Hold It (Short 1938)

Hold It (Short 1938). 7m | Not Rated

“Fleischer Studiosu0026#39; u0026quot;Color Classicsu0026quot; series is uneven. The best are imaginative, not too cute, has amusing moments, have characters worth rooting for and when they teach a lesson they donu0026#39;t preach generally. The worst though have not an original thought, are barely existent plot-wise, are humourless, are far too cute and the characters tend to be bland.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIf there is things that the cartoons on either extreme have anything in common, they always have wonderful music and most of them are well made visually. u0026#39;Hold Itu0026#39;, made and released in 1938 during one of the studiou0026#39;s better periods with a relatively minor group of exceptions, is neither among the best or worst u0026quot;Color Classicsu0026quot; cartoons. To me, it is one of the high middle cartoons in the series. u0026#39;Hold Itu0026#39; is very much worth watching but it is not an essential, with all the good things of the best cartoons and few of the flaws of the worst (both of the u0026quot;Color Classicsu0026quot; series and overall) present.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu0026#39;Hold Itu0026#39; is very slight in the story department, with it not really getting going and that is only really in the momentum until about a third in. As stunningly beautiful the opening is visually with the innovative use of the three dimensional technique, it goes on a little too long.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe only thing resembling much of a story actually is the conflict with the dog, which is not completely original but it does some tension. Until then, nothing much happens beforehand.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eConversely, the animation is very good with the opening being the standout. The beautifully detailed backgrounds are particularly notable. The music is like a character in itself and u0026#39;Hold Itu0026#39;su0026#39; best asset. It is full of liveliness and the instrumentation and vocal lines are cleverly done, distinctively lush and quite memorable. The song is very catchy and didnu0026#39;t find it too trite.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eEven with the lacking story, that doesnu0026#39;t stop u0026#39;Hold Itu0026#39; from being far from light in the gags department and they are very amusing and timed well. Silly but endearingly so. When it gets going, the energy never dulls and is quite infectious in the best parts. The cats have colourful personalities and the dog provides the right amount of tension. It also thankfully doesnu0026#39;t try to teach a lesson, not that sort of cartoon, and nothing comes over as laid on too thick or childish.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSumming up, worthwhile if not essential. 7/10”