Robin Hood Makes Good

Plot

Three young squirrel brothers are playing Robin Hood in the forest when a hungry fox spots and captures the two older squirrels in a sack. The smallest squirrel, though terrified, realizes he must save his siblings and uses his cleverness and tiny size to outwit the much larger predator. Through a series of ingenious tricks involving forest objects and distractions, the little squirrel manages to free his brothers and lead them to safety. The short concludes with all three squirrels safely back in their tree home, having learned that courage and intelligence can overcome physical disadvantages.

Historical Background

Released in 1939, often considered Hollywood's greatest year, this short emerged during the golden age of American animation. The world stood on the brink of World War II, and American entertainment was providing both escapism and subtle moral guidance. Warner Bros. cartoons of this period were becoming increasingly sophisticated, moving away from imitating Disney's style toward their own brand of irreverent humor. The animation industry was experiencing significant technical and artistic advancements, with studios competing to push the boundaries of what could be achieved in animated storytelling. This short reflects the American values of ingenuity and perseverance that resonated with audiences still recovering from the Great Depression. The film industry was also transitioning from the Production Code's strict enforcement to a period where more complex themes could be explored even in children's entertainment.

Making Of

Chuck Jones was still developing his unique directorial voice when he created this early short. The production team at Warner Bros. worked under intense pressure to maintain their schedule of releasing one new cartoon approximately every three weeks. Jones collaborated with storymen like Michael Maltese, who would become his long-term writing partner. Mel Blanc recorded his voices in a single session, demonstrating his incredible ability to switch between character voices seamlessly. The animation team faced the challenge of making the tiny squirrel character expressive and heroic despite his small size. Jones experimented with camera angles and perspective shots to emphasize the size difference between the characters. The forest setting allowed the animators to showcase their skills with natural elements like trees, leaves, and dappled sunlight effects. The musical score by Carl Stalling was recorded after the animation was completed, following the standard practice of the era.

Visual Style

The animation employs the sophisticated techniques Warner Bros. had developed by the late 1930s, featuring detailed background paintings and fluid character movement. The visual style demonstrates Jones' early experimentation with character expressions and comedic timing. The forest setting is rendered with rich color palettes and atmospheric depth typical of high-quality theatrical animation of the period. The cinematography effectively uses scale and perspective to emphasize the dramatic size difference between the tiny hero and the villainous fox, creating visual tension and enhancing the underdog theme. The animation incorporates subtle camera movements and angle changes that add dynamism to the action sequences.

Innovations

While not groundbreaking in technical innovation, the short demonstrates the refinement of animation techniques achieved by Warner Bros. by the late 1930s. The character animation shows sophisticated movement and expression beyond earlier cartoon standards. The use of multiplane camera effects, though not as extensively as Disney, creates convincing depth in the forest environments. The synchronization of voice, music, and animation represents the high technical standards Warner Bros. had achieved. The animation team successfully conveyed personality and emotion through limited character designs, a technical challenge of the era. The color process used (Technicolor) showcases the vibrant palette that had become standard for high-quality theatrical animation.

Music

The musical score was composed by Carl Stalling, Warner Bros.' legendary music director who defined the sound of their classic cartoons. Stalling's score incorporates various musical themes and motifs that enhance the emotional tone of each scene. Known for his creative adaptation of popular songs and classical pieces, Stalling likely drew from familiar melodies to underscore the Robin Hood theme. The soundtrack features the distinctive sound effects pioneered by Warner Bros., created through innovative foley techniques. The musical cues work in perfect synchronization with the animation, a hallmark of Stalling's precise timing and musical storytelling abilities.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence where the three squirrels play Robin Hood with homemade costumes, establishing their characters and relationships
• The fox's stealthy approach through the forest shadows, building tension before the capture
• The tiny squirrel's clever use of acorns and pinecones to create distractions and obstacles for the fox
• The dramatic rescue scene where the little squirrel unties the sack while the fox is distracted
• The triumphant final scene with all three squirrels safe in their tree, celebrating their brother's heroism

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reviews of theatrical shorts were limited, as they were typically considered supplementary to the main feature. However, trade publications of the era noted the short's charming animation and effective storytelling. Modern animation historians and critics recognize this as an important early work in Chuck Jones' filmography, showing the embryonic stages of his distinctive directorial style. While not ranked among his greatest achievements, it's valued by animation enthusiasts for its historical significance and as a product of Warner Bros. during their creative peak period. The short is often cited in scholarly works about Jones' career development and the evolution of American animation style.

What Audiences Thought

Theatrical audiences of 1939 received the short enthusiastically as part of the complete moviegoing experience. Children particularly connected with the adorable squirrel characters and the exciting rescue narrative. The clear moral lesson about intelligence triumphing over brute force made it popular with parents seeking wholesome entertainment. The cartoon's pacing and visual gags appealed to both children and adults, a hallmark of Warner Bros.' approach to animation. Modern audiences, particularly animation fans and historians, appreciate it as an early example of Jones' work and as a representative piece of golden age animation craftsmanship.

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