While not one of my favourites, Ub Iwerks was responsible for a lot of interesting work. Especially when working with Walt Disney, his oldest friend and one of his best, and co-creating one of animation's most famous characters in Mickey Mouse. His career since opening his own studio had interest value but the quality was variable, often being successful in the animation and music but wanting in the story and variable in gags, lead characters and tone.
1933 to 1936 saw twenty five cartoons, mostly based on famous fairytales and familiar stories, as part of Iwerks's "ComiColor" series. The "ComiColor" series is very much worth watching and interesting, as is the case with many series some cartoons are better than others but there are no real animation nadirs. 1935's 'Simple Simon' is decent enough but compared to the previous cartoons in the series it is a little disappointing.
'Simple Simon', while at times faithfully adhering to the basic details of the nursery rhyme while putting its own spin, is slight and is at times too saccharine, like at the beginning.
Its characters should have been more interesting, their personalities are bland and this is including the title character who is also not very likeable. The secondary characters are too come and go to make much impression. The wit and imagination has been more frequent and stronger in other cartoons in the series before and since, it did feel bland somewhat.
However, 'Simple Simon' in no way disgraces the nursery rhyme and has enough freshness to stop it from being completely stale. It isn't too dull.
There are a few amusing moments that aren't too corny and never repetitive, and there is a genuine likeability and charm. The best and most interesting character by far is the pieman, who is well designed, fun and menacing which helps the conflict interesting enough.
Furthermore, the animation is great. Meticulously detailed, fluid in drawing, vibrant in colour and often rich in imagination and visual wit. The music is cleverly and lushly orchestrated, is infectiously catchy and adds a lot to the cartoon.
In summary, decent. 6/10 Bethany Cox
1933 to 1936 saw twenty five cartoons, mostly based on famous fairytales and familiar stories, as part of Iwerks's "ComiColor" series. The "ComiColor" series is very much worth watching and interesting, as is the case with many series some cartoons are better than others but there are no real animation nadirs. 1935's 'Simple Simon' is decent enough but compared to the previous cartoons in the series it is a little disappointing.
'Simple Simon', while at times faithfully adhering to the basic details of the nursery rhyme while putting its own spin, is slight and is at times too saccharine, like at the beginning.
Its characters should have been more interesting, their personalities are bland and this is including the title character who is also not very likeable. The secondary characters are too come and go to make much impression. The wit and imagination has been more frequent and stronger in other cartoons in the series before and since, it did feel bland somewhat.
However, 'Simple Simon' in no way disgraces the nursery rhyme and has enough freshness to stop it from being completely stale. It isn't too dull.
There are a few amusing moments that aren't too corny and never repetitive, and there is a genuine likeability and charm. The best and most interesting character by far is the pieman, who is well designed, fun and menacing which helps the conflict interesting enough.
Furthermore, the animation is great. Meticulously detailed, fluid in drawing, vibrant in colour and often rich in imagination and visual wit. The music is cleverly and lushly orchestrated, is infectiously catchy and adds a lot to the cartoon.
In summary, decent. 6/10 Bethany Cox