Jungle Jitters

Typical racist cartoon from back in the days when it was acceptable to portray Africa as people dancing around in loincloths. As it is, I got the feeling that "Jungle Jitters" was one of the cartoons that they made as a place holder in between the really good cartoons (1938 also saw the release of "Daffy Duck in Hollywood").

So, while the offensive material is the most obvious thing, the other point is that there is one clever scene: the merry-go-round (to the tune of "Merry-Go-Round Broke Down"). And there's the common situation of a cultural reference that people won't get nowadays; I'd certainly never heard of Elmer Burt.

So, I recommend this one as a historical reference.

Jungle Jitters (1938)

** (out of 4)

Rather bland cartoon from Warner takes place in Africa and it starts off as a group of cannibals are dancing and then they turn into a merry-go-round where they then play a game trying to pull the nose ring out of one man's nose. From here the story focuses on a salesman who shows up at a home where the cannibal at first want to eat him before deciding to marry him off to an ugly queen. JUNGLE JITTERS is best remembered today for being one of the "Censored 11" from Warner, which of course got pulled off of television due to their racial content. Overall, this one here really isn't all that offensive but then again, that's going to be determined by the one actually watching since we've all got our own lines that we don't think should be crossed. Overall there are a couple funny moments in this one including the scene where the salesman shows up and the cannibals look at him and see him as a turkey. The ugly queen is certainly one of the ugliest creatures ever drawn in these animated movies and it makes for a fun ending. There's even a Clark Gable joke thrown in for good measures. Still, there's no question that there simply aren't enough laughs to keep this one from being better.

This film isn't all that bad. After all, when the Queen made an appearance in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?", those who remembered her howled with laughter. The animation is clever in spoofing Elmer as Clark Gable and Robert Taylor as seen by the queen; to the cannibals, he looks like fried chicken. Elmer, the shy salesman is a parody of the radio comedian Al Pierce's character, Elmer Blurt. The characteristic knock on the door, the stammer, "I Hope, I hope, I hope.", are all part of what became Warner's biggest trademark--parodies of radio comedians. After all, every time someone would pick up the telephone, Daffy might say, "Oh, is that you Myrt?", which came from "Fibber McGee and Molly." Also, how many times have Jack Benny and Rochester, not to mention Eddie Cantor, been used to good advantage?

This film starts slow, but does pick up speed when Elmer makes his entrance. He also has a great closing line, something the writers of some of these cartoons desperately needed. I recommend this film for students of old radio.

Putting the 'banned' label on this will bring it attention it doesn't really deserve.

The main reason for the controversy was the depiction of south seas' blacks as cannibals. That was a regular occurrence in these cartoons.

The humor is so dated that I truly believe anyone who sees it today won't get most of the jokes. It may belong in a time capsule, but it's only place is in history.

Did anyone notice the native guard suddenly talking like a Chinaman? Typical 30's cartoon. Filled with spot gags so it never gets boring, but it never takes off either.

The final line is the best. If you can find it, see for yourself.

I see these "banned" things and react variously. I think Amos and Andy, for instance is ennobling, and the often respected "Song of the South" disgusting in its racial typing.

This one seems pretty offensive too, especially at the beginning where multi-hued cannibals prance around in what must be a near carbon copy of a similar scene with "Indians." Its darn upsetting. But then the other characters get introduced, a white guy and the queen who inexplicably is white. Well, maybe she's white because having her attack the salesman romantically really would be unacceptable for the time.

As with all these, everyone seems to be stereotyped to the same extent. There aren't any characters that are not poked fun at.

But in this case, I think it should be shelved.

Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.