The Last Mail
Plot
Cubby the Bear faces a challenging winter journey as he must deliver the mail through harsh snowy conditions. His task becomes more complicated when his girlfriend is kidnapped by an evil raccoon who has been terrorizing the local community. Cubby must battle both the treacherous weather and the villainous raccoon to complete his postal duties and rescue his beloved. The short film combines elements of adventure and romance as Cubby demonstrates courage and determination in overcoming multiple obstacles.
Director
Mannie DavisAbout the Production
This was one of the Cubby the Bear series produced during Van Beuren Studios' attempt to create successful cartoon characters to compete with Disney and Fleischer. The animation was created using traditional cel animation techniques typical of the early 1930s. The snow effects were achieved through multiple animation layers and specialized techniques to create the illusion of falling snow and winter atmosphere.
Historical Background
The film was produced during the height of the Great Depression, a time when animated shorts served as important entertainment escapes for struggling audiences. 1933 was a pivotal year in animation history, with Disney's 'Three Little Pigs' revolutionizing the industry with its character animation and storytelling. Van Beuren Studios, though less successful, was part of the vibrant New York animation scene that competed with Hollywood studios. The postal service theme resonated with audiences of the time, as mail delivery remained a crucial lifeline for many isolated communities during the Depression era.
Why This Film Matters
While not as historically significant as works from Disney or Fleischer, 'The Last Mail' represents the broader landscape of American animation during its formative years. The film exemplifies the typical themes and storytelling approaches of early 1930s cartoons, including the hero's journey, damsel in distress trope, and anthropomorphic animal characters. It serves as an example of the diverse animation styles that existed before the industry became dominated by a few major studios. The preservation of such films helps document the evolution of animation techniques and storytelling conventions.
Making Of
The production of 'The Last Mail' took place during a challenging period for Van Beuren Studios, which was struggling to compete with larger animation studios. The animation team worked with limited budgets and tight schedules, typical of the era's cartoon production. Mannie Davis, as both animator and director, would have been heavily involved in multiple aspects of the production. The snow sequences required innovative animation techniques to create convincing winter effects without the benefit of modern technology. Character designs for Cubby the Bear evolved throughout the series, with this film representing an early version of the character's appearance.
Visual Style
The visual style employed traditional black and white cel animation with limited backgrounds typical of the era. The snow sequences used multiple exposure techniques and careful timing to create convincing winter weather effects. Character animation followed the rubber hose style popular in early 1930s cartoons, with fluid, exaggerated movements.
Innovations
The film utilized the standard animation techniques of the early 1930s, including cel animation on pegs, multiplane camera effects for depth in certain scenes, and synchronized sound. The snow effects demonstrated the animators' ingenuity in creating weather phenomena without modern digital tools.
Music
The film featured a synchronized musical score typical of early sound cartoons, with original compositions adapted to the on-screen action. Sound effects were created live during recording sessions using various props and techniques. The music would have been performed by a small orchestra and recorded on optical sound tracks.
Memorable Scenes
- Cubby battling through the snowstorm to deliver the mail
- The confrontation with the evil raccoon
- The rescue of Cubby's girlfriend
Did You Know?
- Cubby the Bear was one of Van Beuren Studios' attempts to create a star character, though the series never achieved the popularity of Mickey Mouse or Betty Boop
- Director Mannie Davis later became known for his work on the 'Tom and Jerry' cartoons at MGM in the 1940s and 1950s
- The evil raccoon villain was typical of the anthropomorphic animal characters popular in early animation
- Many Van Beuren cartoons from this period are now considered lost or exist only in incomplete form
- The mail delivery theme reflected the importance of postal service in rural America during the Great Depression era
- Van Beuren Studios was known for their more surreal and sometimes bizarre cartoon style compared to Disney's more polished approach
- The film was released during the transition from silent to sound animation, though it included synchronized sound and music
- Cubby the Bear appeared in approximately 19 cartoon shorts between 1933 and 1934
What Critics Said
Contemporary critical reception for Van Beuren cartoons was generally mixed, with reviewers often noting their quirky style but criticizing their lack of polish compared to Disney productions. Modern animation historians view these films as interesting artifacts that demonstrate the experimental nature of early animation, though they acknowledge the technical limitations and sometimes crude storytelling typical of the period.
What Audiences Thought
Audience reception in 1933 would have been generally positive, as any cartoon entertainment was welcomed during the Depression era. Theater audiences enjoyed the simple adventures and visual gags, though Cubby the Bear never developed the strong fan following of more famous cartoon characters of the period.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Disney's early Mickey Mouse cartoons
- Fleischer Studios' Betty Boop series
- Earlier silent cartoons
This Film Influenced
- Later Cubby the Bear shorts
- Other Van Beuren Productions
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Film Restoration
The preservation status of 'The Last Mail' is uncertain, as many Van Beuren cartoons from this period are considered lost or exist only in fragmentary form. Some surviving prints may be held in private collections or film archives, but a complete, restored version may not be readily available to the public.