Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs (1943)
**** (out of 4)
This Warner short has become known as one of the "Censored 11" because it's been unavailable for decades due to its racial tone. It's a variation on the Snow White story with an all-black cast and naturally features stereotypes, which a small minority are going to object to so these people are the reasons this thing might not ever see the light of day again. That's a real shame because this is one of the best cartoons I've seen from Looney Tunes and it certainly ranks right up there with their best work. The animation here is top-notch and it features a brilliantly done Jazz soundtrack, which is one of the best I've heard from any cartoon. There are plenty of laughs in the film and it runs extremely quick without a dry moment to be spotted. As for the racial stuff, I understand why some might object but those people shouldn't be forcing their views on anyone and making the decision on what one should or shouldn't see. Being from the WW2 ear, there are some other racial things including one sequence where a group of murderers are called in to kill Coal Black and their auto reads that they will kill anyone for a dollar, midgets are half price and "Japs" will be killed for free. What really caught me off guard is the sexuality in the film, which was certainly a no-no for a non Pre-Code film. Coal Black is dressed in very short shorts and a white, cut off shirt, which is clearly displaying her large breast. How this got past the board is beyond me.