Banjo the Woodpile Cat on Youtube

Thought people might be interested in seeing Bluth's first independent animated film:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QozwP4VmKcs
http://youtube.com/watch?v=eC5Q8mSuXck
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Fu_BSnYU4c8

Normally I don't do this, but since Banjo is a bit on the hard to find side, and never had a DVD release that I'm aware of, I'm going ahead. I find it interesting to see how many influences or similarities one can see from this film and many of Bluth's later works.

Thanks so much Simon, I have head about it, but never seen it, that was a treat !!
Saw some rats, but the most similarities I saw was the lost and alone story, Crazy legs reminds me of Jeremy, Hey was that Scatman Crothers doing the voice of that jazz cat? 8)

Thanks for the links. Never thought to check youtube out for that. Only seen clips at Bluth's website. Just wonderful animation.

The whole thing was like a prelude to his other films. The three singer cats for some reason reminded me of the Penguins from Pebble and the Penguin, probably just the style.

As Crazy Legs prays to find the truck high up on a ledge, where Banjo went to sleep on a bed, that so reminded me of An American Tail, being as you think he's lost, wanting to see his family and the cats helping him like Bridget did.

Then the brief glimpse of Banjo's mom had a Brisby like design. Probably the fur pattern, but if Brisby turned into a cat, she'd probably look like that cat.

Oh, and during the big singing act, one of the female cats, pink I think, dancing as she was smoking, the motion reminded me of Anastasia. Which is always possible, like how the one lady in Anastasia so moves like Auntie Shrew, it's just their style and acting in their animation coming through.

BUT, one thing really is different about this film compared to all his others, it was a total shock Crazy Legs was NOT voiced by Dom Deluise :)

Glad you wrote that, Your insights to Don`s works are amazing!

one thing really is different about this film compared to all his others, it was a total shock Crazy Legs was NOT voiced by Dom Deluise :)

Indeed :lol: ,
Crazy legs still sounds like Scatman Crothers to me :wink:

I really hope Don Bluth gets the chance to make at least one more traditional animation film like he's wanting to. 2D just has so much more life, character, and charm over the new 3D animation.

But story is just as important too, but as you all know, a lot of the CG films are there just for flash, no substance, trying to cash into the cheap CG. Or they are passable entertainment, but overall forgettable. With 2D, it costs so much, well, there better be a good story. Though, only Pixar has really done the job right with animation, story, all ages, on a consistent basis.

I'm always looking for new or old 2D animation because of all this. When you've seen CG so much, then finally come across 2D, you forget how fun it is to watch.

Like I recently saw Jungledyret Hugo, a 1993 Danish film. It has a Don Bluth style to it. The sequel, not so, but the first one is cool.

I recently uploaded the unedited Danish version to youtube with english subtitles for the first time.
Part 1: http://youtube.com/watch?v=vU_h56l5Xu0


Also, something almost recent I haven't checked out yet, "Help, I'm a Fish"
Part 1: http://youtube.com/watch?v=O9tqgBvQSxo&feature=related
From what I've seen so far, decent animation for straight to video, and it's in English. It looks like the movie was widescreen, but is stretched on youtube.

Excelllent, I've been unable to find Jungledyret Hugo on torrent sites. This will give the DownloadHelper Firefox plugin a workout, oh yes.

Hey Whiskers,

The reason that Crazy Legs sounds like Scatman Crothers is because (Drum roll please), it is Scatman Crothers. He also did voice work for Hong Kong Phooey as well as the character "Scatcat" in the Walt Disney movie "The Aristocats".

Peace :)
NIMHmaniac

It might get removed, but nice mini-film he did. :)

Hey Whiskers,

The reason that Crazy Legs sounds like Scatman Crothers is because (Drum roll please), it is Scatman Crothers. He also did voice work for Hong Kong Phooey as well as the character "Scatcat" in the Walt Disney movie "The Aristocats".

Peace :)
NIMHmaniac

Yeah, great to know that a great character actor did a voice over in Don`s first animation away from Disney.

Now that's what I'm talking about! I was scouring youtube for ages looking for this, but no one ever popped it up. Thanks a lot for this!

It might get removed, but nice mini-film he did. :)

I hope not!, this a may be a hard find, tho I do remember they were selling the VHS on Don`s site a few years back, now, I think not :(

It might get removed, but nice mini-film he did. :)

I hope not!, this a may be a hard find, tho I do remember they were selling the VHS on Don`s site a few years back, now, I think not :(

People continue to put NIMH up without permission still. But I hope this person did!

It might get removed, but nice mini-film he did. :)

I hope not!, this a may be a hard find, tho I do remember they were selling the VHS on Don`s site a few years back, now, I think not :(

People comtinue to put NIMH up without permission still. But I hope this person did!

Me too!, but on the internet these days all seems to be fair game, this can be good for some fans and bad for others.
If you do show some neat things to others always try to give credit to whom it is due, If you post art, fan-fic or even a movie, bring glory to the author of the product, in this case we knew the author of this one :D