FILM NOTES British to Equal American Cartoons

Grey River Argus, 8 October 1949, Page 7

FILM NOTES British to Equal American Cartoons

British cartoon-makers have ended a four-year experiment and are now confident that they can produce characters capable of challenging Hollywood's established favourites. David Hand, producer of Animaland and Musical Paintbox cartoons, has begun a new series of films at his Cookham Bucks, studios. Of Ginger Nut, a little red squirrel, who is one of the principle cartoon characters, David Hand says: “Since we arrived at Cookham some four years ago, we have been engaged on experimental work with the object of finding a truly British cartoon character capable of challenging Hollywood’s established favourites. I believe, that we have now found what we were looking for, in Ginger Nut.’’ Concerning film advertisements, an “Argus” reader writes: “Why must we cinemagoers be fooled all the time into seeing a new picture. Every picture says: The film of the bestselling novel; a story that will take your troubles away. Well, I guess most patrons go to the theatre to escape their hum-drum life. That’s what I go for, anyway. But instead of taking a load of worry off my shoulders, the average film-fare adds more. I’ve sat through several films just to observe how ridiculous they all are. The trouble is, as was said in your column sometime back, that too much time is wasted on returning sweet compliments to sexy-eyed blondes and brunettes.”

Jeanette McDonald, who deserted films five years ago to win fresh acclaim in the concert and operatic fields, returns in the film, “Three Daring Daughters” (at the Regent). Jose Iturbi, who plays opposite her, again reveals his stellar talents, as a conductor and pianist, and June'Powell, the young songstress, makes a return, as one of the three daughters who plot to effect a reconciliation between their divorced parents.