Name: Granite Hotel
Genre: Animation, Short, Comedy
Released: 1940-04-26
Duration: 6 min
Rating: 5.6
Cast: Jack Mercer

Will admit to really not caring for the previous Stone Age cartoons from the short lived and generally not particularly good 1940 series, comprising of 12 cartoons, from Fleischer Studios. They were not unwatchable as such, but one can see why the series didn't last long in what was by far the studio's worst period. Actually liked to loved a lot of their previous work namely throughout the 30s, but it does pain me to say that the decline in quality in the 40s was drastic and obvious.

Not all of the Stone Age cartoons were mediocre or less (found that most though were), and one of the exceptions is the fourth cartoon (third one being reviewed though as the first cartoon seems to be as of now unavailable) 'Granite Hotel'. Which to me is a very strong contender for the best of the series, and not just marginally but by some way. It is not my definition of a great cartoon, somewhat unexceptional, but there are a few major improvements here.

'Granite Hotel's' story is very slight and could have done with more momentum at times. Although the gags are generally not too bad for this series, they could have been fresher, being generally rehashes, and a few sharper in timing.

The cartoon can be corny as well and some familiarity with what is being referenced/played upon may be in order. Some of the characters could have had more personality rather than most being come and go, the most memorable character being the switchboard operator.

However, 'Granite Hotel' is one of the better looking cartoons in the series, and much more appealing than the previous Stone Age cartoons. Being smoother and having more attention to detail. Even better is the music, which was the best asset with all the cartoons in the series. It is suitably merry and lush and dynamic with what's going on.

In terms of the humour, 'Granite Hotel' is one of the funnier Stone Age cartoons by far. There are more gags than is usual for the series and they are mostly very amusing and don't feel repetitive or stale. The ending is particularly well done, and there is a strangeness that was appealing and a cuteness without being overly so. Jack Mercer is on voice acting duty with more to work with than with the 'Way Back When...' Stone Age cartoons and he has fun with it. The momentum is mostly there.

Summing up, decent as far as the series goes but unexceptional. 6/10

The satire subgenre uses humor, irony, exaggeration, and parody to critique and comment on various aspects of society, culture, politics, institutions, and human behavior. Satires aim to provoke thought, highlight absurdities, and expose hypocrisy by presenting familiar situations in a distorted or exaggerated manner. They entertain while also providing social commentary and encouraging viewers to reflect on the subjects being criticized.

Peter Sellers in Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

Animation is a form of visual storytelling that involves creating visual art and motion through the use of various techniques and technologies. In animation, images are manipulated to create the illusion of movement, bringing characters, objects, and environments to life. Animation can encompass a wide range of styles, themes, and intended audiences, making it a diverse and versatile form of storytelling.

Daveigh Chase, Rumi Hiiragi, and Mari Natsuki in Spirited Away (2001)

The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

Will Ferrell, Angela Grillo, and Lap-Gei Cheung in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

The short form refers to creative works characterized by their brevity and concise storytelling. Unlike full-length feature films, short films have a running time of less than 45 minutes, while TV shorts have a running time of less than 22 minutes.

Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)

At Granite Hotel, the stone-age operator insists nothing ever happens, oblivious to the antics of the cave-guests and even the dinosaur-riding fire department.

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Granite Hotel

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