Release Date:

June 5, 1937

Main Character(s):

None

Summary:

A take-off on “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. Little Eva and Topsy buy Uncle Tom from slave salesman Simon Simon Legree but their payments fall behind three months, so he tries to take him back.

That’s Not All, Folks:

This is the fourth cartoon in the Censored Eleven.

Tex Avery would spoof Uncle Tom again at MGM ten years later in “Uncle Tom’s Cabana”.

This is one of the first Merrie Melodies to not use a song in the middle of the cartoon.

The cartoon contains a scene that would obviously not be acceptable today: Little Eva and Topsy switch skin colors at one point when frightened by Legree.

What I Like About This One:

When Little Eva is introduced, she starts talking about herself, but the narrator says that all the audience wants to know is her name. She replies in a masculine voice, “Little Eva, ya dope!”

“Simon Simon Legree” (which is based off of Simone Simon) is introduced with subtitles that show his name is pronounced as “Seemoan Seemoan”.

“And last but not leashed, the hounds.” (the hounds themselves are funny when one of them simply says “Hello” and “Yeah, I guess so” when asked if they’re ready to start the picture. Not to mention, they don’t move from the same spot and are seen covered in snow and still sleeping when winter comes).

Simon Simon’s whip briefly morphing into a hand.

Uncle Tom telling Simon Simon, “My body might belong to you, but my soul belongs to Warner Brothers!”

When the narrator informs Little Eva and Topsy about Simon Simon arriving, they hide Uncle Tom by having him pose as the head on a framed picture.

Simon Simon slithering like a snake (since he is also referred to as a viper), like Mr. Viper did in “Milk and Money”.

The narrator playing “hot cold” with Simon Simon, who sticks his finger in an electric socket.

One of the footprints in the snow kicking Simon Simon in the behind.

Eliza getting ice to get across the river from a slot machine.

Where Can I Watch It?

At archive.org!

Carrot Rating:

🥕🥕🥕