Hop and Go

Plot

Claude Hopper is an arrogant kangaroo who proudly declares himself the 'best darn hopper in the world' despite his obvious lack of intelligence. Two clever Scottish rabbits, fed up with his boastful attitude, decide to teach him a lesson through a series of elaborate pranks. They first trick him into entering a boxing ring where he becomes hopelessly tangled in the ropes, then challenge him to a distance jumping contest where they secretly ride on his tail before leaping off at the last moment. When Claude attempts the jump again with an empty pouch, the rabbits have secured his tail to the ground with chewing gum, causing him to fall into a river. The cartoon ends with the rabbits washing up safely inside Claude's water-filled pouch, having thoroughly outsmarted their dim-witted adversary.

Historical Background

'Hop and Go' was produced and released during the height of World War II, a period that significantly impacted American cinema and animation. The Warner Bros. animation studio, like many Hollywood production companies, was operating with reduced staff as many artists and directors were serving in the military. Cartoons from this era often contained subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) wartime references and propaganda elements, though 'Hop and Go' was primarily focused on entertainment rather than wartime messaging. The film industry was also experiencing changes in distribution and exhibition patterns, as many theaters were showing more double features and shorts to provide maximum value to wartime audiences who sought escapist entertainment. The animation industry itself was in its golden age, with Warner Bros., Disney, MGM, and other studios competing to create the most innovative and entertaining cartoons.

Making Of

The production of 'Hop and Go' took place during a challenging period for the Warner Bros. animation studio, as many of its top talent had been drafted into military service for World War II. Director Norm McCabe was himself preparing to leave for military duty, making this one of his final contributions to the studio. The voice work featured Mel Blanc, Warner Bros.' legendary voice actor, though his role in this particular short was relatively minor compared to his work on more famous characters. Pinto Colvig, who provided the voices for the Scottish rabbits, was a former Disney animator and voice actor who had recently joined the Warner Bros. team. The animation was completed using the standard Warner Bros. process of storyboarding, pencil tests, ink and paint on cels, and final photography. The cartoon's timing and gags were carefully crafted to fit the seven-minute format required for theatrical distribution as part of a double feature program.

Visual Style

The visual style of 'Hop and Go' follows the established Warner Bros. animation aesthetic of the early 1940s, characterized by bold outlines, vibrant colors, and exaggerated character expressions. The animation makes effective use of the full frame, with characters frequently breaking the boundaries of the picture plane for comic effect. The boxing ring sequence demonstrates the animators' skill at creating dynamic action within a confined space, using the ropes as both a physical obstacle and a comedic device. The river sequence showcases the studio's ability to animate water effects, which was particularly challenging in traditional cel animation. The cartoon's pacing is brisk, with quick cuts between gags and minimal wasted movement, reflecting the Warner Bros. philosophy of maximum entertainment in minimum time.

Innovations

While 'Hop and Go' doesn't represent major technical breakthroughs in animation, it demonstrates the technical proficiency that Warner Bros. had achieved by the early 1940s. The cartoon features smooth character movement and effective use of squash and stretch animation principles, particularly in the scenes involving Claude's hopping and falling. The animators successfully created the illusion of weight and momentum in the jumping sequences, which required careful timing and spacing of the animation drawings. The water effects in the river sequence, while not revolutionary, show the studio's growing confidence in animating difficult natural elements. The integration of character animation with background elements maintains consistency throughout the short, reflecting the technical standards Warner Bros. had established for its theatrical releases.

Music

The musical score for 'Hop and Go' was composed by Carl Stalling, Warner Bros.' legendary musical director who was responsible for the soundtracks of most of the studio's cartoons during this period. Stalling's approach typically involved adapting popular songs of the day and classical music pieces to match the on-screen action. For this cartoon, he likely incorporated Scottish-themed musical elements to accompany the rabbit characters, though the specific musical selections are not well-documented. The sound effects, created by Treg Brown, Warner Bros.' pioneering sound effects artist, would have included exaggerated impact sounds for the physical comedy sequences. Mel Blanc and Pinto Colvig's voice performances would have been recorded separately and synchronized with the animation during the final production stages.

Memorable Scenes

• The boxing ring sequence where Claude becomes hopelessly tangled in the ropes while trying to fight the Scottish rabbits
• The distance jumping contest where the rabbits secretly ride on Claude's tail before leaping off at the perfect moment
• The final scene where Claude falls into the river and the rabbits emerge safely from his water-filled pouch, having completely outsmarted him

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception for 'Hop and Go' was minimal, as theatrical shorts typically received little attention from major publications unless they were particularly outstanding or controversial. The cartoon was generally considered competent entertainment that served its purpose of amusing audiences before the main feature. Modern animation historians and critics view the short as a solid example of Warner Bros. work from the early 1940s, noting its fluid animation and effective use of the seven-minute format. Some critics have pointed out that while the cartoon lacks the brilliance of Warner Bros.' most famous shorts from directors like Tex Avery or Chuck Jones, it demonstrates the studio's consistent quality even during a period of personnel shortages and wartime production challenges.

What Audiences Thought

Theatrical audiences in 1943 generally responded positively to 'Hop and Go' as part of the overall moviegoing experience. The cartoon's straightforward plot and visual gags made it accessible to all age groups, which was important for family-oriented entertainment during the war years. The character of Claude Hopper, with his combination of arrogance and stupidity, provided a relatable comic archetype that audiences enjoyed seeing get his comeuppance. The Scottish rabbits' cleverness and teamwork also resonated with wartime audiences who valued ingenuity and cooperation. While the cartoon didn't achieve the lasting popularity of Warner Bros.' most famous characters, it fulfilled its purpose of providing brief, enjoyable entertainment during a time when audiences needed distraction from the stresses of war.

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