Opening Night

Plot

Cubby Bear, the mischievous animated character, manages to sneak into the prestigious Roxy Opera House on its grand opening night. After causing some initial chaos backstage, Cubby inadvertently finds himself on the conductor's podium when the maestro unexpectedly disappears. The little bear proceeds to conduct an elaborate and comical animal-enacted version of the opera Faust, with various creatures performing the dramatic roles. The performance descends into delightful mayhem as Cubby's unconventional conducting style and the animal performers' antics create a memorable opening night spectacle. The cartoon culminates in a triumphant yet chaotic finale that showcases both Cubby's unexpected musical talent and the boundless possibilities of animated comedy.

Historical Background

Opening Night was produced in 1933, during the depths of the Great Depression and a crucial period in animation history. This was the era when sound animation was becoming standardized and studios were racing to establish signature characters that could compete with Disney's Mickey Mouse. The film reflects the cultural appetite for escapist entertainment during difficult economic times, with its lavish opera setting and comedic chaos providing temporary relief from daily struggles. The Roxy Theatre reference was particularly significant, as movie palaces like the Roxy were among the few places where Americans could still experience luxury and spectacle during the Depression. The cartoon also emerges from the early sound period, when animators were experimenting with how to incorporate music and dialogue effectively, leading to many cartoons featuring musical performances and operatic parodies.

Making Of

Opening Night was created during a pivotal period in animation history when studios were racing to establish recurring characters in the sound era. Mannie Davis, working under the Van Beuren Studios banner, incorporated the studio's trademark surreal humor into the classical music parody format that was becoming popular in animation. The production team would have used the then-standard animation techniques of rotoscoping for complex movements and cel animation with multiplane backgrounds for the opera house scenes. The sound synchronization would have been particularly challenging, as the cartoon features both musical elements and comedic sound effects that needed to align precisely with the visual gags. Van Beuren Studios was known for its relatively small budgets compared to Disney, so the animators had to be creative in maximizing visual impact while working within constraints.

Visual Style

The visual style of Opening Night employs the black and white cel animation techniques standard for the period, with careful attention to the contrast between the elegant opera house setting and the cartoonish chaos that ensues. The animation features relatively fluid character movements for the era, particularly in the musical sequences where Cubby conducts and the animal performers dance. The use of perspective shots to establish the grandeur of the opera house contrasts with close-ups of Cubby's expressive face during his conducting debut. The cinematography makes effective use of shadows and lighting to create the theatrical atmosphere of the opera house before the comedic elements take over.

Innovations

Opening Night demonstrates Van Beuren Studios' proficiency with sound synchronization techniques that were still relatively new in 1933. The cartoon features complex timing between the musical elements, character movements, and sound effects, particularly in the extended opera parody sequence. The animation showcases the studio's ability to create fluid character movement within the constraints of their production schedule and budget. The film also represents technical achievement in its use of perspective and depth to establish the opera house setting, creating a sense of space that adds to the theatrical atmosphere. While not groundbreaking in terms of technical innovation, the cartoon displays solid craftsmanship in the execution of early sound animation techniques.

Music

The soundtrack of Opening Night prominently features adapted and parodied versions of music from Charles Gounod's opera Faust, arranged for the cartoon's comedic purposes. The score was likely composed by Gene Rodemich, who was Van Beuren's primary musical director during this period. The sound design combines the classical music elements with exaggerated cartoon sound effects, particularly during the animal performance sequences. The cartoon represents an early example of how animation studios used classical music to add sophistication to their productions while simultaneously parodying it for comedic effect. The synchronization of music to animation would have been accomplished using the then-standard methods of timing sheets and bar sheets to ensure precise coordination between the visual and audio elements.

Memorable Scenes

• The sequence where Cubby Bear takes over the conductor's podium and begins conducting the animal opera, with elephants, monkeys, and other creatures performing dramatic operatic roles in increasingly chaotic fashion

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception of Opening Night and other Van Beuren cartoons was generally positive, with reviewers noting the studio's unique brand of surreal humor and inventive gags. The Motion Picture Herald often praised Van Beuren's cartoons for their originality and entertainment value. Modern animation historians and critics have reassessed the Van Beuren output, recognizing it as an important bridge between the simpler cartoons of the 1920s and the more sophisticated animation that would emerge later in the 1930s. While not as technically polished as Disney's work from the same period, Opening Night is appreciated today for its creative energy and its place in the broader narrative of American animation development.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1933 generally responded positively to Opening Night and other Cubby Bear cartoons, which provided welcome entertainment during the Depression era. The combination of music, comedy, and the familiar setting of an opera house made the cartoon accessible to a broad audience. Theater owners often programmed Van Beuren cartoons as part of their short film lineup, appreciating their reliable crowd-pleasing qualities. While Cubby Bear never achieved the level of audience devotion that Mickey Mouse enjoyed, the character developed a modest following during the brief run of the series. Modern audiences encountering Opening Night through animation festivals and classic cartoon screenings often express surprise and delight at the cartoon's surreal humor and inventive visual gags.

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