Release date: November 19th, 1932
Series: Looney Tunes
Director: Hugh Harman
Starring: Johnny Murray (Bosko, Wilbur), Marcellite Garner (Honey)
Oh boy. This one’s an interesting case. Earlier in 1932, there was supposed to be a cartoon released by the name of Bosko and Honey. It was never released because it had to much recycled animation that even Warner Bros. thought was ridiculous. This is a remake of Bosko and Honey, which, in turn, reuses animation from THAT, but serves as an improvement. That’s also why I’m not going to review Bosko and Honey, since it’s not an official cartoon and would also be incredibly redundant. As you can surmise, Bosko and Honey go on a date that turns haywire.
Wilbur is receiving another music lesson from Honey, this time on the violin. He’s learning “In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree” (which would be used by Carl Stalling frequently) but continues to mess up, getting angrier and angrier and insisting that he wants to play cowboy instead. Honey scolds him, and pauses to take a break.
She rings up Bosko, because what else do you do when you’re frustrated? However, Bosko’s asleep, and doesn’t wake to the sound of the phone ringing or Bruno’s barks.
Bruno answers the phone instead, and Honey, who doesn’t find it odd at all, asks if he can wake up Bosko. With much pulling on blankets later, Bosko finally rises and answers the phone sleepily. Honey suggests that he come over, and he agrees.
Honey comes back to see Wilbur dancing on the piano (rather well, the notes sound fine) and scolds him. Embarrassed, he slides down a lamp and resumes his vitriolic violin lesson.
Elsewhere, Bosko, now wide awake, happily rides his bicycle with Bruno at his side. He opens his arms for Bruno to jump hoops through, and all is well.
I have a guilty pleasure for these gags, overused as they may be. Bosko hits a pipe as Bruno goes through it, and once Bosko tumbles to the opposite side, they switch occupations, with Bosko even barking at Bruno. The barking TOTALLY makes this. They switch roles again as they enter and exit through another pipe.
They come across a wheel, with Bruno rolling it from the inside, Bosko pedaling on top. Bruno sends it rolling towards a chasm, and falls in. This allows Bosko easy access to cross the gap as he finishes his route to Honey’s house. The things your dog will do for you!
Bosko arrives at Honey’s, and overhears Wilbur’s gritty violin lesson. He takes out a saxophone and finishes the verse for him, calling honey’s attention over. She’s charmed by his abilities and launches into a catchy rendition of “(We’ve Got To) Put That Sun Back in the Sky”. Wilbur has his own verse, mockingly going “NYEH” to the beat of the music. Bosko also does a charming little dance (as always).
Irritated with their musical shenanigans, Wilbur pours soap from the wash tub on Bosko. We fade out on Bosko swimming breath strokes in the remains on the ground (like in Bosko at the Beach).
Reused from Bosko at the Zoo, Bosko and Honey are riding together. Honey flies up when Bosko hits a rock, barely managing to catch her. That’s not the least of her worries, though!
While happily cycling along, Bosko and Honey end up biking right through a chicken coop. A chicken tries to avoid being run over as they ride behind. A barn comes into view, and they crash.
Honey comes out on top of a cow, unhappily baying at its new passenger and kicking her off. Bosko comes out unscathed, and finds it hilarious.
He exclaims “That sure was funny!”, but Honey doesn’t agree. She gives a haughty “Oh yeah??” and turns up her nose. I love this—Bosko always laughs at anything, but it’s especially funny here when he declares “That sure was funny!”. Always nice to see some personality. The air grows thick with tension—and precipitation. A lightning bolt and clap of thunder dissolves any grudges.
They dart away from the storm, hand in hand. We’re reminded of Bruno’s existence as he sticks his head in a hole to cower. The lightning zaps his butt and he drags it around in pain, yelping. I like the overlay of the lightning strikes! A lot more effective than just a white flash.
Together, Bosko and Honey hide in a tunnel, Bosko singing that water won’t pour on him. Ever the optimist! A giant plume of water comes pouring out of the spigot above, iris out.
This cartoon wasn’t the most exciting Bosko cartoon, but it certainly was an improvement from Bosko and Honey. I gave Bosko and Honey a watch so I could compare—a lot more retakes. The scene where honey sticks up her nose at Bosko was originally the scene from Bosko’s Holiday where Bosko awkwardly gnaws on a sandwich. The song sequence was very catchy! And Wilbur was as amusing as ever, I’m glad that he’s a reoccurring character, obnoxious as he is. It was a decent cartoon! I’d watch it just to compare with Bosko and Honey so you can see all the changes that were made.
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