Although the Mel-O-Toons animated version of Robin Hood was much more accurate, they omitted Maid Marian and that's a pretty big omission. Here, the Van Beuren Studios were wise enough to give her co-starring status as should be required. The story, though, focuses on the rescue of Maid Marian and Robin's uncanny skill in the sport of archery. It is a musical version with all singing and no talking. In fact it even has an opening theme song, "In the Days of Robin Hood". A lot is told in the seven minute, ten second running time. Fans of Robin Hood, myself included, will enjoy it. Brownie Bear kind of looks more like a mouse than a bear and to add to the confusion it seems that this character started out with the name, Cubby Bear. But there is no ambiguity here, as the opening frame reads, A Brownie Bear cartoon. The picture quality is good but could be a little sharper. Van Beuren Studios also had the series, The Little King, and Tom and Jerry(not of MGM fame). Four years later Warner Brothers would come out with their live action feature, The Adventures of Robin Hood.
2 Reviews
Heroic Cubby
TheLittleSongbird10 December 2017
Van Bueren Studios' Cubby the Bear series comprised of just 19 cartoons made between 1933-1934. As much as it pains me to say it, speaking as a big animation fan, it is not hard to see why the character and the series weren't so popular and didn't last long.
'Goode Knight' is however by far one of the best Cubby cartoons, a lot of them strain mediocre ('Love's Labour Won', 'Cubby's Picnic' and 'Galloping Fanny' are examples of ones that are pretty weak even) but 'Goode Knight' is one of the decent ones. Others that fit this distinction are 'The Nut Factory', 'Fresh Ham' and 'Croon Crazy'. It's not exceptional but has enough to stop it from being a misfire, and nothing really is executed disastrously.
There are things that work against 'Goode Knight'. Some of the animation is not great, it takes simplicity to extremes and is often static and sloppy. Credit is due though, the characters' expressions are more expressive than usual, some of the backgrounds are nice and there are some clever transitions, so it is also actually one of the better Cubby cartoons.
Cubby, although with more heroism and motivation to usual, is still un-compelling as a lead character and bland as a character in general. His love interest and the king are not much better. Only the villain has a personality that is strong and well-rounded. There is more story than there tends to be in a Cubby cartoon, and it's paced better. It's also very formulaic and predictable, basically a standard rescue cartoon set in a Medieval period which is something that Mickey Mouse did better.
However, there is a lot more energy than in most Cubby cartoons. There are also more gags to usual (usually there's a severe shortage) and they are actually amusing and well-timed. It just about avoids veering on being too cute.
Best thing about it, and this is true of a lot of Van Bueren's output, is the music score. It is so beautifully and cleverly orchestrated and full of lively energy that is sorely lacking elsewhere, doing so well with enhancing the action.
Overall, above average and not bad at all, in a different league to most cartoons in the Cubby the Bear series. 6/10 Bethany Cox
'Goode Knight' is however by far one of the best Cubby cartoons, a lot of them strain mediocre ('Love's Labour Won', 'Cubby's Picnic' and 'Galloping Fanny' are examples of ones that are pretty weak even) but 'Goode Knight' is one of the decent ones. Others that fit this distinction are 'The Nut Factory', 'Fresh Ham' and 'Croon Crazy'. It's not exceptional but has enough to stop it from being a misfire, and nothing really is executed disastrously.
There are things that work against 'Goode Knight'. Some of the animation is not great, it takes simplicity to extremes and is often static and sloppy. Credit is due though, the characters' expressions are more expressive than usual, some of the backgrounds are nice and there are some clever transitions, so it is also actually one of the better Cubby cartoons.
Cubby, although with more heroism and motivation to usual, is still un-compelling as a lead character and bland as a character in general. His love interest and the king are not much better. Only the villain has a personality that is strong and well-rounded. There is more story than there tends to be in a Cubby cartoon, and it's paced better. It's also very formulaic and predictable, basically a standard rescue cartoon set in a Medieval period which is something that Mickey Mouse did better.
However, there is a lot more energy than in most Cubby cartoons. There are also more gags to usual (usually there's a severe shortage) and they are actually amusing and well-timed. It just about avoids veering on being too cute.
Best thing about it, and this is true of a lot of Van Bueren's output, is the music score. It is so beautifully and cleverly orchestrated and full of lively energy that is sorely lacking elsewhere, doing so well with enhancing the action.
Overall, above average and not bad at all, in a different league to most cartoons in the Cubby the Bear series. 6/10 Bethany Cox
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