User Reviews

"Jasper and the Haunted House" is a well-animated Puppetoon from George Pal--the same guy who later made a name for himself directing stop-motion features like "The Time Machine" and "Tom Thumb". Regardless of the plot, the quality of the stop-motion is very nice and the film is fun. As for the story, a young black kid is taking a pie to the Deacon's house and the wily scarecrow wants to get that pie--even if it means scaring the wits out of poor Jasper.

I do NOT want to get into a discussion of whether or not this cartoon is racist. As a white guy, I don't think I have the power or right to unilaterally declare that there is nothing offensive in this short. It didn't offend me personally because I understand the time in which it was made--racism was rampant and compare to other films of the day, it seems relatively benign. Plus, how can I tell if it will offend you or not?! It is disturbing to see a bug-eyed black character, the same character turn white when he sees something scary as well as the end when there is an ad for 'Spook's Gooseberry Pie'! Whether or not you think all this should preclude you from seeing "Jasper and the Haunted House" is really up to you. However, based on the high quality of the animation, it should be seen and not forgotten. An odd little curio of days gone by.

Jasper and the Haunted House is another George Pal Puppetoon about a black boy and his troubles. This time, the scarecrow switches a sign that leads Jasper to a haunted house instead of a deacon's place where he brings a pie. There's an entertaining swing number with the house's piano, and books on a shelf moving to the music. Perhaps because it involves a black boy being scared of a haunted house, this short is considered racist but, really, it's just a boy who happens to be African-American who is simply frightened of something unusual happening. Seek this out if you're a fan of all puppet animation but if what I've just described is politically incorrect, just avoid.

Jasper and the Haunted House (1942)

*** (out of 4)

George Pal (THE TIME MACHINE) directed this stop-motion short about a young black boy who is carrying a gooseberry pie when a scarecrow and his blackbird talk him into taking it into a haunted house. The plan is to steal the pie but once all three are in the house there's concern that it could really be haunted.

This film is really only remembered for its "racist" content as there are several stereotypes going on here and I'm sure some would find a lot to cry about here. As a film buff, this type of material is just a part of our culture and there's really no point in hiding it or pretending like it didn't exist at one time. If anything, subject wise, this could be used as an educational tool. As far as the film itself, it's actually extremely well-made and the animation alone makes it worth viewing. I was really impressed with the work here and especially a scene where the pie breaks apart from the pan and crust. There's another scene where the boy's shadow gets scared and leaves, which is also handled very well. For fans of animation this here is a must see.

I will bite my lower lip and talk about the amazing animation on display here. The story is racist and the characters are stereotypes of blacks. Their dialect and syntax is right out of the minstrel shows. George Pal is responsible for some great movies and I would like to think he was taking a tale out of black literature, ala Uncle Remus. I could be wrong.