WOODPECKER FROM MARS (1956)
Article 5142 by Dave Sindelar
Date: 4-27-2016
Directed by Paul J. Smith
Featuring the voices of Del McKennon and Grace Stafford
Country: USA
What it is: Woody Woodpecker cartoon

Woody is mistaken for an extraterrestrial bird and becomes the subject of scientific experiments.

The cartoon slapstick content here is pretty lame and obvious. However, there are points of interest. One is that the cartoon adopts a UPA style of animation that is occasionally quite striking, even though Woody himself seems a little out of place in it. The other is that the cartoon has some interesting satirical aspects, particularly at the beginning when Woody takes part in a juvenile science fiction TV show that is far more interested in hawking products than providing adventure. It’s these other elements that elevate what would otherwise be a very weak cartoon.