not bad at all by all means. The animation is remarkably good, with beautifully detailed backgrounds, rich use of colour and nicely drawn characters with mostly smooth movement for early on. Carl Stalling's music makes even more of an impact, it is lushly and cleverly orchestrated, full of lively energy and not only adds brilliantly to the action it enhances it.
There are a few nice music-themed little things and some charming supporting characters, like the tobacco-chewing robin (providing the cartoon's funniest moment easily) and just as memorably the Mickey/Mortimer Mouse-like mouse. The setting is colourfully immersive.
However, Flip doesn't really have a very interesting or compelling personality which is a very big problem in general in the series, 'Fiddlesticks' is a case that even in his debut the supporting characters are more memorable. Willie Whopper who came later was an even more short-lived character and to me while also limited he was a much better character. Pacing wise, the cartoon is a bit dull and the general lack of gags/humour (what little there is is not very funny), lack of charm and at times an over-cutesiness contribute to why that is.
As well as the very thinly plotted story, which actually is not much of one at all.
Overall, historically interesting but very average character/cartoon debut for Flip the Frog. 5/10 Bethany Cox