. . . and perhaps never more so than within this early 1930s animated short, BOSKO AT THE ZOO. Though this episode of Bosko's Saga begins with Honey riding on the handlebars of his bicycle as the pair wend their way toward the animal exhibits, Bosko seems more interested in seeing how high off the bike he can bounce Honey's fanny ("Be careful, Bosko!" is her main refrain during her brief time on screen.) As soon as they arrive at the zoo, Bosko's Honey girl pretty much disappears, which is probably for the best, as subsequent events prove that he has no idea what to do with a female. The main case in point occurs when a lady ostrich swallows Bosko's derby. The deluded young male immediately points and shames this hat thief to sit on her nest. A few seconds later she lays a big egg, which Bosko immediately cracks open to retrieve his hat--apparently not realizing that the yolk's on him. Biologically, this is wrong on so many levels that it should give any product of a Blue State school the Heebie Jeebies (though graduates of Red State nurseries--like U-W, U-M, and PSU--in places such as Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania--Boondocks Backwaters where the Curricula Constitute a Biology-Free Zone--can be excused for thinking that this is how the Birds & the Bees actually work in Real Life).
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planktonrules12 May 2021The previous two Bosko films, "Bosko's Soda Fountain" and "Bosko's Fox Hunt", were very good cartoons. This is because they abandoned the previous formula for the Bosko films. Gone were all the ultra-cutesy characters as well as the insipid singing and dancing. Sadly, when "Bosco at the Zoo" began, I could see it was a return to form...as it starts with Bosko and Honey singing a "La, La, La" song and skipping and dancing....stuff that no one could possibly find funny. Now I am not saying it's all bad...but that certainly WAS a bad start.
Once at the zoo, Bosko wanders about and is a bit of a jerk towards the ostrich. I liked this. But then Bosko felt sorry for the animal and began singing and dancing...oh, good grief, not more singing and dancing! Then, the rest of the animals in the zoo all start dancing and itching and moving about in what substitutes for fun and humor. There is a sequence where Bosko decides to start spanking the monkey (literally, not figuratively) and its BIG momma comes along...something Bosko did already in "Congo Jazz" in 1930. What follows is a lion attack but, sadly, Bosko survives.
To say I dislike most of the Bosko films is definitely an understatement. Looney Tunes' earliest films were mostly insipid...with little humor and a heavy dose of saccharine. Fortunately, when the Harmon-Ising production team left the studio in 1934, things did slowly improve. But you simply cannot compare these early cartoons to the output of the studio in the late 30s through the 1950s when their cartoon shorts were simply the best you could find...thanks to great humor, timing and characters...none of which you find in a Bosko cartoon. -
TheLittleSongbird29 May 2017The Bosko cartoons may not be animation masterpieces, but they are fascinating as examples of Looney Tunes in their early days before the creation of more compelling characters and funnier and more creative cartoons. There are some good cartoons, as well as some average or less ones.
'Bosko at the Zoo' is enjoyable enough, if somewhat hit and miss. It has been well established by now that the Bosko cartoons should not be seen for their stories, which was never a strong suit (quite the opposite), and the story here is very thin and predictable. Not all the gags work, most do with the aquarium part being particularly fun and inventive but a few are spoilt by some truly stupid and questionable actions and decision-making by Bosko.
Regarding Bosko himself, he is a limited character with a personality that is not that endearing, entertaining or interesting here and too many times he behaves like an idiot.
Honey however brings a good deal of charm to the cartoon. As always, the animation is good. Not exactly refined but fluid and crisp enough with some nice detail, it is especially good in the meticulous backgrounds and some remarkably flexible yet natural movements for Bosko. The music doesn't disappoint either, its infectious energy, rousing merriment, lush orchestration and how well it fits with the animation is just a joy.
Sound quality has clarity and the synchronisation isn't sloppy and has imagination. The way Bosko is animated is well done and remarkably natural. The gags are mostly very nicely done.
In conclusion, enjoyable enough if not great. 7/10 Bethany Cox -
llltdesq26 September 2006This short isn't the best Bosko short, but it isn't the worst one either. It's a trip to the zoo by Bosko and Honey. There will be some spoilers:
Bosko and Honey go to the zoo and it doesn't take long before Bosko starts interacting with the animals in an irritating and unwise fashion. His hat gets eaten by an ostrich, which prompts Bosko to take action to make the bird give it back to him. It obliges by laying an egg. Bosko plays a tune and this gives the animators the opportunity to set the animation in time to the music.
Bosko makes an extremely questionable move when he physically disciplines a little ape, as a larger gorilla comes into the scene and is clearly less than pleased with Bosko. Thus begins the chase. There are some rather nice visual gags incorporated into the chase sequence, where it seems that half the zoo winds up chasing after Bosko. Three critters smash into a wall and come out looking like modern art.
There is also a rather interesting visual sequence involving an aquarium, with Bosko and Honey watching the antics of various fish. All in all, the visuals make this a rather entertaining short, though Bosko is a rather limited character. The things happening around him are far more entertaining than he himself is most of the time.
Hopefully, this will be released on a Looney Tunes Golden Collection at some point in the future. Well worth watching.