ReFrederator Blog

Another day, another dollar here at ReFrederator, as we continue with our Occupational Hazard Week (except, of course, YOU’RE getting this stuff for free!) Way back in the day, it was standard procedure for movie funny men, from Chaplin to the Three Stooges, all to take at least one on-screen stint in a fire brigade. Why should cartoon comedians have been any different?

Today’s cartoon is called “A Fireman’s Life”, although it was originally released in 1933 as “Hook and Ladder Hokum” (and sometimes pops up under the title “Fire! Fire!” — are you still with us?) Anywho, it’s a snappy Van Beuren short that features the ever popular Tom and Jerry as inferno busters (No, no, not the cat and mouse ‘Tom and Jerry,’ but the other ones — the human ones with arms and legs that look and perform like well cooked pasta.) Our heroes play checkers, carry ladders, and, in short, do everything that real life firemen, except, come to think of it, extinguishing any actual flames. This one comes complete with wild and wooly jazz soundtrack and plenty of frenzied action.

It’s kinda sad we don’t have the original titles on this one, since it’s often listed as having the first on-screen credit for the great cartoon and live action director Frank Tashlin (he co-directed it with George Stallings.)

We’re back at work tomorrow with another goodie from your cartoon a day connection —ReFrederator!

Dave Kirwan