Mercearia Maluca

Okay, perhaps it doesn't quite rival the scope or length of James Cameron's epic, but considering this marks the Technicolor debut of Bob Clampett (up to this point pretty much head of the black-and-white Looney Tunes division), it's still quite remarkable. The cartoon is set in what appears to be a small-town grocery store after hours during the Christmas season (the grocery store window at the beginning reveals a snow-covered scene that would do the likes of "It's a Wonderful Life" proud) where grocery store characters, including a dog from a dog food box, cows from cans of condensed milk, and a rabbit intended as a parody of Jack Benny ("Jack Bunny" -- get it? Interesting, considering the fact that Tex Avery's original name for Bugs was "Jack Rabbit"...), come to life for a night of fun and entertainment. Of course, a complication does arise, here in the form of a gorilla from a box of animal crackers (stored ominously on a high shelf amongst a series of cobwebs, away from the other containers), quickly turning the film into a grand-scale send-up of -- what else? -- King Kong. And, this being Clampett, you can bet that it hardly ends as that film did, but rather takes an unexpected turn for a final gag that in today's society is decidedly controversial.

Clampett was known for being ever the experimenter and envelope-pusher in his work, and with a full pallet of colors to play with, he has obviously gone to town. Much has been made of the camera angles and technique of Frank Tashlin, anticipating that director's career in the fifties as a live action director rather than an animation director, but there are several elements of this early Clampett effort that seem to suggest some similar efforts on his part at live action simulation, or tribute in any event, once the gorilla makes his ominous presence in the film known. (And, this being Clampett, you can bet that it will be offset by a remark to the audience that causes the gorilla to acknowledge what we ourselves have observed of the character thus far.) As the gorilla gazes at the festivities, we see an overlay of the more cheerful scenes we have seen thus far across an intense close-up of his face. A bit later, the gorilla swings from a lamp, sending the store into a brief darkness, and several pairs of eyes come flying in all directions, some directly at the audience, as the characters are fleeing in horror. Naturally, all of this will be offset at the very end, and even the villain will be proved not quite as villainous and/or vicious as we have been led to believe that he is; after all, Clampett's work is nothing if not ultimately full of surprises.

The pace isn't quite the breakneck speed Clampett is more famous for...that is to say, it's fast, but not quite as rapid and "catch one's breath" as one is used to expecting from Clampett. Still, what with the wild chases and the crazy ideas, it's still highly recommended, and one heck of a colorful start.

Bob Clampett's 'Goofy Groceries' is another in the series of things-coming-to-life cartoons that were popular in the 30s and 40s. Rather than the usual books or magazines, 'Goofy Groceries' features various products and labels suddenly becoming animated. Clampett would go on to direct the definitive cartoon in this vein with the marvellous 'Book Revue' but 'Goofy Groceries' has more in common with Frank Tashlin's earlier efforts 'Speaking of the Weather' and 'Have You Got Any Castles'. This was still in the day when Merrie Melodies were the big, prestige colour cartoons and the Disney-esquire opening with its idyllic snowy scene and Christmas music betrays this fact. However, once it gets underway, 'Goofy Groceries' builds up a head of steam that makes for an enjoyable cartoon. Following the same formula as the other cartoons in this loose series, 'Goofy Groceries' introduces a baddie at the half way mark and proceeds to pit the other characters against him. In this case, the baddie is a gorilla who escapes from a box of Animal Crackers. The arrival of this character is what triggers the Clampett magic. Having got the obligatory musical number and quaint punning spot gags out of the way, Clampett shows a glimpse of his true colours in the final sequences as Jack Bunny and Superguy battle with the gorilla. This is where the energy in the cartoon really reaches its peak, although the deus ex machina climax is something of a disappointment and the closing gag is a dated blackface routine. Nevertheless, 'Goofy Groceries' makes a sufficient impact to make it a worthwhile and often very enjoyable watch.

Once again, we are fortunate to see a gorgeous opening scene where the artists' work has been fully restored and we see this old-time grocery store on a street corner with the snow gently falling. Inside are the rich colors of all the merchandise, from produce to canned and boxed goods to medicine to candy, etc.

In essence, this is a story of those goods "coming to life," such as the animals on the labels of items, or a pie, or even a pack of cigarettes.

The whole "show" is narrated by "Jack Bunny," a Jack Benny impersonator, with music from conductor Leopold Stokowski, who was in so many Looney Tunes animated shorts I have lost count. A lot of the humor is topical, so it pays to know who "Little Egypt" and other characters. The Busby Berkeley-type "aqua" number with bathing suited-sardines coming out of the can, and the tomato can-can dance were both clever!

All of the above, and more, was in the first half of this slightly longer-than-normal length cartoon. The second half was about a King Kong-type which escapes from the "Animal Crackers" box and terrorizes everyone. That part was not much, and ended on a somewhat stupid note. So..... an "A" for the first half, a "D" for the second, making it about a C-plus or B-minus overall.

Bob Clampett had a uniquely wild and imaginative style, and most of his cartoons range from good to classic, with the odd misfire like 'The Hep Cat'.

'Goofy Groceries' is good fun and definitely well worth watching for any fans of Clampett or animation in general, but it is not a classic and could have been better certainly. Pacing is a little uneven, with the second half having more of the trademark Clampett wild energy, the first half is gorgeously animated and the gags are very good but somewhat sedate set-up.

The climax veers on being too silly, and agreed too much of a Deux Ex Machina. Also really didn't care for the closing gag, which was out of date and insensitive, not really belonging with the rest of the cartoon.

However, as aforementioned, 'Goofy Groceries' does have some gorgeous animation, with vibrantly rich colours, drawing that is both smooth and inventive and superbly meticulous detail. The music is similarly amazing, the energy is astounding and the orchestration beautiful and lively with clever use of instruments and such. It not only fits so well, it elevates the material to a higher level.

As for the gags, they are very funny and well-timed, especially the sardines and the tomato can-can dance. The caricatures, like the ones for Jack Benny and Leopold Stokowski, are similarly inspired. The King Kong-like character is good enough if not as memorable as other assets of the cartoon. 'Goofy Groceries' may be light on plot, but the fun factor is high. Mel Blanc's voice work cannot be faulted.

In conclusion, good fun if not a Clampett classic. 7/10 Bethany Cox