That was an excellent one.

Best movie ever!

There is just so much movie here. For some it may be too much. But in the same secretly sarcastic way most telemarketers say the phrase, the title of this one is particularly apt.

The movie runs out of plot and jokes well before the end of a two-hour running time, long for a light comedy.

Though the 1950s is far from my favorite decade as far as the Disney studios are concerned, there is no denying how awesome the Goofy cartoons were, especially under the direction of Jack Kinney. Motor Mania (1950) is among the best of the bunch. It features Goofy as a mild-mannered fellow who becomes a homicidal, road-raging maniac when put behind the wheel. Not only is it bizarre to see Goofy so malicious, but it's funny too, especially because many of the film's observations about the manners of drivers have not aged or become irrelevant. The pacing is great, gags both surreal and grounded in reality come flying at you with no mercy whatsoever-- a great time!

I first saw this cartoon when it was part of a cartoon compilation episode of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color, narrated by Professor Ludwig Von Drake. It stars Goofy who plays a Jekyll and Hyde-type character named Mr. Walker and Mr. Wheeler. When he is walking about any but his car, he is a kind and benevolent man. But, when he takes behind the wheel, he turns into a crazy, wild driver.It is an interesting cartoon short, hilarious to see Goofy act in an ominous and scary demeanor as he crashes into other cars and yells at people in fits of road rage. It's also a lesson to be learned - everybody should drive defensively.The animation is colorful and brilliant and the plot is full of laughs and entertainment. An enjoyable one featuring Goofy.Grade B

IN REAFFIRMING THE long standing idea that there are only so many plots, MOTOR MANIA brings our favourite bumbling everyman, GOOFY, into a sort of DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE of the mid 20th Century. Instead of the application of some dangerous serum, the transformation comes to our hapless hero due to his being alternately a pedestrian and a motorist.AS WITH ALL of the Disney Short subject cartoons, there is nearly not one frame of film wasted. Characterization is quickly established and the story is off and running. We need only a short trip from the Goofy home in suburbia to downtown to observe the transformation. Comic versions of what we really experience in our driving experiences are paraded forth and we laugh, out loud even.THE NAMES GIVEN to the Goofy split personalities are fittingly: Mr. Walker & Mr. Wheeler. With Walker we have the laid-back, easy going and peacefully stable man next door. He goes out of his way to be kind and genteel to everyone; be they animal, vegetable or mineral. Mr. Walker would not harm a fly or step on an ant, as was demonstrated in on screen action.ONCE BEHIND THE wheel of the car, a sudden and extreme change takes place. Walker the meek becomes Wheeler the constantly irate and overexcited. His is a life of constant competition and racing with any and all drivers who may be near. His every instinct is tuned in on every aspect of the ride. He is keyed on being the first and only one to get where he wants, when he wants.AS WITH ALL well made cartoon stories, we are treated to a morale; which is made all the more palatable by the freely distributed gags that accompany the story. As is usually the case, Goofy pays the price in the end.ONE THING THAT has only now come to our consciousness is how much these GOOFY Cartoons of that period resemble the sort of on screen live action short subjects that were so successful for years. In example we offer the format and style of on screen humor that is the backbone of such exponents of the voice-over and visuals in familiar series such as the ROBERT BENCHLEY Series, the PETE SMITH SPECIALTIES and the JOE McDOAKES (BEHIND THE 8 BALL) Comedies.IN CLOSING, WE were reminded of having viewed this Disney Cartoon so many years ago. It is just a funny, amusing and relevant today as it was in the 1950's when it was made.IT IS OUR verdict that it should be screened by every driver at least 2 or 3 times each year. If I had done this, Lord knows how many of those troublesome fender benders that I could have avoided.

NOTE: CONTAINS BRIEF SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND INFORMATIONDisney here combine two themes to create this cartoon. One is their version of the classic Jeckyl/Hyde story, the other being an exaggerated account of motorists when in their cars. The comedy is brilliant, the animation is superb, and although the cartoon is not the greatest thing since sliced bread, it is certainly one to look out