The Sailor and the Seagull (1949) Poster

User Reviews

Review this title
3 Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by Rating:
2/10
Wow....how incredibly lame...
planktonrules16 February 2016
During WWII, many of America's best animators and cartoon studios went to work for the US government. So, instead of just producing normal everyday cartoons, soon very high quality cartoons were being made for consumption by the troops. Using cute but edgy characters, such as Private SNAFU, important lessons were now being taught to the soldiers, sailors and airmen. And, because the cartoons were very high quality and a bit racy, they were very effective and clever.

While cruising around YouTube today, I found a similar sort of film but it was made a few years after WWII...and what a huge difference a few years would make!! Because I loved the cartoons so much from the war, I was eager to see this post-war offering to the troops.

When this cartoon began, a 'Restricted' is emblazoned across the screen. I expected it might have a bit of raunchy humor of language like some of the SNAFU cartoons. Oddly, however, there is nothing adult about the cartoon at all. Sure, kids might be bored by it (as would adults!), but why restrict it?!

As for the cartoon, it's a preachy and humorless film extolling the virtues of sailors remaining in the navy and re-enlisting because life outside the navy sucks. This seemed not only disingenuous and their point poorly made. Additionally, unlike the WWII cartoons, the animation quality of this one was in color BUT also very poorly and cheaply animated. Obviously the government was no longer using the best and brightest in the film industry. Overall, a very dull and unappealing film...probably not worth your time.
1 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Service life is easy
dtucker8624 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
McGinty the sailor in this cartoon is like so many others in the service. He indulges in the fine art of griping and complaining about his mundane duties and the low pay he gets. He still has a year annd half to go on his enlistment and wishes he were anywhere else. Then a seagull appears and like one of the spirits in A Christmas Carol takes him on a magical journey and shows him what civilian life is like and its not all its cracked up to be. As someone who spent 25 years in the military I can say that yes it is a hard life in some ways but more often that not you have it easy! So many of your bills are taken care of, you get free medical and dental care food and a roof over your head. This cartoon has an amusing sailor song in the beginning and a bizarre dream sequence but I wish that today's troops could see it and realize how lucky they are to serve Uncle Sam.
0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
lives
Kirpianuscus3 January 2019
A propaganda film. Not the worse , not exactly reasonable. Only funny and good portrait of a manner to see reality after WWII. A sailor, his alternative lives, a seagull as a sort of Mephisto and childish story. Not convincing at its time but so simplistic than more than a smile it deserves less. Cliches and a trick . A short animation more for civilians and a nice piece of late "40 s.
0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

See also

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews


Recently Viewed