TheLittleSongbird
The Bosko cartoons may not be animation masterpieces, but they are fascinating as examples of Looney Tunes in their early days before the creation of more compelling characters and funnier and more creative cartoons.After two decent but not great previous cartoons, that are noteworthy mainly for historical significance, 'Bosko the Talk-Ink Kid' and 'Sinkin' in the Bathtub', 'Congo Jazz' joins them in the decent but not great category. It fares least in the story, which is more a paper-thin excuse to string along music and gags with a few draggy stretches and an ending that doesn't feel that well rounded off, it feels like it peters out in fact.However, the animation is not bad at all, not exactly refined but fluid and crisp enough with some nice detail, it is especially good in the meticulous backgrounds and some remarkably flexible yet natural movements for Bosko. The music is 'Congo Jazz's' highlight component, its infectious energy, rousing merriment, lush orchestration and how well it fits with the animation is just a joy.While never hilarious, 'Congo Jazz' is at least an amusing cartoon, with the ape and palm tree parts faring best. The sound isn't static, the cartoon is quite cute and it is difficult not to be cheerful watching. Bosko is never going to be one of my favourite cartoon characters, or among the all-time greats, but he has more personality this time round and it's more endearing than before.In conclusion, decent but not great. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Edgar Allan Pooh
. . . Warner Bros.' animators are urging the World to hunt down and kill EVERY wild animal that can harm people with this 1930 release, CONGO JAZZ. This brief cartoon opens with Buzz Bosko hunting down one of the World's few remaining tigers. When his gun misfires, Mr. Bosko tricks the giant feline to careen off a high cliff to its doom. Unfortunately, he loses his gun in the process, so he's unable to foreshadow how Real Life Ohio Zookeepers recently gunned down the giant ape who got too curious about people when a cartoon giant ape threatens Buzz. If you stop and think about it, JAZZ's animators would have been incredulous at the idea that sharks would still be chowing down on the humans NOT already offed by poisonous snakes, rabid bats, baby-eating dingoes, and killer mosquitoes this late into the 21st Century. Most science fiction prognosticators of their day pictured Mankind enjoying a virtually sterile, threat-free environment in the 2100s, with the only non-human animals--dangerous or not--confined to Jurassic Parks and Time Travel Tours.
slymusic
"Congo Jazz" is one of the earliest Looney Tunes starring Bosko, a highly energetic character created by Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising. Bosko himself is quite elastic, able to stretch himself into unbelievable contortions. (Well, maybe not so unbelievable - it's a cartoon!) Musical accompaniment seems to be a big part of these early cartoons, too, particularly this one, as "music soothes the savage beast". Bosko is a hunter of wild game in this film, you see.There's one sequence in "Congo Jazz" that I especially admire. Bosko and an ape play strings of chewing gum like pizzicato strings, then a lot of other jungle inhabitants joyfully join in with their own instruments."Congo Jazz" is a cartoon that is likely to brighten your mood when you see it. Find it on the Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 6 Disc 3.
Robert Reynolds
This short is an early Warner Brothers that features a character named Bosko, who is in ill favor in certain politically correct quarters. My take on it all is that the few shorts I've seen in the series vary greatly in quality, some being very good and others not terribly interesting. This is one of the better ones I've seen. Warner Brothers almost always had excellent music throughout their run, up to the 1950s and this short has excellent music, if a limited plot. Well worth watching. Recommended.
AD
