Greedy Humpty Dumpty

Plot

In this animated short, the classic nursery rhyme character Humpty Dumpty is portrayed as an extremely greedy king who sits atop a massive wall made entirely of gold coins. Despite his immense wealth, Humpty Dumpty is never satisfied and becomes obsessed with acquiring even more gold. When he learns that the sun itself is made of gold, he devises a ridiculous plan to build a tower to reach the sun and claim its golden riches. His greed leads to increasingly absurd and comical situations as he attempts to construct his tower, ultimately resulting in his inevitable fall from the wall, just like in the original nursery rhyme, but with a moral lesson about the dangers of excessive greed.

Historical Background

Released in 1936 during the height of the Great Depression, 'Greedy Humpty Dumpty' reflected the era's complex relationship with wealth and excess. The mid-1930s saw growing resentment toward the wealthy while simultaneously fostering dreams of riches among the struggling populace. Fleischer Studios, based in New York rather than Hollywood, maintained a more urban, cynical sensibility in their cartoons compared to Disney's more wholesome approach. The animation industry was in fierce competition during this period, with studios constantly innovating to capture audience attention. This film emerged during the golden age of American animation, when theatrical shorts were a major part of movie theater programming and studios were pushing technical and artistic boundaries.

Making Of

The production of 'Greedy Humpty Dumpty' took place at Fleischer Studios' headquarters in New York City, where Dave Fleischer supervised a team of animators including Seymour Kneitel and Roland Crandall. The film utilized the studio's patented Stereoptical process, which involved photographing cels against three-dimensional miniature sets built on a turntable. This technique allowed for unprecedented depth and movement in the background, setting Fleischer cartoons apart from their Disney counterparts. The character animation was particularly challenging, as Humpty Dumpty's round shape required careful attention to maintain consistency in his movements. The voice work was handled by Jack Mercer, who was better known as the voice of Popeye, bringing his distinctive vocal style to the greedy character.

Visual Style

The film's visual style was groundbreaking for its time, utilizing Fleischer Studios' innovative Stereoptical process to create three-dimensional backgrounds. This technique involved photographing animated cels against miniature sets built on a turntable, allowing for camera movements that created unprecedented depth and perspective. The color palette was rich and vibrant, making full use of the two-strip Technicolor process available at the time. The cinematography emphasized the contrast between the golden wealth and the darker moral elements of the story. Camera angles were used creatively to emphasize Humpty Dumpty's power and subsequent fall, with dramatic low angles when he was in control and dizzying high angles during his downfall.

Innovations

The most significant technical achievement in 'Greedy Humpty Dumpty' was the implementation of Fleischer Studios' patented Stereoptical process, which created a revolutionary three-dimensional effect years before such techniques became common in animation. The film also featured complex character animation, particularly in the sequences showing Humpty Dumpty building his tower, which required careful timing and perspective work. The integration of two-strip Technicolor was notable for the period, with the color design used to emphasize the golden theme of the story. The animation team developed new techniques for showing the character's emotional state through physical comedy and exaggerated expressions, setting standards for character animation in the industry.

Music

The musical score was composed by Sammy Timberg, Fleischer Studios' resident musical director, who incorporated variations of the traditional 'Humpty Dumpty' nursery rhyme melody throughout the cartoon. The soundtrack used a full orchestra to create dramatic underscoring that enhanced the emotional impact of key scenes. Sound effects were carefully crafted to emphasize the cartoon's themes, with the clinking of gold coins serving as a recurring motif. The voice work featured Jack Mercer, who brought his distinctive vocal style to the character, though the cartoon relied more heavily on visual storytelling and music than dialogue. The musical accompaniment helped establish the mood and reinforced the moral message about the dangers of greed.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening reveal of Humpty Dumpty sitting atop his massive wall of gold coins, establishing his character's greed immediately
• The sequence where Humpty Dumpty constructs his increasingly absurd tower to reach the sun, featuring inventive animation and visual gags
• The climactic fall from the wall, which pays homage to the original nursery rhyme while serving as the moral conclusion

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews of 'Greedy Humpty Dumpty' were generally positive, with critics praising the film's technical innovation and visual style. The Motion Picture Herald noted the 'remarkable depth and dimension' achieved through Fleischer's patented process. Variety appreciated the cartoon's humor and social commentary, though some reviewers felt the moral message was somewhat heavy-handed for entertainment. Modern animation historians recognize the short as an important example of Fleischer Studios' distinctive style and their willingness to tackle adult themes. The film is often cited in studies of 1930s animation as an example of how the medium reflected and commented on the social issues of its time.

What Audiences Thought

Theatrical audiences in 1936 responded positively to 'Greedy Humpty Dumpty,' enjoying its visual spectacle and relatable themes during a time of economic hardship. The cartoon's humor and technical marvels made it a popular part of theater programs. Children enjoyed the familiar character and slapstick elements, while adults appreciated the subtle social commentary about greed and wealth. The film's message about the dangers of excessive greed resonated particularly well with audiences struggling through the Depression. While it didn't achieve the lasting popularity of some other animated shorts of the era, it was well-received as part of the Color Classics series.

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