Horst in Translation ([email protected]) "Jack Frost" is an American 8.5-minute cartoon from 1934, so this one is already over 80 years old, actually closing in on 85. The director here is Ub Iwerks and that's not from his very early days of filmmaking, but also for example a long time before his work was acknowledged greatly (even if without a competitive win) at the Oscars. Here in his 30s still he gives us a little tale of a young bear who may be slightly too much of an adventurous rascal for his age. But luckily somebody is out there to protect and help him from the likes of a Jack Frost who is at least as creepy as the ones with the same name in the horror films, even if he is just a supporting character. I am truly surprised this film was named after him as he really doesn't have too much screen time. But he is probably more memorable than the bear, I'll give them that. Anyway, this little movie is getting more attention these days again with Christmas coming up or I should maybe better make a reference to winter as the Christmas component is not existent in here. Overall, I was neither impressed by the story, the animation or the characters (except J.F.) and that includes the little bear especially. The film also came really short on the cuteness scale. I mean come on, the have a young furry animal and that's all the impact they make there? Not good enough. Watch something else instead.

tavm Just watched this Ub Iwerks ComiColor cartoon on YouTube. It concerns a kid bear who defies his parents and decides to go out during Winter because of his big fur. The title character gently warns him but he keeps singing of how he'll survive because of his skin. Being from the '30s, this short shouldn't surprise when some inanimate objects come to life like some pumpkins or a scarecrow who in this case channels Cab Calloway! There are some touches of humor but this seems mostly to teach kids in the audience a lesson about staying inside when a snow storm comes. That's okay in this instance so on that note, I recommend Jack Frost.

theowinthrop This little cartoon is basically very charming. It is about a small bear who is enjoying the last days of summer, when he and the other animals are made aware by the arrival of Jack Frost that winter is on the way. Frost, when not painting the autumnal colors, warns everyone that they should prepare for the total change in the weather (i.e., prepare to hibernate). But the little bear doesn't believe the cold weather will effect him - he has a nice fur coat. His mother puts him to bed, but he tries to get away, and she spanks him. When she and her husband fall asleep he sneaks away, sniffling that his mother would be sorry. Naturally, he soon finds he has made a dreadful mistake. He is freezing, especially when confronted and chased by old man winter. He tries to find another shelter, but only one (with a skunk in it) is willing to let him in. In the conclusion he is helped back home by Jack Frost.The colors of the cartoon are rich, particularly in scenes where Jack Frost is painting the various leaves autumnal colors. In one nice sequence he is painting pumpkins, turning them into jack-o-lanterns. They end up doing a spooky dance that scares the little bear. He is also present when a scarecrow begins dancing (this five years before Ray Bolger made a dancing and singing scarecrow his first career role). As a charming little cartoon for children about six or seven or eight years old this is fine, and grown-ups will appreciate the art work.

only_an_ocean_away This cartoon is one of my all-time favorites. I absolutely love old cartoons and movies, so naturally I had to give this one a try and I found that this is a frightening little goody. It's about a little bear who has run away from home and is one the run from "Old Man Winter." His adventure is wonderfully written and even more wonderfully animated. This cartoon will have you smiling from the very beginning to the cleverly done end.