The Ant from Uncle (1969)

To bar the Ant from subterranean refuge, the Aardvark strives to plug every ant hole in existence and, to his dismay, discovers a hole of volcanic proportions which is the dwelling of Charlie's huge, older kin.

Director:

George Gordon

Writer:

John W. Dunn (story)

Star:

John Byner

Cast

Complete credited cast:
John Byner	...	Ant / Aardvark / Aunt (voice)

Storyline

To bar the Ant from subterranean refuge, the Aardvark strives to plug every ant hole in existence and, to his dismay, discovers a hole of volcanic proportions which is the dwelling of Charlie's huge, older kin.

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Plot Keywords:

anthill | land mine | apple tree | mallet | exploding cigar | 

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Genres:

Animation | Short

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Did You Know?

Connections

Spoofs The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964)

User Reviews

Subtarranean blues

Although the Ant and the Aardvark cartoons, seventeen in total lasting from 1969 to 1971, may not be flawless or animation masterpieces, they are still entertaining and make for one of DePatie-Freleng Enterprises' better theatrical series in my opinion. Which are numerous in number and variable in terms of quality, prime-Pink Panther, The Inspector (although that had a few disappointments, no disasters though) and the Ant and the Aardvark being the best.

The previous two cartoons, 'The Ant and the Aardvark' and 'Hasty But Tasty', also from 1969, had a lot of great qualities even with a couple of things that could have been done a little better. The same goes for the series' third cartoon 'The Ant from Uncle', spoofing as one may have guessed it the television series 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E'. Many great things that outweigh what could have been done better if falling a little short on being completely on the money.

Maybe once again the story does feel that it is a little too short for the already short length, it's a very slight plot and a formulaic one.

Personally also didn't find the ending particularly funny and the aunt character (only making a barely half-a-minute and not very memorable appearance right at the end) not serving much of a purpose. Then again that maybe is just me and a re-watch perhaps in order.

So much works in 'The Ant from Uncle's' favour though. The animation has improved in the finesse department and the simplicity never becomes over-simplistic that it looks cheap. Continue to especially love the backgrounds, the colours are rich and varied and the detail strikingly stylised. There is just one colour each used for the ant and the aardvark, this was not cheaply done at all and blended very well, while there are some inventive moments with the aardvark's reactions. 'The Ant from Uncle' didn't take too long to get going, getting to the point relatively quickly and grabbing the attention right from the amusing and superbly scored (the main theme stays in the head for a while after without getting annoying) opening titles sequence. The music overall is wonderfully light-hearted and quite atmospheric.

It is a seldom less than very funny cartoon, the ending being the one place that didn't work for me. The gags are a big number and are crisply timed, well animated and fun, one of the better ones being early on regarding a chicken. Actually thought though that the verbal humour/dialogue shone more, the ant's lines are suitably irreverent and proves that sarcasm can be funny rather than mean-spirited (like it tends to be). The best lines go to the aardvark though, with the witticisms and talking to the audience, there is even some narration-like writing that is not overused or abused and doesn't over-explain, instead it's quite witty and raises a smile.

Nothing can be faulted with either of the lead characters, both equal in terms of having interesting well-contrasted personalities and strong comic timing in different ways (the ant more verbal and the aardvark more physical, if a little better at having both types). Love the chemistry between them. John Byner provides terrific and very individual voice acting that is instrumental in bringing both characters alive.

All in all, a solid cartoon again. 8/10

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 April 1969 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

DePatie-Freleng Enterprises (DFE), The Mirisch Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

7 min 6 min (Blu-ray)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color