Gerald Mcboing-Boing Analysis

The short-length feature Gerald McBoing-Boing, which tells the story of a boy who only speaks in sound effects, has been regarded as an exceptional example of what could be described as the cartoon style of heavily design-oriented and abstract-based 1950’s animation. It was one of the first cartoon shorts to gain widespread attention for its usage of limited animation. In comparison to the features of Walt Disney, which were recognized for their concrete simulations of reality and exquisite, frame-by-frame details, shorts like Gerald McBoing-Boing utilized symbolism, abstract art, and simplicity to create their own interpretations of real-life situations. This particular style of animation depended heavily on the animators’ abilities to emulate

Although the image elements are important, they could be considered secondary to aural effects; the feature largely relies on verbal humor, voice talent, sound effects, and script writing for success. In particular, the storyline itself revolves around the idea that the main character “speaks” in rambunctious sound effects. The sound effects drive the entire story, from the relationships and interactions Gerald has with his neighbors, to the reason as to why he becomes famous in the feature’s conclusion. Many of the punchlines come from the action of incredible explosive noises emanating from a small, young boy. In addition, the dialogue is spoken in a kind of sing-song rhyme, adding to the whimsical nature of the animation; the humorous and dramatic voice acting also helps to further accentuate the personalities of the characters, along with their exaggerated movements. Finally, the soundtrack also establishes a whimsical and comical mood for the film. Many of the scenes are accompanied with appropriate background music according to the situation, from frantic and tense music when the father runs around, to melodramatic and dissonant strings when Gerald is depicted as sad. All of these audio effects work together to add increased depth to the feature overall, helping to smoothly drive the storyline and give personality to both the characters and the animated short as a whole. Gerald McBoing-Boing is undoubtedly a strong example of early use of limited animation. The feature works to break away from Disney’s realistic depictions and deviates towards a more abstract expressionism with looser cartoon physics. Utilizing the techniques of exaggerated movements, static secondary images, and aural effects, the cartoon successfully and effortlessly captures audiences’ attentions with its amusing