Comin' Round the Mountain

Plot

In this animated comedy short, the perpetually feuding mountain families - the Catfields and the McHounds - continue their generations-long rivalry in the Appalachian hills. When young lovers from each family attempt to unite their clans, they face opposition from the stubborn family patriarchs who refuse to end the bitter feud. The situation escalates into increasingly absurd confrontations and slapstick battles between the two families. Through a series of comedic misunderstandings and mishaps, the younger generation eventually helps their elders realize the futility of their endless conflict. The film culminates in a joyous reconciliation as the two families finally come together in celebration, putting their differences aside for the sake of love and unity.

Historical Background

Released in 1949, 'Comin' Round the Mountain' emerged during a transformative period in American animation history. The post-WWII era saw significant changes in the animation industry, with many studios transitioning from wartime production back to theatrical entertainment. This period marked the beginning of television's rise, which would soon challenge theatrical animation's dominance. The film reflects the American cultural mood of the late 1940s, when audiences sought lighthearted entertainment and reconciliation after the war years. The parody of the Hatfield-McCoy feud resonated with contemporary audiences who were familiar with this piece of American folklore through popular culture and education. The cartoon also represents the peak of New York-based animation production, before the industry became increasingly centralized in California.

Making Of

The production of 'Comin' Round the Mountain' took place at Famous Studios' New York facility, where the team worked under tight deadlines typical of theatrical short production. Director Izzy Sparber, known for his efficient directing style, managed to complete the film in the standard 6-8 week production cycle. The animation team faced challenges in creating distinct visual identities for the two feuding families while maintaining the studio's recognizable house style. Voice recording sessions were completed in a single day, with the actors improvising many of the comedic lines that made it into the final cut. The film's musical score was composed by Winston Sharples, who created original compositions that blended traditional mountain music with the studio's signature cartoon sound.

Visual Style

The film employs the standard cel animation techniques of the era, with characters animated on transparent celluloid sheets over painted backgrounds. The visual style features bold outlines and vibrant colors characteristic of Famous Studios productions. The mountain setting allows for dramatic vertical compositions and dynamic character movements across varied elevations. The animation utilizes squash and stretch techniques for comedic effect, particularly during the physical confrontations between family members. Background paintings create depth through layered scenery of mountains, cabins, and rural landscapes, establishing the Appalachian setting effectively within the constraints of limited animation budgets.

Innovations

While not groundbreaking in technical terms, the film demonstrates the efficient production techniques that allowed Famous Studios to maintain a steady output of quality animated shorts. The use of limited animation techniques, such as reusing animation cycles and holding poses, allowed the studio to produce the cartoon within budget while maintaining visual appeal. The synchronization of character movement with musical cues shows the studio's mastery of timing and rhythm in animation. The film's color palette makes effective use of Technicolor's capabilities, creating vibrant contrasts between the two feuding families through their distinctive color schemes.

Music

The musical score was composed by Winston Sharples, Famous Studios' resident composer who created music for hundreds of their cartoons. The soundtrack incorporates elements of Appalachian folk music and bluegrass, using banjo, fiddle, and acoustic guitar sounds to establish the rural mountain setting. The score features original compositions that parody traditional folk songs while maintaining the upbeat tempo typical of cartoon music of the era. Sound effects play a crucial role in the comedy, with exaggerated impacts, boings, and crashes timed to the physical gags. The voice work includes stereotypical mountain dialects delivered by professional voice actors, adding to the film's regional flavor.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence introducing both families with their distinctive theme music and character animations
• The chaotic chase scene through the mountains where family members pursue each other with increasingly absurd weapons
• The romantic meeting between the young lovers from feuding families, complete with romantic background music
• The final reconciliation scene where both families come together for a celebration feast
• The dance-off competition between family members that escalates into spectacular cartoon physics

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews in trade publications like Variety and The Film Daily praised the cartoon's energetic animation and humor, though it was considered typical of the studio's output rather than groundbreaking. Animation historians have since recognized it as a solid example of Famous Studios' work during their peak period. Modern critics note that while the film employs some racial and regional stereotypes common to the era, it maintains a certain charm through its enthusiastic animation and classic cartoon physics. The short is generally regarded as a competent but not exceptional entry in the Noveltoons series, showcasing the studio's reliable formula of family-friendly comedy and visual gags.

What Audiences Thought

Theatrical audiences in 1949 responded positively to the cartoon's familiar formula of feuding families and eventual reconciliation, finding it entertaining as part of the larger moviegoing experience. Children particularly enjoyed the slapstick elements and exaggerated character animations, while adults appreciated the parody of the well-known feud story. The film's release during the golden age of theatrical shorts meant it reached millions of viewers across the United States. In subsequent television broadcasts during the 1950s and 1960s, the cartoon found new audiences and became a nostalgic favorite for those who remembered it from their childhood movie theater visits.

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