Trolley Ahoy

Van Beuren cartoons are extremely variable, especially in the number of gags and whether the absurdist humour shines through enough (sometimes it does, other times it doesn't), but are strangely interesting. Although they are often poorly animated with barely existent stories and less than compelling lead characters, they are also often outstandingly scored, there can be some fun support characters and some are well-timed and amusing.

On the most part, 'Trolley Ahoy' is among the best of the "Rainbow Parade" series, a hit and miss series of twenty seven cartoons made between 1934 and 1936. It's not great, but it's more than watchable as long as one knows what to expect before watching if familiar with the other "Rainbow Parade" cartoons. Knew exactly what to expect myself, being familiar with the rest of the series, and there are most of the same strengths and flaws, though with a few improvements, that one sees in the other cartoons.

There are strengths as aforementioned. Loved the animation, which has come on a lot since (human) Tom and Jerry and Cubby the Bear. One of the best-looking of the "Rainbow Parade" cartons. There is more drawing refinement to usual, there are some truly inventive shots and the colours appeal hugely to the eye while the backgrounds are elaborate and meticulous. Even better is the music score, it is so beautifully and cleverly orchestrated, is great fun to listen to and full of lively energy, doing so well with enhancing the action.

Some of the synchronisation is sharp enough. There is a good deal of charm, a zesty liveliness and there are more gags than can be found usually in the series and they are generally (although a few don't hold up) amusing and suitably wild. The leads are great fun and their chemistry carries 'Trolley Ahoy'. It also benefits from not being as saccharine as most other "Rainbow Parade" cartoons.

Conversely, there are things done wrong too. Expectedly (somewhat), the content is very thin, not much to it in a pretty much plot-less cartoon, and any absurdist humour or surrealism present in some of Van Beuren's earlier work is generally present elsewhere. While not as excessively sugary as other "Rainbow Parade" cartoons and it doesn't leave a bad taste in the mouth, it's still a bit too cutesy occasionally.

Story is flimsy, non-existent actually (what there is of any is very predictable that surprises are none). It takes a little too long to get going too.

Overall, decent fun. 6/10 Bethany Cox