So one afternoon I was looking through a TV guide and I came across one of the cult classic movies of all time, Incredible Mr. Limpet. Why does that title sound so familiar? Reading further I finally remembered. Although I haven’t seen this movie in decades, it’s one of those that you remember and talk about, but what was it called? One of Don Knotts’ magical movies from the early 60’s where Mr. Knotts stumbles and plunges into the ocean and suddenly turns into an animated fish with glasses. Everyone and everything on the surface is true life. This live action/animated movie got me thinking, “how many of these magical movies are there in the movie world?” And that’s where my research began.

I’m not talking about CGI for this article and I hope this isn’t the end of the world of cartoons in movies as we know it, thanks to computer technology. No, we are looking at the true art of making cartoons and making movies. since 1927 (long before computers) there were koko the clown, a cartoon clown in a live action setting. The clip was called ‘Out of the Ink Well’.

More of the cult classic films of the live action/animation genre from the pre-computer era are…

1940 – You should be in pictures

Only Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, and Porky’s car are animated. Daffy and Porky leave the studio they work at to pursue their own film career.

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A very nice musical fantasy with Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra. Lively Tom and Jerry performance. Gene Kelly and Jerry Mouse do a cute tap routine. Basically, the story is about two sailors who set out for Los Angeles in search of a life experience.

1964 – The Incredible Mr. Limpet

In my opinion, one of Don Knott’s best movies. A comic fantasy set in the World War II era (1941) before Pearl Harbor. The shy, fish-loving accountant (Don Knotts) stumbles and plunges deep into the ocean at which point he turns into an animated fish. He surfaces and talks to the non-cartoon people on the shore, his wife and a friend of his (Carole Cook and Jack Weston). In the end, he even becomes a war hero.

1964 – Mary Poppins

A fabulous Walt Disney musical fantasy where a magical nanny takes two young children on a journey.

Starring: Julie Andrews – Mary Poppins

Dick Van Dyke – Bert/Mr. Dawes

‘Chim Chiminy’ good movie!

1971 – Bed knobs and broom handles

This musical fantasy is very comparable to ‘Mary Poppins’. In 1940, Miss Price took a correspondence course in witchcraft in hopes of aiding the World War II effort against the Nazis. Eglantine Price and her three children take you on a path of magical spells, adventure and fun in a bed for the whole family.

Cast: Angela Lansbury, David Tomlinson.

1977 – Pete’s Dragon

A live action/animated Walt Disney musical fantasy. The story is set in the early 20th century and a young man named Pete (of course) has a friend named Elliott, an animated dragon who can turn invisible. Lots of fun and action!

Starring: Sean Marshall, Helen Reddy, Red Buttons, Shelly Winters, Mickey Rooney and Charlie Callas (as the voice of Elliott).

The following selections aren’t considered cult classics…yet. They are still hand drawn cartoons just with a little computer help. Alright! They are still magical movies and show us that we are NOT at the end of the cartoon world.

Sadly, it feels like we might have missed out on some of the musical fantasy genre. Old musicals have a special feel-good aura around them. But then, so did ‘Incredible Mr. Limpet’ and ‘Harvey’.

Going back to the movies at hand, we continue with…

1988 – Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Produced by Steven Spielberg

A murder mystery set in 1947. Bob Hoskins, as private detective ‘Eddy Valiant’, has an investigation in Toontown where he encounters the evil mobster ‘Judge Doom’ played by Christopher Lloyd and his crew of henchmen played by animated weasels. Very entertaining movie!

1992 – Cool World

Starring: Gabriel Byrne, Kim Basinger and Brad Pitt.

A famous cartoonist finds himself in the animated world that he drew and created. Mature detective story (13+ rating). A very well done live action/animated movie.

1996 – Space Jam

Starring: Bugs Bunny (voice of Billy West) and Michael Jordan.

An out of this world story where a basketball game is challenged between the evil space creatures Monstars and the fun loving Looney Tunes. Michael Jordan joins the Looney Tune team as a ringer. Most of the Looney Tune characters are here in this action pact movie.

2000 – The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle

Starring: Moose and Squirrel

Co-starring: Rene Russo (Natasha), Jason Alexander (Boris), Robert DeNiro (Fearless Leader), Randy Quaid, Jonathan Winters and John Goodman.

Fearless Leader discovers that Rocky and Bullwinkle have returned to Hollywood and sends Natasha and Boris to destroy them in their usual way of killing…bombs. Adapted from the television show that first aired in November 1959.

2003 – Looney Tunes: back in action

Starring: Brendan Fraser, Jenna Elfman and Steve Martin.

Bugs and Daffy try to save world domination with the help of Brendan and Jenna. Steve Martin is the sinister.

The entire cast of Looney Tune is in this great movie in one way or another. Sam the sheepdog is beating up Ralph the wolf is an example of some of the background shenanigans, which are hilarious.

Incredible Mr. Limpet started this journey of mine in search of what I call the cult classic movies of this genre. Integrating cartoons with live action, what a great idea!

Live action 3D computer animation may be taking over, bringing the end of the cartoon world as we know it… I hope not! However, this genre also made great movies with its computer imaging software (another article). Great movies like these…

Alice in Wonderland;

chronicles of Narnia

Jumanji;

Jurassic Park

Star Wars;

scarers

Casper;

The Mummy

So in conclusion, Twitter your favorite cartoon production company and lobby for more live action/cartoon movies.

Thank you Cinema Serge