Uncle Tom's Bungalow

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!!

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.

One of the many Warner Bros. cartoons out of circulation due to extremely racist content, Tex Avery's "Uncle Tom's Bunglow" pushes every stereotype of African-Americans common to the era. Truth be told, this one isn't particularly funny, though I will admit that the ice scene made me laugh.

Still, if WB decides to bring this short - and the rest of the Censored 11 - to DVD, they'll have to create a special section for them and specifically identify that they contain some of the most atrocious images of non-white people imaginable (even if the cartoons portray the characters positively, as is the case with "Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs").

All in all, this one is worth seeing as a historical reference, but I don't recommend it in any other respect.

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