Ration Bored
"Is this trip really necessary?" asks a road sign. "Sure, it's necessary," replies Woody Woodpecker. "I'm a necessary evil." Patriotic gestures are evidently not Woody's strong suit. When he goes to the gas station for a refill, he doesn't even know what a ration book is. The attendant thinks Woody is a wise guy and takes a large mallet and knocks him and his car into a junkyard several miles away. What luck! The old cars still have a bit of gas in them. Woody takes a rubber hose and siphons the gasoline from some of them. Unluckily, one of the cars he picks is brand new. And it's a cop car. Woody is soon at odds with a bulldog police officer.
Insights
Plot Summary
In this animated short, Cab Calloway and his band struggle to find enough to eat due to wartime rationing. Their attempts to get creative with meager ingredients lead to humorous chaos. The film highlights the everyday challenges faced by many during World War II.
Critical Reception
Ration Bored is a charming and historically significant animated short that reflects the realities of wartime rationing through comedy. While not a major critical darling, it is appreciated for its clever animation and its use of popular music and culture of the era.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its nostalgic value and engaging animation.
- Appreciated for its lighthearted take on wartime scarcity.
- Recognized as a unique piece of Fleischer Studios' later work.
Google audience: Audience reception is generally positive, with viewers enjoying the classic animation style and the musical performances by Cab Calloway. Some note it as an interesting historical artifact from the WWII era.
Fun Fact
This animated short features the popular bandleader Cab Calloway, who also provides his distinctive voice and singing for his animated counterpart.
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