Customer Reviews

The Lost Cartoons, Vol. 3: Van Beuren Studios

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These cartoons have not been "lovingly restored". The video and audio quality is terrible. Also, not all of these cartoons are from Van Beuren Studios; two cartoons from UB Iwerks' Celebrity Productions have been snuck onto this DVD.

If you are looking for UB Iwerks cartoons, check out the "Cartoons That Time Forgot - The Ub Iwerks Collection, vol. 1" and "Cartoons That Time Forgot - The Ub Iwerks Collection 2, vol. 2". While not pristine, these are MUCH better quality and there are over 3 hours of cartoons on each DVD.

While it is nice to see some of the older, lesser-know studios get a DVD collection, I can't recommend this one. Hopefully someone will take the time to do the Van Beuren Studios the justice they deserve.

GOOD TIMES VIDEO is one of the original budget-label home video purveyors. You may recall their red boxed VHS tapes of public domain movies from 25 years ago, or their various "Bloopers" compilations from that same era. This company has never been known for highest technical quality. Their claims of "loving restoration" of this collection may be hyperbole, yet I believe any lack of perfection when balanced against price point and content still favors this manufacturer.


CARTOON CRAZYS - BANNED & CENSORED (from WINSTAR) features shorts made by several studios, the content of which may be considered by modern viewers to be politically incorrect.


PROGRAM LIST for "Vol. 3: Van Beuren Studios" --

[7:03] Parrotville Post-Office (1935) - The Black Parrot robs post offices until he is thwarted by some kids hiding out in mail sacks.

[6:57] Ali Baba (1936) - Ali and his son find treasure at the 40 thieves' cave, but are soon discovered by the thieves.

[7:23] Parrotville Old Folks (1935) - The Captain and friend attend a party at the Old Folks Home, where they play music and dance.

[6:42] Simple Simon (1935) - Simon steals a duck at the fair and sells it so he can buy more than he can eat from the pieman.

[7:46] Scotty Finds a Home (1935) - A little dog is adopted when he rescues a family from a nasty freeloader.

[6:59] The Hunting Season (1935) - Molly Moo-Cow helps her duck friends when they are pursued by two hunters.

[7:17] Spinning Mice (1935) - Animation with live characters and backgrounds. A dwarf transforms animals with his magic potion. Some mice are changed into devils and they attack the dwarf. A pair of doves (that were once lizards) save the dwarf by changing the devils back into mice.

[5:27] Merry Kittens (1935) - Three kittens tease a terrier until all four end up in a jam.

[7:12] Picnic Panic (1935) - Teapots have an adventure at a picnic. (First appearance of Molly Moo-Cow.)

O.K., these have not been restored as stated on the box, but do consider that these are rare cartoons from an obscure, long out of business studio. The distributor of these cartoons, RKO, has also been out of business since 1950. These cartoons exist only because 16mm home movie prints were sold to collectors, 35mm prints and/or negatives seem to be scarce.

That said, lets be glad someone has released these on a format that newer collectors, who do not own a 16mm projector, can enjoy. Most of these cartoons are NOT on the higher quality "CARTOONS THAT TIME FORGOT: THE VAN BEUREN COLLECTION" DVD. So that makes this a 'must get' until someone goes to the expense of restoring these. Since most modern collectors have not heard of Van Beuren Cartoons, this expense may not be do-able for many DVD companies.

I should note that two Ub Iwerks Cartoons have been re-issued on this DVD, I guess GoodTimes doesn't know the difference between the studios.

1) Parrotville Post-Office
2) Ali Baba (also on the "Cartoons That Time Forgot: Ub Iwerks Collection" DVD & Laserdisc)
3) Parrotville Old Folks
4) Simple Simon (also on the "Cartoons That Time Forgot: Ub Iwerks Collection" DVD & Laserdisc)
5) Scotty Finds a Home
6) The Hunting Season (aka Hunters Are Coming)(Also on the "Cartoon Craze presents Molly Moo Cow" DVD)
7) Spinning Mice
8) Merry Kittens (Also on the "Cartoon Craze presents Toonerville" DVD)
9) Picnic Panic

this poor excuse of a collection is very poor transfer and sound wise,plus as my kids say "these movies are no good"!!!!! i rest my case!