Release Date:

October 12, 1940

Main Character(s):

None

Summary:

Spot gags on American holidays presented in year order.

That’s Not All, Folks:

Before the credits are shown, a calendar for 1939 is shown rather than a calendar for 1940. This is because most cartoons released in 1940 were in production in 1939 (animated cartoons took a lot longer to make back then due to everything being hand-drawn).

Of all the widely known American holidays, Independence Day is noticeably absent.

What I Like About This One:

For New Year’s Day, an infant wearing a top hat crawls across the stage and yells, “HAPPY NEW YEAR!” in a grown man’s voice.

For Valentine’s Day, a boy passionately makes love to a girl. When the narrator points out that this is Leap Year’s (and 1940 was in fact a Leap Year), meaning they have to switch places, the girl makes love to the boy before speaking in a Katharine Hepburn voice, “And this is so silly, don’t you think?” before they share a kiss.

For Washington’s birthday, when a young George Washington is questioned by his father on his chopping down of a small cherry tree, Washington answers, “Mmmm, couldst be!”

For Easter, a hungry fox stalks the Easter Bunny but then meekly asks for an Easter egg. The Easter Bunny gives him what’s left in the basket and runs off, much to the fox’s confusion.

For April Fools Day, the screen is blank with the narrator taunting the audience for being tricked! A card then says, “‘Tain’t funny, McGee’, the Management”.

On graduation day, a young graduate is given his diploma before going out to line up in the bread line. It turns out that the master of ceremonies is right in front of him in the same line! “Take it easy, McGee!”, he says when the graduate is shoved into him.

On Halloween, a witch riding her broom flies past with a banner advertising Dollar Day.

On Thanksgiving, a turkey is saying grace before realizing he’s supposed to be the main course (“And thank you for this lovely turkey” “TURKEY!? WHAT AM I SAYING!?”) and running off.

On Christmas, Santa is a “Good Rumor” ice cream man.

On New Year’s Eve, there are a lot of parade floats including two particularly popular ones: the Lone Stranger is popular with the kids while the float of a California tree is popular with the dogs.

Where Can I Watch It?

At archive.org!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕🥕