Greetings, Boils & Ghouls...
...and welcome to 'Day Sixteen' of "Abnor Mal's Guide To Creepy Cartoon Classics on Roku" where I aim to bring you another creepy cartoon classic from the plethora of spooky animated short films that have been released throughout the course of animation history - any of which can be streamed on TV via the magic of Roku media players - so let's dim those lights, for some more fun & frights! :-O
If you read my special hallowe'en blogathon preview - FOUND HERE - that I published sixteen days ago, you will know that I plan to post a Hallowe'en / Horror related article every day, throughout the month of October, featuring one vintage cartoon classic with spooky overtones each and every time. With recommendations for thirty-one of the most spook-tacular shorts I can find, by the end of the month, this means you'll have plenty of great choices for your creepy cartoon viewing as we count down the days to Hallowe'en... as well as ensuring lots of laughs & screams come October 31st! :-D
Likewise... if you read my previous post from 'Day Fifteen' of this month-long blogathon, you might recall that it featured a doggie in distress by the name of 'Pluto' who was having a bit of a nightmare. By sheer coincidence, today's creepy cartoon classic also features a doggie in distress... although the underworld he is drawn into revolves around a secret society, rather than a demonic cat colony, but they are no less vicious or cruel - as you'll soon find out when you watch "Bimbo's Initiation"! :-O ;-)
Released on 24th July 1931, and directed by Dave Fleischer, this Max Fleischer produced animated short starred 'Bimbo' the dog alongside 'Betty Boop' plus a host of other characters who made-up the "Mystic Order of the Koo-Koo-Ma-Hatcha" - a secret society who also claimed (during the chorus in the title sequence) to be "...members of Do-It-Or-Die!" - and, boy, does this one get dark fast! :-O
Sure, things start-out innocent enough... with 'Bimbo' pictured whistling away to himself as he skips along the street to his own merry beat but then, all of a sudden, he disappears down a manhole and is subsequently locked-in by a cheeky chap (who, incidentally, bears more than a passing resemblance to a certain 'Mickey Mouse' character) that uses a giant padlock to ensure that 'Bimbo' can't climb out of the hole. Not that he stood a chance of doing-so when he was sliding at break-neck speed down a chute that looked like it was bound for nowhere but hell - and how true that turned-out to be! :-O :-D
It wasn't so much that 'Bimbo' slipped down into "Hell" but rather that the sinister figures who would soon greet him as he reached the bottom of the chute, with a hefty thump, were fully prepared to put him through hell if he didn't agree to become a member of their secret society. When 'Bimbo' lands in the midst of their underground clubhouse, he has good cause to be alarmed. The bearded members of the secret order are stood around him, each holding a board with a large nail protruding from the end, and with candles melted on top of their heads they look fairly menacing. Almost immediately, one of the fraternity asks 'Bimbo' to join them, saying: "Wanna be a member? Wanna be a member?", but the petrified pooch replies, "No!", and (in retrospect) this turns out to have been the wrong answer! :-O
As it turns out, this is just the start of his ordeal... because, from this point on, Bimbo is put through a series of hellish situations that I can only liken to something from the movie "Inception", in so much as nothing is what it seems as 'Bimbo' makes his way from room to room enduring all kinds of hell. If you think of it as being like a shorter version of the horror film, "Saw", but in a 'cartoon' format, then you will be on the right lines to know what kind of viewing experience you are letting yourself in for. As 'Bimbo' attempts to flee the nightmarish world he now finds himself in, he must endure a number of "Jigsaw" styled torture rooms that feature a series of deathtraps ranging from decapitation by axe, to being crushed by moving walls and, in another nod to "Inception", a spinning room with the added danger of a "man-eating" knife that comes through the wall. Every door that 'Bimbo' goes through in this house of horrors only leads to another potential pitfall, with seemingly no prospect of escape. To see if 'Bimbo' makes it through in one piece, press "Play" and enjoy today's creepy cartoon classic:-
Of course, in addition to watching this embedded version of the cartoon right here on this blog, you can also choose to stream it on your big screen television by using the "cast" function built-in to the 'YouTube' app(s) for mobile devices on both the iOS (Apple) plus Android platforms. For those who may have missed my special hallowe'en blogathon preview posted sixteen days ago... to "cast" the video to your Roku player and/or NowTV device(s), you will first need to have the Roku channel (app) for 'YouTube' installed to act as a receiver for the stream you are casting. If you're not sure how to go about casting from your mobile device to your Roku there's a help article from 'Roku Support', which can be found on the official Roku website, that walks you through the process step-by-step! ;-)
YOUTUBE..........................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "WEB VIDEO" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
On whichever platform you decide to stream this video, watch out for the scene where 'Bimbo' has to choose between four doors in order to escape the room he's in. One of them opens to reveal a skeleton on the phone, much like if he was in a phone box (i.e. a phone booth) back in the day, and before the door closes again we hear him say: "Mae, I've got a bone to pick with you!", which was actually put in as a name-check to Mae Questel - who provided the voice characterisation for 'Betty Boop' in this cartoon - and, when you get to see 'Betty Boop' look-out for her dog-like ears and nose... which were a feature in her earlier animated shorts, before the switch was made to the now familiar earrings that she still wears to this day. It could be argued that 'Betty Boop' showing-up at the end to perform her dance routine was as much of an ordeal for 'Bimbo' as any of the tortures he'd suffered previously... but, as far as I'm concerned, 'Betty' should be applauded for introducing the idea of "twerking" when she begins her little "booty-shaking" session just prior to the ending of this spooky animated short! ;-)
Despite the light-hearted conclusion, however, this Fleischer Studios "Talkartoons" animated cartoon short will be remembered for the surreal, nightmarish atmosphere it brought to our screens. In what was to be the final "Betty Boop" cartoon to be animated by the character's co-creator, Grim Natwick, they managed to produce what Leonard Maltin described as "the 'darkest' of all" Fleischer cartoons. As recently as 1994 - over sixty years after it's initial release - "Bimbo's Initiation" was voted-in at #37 of the "50 Greatest Cartoons of All Time" by members of the animation industry and doubtless was an inspiration to many of them. Given how Steven Spielberg thought enough of this short to add a segment of it to "Twighlight Zone - The Movie", you know this marks it out as one of the classics!
Another interesting aspect of this animated short is the reference to a secret society, which seems to reflect the connection between Max Fleischer and Walt Disney in so much as Disney was a member of the 'Freemasons', while Fleischer was not. According to some sources, Fleischer was approached to join but said "no" to the offer... which might explain why Disney went on to be the more successful of the two one-time colleagues. It might also account for the 'Mickey Mouse' lookalike who locks the manhole cover shut after 'Bimbo' disappears down it during the opening sequence? Whatever the real reason for featuring among the plot-lines for "Bimbo's Initiation", it made for a great story! ;-) :-)
One last point I would like to draw your attention to, in respect of this particular animated short, is how the meaning of the word "Bimbo" has changed over the years. At the time this cartoon was made in the 1930's, it was a slang term for a "tough guy" - or, in this case, a dog - who enjoyed fighting. In more recent years, of course, it has taken-on an altogether different meaning... and, given the facts, it makes you wonder whether the association with 'Bimbo' (the dog) and 'Betty Boop', being the type of character she was/is, didn't somehow effect the turn of phrase resulting in how we use the word now.
If you read my special hallowe'en blogathon preview - FOUND HERE - that I published sixteen days ago, you will know that I plan to post a Hallowe'en / Horror related article every day, throughout the month of October, featuring one vintage cartoon classic with spooky overtones each and every time. With recommendations for thirty-one of the most spook-tacular shorts I can find, by the end of the month, this means you'll have plenty of great choices for your creepy cartoon viewing as we count down the days to Hallowe'en... as well as ensuring lots of laughs & screams come October 31st! :-D
Likewise... if you read my previous post from 'Day Fifteen' of this month-long blogathon, you might recall that it featured a doggie in distress by the name of 'Pluto' who was having a bit of a nightmare. By sheer coincidence, today's creepy cartoon classic also features a doggie in distress... although the underworld he is drawn into revolves around a secret society, rather than a demonic cat colony, but they are no less vicious or cruel - as you'll soon find out when you watch "Bimbo's Initiation"! :-O ;-)
Released on 24th July 1931, and directed by Dave Fleischer, this Max Fleischer produced animated short starred 'Bimbo' the dog alongside 'Betty Boop' plus a host of other characters who made-up the "Mystic Order of the Koo-Koo-Ma-Hatcha" - a secret society who also claimed (during the chorus in the title sequence) to be "...members of Do-It-Or-Die!" - and, boy, does this one get dark fast! :-O
Sure, things start-out innocent enough... with 'Bimbo' pictured whistling away to himself as he skips along the street to his own merry beat but then, all of a sudden, he disappears down a manhole and is subsequently locked-in by a cheeky chap (who, incidentally, bears more than a passing resemblance to a certain 'Mickey Mouse' character) that uses a giant padlock to ensure that 'Bimbo' can't climb out of the hole. Not that he stood a chance of doing-so when he was sliding at break-neck speed down a chute that looked like it was bound for nowhere but hell - and how true that turned-out to be! :-O :-D
Bimbo Steps On A Loose Manhole Cover... And Quickly Disappears Below Ground!
...Then A Character Resembling 'Mickey Mouse' Makes Sure He Stays There!
Meanwhile Bimbo Slides Uncontrollably Down A Long, Winding (And Bumpy) Chute!
It wasn't so much that 'Bimbo' slipped down into "Hell" but rather that the sinister figures who would soon greet him as he reached the bottom of the chute, with a hefty thump, were fully prepared to put him through hell if he didn't agree to become a member of their secret society. When 'Bimbo' lands in the midst of their underground clubhouse, he has good cause to be alarmed. The bearded members of the secret order are stood around him, each holding a board with a large nail protruding from the end, and with candles melted on top of their heads they look fairly menacing. Almost immediately, one of the fraternity asks 'Bimbo' to join them, saying: "Wanna be a member? Wanna be a member?", but the petrified pooch replies, "No!", and (in retrospect) this turns out to have been the wrong answer! :-O
"By the mystic order of the… Koo-Koo-Ma-Hatcha! Koo-Koo-Ma-Hatcha!"
"Wanna be a member? Wanna be a member?"
When Bimbo Refuses To Join, He Is Ejected From Their Clubhouse...
But, When He Turns Around To Make For The Exit... He Is Prevented From Leaving!
And The Members Of The Secret Order Gather To Laugh At His Misfortune!
As it turns out, this is just the start of his ordeal... because, from this point on, Bimbo is put through a series of hellish situations that I can only liken to something from the movie "Inception", in so much as nothing is what it seems as 'Bimbo' makes his way from room to room enduring all kinds of hell. If you think of it as being like a shorter version of the horror film, "Saw", but in a 'cartoon' format, then you will be on the right lines to know what kind of viewing experience you are letting yourself in for. As 'Bimbo' attempts to flee the nightmarish world he now finds himself in, he must endure a number of "Jigsaw" styled torture rooms that feature a series of deathtraps ranging from decapitation by axe, to being crushed by moving walls and, in another nod to "Inception", a spinning room with the added danger of a "man-eating" knife that comes through the wall. Every door that 'Bimbo' goes through in this house of horrors only leads to another potential pitfall, with seemingly no prospect of escape. To see if 'Bimbo' makes it through in one piece, press "Play" and enjoy today's creepy cartoon classic:-
Of course, in addition to watching this embedded version of the cartoon right here on this blog, you can also choose to stream it on your big screen television by using the "cast" function built-in to the 'YouTube' app(s) for mobile devices on both the iOS (Apple) plus Android platforms. For those who may have missed my special hallowe'en blogathon preview posted sixteen days ago... to "cast" the video to your Roku player and/or NowTV device(s), you will first need to have the Roku channel (app) for 'YouTube' installed to act as a receiver for the stream you are casting. If you're not sure how to go about casting from your mobile device to your Roku there's a help article from 'Roku Support', which can be found on the official Roku website, that walks you through the process step-by-step! ;-)
YOUTUBE..........................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "WEB VIDEO" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
On whichever platform you decide to stream this video, watch out for the scene where 'Bimbo' has to choose between four doors in order to escape the room he's in. One of them opens to reveal a skeleton on the phone, much like if he was in a phone box (i.e. a phone booth) back in the day, and before the door closes again we hear him say: "Mae, I've got a bone to pick with you!", which was actually put in as a name-check to Mae Questel - who provided the voice characterisation for 'Betty Boop' in this cartoon - and, when you get to see 'Betty Boop' look-out for her dog-like ears and nose... which were a feature in her earlier animated shorts, before the switch was made to the now familiar earrings that she still wears to this day. It could be argued that 'Betty Boop' showing-up at the end to perform her dance routine was as much of an ordeal for 'Bimbo' as any of the tortures he'd suffered previously... but, as far as I'm concerned, 'Betty' should be applauded for introducing the idea of "twerking" when she begins her little "booty-shaking" session just prior to the ending of this spooky animated short! ;-)
Despite the light-hearted conclusion, however, this Fleischer Studios "Talkartoons" animated cartoon short will be remembered for the surreal, nightmarish atmosphere it brought to our screens. In what was to be the final "Betty Boop" cartoon to be animated by the character's co-creator, Grim Natwick, they managed to produce what Leonard Maltin described as "the 'darkest' of all" Fleischer cartoons. As recently as 1994 - over sixty years after it's initial release - "Bimbo's Initiation" was voted-in at #37 of the "50 Greatest Cartoons of All Time" by members of the animation industry and doubtless was an inspiration to many of them. Given how Steven Spielberg thought enough of this short to add a segment of it to "Twighlight Zone - The Movie", you know this marks it out as one of the classics!
Another interesting aspect of this animated short is the reference to a secret society, which seems to reflect the connection between Max Fleischer and Walt Disney in so much as Disney was a member of the 'Freemasons', while Fleischer was not. According to some sources, Fleischer was approached to join but said "no" to the offer... which might explain why Disney went on to be the more successful of the two one-time colleagues. It might also account for the 'Mickey Mouse' lookalike who locks the manhole cover shut after 'Bimbo' disappears down it during the opening sequence? Whatever the real reason for featuring among the plot-lines for "Bimbo's Initiation", it made for a great story! ;-) :-)
One last point I would like to draw your attention to, in respect of this particular animated short, is how the meaning of the word "Bimbo" has changed over the years. At the time this cartoon was made in the 1930's, it was a slang term for a "tough guy" - or, in this case, a dog - who enjoyed fighting. In more recent years, of course, it has taken-on an altogether different meaning... and, given the facts, it makes you wonder whether the association with 'Bimbo' (the dog) and 'Betty Boop', being the type of character she was/is, didn't somehow effect the turn of phrase resulting in how we use the word now.
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Anyhow, that's all I've got time for today... but do remember to come back again tomorrow, for my next creepy cartoon recommendation from the archives of film history, when I share a slightly longer MIDWEEK MEGATOON for 'Day 17' of "Abnor Mal's Guide To Creepy Cartoon Classics on Roku" that you can stream right here on this blog - as well as through the equivalent channel on your Roku player(s). Meanwhile... please be sure to visit the "Countdown To Hallowe'en" website & show your support for this annual online Hallowe'en extravaganza PLUS don't forget to use the links you find there and check out all the other 'Cryptkeepers' taking part this year. I know they'll appreciate it, if you visit their blogs and share your thoughts on the contribution(s) they've made.
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ONE LAST THING, BEFORE I GO: Don't forget that, aside from the Hallowe'en / Horror-themed ghastliness going on around these parts for the next month, you can also keep up with the UK Roku action (as it happens) by checking-out my regular 'Weekly RoundUp' posts each weekend where you will find up-to-the-minute info on all things Roku-related is posted on a weekly basis (well, almost).
Until the next time, then...
That's all folks !!
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