Spooking About Africa

Plot

Casper the Friendly Ghost finds himself in an African jungle where he encounters various animals. At a watering hole, he playfully frightens a zebra, then meets Wheezy, an elephant suffering from uncontrollable sneezing fits. Wheezy's powerful sneezes cause chaos, blowing all the feathers off a proud peacock and sending a troop of monkeys flying from their tree branches. Concerned for his new friend, Casper investigates and discovers a feather stuck in Wheezy's trunk is causing the sneezing problem. After successfully removing the feather and curing the elephant, a forest fire suddenly breaks out, trapping the animals. In a desperate moment, Casper needs Wheezy to sneeze to create wind to blow out the fire, but now that the feather is gone, the elephant can't sneeze on command.

Historical Background

This cartoon was produced during a transitional period in American animation history. The 1950s saw the decline of theatrical cartoon shorts as television became the dominant medium for animated content. Famous Studios, once a major competitor to Disney and Warner Bros., was facing increasing budget constraints and changing audience preferences. The Casper series, however, remained popular due to its gentle humor and appealing protagonist. In 1957, the civil rights movement was gaining momentum, and while this cartoon doesn't directly address social issues, its portrayal of African wildlife reflects the era's often stereotypical approach to depicting African settings in popular media. The Cold War was in full swing, and cartoons like this provided escapist entertainment for audiences seeking relief from political tensions.

Making Of

The production of 'Spooking About Africa' followed the standard workflow for Famous Studios cartoons in the late 1950s. Story development began with writers brainstorming scenarios that would showcase Casper's friendly nature while providing opportunities for visual gags. The elephant's sneezing problem was chosen as the central comedic device, allowing for exaggerated animation and sound effects. Animators studied real elephant movements and sneezing mechanics to create believable yet humorous animations. The voice recording sessions were typically completed first, with actors recording their lines individually. Cecil Roy's distinctive gentle voice for Casper had been established since the character's 1945 debut, requiring minimal direction. The jungle backgrounds were painted by specialized background artists who used watercolor techniques to achieve the lush, vibrant look characteristic of Famous Studios' output during this period.

Visual Style

As a traditionally animated short, 'Spooking About Africa' employed standard cel animation techniques of the era. The visual style featured bold, saturated colors characteristic of Famous Studios' output in the late 1950s. The jungle setting allowed for rich background paintings with layered depth, using techniques like airbrushing to create atmospheric effects. Character animation followed the principles established by earlier animation pioneers, with exaggerated movements for comedic effect, particularly in the sneezing sequences. The peacock's feather explosion and monkeys being blown from trees showcased the animators' skill in creating dynamic action sequences. The fire scene utilized multiple animation cels with different transparencies to create a convincing flame effect, demonstrating the technical sophistication of the studio's animation department.

Innovations

While 'Spooking About Africa' didn't introduce groundbreaking technical innovations, it demonstrated the refinement of existing animation techniques. The multi-plane effect used in the jungle scenes created a sense of depth uncommon in television animation of the era. The sneezing sequences required careful timing between animation, sound effects, and music to achieve maximum comedic impact. The fire sequence represented a technical challenge, requiring the animation team to create convincing flame movement using traditional hand-drawn techniques. The cartoon also showcased the efficient production methods Famous Studios had developed, including the reuse of animation cycles and background elements to maintain quality while working within budget constraints. The color palette management was particularly notable, as the studio had to ensure colors would reproduce well on both theatrical screens and later television broadcasts.

Music

The musical score for 'Spooking About Africa' was composed by Winston Sharples, the regular composer for Famous Studios cartoons. The music featured typical 1950s cartoon orchestration with prominent use of woodwinds and brass to create a jungle atmosphere. The score incorporated leitmotifs for different characters, with gentle, whimsical themes for Casper and more comical, ponderous music for the elephant. Sound effects were created using traditional cartoon techniques, including slide whistles for the sneezing effects and various percussion instruments for animal movements. The voice work by Cecil Roy as Casper maintained the character's established soft, friendly tone, while Sid Raymond and Jack Mercer provided the various animal vocalizations. The soundtrack was recorded using mono technology, standard for theatrical shorts of this period.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening scene where Casper frightens the zebra at the watering hole, showing his friendly ghost nature
• The sequence where Wheezy the elephant sneezes and blows all the feathers off the peacock, creating a comical visual gag
• The dramatic fire scene where Casper desperately tries to get the cured elephant to sneeze to save the jungle animals

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception for theatrical shorts like 'Spooking About Africa' was minimal, as these cartoons were typically reviewed as part of the overall theatrical program rather than as individual works. Trade publications like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter occasionally mentioned notable shorts, focusing on their entertainment value for family audiences. The Casper series was generally regarded as reliable, wholesome entertainment suitable for all ages. Modern animation historians view these Famous Studios productions as competent but less innovative than the work being done by studios like UPA or Warner Bros. during the same period. The animation quality is considered solid for its time, though lacking the artistic experimentation of more avant-garde studios.

What Audiences Thought

Theatrical audiences in 1957 received 'Spooking About Africa' as standard family entertainment, part of the expected cartoon short before the main feature. Children particularly enjoyed the Casper series due to its gentle nature and relatable protagonist. The exaggerated sneezing gags and colorful jungle animals provided visual entertainment that translated well across age groups. When the cartoon later appeared on television in the 1960s as part of packaged Casper shows, it found new generations of viewers. The simple plot and clear moral message made it accessible to young children, while the animation quality and humor appealed to older viewers. The cartoon's enduring appeal is evidenced by its continued availability in various home media formats and streaming platforms decades after its original release.

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