Film Forum

U.S., 1941
Directed by Dave Fleischer
Starring Kenny Gardner, Gwen Williams
Produced by Max Fleischer
Approx. 78 min.

As insect ingénue Honey Bee and the whole Bugville community awaits local hero Hoppity the grasshopper’s return, two crises brew: she may have to marry meanie C. Bagley Beetle, while their garden paradise is threatened by... Manhattan development! This classic, colorful animated musical comedy (with songs by Hoagy Carmichael and Frank Loesser, no less, and Fleischer tune-meister Sammy Timberg) is the second feature-length film from pioneer cartoon producer/onetime Disney equal and rival Max Fleischer (OUT OF THE INKWELL, Popeye, Betty Boop, Superman) and his innovative director brother, Dave.

Reviews

“Head animators get their breakaway solos: a thrill ride in a swaying watering can; Hoppity’s shock-treatment neon jitterbug; the full-cast show-stopper ‘Honey Married Money.’ A REAL CHARMER.”
– Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice