Watch Bimbo's Initiation

Bimbo's Initiation is a classic black-and-white animated short film from the Fleischer Studios, released in 1931 during the pre-Code era of Hollywood. Directed by Dave Fleischer, this cartoon is notable for its surreal and darkly comedic approach, a characteristic feature of the Fleischer cartoons of the time. Margie Hines, Billy Murray, and William Pennell lend their voices to the characters, bringing life to the animation with the vibrant vocal expressions typical of the early sound era.

This animated adventure kicks off when Bimbo, a lovable and somewhat mischievous cartoon canine, unwittingly stumbles into a strange and perilous underworld after his encounter with a mysterious figure. The film follows our protagonist, Bimbo, as he is enticed into a secret society's lair – a group known as the "mystic order". There, he is confronted with a bizarre and relentless series of initiation tests, each more absurd and challenging than the last.

The story begins innocently enough, with Bimbo walking down the street, whistling a jaunty tune. However, his cheer soon turns into a nightmare as he falls through an open manhole, which is the first step into the peculiar world he's about to navigate. The subterranean realm he discovers is filled with peculiar characters, outlandish traps, and wild gadgets that seem designed to both torment and entertain.

Throughout the film, Bimbo is presented with a simple yet relentless query from the enigmatic figures of the underground cult: "Wanna be a member? Wanna be a member?" This recurring question becomes a thematic motif that drives the narrative forward, as Bimbo tries to maintain his individuality and sense of agency against the increasingly absurd demands being put to him.

The animation style of Bimbo's Initiation is quintessential of the early 1930s, reflecting a period when animated cartoons were more experimental and less bound by the strict moral codes and narrative constraints that would come later. The animators take full advantage of the medium, playing with physics, body shapes, and continuity in ways that live-action films of the time simply could not.

The world Bimbo navigates is a phantasmagoria of bizarre Rube Goldberg-like machines and surreal landscapes. As Bimbo endures the trials of the initiation, the surroundings morph and shift, challenging his wits and will. The exaggerated physical comedy, versatile transformations and unexpected outcomes are all part and parcel of the Fleischer Studios' signature style.

Amidst this chaos, Bimbo's Initiation distinguishes itself with a blend of darker themes and subversive elements. The Fleischers were known for injecting their cartoons with adult themes, and this short is no exception, featuring suggestively shaped objects and situations that push the envelope of what was considered appropriate for animation at the time.

Despite its more adult-oriented content, Bimbo's Initiation still appeals to all audiences with its sense of adventure and its plucky hero. The film's visual inventiveness and the sheer unpredictability of the plotlines make it an engrossing watch for anyone interested in the history of animation or in search of unique storytelling.

Part of the charm of this short lies in the voice acting. Margie Hines, who would go on to be one of the several actresses to voice the character of Betty Boop, delivers her lines with a blend of innocence and sass that complements the anarchic energy of the animation. Billy Murray and William Pennell add layers to the cartoon with their versatile vocals, each character they personify contributing to the unusual atmosphere that defines the film.

Notably, Bimbo's Initiation features an appearance of Betty Boop. Though she would not become the icon she is today until later, her character in this short serves as a connection to the later and more well-known Betty Boop cartoons, showcasing the evolution of the character and the Fleischer Studios' style.

Above all, Bimbo's Initiation is remembered for its thematic richness; it tackles ideas of conformity versus individualism, the allure of belonging to something bigger than oneself, and the price one must pay for that sense of inclusion. The film does this in an avant-garde and comedic fashion that is open to a wide range of interpretations.

As an artifact of its time, Bimbo's Initiation is not just a piece of entertainment but also a valuable historical document that reflects the era's social, artistic, and cultural mores. Its significance in the chronicles of animation history cannot be overstated, nor can its contribution to the legacy of the Fleischer Studios. For enthusiasts of vintage animation, this 1931 short film remains a gem to be treasured for its creativity, daring humor, and the way it showcases the artistic freedom of the early days of the animated genre.