Surprisingly incoherent and boring

As Good As It Gets

An absolute waste of money

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

This is the original black and white 1934 cartoon (there is a color remake of the 1940s). Here, Mickey and his friends put on a benefit show for orphans. The plot line for this story sounds touching and meaningful enough, but the orphans themselves were actually pretty mischievous with no redeeming qualities. They torment poor Donald Duck, who tries to recite nursery rhymes for them. Donald got the brunt of all the mean jokes and gags from the orphans.While the animation of this stark black and white short is very nice and seeing Mickey team up with Donald Duck and Clara Cluck is a treat, the overall cartoon is not very entertaining or funny.Grade D--

LACKING EVERY AVAILABLE luxury except for that of the Technicolor process which was already standard in the Disney SILLY SYMPHONIES Series, this entry into the MICKEY MOUSE Series presents the viewer-ship with a veritable kaleidoscope of movement, characters and gags. It is also a milestone in the evolution of Mickey from being the focus of mischief and the brunt of so many jokes himself.OPENING SCENES PORTRAY near gala, white tie and red carpet event. Missing only the standard string of searchlights sweeping the skies to an fro, the event is clearly done up as a sort of mirror of the hero worshiped Hollywood scene of the mid '30's Depression Era America.THE MULTI-FIGURED animation scenes are very pleasing and a treat to the eye; owing to the intricate and carefully balanced imagery. The repetition of action for the purpose of s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g out the gags, can and does tend to get a little tiresome; but the overall effect is still good and purposeful.WHETHER IT WAS intentional or not, the on-stage talent show served to give a chance for trying out a newly found potential cartoon star. Having made his screen debut as a supporting player in THE WISE LITTLE HEN, Donald Duck does his best to launch his career. The antics and contortions he goes through in this animated one reeler are complete, though his arsenal was yet to be developed. It is indeed a true example of a microcosm of what is yet to come.THE PHYSICAL APPEARANCE of the Duck is also just a bit underdeveloped. He is considerably shorter, slighter and in possession of a longer, thinner bill. He displayed the trademark sailor suit, which also had been his wardrobe of choice in the previously mentioned SILLY SYMPHONY first appearance of 1934.AS FOR THE "orphans", they are nothing more or less than a cookie cutter proliferation of a younger, smaller Mickey Mouse. Each and every little Mouse acts exactly the same and is equipped without boundless energy that is complemented by that devilish little imp image that was once the trademark of Mickey Mouse, himself.

This is a black and white Mickey Mouse cartoon done by the Disney studio. There will be spoilers ahead:In 1934, Disney did this short, Orphan's Benefit, in black and white. They then basically redid the short as "Orphans' Benefit" in 1941, this time in color. The shorts are both fascinating, though I like the earlier black and white just slightly more because the use of shadow is better.The two shorts aren't exactly the same. The character designs are a bit different, particularly with regard to Donald Duck, who actually steals the short. Various characters also have a bit more clothing (Goofy has a shirt in 1941, Mickey has a shirt and a tie and so on). There's generally a little more detail in 1941.There's a very quick caricature of Jimmy Durante by Donald in the 1931 version and there are changes in direction for some of the bits of animation. The orphans, as always, are thoroughly obnoxious in both, with Donald getting the brunt of their "charming" behavior This short is available on the Disney Treasures Mickey Mouse In Black and White, Volume Two. Most recommended.

Now I do very much enjoy Orphans' Benefit in colour, the colours are beautiful on the eyes, but I did and still do find the character designs on the stiff side. Although Donald and Goofy do look somewhat different with Donald's head I think elongated and Goofy doesn't have a chin the character designs generally are more fluid. The black and white animation is crisp and clear, and the music is wonderful, the Lucia Di Lammermoor sextet being clucked was a great touch but the best music for me was actually in the classic acrobatic dance between Clarabelle, Horace and Goofy. The story is well paced and never dull but for me it all feels on the routine side. The gags fare better, there are a few that are either over-familiar or some may not get(it took me ages to get the Jimmy Durante gag), but most of them are spot on, with the best being the Little Boy Blue gag between Donald and the Orphans. Of the cartoon, the least effective character was Mickey, who apart from introducing the acts and accompanying in the Lucia Di Lammermoor scene plays secondary to Donald's hilarious frustration and the cute yet bratty orphans. Even the acrobatic dance was more memorable than Mickey in all honesty. Just for the record, I like Mickey, but he is bland when sidelined. Overall though, this is a very good cartoon. 8/10 Bethany Cox