Finding His Voice

This collection of vintage cartoons is not only a loopy primer on animation history; it is also an offbeat reflection of western "civilization" in the early 20th century. The racism in "Little Black Sambo," and the overt sexuality of Betty Boop are all-the-more shocking when you think that this is what grandma and grandpa were growing up watching! From the works of the world’s very first animator, Emile Cohl, to Walt Disney himself, Johnny Legend has compiled a twisted list of early animations that are guaranteed to surprise, delight and amaze.

Max asks Ko-Ko to act as his alarm clock before going to sleep. While Max sleeps, Ko-Ko goes to work dressing Max for the next day and replacing his surroundings so he'll be ready to go when the alarm clock rings in the morning.

Gabby is a servant in a castle and is required to do a little housework.

Ko-Ko gathers eggs on a farm while Max works on an incubator.

In this Christmas season release, Max assembles a toy train track while Ko-Ko the Clown visits a cartoon toyland, playing cops and robbers and rescuing a doll in distress.

Popeye's on a battleship, on which he's banished to the boiler room. A Japanese sub comes along. Can Popeye save his ship from the enemy?

Popeye and Bluto are deep sea divers. Popeye has a treasure map; for some reason he cuts Bluto in on the deal, but of course, Bluto's idea of 50-50 isn't exactly fair...

Superman battles a criminal mastermind and his robot army.

Robbers target a special train carrying a billion dollars worth of gold, and the only one who can stop them is Superman!

Popeye and Bluto fight for the love of Olive Oyl in their debut short, featuring Betty Boop.

Koko the Clown and his creator, Max Fleischer, go on a strange journey to Puzzle Town.

Betty Boop hosts a Hallowe'en party with a few uninvited guests.

A scientist uses an earthquake machine to threaten the city, and only Superman can stop his extortion plan!

Popeye brings his magical dog, The Jeep, over to see Olive and Swee'pea, just as the tyke has escaped from his crib. The Jeep leads Popeye on a merry chase looking for Swee'pea.

Ko-Ko and Fitz find that everything in their cartoon world is moving backwards. After entering the real world, they go inside a clock and move the hands backward, causing life all around the city to run in reverse.

The happy tranquility of Bugville is shattered when the populace learns that a colossal skyscraper is to be built over their tiny town.