Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de)
"A Lecture on Camouflage" is another 4-minute black-and-white cartoon from the days of World War II. Director is Chuck Jones, voice acting comes from Mel Blanc as usual. And the narrator is Robert C. Bruce this time. I thought this Snafu film was funnier than most of the others and there were a couple scenes in here where I had to smile. Also the ending makes it very clear with the graphic nudity that this cartoon is not for children, but for people in the forces who may be happy to see something like this again. And Snafu is as clumsy as always, as he is basically the only one on this video who fails to go properly into disguise. Hilarious and I recommend checking this one out.
utgard14
A fun short cartoon from the Private Snafu series made for use by the U.S. Army during WWII as instructional films for soldiers. The hope was the grunts would learn by watching buffoonish Snafu make mistakes in humorous fashion. In this short, Technical Fairy, First Class uses Private Snafu to illustrate proper camouflage techniques. Typically fine voice work from Mel Blanc. Nice black & white animation with a particularly shocking ending! These shorts weren't made for public viewing so they didn't have to pass the Production Code, which means these cartoons sometimes had risqué subject matter that wouldn't be allowed in a theatrical release. It's an enjoyable short with some funny moments and an ending you won't expect from a 1944 cartoon.
Robert Reynolds
This is one of a series of training films done by Warner Brothers during World War II under a contract with the US Army. There will be spoilers ahead:The lecture is delivered by Technical Fairy, First Class. As is the norm for the Private Snafu series, Snafu is used as the perfect example of what you SHOULDN'T do! Snafu is first seen in a vehicle equipped like a Good Humor ice cream truck, which naturally draws fire. Then he fails to hide his track in a very funny bit.The fact that the enemy, of course, will also use camouflage is also covered, with Snafu and a Nazi coming into contact. This is also a very interesting and humorous scene which also makes the point that you need to exercise caution and know your surroundings.There's a section on the use of shadows as camouflage, which Snafu fails royally. The end result is what one would expect for Snafu. The short closes on Technical Fairy, First Class imparting one last bit of sage advice before taking advantage of an opportunity to join two mermaids not for younger eyes.This short is available on various DVDs and online and is well worth seeking out.
emasterslake
Once again another fine Snafu shot.This is mainly having to do with how to hide yourself from the enemy with the technique of camouflage.Technical Fairy does all the talking while Snafu demonstrates. Course he's no good at doing it for one thing.Throughout the lesson Snafu keeps running and hiding from the enemy. With Technical Fairy Fist Class yelling at him and telling him what to do.A Good lesson on how to blend in with the scenery when your in war.My rating for this one 8/10
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