Woos Whoopee

Plot

In this surreal Felix the Cat cartoon, our feline hero indulges in alcoholic revelry, becoming increasingly inebriated as the night progresses. As Felix stumbles through his drunken state, he finds himself pursued by a bizarre assortment of demonic creatures and nightmarish visions that manifest from his intoxicated mind. The chase sequence grows increasingly frantic and absurd, with Felix using his characteristic wit and magical abilities to evade the supernatural tormentors. The cartoon culminates in a clever twist when Felix finally escapes his demonic pursuers only to confront the most terrifying demon of all: his angry wife waiting at home. The film uses Felix's drunken hallucinations as a vehicle for visual gags and surreal animation, ultimately delivering a moralistic punchline about the consequences of overindulgence.

Historical Background

1928 was a pivotal year in cinema history, representing the final months of the silent era and the dawn of sound films. The Jazz Singer had been released in 1927, and studios were rapidly converting to sound production. Felix the Cat was at the height of his popularity in 1928, being the most recognized animated character in the world. This cartoon was produced during the Roaring Twenties, a period of social change, economic prosperity, and cultural rebellion in America. The theme of drunkenness and partying reflected the era's speakeasy culture and the lingering effects of Prohibition. Animation itself was evolving from simple novelties into a legitimate art form, with cartoon characters developing distinct personalities. The technical limitations of silent animation required creators to rely heavily on visual storytelling, physical comedy, and expressive character design. This period also saw the rise of surrealism in art, which influenced the more experimental sequences in cartoons like this one.

Making Of

The production of 'Woos Whoopee' took place in Pat Sullivan's New York studio, where Otto Messmer led a small team of animators. The cartoon was created using the traditional animation methods of the era, with each frame drawn by hand on paper before being inked onto celluloid sheets. Messmer was known for his incredible productivity, often overseeing the production of multiple cartoons simultaneously. The surreal demon sequences in this film allowed the animators to experiment with more abstract designs and movements than in typical Felix cartoons. The relationship between Messmer and studio owner Pat Sullivan was complex; while Sullivan took public credit for Felix's creation, Messmer was the true artistic force behind the character. This cartoon was produced during a period of intense competition in the animation field, with studios racing to innovate before the coming of sound changed everything. The timing of the release, just before the sound revolution, meant that 'Woos Whoopee' represented the pinnacle of silent cartoon artistry even as that era was ending.

Visual Style

The visual style of 'Woos Whoopee' exemplifies the sophisticated black and white cinematography of late silent animation. The cartoon uses dramatic lighting effects, particularly in the demon sequences, to create a nightmarish atmosphere. The animation employs strong contrast between light and shadow, enhancing the surreal quality of Felix's hallucinations. The camera work, though limited by the technology of the time, includes creative angles and perspectives that add to the dreamlike quality of the film. The demon characters are animated with exaggerated, fluid movements that take advantage of the medium's ability to defy physical laws. The visual storytelling relies heavily on silhouettes and negative space, particularly in the chase sequences. The cartoon's composition demonstrates the growing sophistication of animation layout, with careful attention to framing and movement within the frame.

Innovations

This cartoon demonstrates several technical innovations for its time, including sophisticated character animation with more fluid movement than earlier cartoons. The surreal sequences feature innovative use of metamorphosis, with characters and objects transforming in impossible ways. The film showcases advanced timing and spacing techniques, particularly in the fast-paced chase sequences. The demon characters exhibit rubber-hose animation principles that were becoming standard in the industry. The cartoon's complex narrative structure, moving from reality to hallucination and back, represents an advancement in animated storytelling. The visual effects used to create the drunken perspective show technical creativity within the limitations of 1920s animation technology. The film's ability to convey complex emotions and psychological states through purely visual means was a significant achievement in silent animation.

Music

As a silent film, 'Woos Whoopee' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during theatrical exhibition. The typical score for Felix cartoons included popular songs of the era, classical pieces, and original mood music. Theater organists or pianists would synchronize their music to the on-screen action, using cue sheets provided by the studio. The drunken sequences would likely have been accompanied by comic, stumbling music, while the demon chase would feature dramatic, dissonant passages. The cartoon's title suggests the possible use of the popular song "Makin' Whoopee" or similar contemporary jazz tunes. The music was crucial to establishing the mood and timing of the gags, serving as an essential element of the viewing experience despite the film being technically silent.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence where Felix begins his night of revelry, showing his transformation from sober cat to inebriated party animal
• The surreal demon chase through a distorted landscape where physics and reality break down
• The climactic reveal where Felix escapes all the supernatural horrors only to face his furious wife, portrayed as the ultimate demon

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews of Felix cartoons in 1928 were generally positive, with critics praising the character's charm and the increasingly sophisticated animation techniques. Trade publications like Variety and The Moving Picture World often noted Felix's popularity with audiences. The surreal elements in cartoons like 'Woos Whoopee' were seen as innovative, though some critics found them too bizarre for mainstream tastes. Modern animation historians view this cartoon as an excellent example of late silent-era sophistication, noting its fluid animation and imaginative storytelling. The film is often cited in scholarly works about early animation as demonstrating the artistic possibilities of the medium before sound became dominant. Critics today appreciate how the cartoon pushes the boundaries of what was possible in silent animation, using visual metaphors and surreal imagery to convey complex ideas without dialogue.

What Audiences Thought

Felix the Cat cartoons were enormously popular with audiences in 1928, with Felix being one of the most recognizable characters in popular culture. Theater audiences responded enthusiastically to Felix's adventures, and the character's merchandise was widely successful. The surreal and sometimes adult themes in cartoons like 'Woos Whoopee' were well-received by general audiences, who appreciated the sophisticated humor and visual gags. Children and adults alike enjoyed Felix cartoons, as they operated on multiple levels of understanding. The timing of this release, just before sound films became standard, meant that audiences were still fully engaged with silent animation. However, the rapid transition to sound in early 1929 meant that silent cartoons like this one quickly seemed dated to audiences, contributing to Felix's decline in popularity despite the quality of individual films like 'Woos Whoopee.'

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