Speedy Gonzales

Although Speedy Gonzales was a mouse, his character was based off the stereotypes of Mexican men.

Check out this short cartoon featuring Speedy Gonzales.

Also, I'd like for you to check out the comments on this video on Youtube.

Do you agree with the Top Comments?

What are your overall thoughts on Speedy Gonzales?

Wednesday Spotlight: Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs

Today's spotlight is on the controversial and long-banned 1943 Merry Melodies animation:

 Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs.

For some reason I can't post the video, so CLICK HERE to watch it on Youtube.

As you can see, this cartoon is filled with stereotypical and quite racist content. 

Film scholars and historians say that it's one of the greatest animations ever made (of course they do). Some call it a "masterpiece". 

In terms of its animation, is it a masterpiece? Is it one of the greatest animations ever made?

Do you think the creators had good intentions or ill-intentions?

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

By the way--Vivian Dandridge provided the voice of "So White" and Ruby Dandridge provided the voice of "Mammy". 

Wednesday Spotlight: Chikara to Onna no Yo no Naka

This Wednesday, the spotlight is on the 1933 anime short film Chikara to Onna no Yo no Naka ("The World of Power and Women").

This short film is also the first Japanese anime of any type to feature voiceovers. 

Unfortunately, this treasure is now considered a "lost film". 

****

Plot Summary

Chikara to Onna no Yo no Naka is the story of a father of four who is constantly abused in his own home. He is also unhappy with his wife and soon begins an affair with a cute typist.

Click Here

For more information on this landmark film. 

Unsung of the Screen: Vivian Dandridge (Post Two)

After much success throughout the years of 1938 and 1939, Dorothy Dandridge decided she wanted to go pursue an acting a career in about 1940, leaving Vivian and Etta to find work of their own.

Vivian tried to find work in nightclubs, but very few were interested. Vivian was to get a few uncredited roles in movies like Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather. 

I personally was able to spot Vivian in a couple of scenes in Stormy Weather, and she's the dancer dancing in at 0:55 of this clip from Cabin in the Sky and the one jumping up beside Duke Ellington towards the end:

(Clip from "Cabin in the Sky")

However, Vivian's most popular work (unfortunately) would probably be as the voice of lead characters in some of Old Hollywood's most racist cartoons--cartoons that were eventually banned.

She provides the voice of "The Girl" at about 4:34 in this banned cartoon called "Scrub Me Mama With a Boogie Beat":

She also provided the voice of "So White" in the more controversial Merry Melodies cartoon: "Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs". Her mother, Ruby also provided the voice of Mammy and by the way it sounds, I believe she may have also portrayed the voice of the child too (Ruby was popular for her high pitched voice in certain TV/Movie/Radio roles).

In Post Three tomorrow, we will talk more about Vivian's personal life and life under her sister and her mother's shadow.

Sources

Wikipedia

IMDB