Farm Relief

Plot

In this raucous Krazy Kat cartoon, an impromptu speakeasy mysteriously appears on Krazy's peaceful farm, quickly transforming the pastoral setting into a wild prohibition-era party. All the farm animals indulge in the illegal liquor, becoming progressively more intoxicated and chaotic as the celebration rages on. Krazy himself becomes so thoroughly soused that his judgment becomes completely impaired, leading to the film's central gag where he attempts to milk what is clearly a male donkey. The cartoon builds to a frenzied climax as drunken animals stumble about while Krazy continues his misguided milking attempts, oblivious to the absurdity of his actions.

Historical Background

1929 was a pivotal year in American history and cinema. The film was released during the final months of the Roaring Twenties, just before the devastating stock market crash of October 1929 that would trigger the Great Depression. The cartoon's depiction of a speakeasy and drunken revelry reflects the Prohibition era's widespread defiance of alcohol laws. In animation, 1929 marked the transition from silent films to 'talkies,' with studios racing to adopt sound technology. Disney's Steamboat Willie had premiered in November 1928, revolutionizing the industry and creating intense competition among animation studios. The Krazy Kat series, originally created by George Herriman as a comic strip in 1913, was undergoing significant changes as it moved between different production companies. This period also saw the rise of rubber-hose animation, characterized by characters with flexible, boneless limbs, which is evident in this cartoon's style.

Making Of

The production of 'Farm Relief' occurred during a tumultuous period in animation history. Charles Mintz had recently wrested control of the Krazy Kat character from its original creator George Herriman and from Walt Disney, who had been producing the series. Manny Gould, along with his partner Isadore Klein, was tasked with revitalizing the series for the sound era. The studio faced significant technical challenges adapting to sound recording, as the synchronization of dialogue, sound effects, and music was still a relatively new process. Animators had to time their movements more precisely to match the audio track, a departure from the more fluid timing of silent cartoons. The speakeasy theme was chosen partly because it allowed for numerous sound gags and musical opportunities, showcasing the new technology. The production team worked under intense pressure to compete with Disney's early sound successes, particularly the Steamboat Willie phenomenon.

Visual Style

The visual style of 'Farm Relief' exemplifies the rubber-hose animation technique popular in the late 1920s, characterized by characters with flexible, boneless limbs that move in exaggerated, flowing motions. The backgrounds employ the limited but effective techniques of the era, using simple, stylized designs that don't distract from the character animation. The black and white cinematography makes strong use of contrast, with the animated characters standing out clearly against the backgrounds. The camera work is relatively static, as was typical of early animation, but the animation itself creates dynamic movement through character actions and transitions between scenes. The visual gags rely heavily on timing and exaggeration, with characters stretching, squashing, and morphing to comic effect.

Innovations

As an early sound cartoon, 'Farm Relief' demonstrated the technical capabilities of synchronized sound in animation at the time. The film utilized the sound-on-disc technology that was common before sound-on-film became standard. The synchronization of character movements with sound effects and music represented a significant technical achievement for the Charles Mintz Studio. The animation itself employed the multiplane camera techniques that were becoming standard in the industry, allowing for more complex layering of characters and backgrounds. The rubber-hose animation style, while not invented by this film, was perfected through works like this, influencing animation techniques for years to come.

Music

The soundtrack for 'Farm Relief' represents early sound cartoon technology, featuring synchronized sound effects, musical accompaniment, and limited vocalizations. The music would have been performed live during recording sessions, likely using a small ensemble of musicians playing popular tunes of the era. Sound effects were created using primitive techniques but were innovative for their time, including exaggerated drinking sounds, stumbling noises, and the comedic sounds of animals in various states of intoxication. The musical score would have followed the structure common to early cartoons, with different themes for different characters and situations, and the tempo would increase during the more chaotic sequences to heighten the comedic effect.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence where the speakeasy mysteriously appears on the farm, transforming the peaceful setting into a wild party venue. The scene where all the farm animals progressively become more intoxicated, each exhibiting unique drunken behaviors. The climactic sequence where Krazy, completely soused, attempts to milk the male donkey, creating an extended gag that builds in absurdity as the donkey becomes increasingly confused and annoyed by Krazy's misguided efforts.

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews of early Krazy Kat sound cartoons were generally positive, with critics noting the successful adaptation to sound technology. Animation trade publications praised the synchronized sound effects and musical accompaniment, though some critics felt the series lacked the artistic sophistication of Disney's early efforts. Modern animation historians view these cartoons as important transitional works, appreciating their historical significance while acknowledging their technical limitations compared to later achievements. The adult humor and risqué gags that appeared in these early cartoons have been noted by scholars as evidence of animation's original audience being more adult-oriented before the medium became primarily children's entertainment.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1929 were fascinated by the novelty of sound cartoons, and 'Farm Relief' likely drew crowds eager to experience the new technology. The combination of familiar Krazy Kat characters with the excitement of synchronized sound and music would have been a significant attraction. The humor, particularly the drunken animal antics, appealed to adult audiences who could relate to Prohibition-era experiences. Modern audiences encountering the film through animation festivals or archival screenings often express surprise at the adult content and the relatively sophisticated humor compared to later cartoons aimed primarily at children.

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