A Musical Up-Roar 1949-51
The early 50s saw Scott Bradley increasingly writing his own scores, and not incorporating MGM’s own published songs.
The early 50s saw Scott Bradley increasingly writing his own scores, and not incorporating MGM’s own published songs.
MGM’s cartoon unit was humming during this period – including continuing to use tunes from various MGM musicals.
During the period covered by these cartoons, the Second World War came to an end.
The MGM cartoons of the 1940s were no longer 30s cutesie-poo – being replaced by the fast-paced, gag oriented style of Avery, Hanna and Barbera.
At MGM – Tex Avery settled into place, Tom and Jerry’s were rounding out nicely, and Barney Bar provided gentler laughs.
The musical highlights in the 1942-43 season of MGM cartoons.
During the 1940-41 season, MGM celebrated a match made in cartoon heaven – the teaming of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera.
The cartoons were starting to retreat from the ooey-gooey style of the early Happy Harmonies. And at times, they could create an unexpected classic.
In the 1939 season, Harman and Ising came back, each heading their own unit, and offering once again the benefits of full Technicolor.
At MGM, the Harman-Ising cartoons had been becoming more elaborate and more expensive with each passing season.