Uncle Tom's Bungalow

This cartoon short, Uncle Tom's Bungalow, is the fourth (chronologically) of the "Censored 11" Warner Bros. films that doesn't show on commercial TV anymore. Directed by Tex Avery, this cartoon gets some points for the beginning frames bouncing up and down to the music score, some nice visual touches with an ice machine making various ice floes, the title character appearing with a limousine, and same character telling Simon Legree: "My body may belong to you, but my soul belongs to Warner Bros.!" Otherwise, there's not much funny here and there's a bit more racist stuff then there were in the earlier ones I reviewed (though I was highly amused when the two little girls, Topsy and Eva, switched colors when showing fright to Legree). Worth a look for fans of animation especially of Tex Avery. Everyone else should just avoid.

This short is a fairly typical Tex Avery short that is one of two spoofs he did of the book Uncle Tom's Cabin (the other was Uncle Tom's Cabana for MGM) and while this short really is rather innocuous and there isn't anything that bad here, it would probably offend some sensibilities and is consequently rarely seen in this day and age. Which is too bad, as it is a very good cartoon. Placed in context, it could probably be shown, but the reaction would be loud and immediate enough that it likely won't happen. Worth seeking out. Recommended.

Even if this cartoon had been made well (which it wasn't), it seems like an impossible task to make the sad and sentimental story of Uncle Tom's Cabin funny!! It's sort of like laughing at physical disabilities or cancer--they are sure laugh destroyers! In many ways, the film almost makes it seem like the whole slavery and Simon Legree elements of the book are funny! Go figure! And, then having Liza crossing the ice flow in the dead of winter be FUNNY?!?! Huh?! In general, the cartoon isn't particularly funny, though its racist elements (such as dancing "pickininnies" and having Uncle Tom shooting dice) aren't as bad as some of the more notorious Warner Brothers banned cartoons--but it still is understandably offensive. The film IS worth watching for its historical interest, but only a maniac would try to get a copy of this film for their kids!!

Merrie Melodies short, directed by Tex Avery, notable today for being one of the Censored Eleven. For those who don't know, the Censored Eleven are cartoons that were withheld from syndication because they were considered to be too offensive due to their use of racial stereotypes and imagery. This one is a parody of Uncle Tom's Cabin, which is a bad idea to begin with. The story has two little girls, Eva (white) and Topsy (black), who purchase an old slave named Uncle Tom in order to stop his being whipped by evil Simon Simon Legree (a pun on French actress Simone Simon, I assume). When they fall behind on payments, Legree comes looking to reclaim Tom. As with all of the Censored Eleven cartoons, this one does have some things that are going to make modern viewers uncomfortable or even angry. But I have to admit I like this better than most of the other censored cartoons I've seen so far. The animation is very nice, despite the exaggerated features on black characters like the lips. The humor shines through in this one, even if it's not always in good taste. Avery's gags mostly work and I found myself laughing several times. However, there are some moments, mostly those related to slavery or Legree using a whip that just pull you out of the cartoon and have you shaking your head in disapproval. I don't think any of the humor here is mean-spirited but it does come across as ignorant and offensive at times. Still, I'm going to rate it higher than the ones I've seen so far because I do think there is a good cartoon underneath the cringeworthy parts. Avery would revisit Uncle Tom's Cabin again at MGM when he did Uncle Tom's Cabaña. That cartoon is also considered offensive by today's standards but is not part of the Censored Eleven, which are all Warner Bros. cartoons.

Was honestly expecting something much more offensive, considering that it's a "Censored 11" cartoon.

Admittedly not everything is in good taste and not for the easily offended, but there are far worse examples of racism and offensive elements in other "Censored 11". Especially 'Angel Puss' (by far the worst of the lot) and 'Jungle Jitters', also to a lesser extent 'All This and Rabbit Stew'.

Not all the gags, the dancing "pickininnes" and the shooting dice agreed won't go down well and were not very tasteful at all, to a lesser extent same with the trading colours moment in Legree's reprimanding of Eva and Topsy. Some of the character designs are very exaggerated and not that attractive to look at. Bernice Hansen and the character of Eva are also pretty annoying and shrill.

However, most of the animation is great, very vibrant and fluidly drawn with meticulously detailed backgrounds. Even better is the amazing soundtrack, which sizzles in energy and delights in its lushness, the use of pre-existing adds a lot as well. 'Uncle Tom's Bungalow' also has a fair few laugh-worthy moments, due to the smart wit and energetic pacing, even if it's not consistently funny or what this reviewer calls hilarious.

Like very much the fun characters and their equally fun chemistry between them, the antics with them are sort of ridiculous but not in a way that's repetitive and annoying. Apart from Hansen, the voice acting is very good, Mel Blanc, Tedd Pierce and Avery especially particularly worthy of praise.

Overall, decent enough cartoon and not for all tastes, but there are far worse and more offensive cartoons forming the "Censored 11". 6/10 Bethany Cox