![]() ![]() The framing device at the begging and end, if typically cute, is arguably necessary Harman gets the balance right. The usually saccharine Hugh Harman rises above his oeuvre here the squirrels and bunnies have aren't merely cute. But, setting that aside, it is well-intentioned and eloquent. Of course, knowing as I do now, that this was made in 1939, I can see it as one of the high moments of American Isolationist sentiment and thus, a mistake. Well, having fortunately stumbled upon this by accident on the internet, I was pleased to find it did wear well. As with many childhood memories, one wonders if it will have the same impact when you see it again, as an adult. Even as a child, I found it compelling the radarscope battle scenes still show up in my dreams from time to time. I saw this cartoon exactly once, when I was about 8. This is a cartoon that should be seen by everyone, and especially adults. It's Harman's final warning, and one that remains both intensely moving and disturbing. At the very end, the words "Peace on Earth" are flashed on the screen, but this time, not followed by "good will to men," because in the story of the cartoon that's not possible. In the end the seemingly shallow Harmanian cuteness of the opening is revealed to be the deepness of innocence, love, and peace. Unfortunately, events in the 64 years since (and up to the present moment) have ensured this cartoon's relevancy has never gone away. On the eve of World War II, the above must have seemed fairly profound. The grandfather then tells how the animals, directed by the Bible (which the owl notes seems like a good book, but it was a shame men didn't use it), rebuild the world. The succession turns out not to be endless, and we see the last war, leading to the last two soldiers killing each other in what was perhaps the darkest, most violent scene ever put in a cartoon up to this time (it still would be disturbing for small children-it was to me when I was a child). The plot revolves around the typically anthropomorphic animals (in this case, squirrels) asking their grandfather (brilliantly voiced by Mel Blanc-that man was in just about every classic cartoon there was) what the "men" are in the line "Peace on Earth, good will to men." He then tells them a telescoped history of the human race, focusing on the seemingly endless succession of wars men waged. All this makes Harman's film all the more remarkable. This is not, however, a Hubley film, and this was not the paranoid, stressed 50's and 60's, but the late 1930's. Framed by a "cute" beginning and ending, Harman presents a fable so grim and thought-provoking one would think somehow a John and Faith Hubley cartoon from 20 years in the future somehow got mixed into this film. Looking at his work prior to "Peace on Earth," I don't think anyone would have ever anticipated it. Hugh Harman was an animation director who essentially produced sentimental and "cute" cartoons. Overall, great cartoon, as well as being perhaps Harman's most mature cartoon it's one of his best. ![]() Composer for the prime-era 'Tom and Jerry' cartoons and regular Tex Avery composer Scott Bradley provides a lush and atmospheric music score. Animation is rich in detail for design and backgrounds, vibrant in colour and crisp. Mel Blanc voices beautifully, this is a less manic Blanc than in his Looney Tunes oeuvre, something that was a perfect fit and the right one. ![]() The characters carry the cartoon beautifully, they look adorable in appearance but show stronger personalities than one would expect. Story-wise, it's simple but this is a good thing, making the cartoon easier to understand and resonate with. The beginning and end scenes are cute but not too sentimental, while the darker content in between provokes thought and moves. It packs a very poignant punch and really makes one think about what it's trying to say. Regardless, 'Peace on Earth' makes a big emotional impact. It is though a message cartoon, meaning that there was always a trap of it being on the preachy side. 'Peace on Earth' is not what one would call subtle, there is a very important, admirable and powerful message that certainly makes its point and at times in too thick a way perhaps. A more mature Harman cartoon and it's good, great even. It is alluding to that 'Peace on Earth' is a Harman cartoon that is darker and grimmer to usual. My review summary is in no way a derogatory knock against Harman, far from it. There have been times where this approach has been done sweetly and charmingly, there have also been other times where it can be too cutesy and cloying. Know Hugh Harman more for his cartoons that have a cute approach with a lot of sentiment. Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons. ![]()
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