My Favorite Cartoon Diversions

My life as thebookmonger often follows peculiar twists and turns. Among the countless books that have passed through my hands, there was one listing the 50 Greatest Cartoons ever made, as chosen by a distinguished board of animation professionals. Many are just so good, that although those copyright lawyer weasels keep pulling them down, or require linking from less than reliable servers, it’s still worth assembling a page that contains the best currently available online. Doubtless some of these video links will fail after awhile without updates, or may need repeated page refreshes, but otherwise just kick back, and enjoy the ride.

In this 1952 Merrie Melodies cartoon, directed by Chuck Jones, staring Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd, squaring off during hunting season. Bugs and Daffy argue over which of them is “in season” while a befuddled Elmer tries to figure out which one is telling the truth, and who to shoot.

In this 1957 Warner Brothers classic directed by Chuck Jones, when Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck take a wrong turn, they find themselves in a desert cave, filled with a vast golden treasure, unfortunately guarded by Hassan and his very big sword!

This Merrie Melodies cartoon was first released in 1953, starring Daffy Duck as space hero Duck Dodgers, Porky Pig as his assistant, and the debut of their alien nemesis, Marvin the Martian.

This marvelous 1957 classic lampoons opera by using its stylistic themes as the setting for Elmer Fudd’s endless pursuit of Bugs Bunny. Opening with a silhouette of mighty Viking Elmer portraying the demigod Siegfried, with Bugs dressed in drag as the Valkyrie Brunnhilde.

Recognized as one of the world’s oldest cartoons being released way back in 1914, created by Winsor McCay and his assistant, who produced over 10,000 individual hand drawn images to make this move!

Produced by UPA and released in 1950, this was the winner of the 1950 Academy Award for Best Animated Short. Based on a Dr. Seuss story, Gerald McBoing-Boing is the story of a little boy who speaks through sound effects instead of spoken words.

[seperator /] The Cat Came Back
This short animated musical by Cordell Barker from 1988 is based on the children’s song of the same name, where an increasingly desperate Mr. Johnson attempts to rid himself of a small, yet extremely destructive, yellow cat.

[seperator /] The Old Mill
A 1937 Walt Disney classic, Academy Award winner for Best Short Subject Cartoon, this Silly Symphony depicts a community of wild animals living in an abandoned country windmill, and how they survive a severe thunderstorm that nearly destroys their home.

[seperator /] Minnie the Moocher
This Betty Boop classic from 1932 features music by Cab Calloway. Betty Boop runs away with her friend Bimbo the Dog, ending up in a cave where various ghosts, goblins, skeletons and other frightening things perform.

[seperator /] The Big Snit
A 1985 short-subject cartoon written and directed by Richard Condie, in which a married couple playing Scrabble, who thanks to their cat, are blissfully unaware of their pending nuclear annihilation.

[seperator /] The Unicorn in the Garden
Based upon short story by James Thurber, this 1953 UPA cartoon is perhaps the most famous of Thurber’s humorous modern fables. Telling the struggle between a husband and wife, pitting fantasy vs harsh realism.

[seperator /] Peace on Earth
This cartoon short was directed by Hugh Harman, and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1939. Telling of a post-apocalyptic world populated only by animals, who discovering an old Bible in the ruins of a church, are inspired to rebuild a society dedicated to peace and nonviolence. (No more carnivores either, I guess…)

[seperator /] Bimbo’s Initiation
Released in 1931, this truly surreal classic from Fleischer Studios stars little Bimbo, trapped in the underground lair of a secret society, forced to take their dangerous initiation rites. This cartoon also features an early Betty Boop, still with her dog ears!

[seperator /] Rooty Toot Toot
This 1952 UPA animated musical short was directed by John Hubley, retells the classic popular song “Frankie and Johnny” in which Frankie is on trial for the murder of her piano-playing lover, Johnny.

[seperator /] Superman vs The Mad Scientist
The first of 17 animated Superman cartoons based upon the DC Comics character, this Fleischer Brothers production was released in 1941. The ‘Mad Scientist’ and his deadly beam weapon always seemed a bit like anti-Tesla propaganda to me.

[seperator /] The Cat Concerto
This is actually the 29th Tom and Jerry animated short, here produced by Fred Quimby, directed by Hanna and Barbera, and winner of the 1946 Academy Award for Best Short Subject Cartoon.

[seperator /] One Froggy Evening
This 1956 Warner Bros classic always keeps me laughing! Another Chuck Jones animated short, written by Michael Maltese, and making his cartoon debut is Michigan J. Frog.

[seperator /] Bambi Meets Godzilla
This short and sweet hand drawn animated 1969 era classic was created entirely by Marv Newland.

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