ReFrederator Blog

ReFrederator punches out with our last Occupational Hazard Week cartoon — “Toonerville Trolley” from 1936. This was the first of RKO/Van Beuren brief series based on the funny page favorite, “Toonerville Folks.” Supposedly, the Skipper is the official responsible for moving said Trolley from point A. to point B., but based on the exploits depicted here, I’m not sure the guy could make it through the workday without a superhuman helping hand from the Powerful Katrinka. None of the other comic strip regulars show up in this one, but there is a cameo from another RKO cartoon luminary, Molly Moo-Cow (now, don’t go staring at us — Molly Moo-Cow was too the real name of a real character with her own real series of cartoons. Honest!)

Anyway, this is another animated example of the well worn cartoon convention that any moving object, colored red, will soon be targeted by an angry bull. The Bull, the cow, the trolley and some very loosely enforced laws of physics provide for a lot of agitated antics — and some genuine laughs.

Monday our attention turns to the supernatural as ReFrederator launches “I See Dead People” Week. Have some thoughts about our programing? Spook up so we can hear you! Address your comments, critiques and kudos right here!

Dave Kirwan