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Out of the Inkwell Bonus Edition

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Max Fleischer's Forgotten Milestones, March 24, 2003
By David Coleman (Van Nuys, CA USA) - See all my reviews

OUT OF THE INKWELL is an award-winning look at not only the man, but even more importantly, his work. If you are new to Fleischer and/or only know him from his more famous efforts such as the 1940's Paramount Superman cartoons or perhaps GULLIVER'S TRAVELS, an animated feature that was a favorite of t.v. syndicators for decades, you will be astonished by the imagination and creative vitality on display in these early masterpieces. And if you think only Betty Boop 'toons still play without apologies today, warts and all, wait until you experience the amazingly imaginative "Inkwell" series, many collected here in one highest-quality, meticulously enhanced edition for the first time ever.
The "Out of the Inkwell" series focused on the rascally clown later called Koko. The basic set-up: Fleischer himself (along with other animators in his studio) would draw the clown using a special ink that literally and figuratively brought him to life. Rather than be a cooperative stand-in as requested, however, Koko desires to play by his own rules, frequently upsetting Fleischer's attempts to reign him in.

It's amazing how surreal and post-modern the Fleischer works are today when you truly stand back and appreciate them with the proper awe as this flick does. For example, audiences swooned when a 120+ animators brought realism to interaction between Jessica and Roger Rabbit in the 1980's, but consider: nearly 60 years previously Fleischer invented the technique.

You may think that all sounds quaint and historical, but consider today every c.g.i. shot you see is basically imported and created in a computer, the most significant advance over Flesicher's contributions. Sure, you can easily render photo-realism now, but to the standards of his day? Fleischer set them and he was pioneering the medium.

Fleischer did more when the stakes were higher and did it largely by himself, albeit with an increasing crew of worthy and equally talented animators on his slowly growing staff. So while perfecting the techniques is wonderful, you're not re-inventing the wheel, merely making it faster, easier and more manageable to produce.

These amazing and digitally-restored "Out of the Inkwell" cartoons are produced from the best film masters available. Combined with the meticulously well-done enhancements by Ray Pointer both visually and aurally, OUT OF THE INKWELL becomes not only essential viewing by any fans of the medium, but also the definitive versions of these shorts available anywhere else.

MAX FLEISCHER'S FAMOUS OUT OF THE INKWELL delivers the goods and then some.

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An Amazing Production..., March 2, 2003
By Rich Kish "bookhound99" - See all my reviews

Ray Pointer has outdone himself! "Out of the InkWell" is a very inspired and wonderfully undertaken venture. Mr. Pointer has not only presented us with the animation stylings of Max Fleischer and the directorial talents of his brother Dave Fleischer, but has included some biographical information in the form of an introduction/narration (narrated by Ray Pointer) about the history of the Fleischer brothers. Mr. Pointer has also included insights from Berney Wolf (an animationist working for the Fleischers) and Max's nephew Bernard Fleischer.
As far as the visual and audio quality of this production; to quote Jerry Beck (Animation Authority/Historian) "The print quality is the best...and the transfers are excellent." This is an understatement! Ray Pointer also makes the very best use of sound effects and music (by Winston Sharples...Fleischer cartoon music composer) which, to quote animation instructor Brian LeMay, "...didn't intrude on the original animation..." and gives each cartoon a wonderful vintage feel.

The fact that the original "Out of the InkWell" releases on VHS (which were the inspiration for the DVD for Volumes 1 and 2...won the "GOLD AWARD in the Entertainment Category for the Houston International Film and Video Festival in 2001", is only the icing on the cake.Thank you Ray, for preserving this piece of history and for giving us an insight into the mind and talents of Max Fleischer!"

Richard Kish
Animation Enthusiast and Devotee

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THE INKWELL STUDIO, December 29, 2002
By Jerry Beck-Cartoon Research Comments- See all my reviews

The first three volumes are # 1 The Bray Years 1919-1921, #2 The Inkwell Studio and #3 The Birth of Ko-Ko. Volume #1 is only 35 minutes with examples of Fleischers earliest films. Volumes #2 & 3 are 60 minute programs - and contain on camera commentary by Fleischer animator Berny Wolf and Dick Huemer's son Richard P. Huemer.The prints are superb (or at least the best we'll ever get), many are tinted. and come with the "classic" Winston Sharples Ko-Ko music (added for TV release in the 1950s). My only request is more of his wonderful Fleischer collection.
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THE INKWELL STUDIO, December 6, 2002
By A Customer


Andrew Gilmore laments that out of 100 entries, only 23 of this landmark series are available. Wait no more! Just as KOKO THE CLOWN Cartoons released by Republic represents the end of the series, MAX FLEISCHER'S FAMOUS OUT OF THE INKWELL released by Inkwell Images showcases the very begining with a fine selection of eight early titles from 1921 to 1923. The transfers are sharp and well sychronized to complemenatary music and sound effects that work with the action,and enahance the comic effect.
One title in particular, MODELING (1921) has historical significance on several levels. First it was the first release after the Fleischer brothers formed their own studio. Second, it has one of the earliest known examples of claymation, as a clay bust is given life with the help of Koko's mischief. This title has been released by other distributors in a dark and murky form. The Inkwell Images version is very bright and sharp, obviously transferred from a 35mm source. It is so clear the the texture of the clay and patterns in the Persian rug on the floor can be clearly seen. Other titles on the tape have tints and tones, and are also very sharp. Considering the age of this material, it is remarkable that these films look as good as they do.

But the one thing that makes this tape stand out more than all others is that is has an interesting profile on the role of Dave Fleischer in the founding of the Fliescher Studio, with interviews with 90 year old veteran Animator, Berny Wolf, making this a documentary showcase program rather than an arbitrary string of cartoons. Obviously, the producer has taken great care in assembling this package. If the third volume is as good as this, Mr. Gilmore's wish may be realized after all.

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Out of the Inkwell Bonus Edition

Koko the Clown was always funny and 100 years later, he is still funny. I purchased the DVD for myself as I was introduced to Koko in the 1980's and lost the VHS. However, the DVD has been used countless times since to entertain nieces, nephews, church school classes and now Koko has made his foray onto college campuses at RIT and SUNY Brockport where he has become a Saturday night staple and somewhat of a cult figure. Go boldly into the 21st century Koko!!!!!!

The title of my review essentially speaks the truth Ray invested a lot into this product and has an affinity for the Fleischer's work and is the undisputed expert of all things Fleischer. This package not only has added sound effects and scores to enhance the quality but the picture quality is well ahead of most other distributed/publicly seen versions of Out of the Inkwell. Even though Ray should be credited for resurrecting the classics the cartoons have to hold their own as well which they essentially do. Ray's talents for preserving classic cartoons could only do so much if the classic cartoons were mediocre. I see this set as a team-effort, have exceptional material to work with and then take the initiative to preserve it and enhance the quality with sound-effects, music, and picture quality. The annecedotes that he discusses inbetween segments are insightful but are fairly basic in comparison to what Ray really knows. Based on viewing his posting history the man himself can get a lot more intricate than what is seen on here, though it might be affiliated with not trying to go above peoples heads.

The penmanship is superb and second to none in the nineteen-twenties especially after the entrance of Dick Huemer in 1923. It is a sad state of affairs to see how much potential the brothers had and was unrealized because of how far they fell in the thirties a lot more could have materialized that didn't and this set shows what they had going for them. They were overly dependent upon Paramount who was more interested in commercially exploiting them than allowing them to artistically progress. One wonders if the cold personality of Adolph Zukor had watched these shorts collectively he might have had a change of heart and allow the Fleischer's to grow. Ray obviously brings back the spirit as if your at a silent movie house amidst the 1920's.

It is interesting to see the company artistically evolve through out the twenties. When the series initiates in 1919 we essentially see the brothers experiment with themes to showcase the capabilities of the rotoscope obviously shorts like Perpetual Motion convey their affinity for science and technology. The Oujia Board is essentially a mainstay in silent animation but the Fleischer's execute with much greater fluidity and grace. They become less technically limiting by 1923 with the arrival of Dick Heumer and arguably hold the technological lead in the industry by a large margin until the rise of Disney.

We see them reach their peak in the mid-twenties, than Alfred Weiss taking over showcases a noticeable shift in the films and the end to this remarkable series ends. Though this was arguably one of the most influential series in American Animation history. Walt himself was partly motivated to join the industry under this series, when taking that into consideration it was obviously pervasive and possibly the most unsung series in animation history. Its importance is just as great if not greater than how unknown it is. Ray has the best prints so if you go to any source to buy definitive silent animation please make it Inkwell Images.