The Age of Commercialism

Takes itself way too seriously

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Two little boys "battle" their toy pirate ships in a pool. The crews of both sea vessels are made up of broad, yet funny and entertaining caricatures of such 30's era celebrities as Charles Laughton (as Captain Bligh), W.C. Fields, the Three Stooges, Laurel & Hardy, Jimmy Durante, Wallace Berry, and the Marx Brothers. Granted, this goofy seven minute item is pretty silly and inoffensive, but the snappy pace, jaunty music (the song the sailors heartily belt out is pretty catchy), vibrant color animation, a few charming gags (I dug the barking dog cannon most of all), and overall good-natured tone make it a satisfyingly slight and pleasant diversion just the same.

Archaic swashbuckler spoof in cartoon form which, for no particular reason, includes several Hollywood caricatures. Two kids ‘battle’ their toy ships in a pool; we then go into the ‘clash’ proper: the crew of both vessels are made up of film-stars of the era, from dramatic actors such as Wallace Beery and Charles Laughton (who had just appeared in classic examples of the genre – TREASURE ISLAND [1934] and MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY [1935] respectively) to comedians including Laurel & Hardy, The Marx Bros., The Three Stooges and Jimmy Durante. Of course, at a mere seven minutes, it’s certainly harmless – but there’s very little genuine invention on display…especially since the comics are there mainly to individually engage in the familiar but corny ‘sailor dance’ routine!