It's Got Me Again!

Plot

Set in a cozy household late at night, the film opens with a group of mice emerging from their hiding places to engage in a musical celebration. The mice perform various songs and dances, prominently featuring the title tune 'It's Got Me Again!' along with other popular melodies of the era. Their musical revelry is abruptly interrupted when the house cat awakens and attempts to catch the rodents. However, the clever mice quickly turn the tables on their feline adversary, using their wit and teamwork to send the cat packing and resume their late-night festivities undisturbed.

Historical Background

Released in 1932, during the depths of the Great Depression, 'It's Got Me Again!' emerged during a transformative period in American animation. The film industry was transitioning from silent films to sound, and from black and white to color. Warner Bros., having recently acquired the Vitaphone sound system, was aggressively building its animation portfolio to compete with Disney's dominance in the field. The early 1930s saw the rise of the 'synchronized sound cartoon' as a popular form of entertainment, offering audiences brief moments of joy and musical escapism during difficult economic times. This period also marked the beginning of what would become known as the Golden Age of American Animation, with studios developing their signature styles and character archetypes.

Making Of

The production of 'It's Got Me Again!' took place during a crucial period in animation history when studios were experimenting with sound, color, and musical synchronization. Rudolf Ising, along with his partner Hugh Harman, had recently left Disney's studio and were establishing their own production company under contract with Warner Bros. The film was created using the then-cutting edge two-strip Technicolor process, which could only reproduce reds and greens, giving the cartoon its distinctive color palette. The animation team worked on traditional animation desks, with each animator responsible for specific scenes or characters. The musical numbers were particularly challenging to synchronize, requiring precise timing between the animation frames and the pre-recorded soundtrack. The cat and mouse chase sequences were animated using the principle of 'squash and stretch' to create more dynamic and humorous movement.

Visual Style

The film utilized the two-strip Technicolor process, which limited the color palette to reds and greens but still created a vibrant visual experience. The animation employed multiplane camera techniques to create depth in certain scenes, particularly during the musical numbers. The cinematography emphasized dynamic camera movements during chase sequences, using techniques such as tracking shots and zooms to enhance the action. The visual style combined realistic character movement with exaggerated cartoon physics, creating a balance that would become characteristic of Warner Bros. animation. The lighting effects were particularly notable for the time, with careful attention paid to creating atmospheric shadows and highlights.

Innovations

The cartoon represented several technical achievements for its time, including the successful integration of two-strip Technicolor in animation, which was still a relatively new and expensive process. The synchronization of complex musical numbers with animated action demonstrated significant advancement in timing and coordination techniques. The film utilized early forms of character rigging in animation, allowing for more consistent character movement across different scenes. The production also experimented with background animation techniques to create more dynamic environments. The sound recording and synchronization processes used in this film helped establish technical standards that would be refined in subsequent Warner Bros. cartoons.

Music

The soundtrack featured the title song 'It's Got Me Again!' composed by Irving Berlin, which served as the cartoon's central musical theme. The score included several other popular songs of the early 1930s, arranged specifically for the cartoon by Frank Marsales. The music was synchronized to the animation using the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system, which provided high-quality audio for the time. The soundtrack included sound effects created using early Foley techniques, with particular attention paid to the musical sounds of the mice's impromptu band. The orchestral arrangements were performed by studio musicians and recorded before the animation was completed, requiring precise timing in the animation process.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence where mice emerge from various hiding places to begin their musical celebration, showcasing synchronized animation and the introduction of the title song
• The climactic chase scene where the mice outsmart the cat using musical instruments as weapons, demonstrating early examples of cartoon physics and creative problem-solving

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised the cartoon for its vibrant use of Technicolor and its lively musical numbers. The animation quality was noted as being on par with Disney's work, which was high praise for the time. The synchronization of music and animation was particularly highlighted in reviews as technically impressive. Modern animation historians recognize the film as an important stepping stone in the development of Warner Bros.' house style, though it's generally considered less sophisticated than the studio's later work. The Academy Award nomination brought additional attention to the cartoon and helped establish Warner Bros.' credibility in the animation field.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1932 responded positively to the cartoon's cheerful musical numbers and humorous cat-and-mouse antics. The film's upbeat tone and catchy title song resonated with Depression-era viewers seeking lighthearted entertainment. The cartoon performed well as part of theater double bills, where it was typically shown before feature films. The popularity of the title song extended beyond the theater, with record sales of the tune benefiting from the cartoon's exposure. While not as memorable as some later Warner Bros. cartoons, it was well-received by audiences of its time and helped build anticipation for future Merrie Melodies releases.

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