The Merry Kittens (Short 1935)

The Merry Kittens (Short 1935). 7m | Approved

“Van Beuren cartoons are extremely variable, especially in the number of gags and whether the absurdist humour shines through enough (sometimes it does, other times it doesnu0026#39;t), but are strangely interesting. Although they are often poorly animated with barely existent stories and less than compelling lead characters, they are also often outstandingly scored, there can be some fun support characters and some are well-timed and amusing.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eFor me, few, if any, of the u0026quot;Rainbow Paradeu0026quot; cartoons are unwatchable. Few are my definition of great, but even the weakest efforts (like u0026#39;Japanese Lanternsu0026#39; and u0026#39;The Picnic Panicu0026#39;) have a few good things. Saw u0026#39;The Merry Kittensu0026#39; really as somebody who is trying to see as many Van Beuren cartoons as possible, so that is pretty much the main reason to see it.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThere are strengths certainly. Quite liked most of the animation, which has come on a lot since (human) Tom and Jerry and Cubby the Bear. Despite the character drawing lacking refinement, the colours even with the simple colour scheme appeals to the eye while the backgrounds are elaborate and meticulous. Even better is the music score, it is so beautifully and cleverly orchestrated, is great fun to listen to and full of lively energy, doing so well with enhancing the action. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSome of the synchronisation is sharp enough. The dog is the only likeable and sympathetic character in the cartoon, with the kittens so over-sweet and annoying that it is impossible to not feel sorry for him.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu0026#39;The Merry Kittensu0026#39; suffers from a lot of things, and with complaints common in the u0026quot;Rainbow Paradeu0026quot; series. The content is pretty thin, not much to it, and not only are there not enough gags as such but any absurdist humour or surrealism present in some of Van Beurenu0026#39;s earlier work is completely absent. The cartoon is too saccharine and very cutesy in characterisation, some of the sugar excessive.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eOnly the dog makes an impression out of the characters with the kittens being bland and truly obnoxious. The story is non-existent with little in terms of events and conflict to be engaged by (what there is is very predictable), and the pace never really comes to life. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAll in all, mediocre at best. 4/10 Bethany Cox”