Animated Film or "Cartoons' have long been part of the motion world. Their magical movement and "life" has been the instrument of so much laughter, tears and all round amazement, tons of it. From HUMOROUS PHASES OF FUNNY FACES (Vitagraph Co., 1906) right down through the heyday of ROGER RABBIT(1988) and beyond, the animated film has been there providing us with an alternate film Universe; another dream world for other dreams.
For the longest time, the animated "Cartoon" has been branded by some as being strictly (non-greasy) "Kids' Stuff." That rap's being hung on them doubtless dates from the early days of commercial Telecasts in the late 1940's and early 1950's, when so many local Stations broadcast Noontime, late Afternoon and Saturday Morning programming aimed at Children. Beyond their assortment of various "Aunts", "Uncles", Cowboys, Clowns and Puppets of varying ilk; they had to fill out their on air time. But with what would they do, what could be used to fill up the shows? As a diversion from the live action, the Stations made use of what ever short films that could be purchased, rented or leased for a price within their budgets. The films available fell into 2 basic types. The first group featured the likes of Snub Pollard, Harry Langdon, Our Gang, Mickey (Himself) McGuire, The 3 Tons of Fun Harry Langdon, the Keystone Kops and Charlie Chase. These were live action silent comedies.
The second group was made up of old silent and early sound animated short subjects. Their sources were many and varied. There were silent with sound track added; containing music, sound effects and occasional words. Paul Terry's Farmer Al Falfa was much in evidence; as were productions of the then defunct Van Beueren Studios. Those cartoons were those featuring "Cubby Bear" and "a human Mutt and Jeff team of "Tom And Jerry", not the MGM Cat & Mouse team. And of course, there were many others; a lot of them released to Television by 'Official Films' (as opposed to any Un-Official Films that may be lying about.) Eventually of course, in God's good time, original TV Cartoons were produced. Those such as Alexander Anderson & Jay Ward's CRUSADER RABBIT. Hanna-Barbera's RUFF & REDDY, HUCKLEBERRY HOUND, YOGI BEAR, etc. and Terrytoons' TOM TERRIFIC, DEPUTY DAWG and others did make it out to our living rooms via the Networks. These were mainly done for the kids. (Although, once again, any Jay Ward Production has an appeal to all ages.) And that brings us down the Video Evolutionary Track to THE SIMPSONS. Now, even though animated, even the most vehemently anti-cartoon old grouch would have to concede the point to us that this is not just child's fare.
In short, THE SIMPSONS is the story of a totally dysfunctional American Family; being representative of the typical family. The 5 Simpsons are the Homer (father), Marge (Mother), Bart (Son & Star), Lisa (Sister) and Maggie (Infant Sister). Together with their various and sundry pets, neighbors, friends and co-workers have an incredibly high number of adventures, which can be and are limitless in scope and locale. From week to week it isn't uncommon to see either Homer or Marge taking to a new profession or running for public office. Their home town of Springfield has an everyman's geological set up; being bordered by mountains, forests, desserts, rivers, canyons and whatever else the particular story requires. In short, it is boundless and all encompassing. It is a town that is as vast or as deep as imagination, itself.
There are some who criticize the characterization of Homer as an uncouth, swill slugging vulgarian. Their line of reasoning being that a poor example of American Family and an even poorer example of a fictional Father figure than was Carroll O'Connor's 'Archie Bunker.' To those critics, we can only say that they should take time and carefully watch and even more meticulously listen to the damn thing! Even though it may appear on the surface that the admittedly dysfunctional (to say the least) family would be a poor example to put on exhibit, albeit a comic version of one.
If one stops to take inventory of the individual episodes, their themes and presentations, they'd certainly see things far differently. For believe it or not, the Simpsons present us with a fine example of an American Family, as viewed through the multi lensed spectrum Of a comedy series that, even though it's a "Cartoon", has a lot to say. For underneath it all, with all the gags, funny business and wacky plots; we find some very decent, "old fashioned" and important virtues that we would do well in remembering.
As just one example, an important one is the down to earth relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Simpson, Marge and Homer. No matter how wacky the plot or how far aground the story takes the Family Simpson, in the end we see how much they really do love each other and are always there when their mate needs the other.
Honest folks, just try it for yourselves, soon!
For the longest time, the animated "Cartoon" has been branded by some as being strictly (non-greasy) "Kids' Stuff." That rap's being hung on them doubtless dates from the early days of commercial Telecasts in the late 1940's and early 1950's, when so many local Stations broadcast Noontime, late Afternoon and Saturday Morning programming aimed at Children. Beyond their assortment of various "Aunts", "Uncles", Cowboys, Clowns and Puppets of varying ilk; they had to fill out their on air time. But with what would they do, what could be used to fill up the shows? As a diversion from the live action, the Stations made use of what ever short films that could be purchased, rented or leased for a price within their budgets. The films available fell into 2 basic types. The first group featured the likes of Snub Pollard, Harry Langdon, Our Gang, Mickey (Himself) McGuire, The 3 Tons of Fun Harry Langdon, the Keystone Kops and Charlie Chase. These were live action silent comedies.
The second group was made up of old silent and early sound animated short subjects. Their sources were many and varied. There were silent with sound track added; containing music, sound effects and occasional words. Paul Terry's Farmer Al Falfa was much in evidence; as were productions of the then defunct Van Beueren Studios. Those cartoons were those featuring "Cubby Bear" and "a human Mutt and Jeff team of "Tom And Jerry", not the MGM Cat & Mouse team. And of course, there were many others; a lot of them released to Television by 'Official Films' (as opposed to any Un-Official Films that may be lying about.) Eventually of course, in God's good time, original TV Cartoons were produced. Those such as Alexander Anderson & Jay Ward's CRUSADER RABBIT. Hanna-Barbera's RUFF & REDDY, HUCKLEBERRY HOUND, YOGI BEAR, etc. and Terrytoons' TOM TERRIFIC, DEPUTY DAWG and others did make it out to our living rooms via the Networks. These were mainly done for the kids. (Although, once again, any Jay Ward Production has an appeal to all ages.) And that brings us down the Video Evolutionary Track to THE SIMPSONS. Now, even though animated, even the most vehemently anti-cartoon old grouch would have to concede the point to us that this is not just child's fare.
In short, THE SIMPSONS is the story of a totally dysfunctional American Family; being representative of the typical family. The 5 Simpsons are the Homer (father), Marge (Mother), Bart (Son & Star), Lisa (Sister) and Maggie (Infant Sister). Together with their various and sundry pets, neighbors, friends and co-workers have an incredibly high number of adventures, which can be and are limitless in scope and locale. From week to week it isn't uncommon to see either Homer or Marge taking to a new profession or running for public office. Their home town of Springfield has an everyman's geological set up; being bordered by mountains, forests, desserts, rivers, canyons and whatever else the particular story requires. In short, it is boundless and all encompassing. It is a town that is as vast or as deep as imagination, itself.
There are some who criticize the characterization of Homer as an uncouth, swill slugging vulgarian. Their line of reasoning being that a poor example of American Family and an even poorer example of a fictional Father figure than was Carroll O'Connor's 'Archie Bunker.' To those critics, we can only say that they should take time and carefully watch and even more meticulously listen to the damn thing! Even though it may appear on the surface that the admittedly dysfunctional (to say the least) family would be a poor example to put on exhibit, albeit a comic version of one.
If one stops to take inventory of the individual episodes, their themes and presentations, they'd certainly see things far differently. For believe it or not, the Simpsons present us with a fine example of an American Family, as viewed through the multi lensed spectrum Of a comedy series that, even though it's a "Cartoon", has a lot to say. For underneath it all, with all the gags, funny business and wacky plots; we find some very decent, "old fashioned" and important virtues that we would do well in remembering.
As just one example, an important one is the down to earth relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Simpson, Marge and Homer. No matter how wacky the plot or how far aground the story takes the Family Simpson, in the end we see how much they really do love each other and are always there when their mate needs the other.
Honest folks, just try it for yourselves, soon!