Hitchcoc Review of Gerald McBoing-Boing

Gerald McBoing-Boing (1950)

Another Victory for Dr. Seuss and Some Amazing Animators

[10/10 · 26 December 2015]

I've begun watching some of the marvelous animation that I remember from my youth. This one made me so sad. Gerald had both a curse and a gift. He could not speak but rather made amazing sound effects. He was an outcast. Even his parents turned on him. This is an early work by Dr. Seuss and one is made aware of that in the interesting rhyme schemes of the narration. Gerald is sent to a doctor, to first grade, to play with friends, but is rejected summarily at every turn. There is a place for us all. That sad thing is that there is an element of injustice in this story. Gerald, in modern times, may be seen as the product of abuse, as he runs away, hopeless and betrayed. This is so clever and groundbreaking. See it if you never have.