The Rookie Bear is a 1941 Barney Bear cartoon directed by Rudolf Ising.
Plot[]
Barney Bear is selected by a drawn Draft Number to enlist in the United States Army. His hibernation is interrupted when a telegram is delivered to him. He misinterprets the words on the telegram, and assumes that it is an actual vacation. Barney enters the base with vacation supplies, but discovers his true purpose when bumping into the heavy artillery. He is refused departure by a soldier (presumably an MP) by means of a rifle with bayonet.
He enlists through answering "simple" questions, having his photo taken, his physicality examined, his flat feet inflated, his teeth fixed and in the end, when he has passed all his exams, has his butt stamped. He finally gets his uniform, gun and gas mask "which is thoroughly tested" by means of a skunk.
After putting on a pair of heavy shoes guaranteed to last for 10,000 mi (16,000 km), Barney goes marching. He is tired (as well as his shoes, literally) after 10 mi (16 km). He continues marching and his shoes get hotter and hotter until the corns on his feet sprout out popcorn. The popping popcorn turns out to be the crackling of the fire in his fireplace while Barney is still in bed.
The whole thing turns out to be a dream when a spit ember from Barney's fireplace wakes him up by burning his rear. Before Barney can go back to sleep, he receives a telegram telling him to enlist in the army, along with a P.S. stating "And this time, buddy, it ain't no dream!", much to Barney's dismay.
Availability[]
- (-) VHS - MGM Cartoon Magic: Rookie Bear
- (2008) DVD - Born to Dance/Lady Be Good (USA 1995 Turner print)
- (2017) Streaming - Boomerang (USA 1995 Turner print)
Notes[]
- This cartoon was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Short Subject alongside the Tom and Jerry cartoon The Night Before Christmas in 1942. Both cartoons lost to Disney's Lend a Paw.
- The telegram delivery boy sings "You're in the Army now, You're not behind the plow, you'll never get rich" (blows a horn) "You're in the Army now". The blowing of the horn is to censor the line "You son of a bitch".
References[]
| Barney Bear Cartoons | |
|---|---|
| 1939 | The Bear That Couldn't Sleep |
| 1940 | The Fishing Bear |
| 1941 | The Prospecting Bear • The Rookie Bear • The Flying Bear |
| 1942 | The Bear and the Beavers • Wild Honey • Barney Bear's Victory Garden |
| 1943 | Bah Wilderness • Barney Bear and the Uninvited Pest |
| 1944 | Bear Raid Warden • Barney Bear's Polar Pest |
| 1945 | The Unwelcome Guest |
| 1948 | The Bear and the Bean • The Bear and the Hare |
| 1949 | Goggle Fishing Bear |
| 1952 | The Little Wise Quacker • Busybody Bear |
| 1953 | Barney's Hungry Cousin • Cobs and Robbers • Heir Bear • Wee-Willie Wildcat • Half-Pint Palomino |
| 1954 | The Impossible Possum • Sleepy-Time Squirrel • Bird-Brain Bird Dog |