156 The First Robin

Title: The First Robin
Studio: Terry
Date: 12/29/39
Credits:
Story by
John Foster
Directed by
Connie Rasinski
Music by
Philip A. Scheib
Series: Terrytoons
Running time (of viewed version): 6:47

Synopsis: Robins move in, have kids, do not get eaten by cat.




















Comments: Open with text, but not a character free monumental establishing shot, rather on a prop held by a character. I wouldn't call it a gag; it's just "From the South". Birds have unsettled domestic lives in cartoons. Horrific featherless chicks, like in real life. The title is confusing; there being two robins to start with, and they have three chicks. It's like they just picked a name that had robin in it. Way to make the effort, Terry. Self flagellating cat; now with sticking out tongue! Interesting moving backgrounds in the cat on balloon scene. Vocally wordless cartoon. Should it be considered funny that birds would take an elevator to their nests? This isn't really any funnier than Gulliver's Travels, but at least it's compact. There was a fairly large amount of golfing in the '39 cartoons; I would not have expected that.