Hell-Bent for Election

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Hell-Bent For Election
E.Y. Harburg (lyrics)
Animation byRobert Cannon
Ben Washam
Ray Patin
Volus Jones
Rudy Larriva
Emery Hawkins
Phil Monroe
Color processTechnicolor
Production
company
Distributed byUnited Auto Workers
Release date
  • July 1944 (1944-07)
Running time
13 mins (two reels)
LanguageEnglish
The film (public domain)

Hell-Bent For Election is a 1944 two-reel (thirteen minute)

short subject film.[2][3]

The short was one of the first major films from United Productions of America (then known as "Industrial Films"), which would go on to become the most influential animation studio of the 1950s. As UPA did not have a full staff or a studio location until the late 1940s, this film was made in animator Zack Schwartz's apartment with the help of moonlighters from various local Hollywood animation studios. Among the moonlighters was Chuck Jones, who directed the film.[4][5]

Plot

The film is an

1929 stock market crash) pulling cars variously representing hot air, high prices, taxes, business as usual (a sleeper car), poor housing for war workers, a hearse for labor legislation, a small two-wheel cart with just a few apples inside for unemployment insurance, and finally a caboose with iron bars for windows named the "Jim Crow Car".[6]

The conflict in the film centers on Joe, a

sales taxes (tacks), 'frozen' wages, and rising prices (depicted by a boxcar
always increasing in height so that he is never able to climb on to the roof), he pulls the switch to sideline the Defeatist Limited. The train tries to stop by running into reverse, which damages many of its cars, but when he is not able to slow down and hitting the switch which is against him, the train engine and his cars derail and crash. The "Win the War Special" advances down the track toward Washington, full steam ahead.

The film ends with a

Analysis

Hell-Bent for Election is a far more literal film than later UPA productions such as

shorts. Nevertheless, its strong symbolism, non-literal design styles, and unusual camera angles made the short stand out among its peers.

The film was sponsored by

Academy Awards Best Animated Short Film
.

The short focuses on contrasting attitudes toward World War II, with the contest between the "Win the War Special" (representing Roosevelt) and the "Defeatist Ltd" (representing Dewey).[8] The argument between Joe and The Wrecker refers to the War and attitudes toward it. Joe argues that "we" [Americans] are out to win the war, while The Wrecker snarls that this is Roosevelt's war. As he says that, the Wrecker transforms into a caricature of Adolf Hitler.[8] After a psychedelic dream sequence, Joe's awakening results in him sending the munitions-laden Special on its run toward victory.[8] On the road to Washington, which characterizes the hope for a peaceful post-WW2 world, a billboard depicting Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and a caricature of Hideki Tojo is featured.[8] The "Post War Observation Car" displays veterans' benefits and full employment as post-war goals.[8]

Sources

  • Shull, Michael S.; Wilt, David E. (2004). "Filmography 1944". Doing Their Bit: Wartime American Animated Short Films, 1939–1945. Jefferson, NC: .

See also

References

External links