Warner Cartoons Learn To Walk and Talk

Beginner Bosko in Congo Jazz (1930)

The second Warners cartoon, following Sinkin' In The Bathtub. Hugh Harman and Rudolph Ising did these for independent Leon Schlesinger, who released through WB. Bosko was yet another character set loose to dethrone Mickey Mouse. At least he's human, if rubbery and of unspecified racial origin (but shouldn't animated figures constitute a race all their own?). Bosko walks through the jungle and encounters beasts both hostile and friendly, that being about all there is to it. Simplicity was enough so long as sounds matched movement, the miracle of synchronization still impressing customers two years after Steamboat Willie showed it could be done. Harmon and Ising had been with Disney long enough to learn how to get along withouthim. Personality clash with animators cost Walt no small part of staff in days when he needed talent like H&I's, but WD was under daily stress and easily lost patience with staff not rowing quick enough. Congo Jazz doesn't get around to that music form till a final few minutes, but showed what WB's team could do in the eternal struggle for cartoon dominance.

Also see this 6/08 Greenbriar post about Warner cartoons and one-time efforts to collect them.