That a short can have no less than four very good visual gags and be largely drab and average for all that is testament (perhaps even epitaph) to the problems with all too much of the Flip the Frog series: the Iwerks studios did phenomenal work technically and some of the visuals still hold up well some seventy years later, but they have the misfortune of being encased (like an insect in amber) within some of the most lackluster, lame stories and "plots" ever perpetrated on screen! Flip is a lifeless shell, a prop in all too many of these. More personality is given to the average chair in these than to their star. Worth watching for great visuals, but Iwerks managed to make a boxing match boring even with beautiful animation and several great gags (even one Tex Avery would have been proud of himself). I personally don't watch boxing, but boring it isn't. Recommended.
4 Reviews
Flip goes boxing
TheLittleSongbird2 June 2018
Ub Iwerks's Flip the Frog series of cartoons was short-lived, only lasting from 1930 to 1933. On the most part the Flip the Frog cartoons are not great or cartoon/animated masterpieces and it is sort of understandable as to why Flip didn't make it bigger. However they are far from terrible ones either and do hold some interest, some are actually pretty decent and more.
Despite not being historically significant like 'Fiddlesticks' was, 'The Bully' for me is hugely enjoyable. One of the best Flip the Frog cartoons and one of the funniest and most creative. It is very good as a cartoon, if falling short of being great, it has faults but there are things here that improve quite a bit and done much better than many other Flip the Frog cartoons.
A lot of good things in 'The Bully'. The animation is very good (the most imaginative ones brilliant in facts), with beautifully detailed backgrounds, nice shading and characters that aren't drawn too crudely. The music makes even more of an impact, it is lushly and cleverly orchestrated, full of lively energy and not only adds brilliantly to the action it enhances it.
There are more than enough sight gags, one of the most plentiful on that front, and they are surprisingly funny on the most part and among the series' most creative (especially the bully's knockout punch). There is a nice natural charm, a lot of zesty energy and it's one of the most successful Flip the Frog cartoons to not fall into sentimentality. Really liked the bully character, a far more interesting character, and it is engaging and amiable.
However, still don't find Flip the most compelling or personality-filled lead characters.
Story is thin as ice and the ending is anaemic for a cartoon that otherwise packed a punch.
In conclusion, good and among the better cartoons of the series. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Despite not being historically significant like 'Fiddlesticks' was, 'The Bully' for me is hugely enjoyable. One of the best Flip the Frog cartoons and one of the funniest and most creative. It is very good as a cartoon, if falling short of being great, it has faults but there are things here that improve quite a bit and done much better than many other Flip the Frog cartoons.
A lot of good things in 'The Bully'. The animation is very good (the most imaginative ones brilliant in facts), with beautifully detailed backgrounds, nice shading and characters that aren't drawn too crudely. The music makes even more of an impact, it is lushly and cleverly orchestrated, full of lively energy and not only adds brilliantly to the action it enhances it.
There are more than enough sight gags, one of the most plentiful on that front, and they are surprisingly funny on the most part and among the series' most creative (especially the bully's knockout punch). There is a nice natural charm, a lot of zesty energy and it's one of the most successful Flip the Frog cartoons to not fall into sentimentality. Really liked the bully character, a far more interesting character, and it is engaging and amiable.
However, still don't find Flip the most compelling or personality-filled lead characters.
Story is thin as ice and the ending is anaemic for a cartoon that otherwise packed a punch.
In conclusion, good and among the better cartoons of the series. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Flip's Boxing Match Can Tire You Out Just Watching!
ccthemovieman-111 May 2008
"Bully" is a Bluto-type - you know: big, gruff guy with a cigar, small bowler hat, needs a shave.....the kind of "ruffian" you see pictured in the 1930s cartoons (and feature films, sometimes.) Here, he picks a fight with poor Flip.
Before you know it, a neutral party comes along, shows the two guys a sign advertising "boxing to-night" and advises them to take it to the arena, where at least they could pick up some bucks if they're going to fight Flip isn't crazy about the idea, knowing he could get killed, but his little friend pushes him to it because they need money. Lots of folks did back in 1931. By the way, why was it always spelled "to-night" with the hyphen?
What we wind up with then, is a typical cartoon version of boxing match. That means wild sight gags which come every few seconds, as furious as the punches. Most of it is pretty good stuff, too. This is guaranteed to keep your interest. You don't dare blink, or you'll miss some gag. The ending is a bit weak but they had to find some strange way to end the fight.
Overall, this is good and another frenetic Flip The Frog cartoon, which means you're worn out when it's over!
Before you know it, a neutral party comes along, shows the two guys a sign advertising "boxing to-night" and advises them to take it to the arena, where at least they could pick up some bucks if they're going to fight Flip isn't crazy about the idea, knowing he could get killed, but his little friend pushes him to it because they need money. Lots of folks did back in 1931. By the way, why was it always spelled "to-night" with the hyphen?
What we wind up with then, is a typical cartoon version of boxing match. That means wild sight gags which come every few seconds, as furious as the punches. Most of it is pretty good stuff, too. This is guaranteed to keep your interest. You don't dare blink, or you'll miss some gag. The ending is a bit weak but they had to find some strange way to end the fight.
Overall, this is good and another frenetic Flip The Frog cartoon, which means you're worn out when it's over!
The Boxing Match
Michael_Elliott24 March 2016
The Builly (1932)
*** (out of 4)
Flip and a friend are out having some fun when a bully pops their balloon for no reason. The bully just keeps causing them trouble so Flip climbs into a boxing ring to try and settle the score.
THE BULLY is a fun animated film that will certainly appeal to fans of the series. Ub Iwerks once again creates a fun natured animated film that's certainly aimed more at adults than actual kids. I thought the animation was once again excellent and I really love how the B&W really makes it feel as if you're watching something darker than your typical animated movie from this era. The boxing match contained some creative laughs including one scene where Flip has the spirit knocked out of him.
*** (out of 4)
Flip and a friend are out having some fun when a bully pops their balloon for no reason. The bully just keeps causing them trouble so Flip climbs into a boxing ring to try and settle the score.
THE BULLY is a fun animated film that will certainly appeal to fans of the series. Ub Iwerks once again creates a fun natured animated film that's certainly aimed more at adults than actual kids. I thought the animation was once again excellent and I really love how the B&W really makes it feel as if you're watching something darker than your typical animated movie from this era. The boxing match contained some creative laughs including one scene where Flip has the spirit knocked out of him.
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