Story
Directed by Dave Fleischer and Dave Tendlar, this 1936 animated short follows a young boy’s imaginative adventures. The Fleischer brothers, Max, and Dave, were pioneers in the animation industry, well-known for creating iconic characters like Betty Boop and Popeye. Dave Tendlar, another prominent animator, frequently collaborated with the Fleischers during the golden age of animation.
The story revolves around a boy who dreams of driving a train while ignoring safety warnings, and through a series of vivid and fantastical sequences, the film communicates the importance of safety to its young audience. Animations in the 1930s often carried moral or educational messages, and this film served as a notable example of how animation could be used to engage children while imparting valuable life lessons.
The Fleischer Studios, where this short was produced, was known for its innovative techniques such as the "rotoscope," which allowed animators to trace over live-action film to create realistic character movements. This particular short remains part of the broader legacy of Fleischer Studio’s contributions to animation history, reflecting their distinctive style and technological advancements in the animation industry.