129 The Herring Murder Mystery

Title: The Herring Murder Mystery
Studio: Columbia
Date: 12/30/43
Credits: -
Series: Color Rhapsody
Running time (of viewed version): 7:08
Commercial DVD Availability: -

Synopsis: Man on trial for crimes against fish.


























Comments: Non parallel window struts. Fish shadow. Screaming fish. Fishmonger guilt. Footsteps (and tapdancing as a related idea). Sherlock fish (Sherlock Shad by name). I wonder if Hitchcock got some shot angle ideas from these Columbia cartoons. Octopus looks good. Helpfully defines some of its own terms with a dictionary (shad roe, in this case). Cool shell organ. Self referential soundtrack appearing as a character. Puns. I think the judge may be a radio host caricature. Wait, was marinated herring a euphemism for properly lubricated lady business? That's what the last joke seems to imply. H.P. Lovecraft might have enjoyed the fishman elements of this. I wonder if it directly compares with Fish Police? Man's name is apparently Oscar (unless "you will Oscar, you will" is a line lift).

Interesting cartoon on several levels; surreal narrative, decent jingle, good voice acting and design. Like a funny episode of the Twilight Zone... Good for Columbia on going out for the year on a high note.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ognOTu_NIw4