Who payed the critics

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

Blistering performances.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

"Casper: The Friendly Ghost" is an animated short film from 1945, so this one is already over 70 years old and it was the very first Casper the Ghost film. Many many more should follow later, not just many cartoons, but even full feature films. As for this one here, Casper is sick of his fellow ghosts' shenanigans and leaves the castle looking for friends. This is probably the best part of the film. Not necessarily the cock scene, but the mole scene plus the cast/mouse scene were fairly funny. Sadly the introduction with the other ghost I mentioned earlier did not impress me that much. The ending again is pretty much the core story, so I was a bit surprised how short it was because it is basically once again about Casper scaring people (the mother this time), but when he scares the evil landlord she ends up liking him just like the kids always did. At 9 minutes almost, it is slightly longer than the average cartoon. Famous Studios may not necessarily be as famous as the title suggests because these really were the days of Warner Bros (LooneyToons) and Disney, but they have their fair share of solid works too. This is one example and Izzy Sparber was among the most prolific filmmakers of his time. Writer Bill Turner was not unknown either and co-writer Otto Messmer was really an animation pioneer in America thanks to his success with Felix the cat from the 1920s already. In the 1940s, he did not direct anymore, but focuses on writing. I recommend "The Friendly Ghost", a solid introduction to the Casper cartoons.

Here is an excellent start of the "Casper" cartoon series, because this is the very first Casper cartoon. I remember watching this short from an old VHS I used to have, but was lost with the other two early Casper cartoons ever made.The story goes with a pudgy Casper running away from home, upset about the ghostly antics of his many siblings. Along the road, Casper tries to make friends, but the all ran away. Poor Casper was so sad and depressed, he tried committing suicide by sitting on the railroad tracks, but forgotten he's already dead and wept. Now at that moment, two children came by and ask Casper if he wants to play with them. Of course Casper said "yes", and it looks like he made two friends. But will it lasted? well just watch it and see. So, I love this cartoon! and like I said, it's an excellent start of the Casper cartoons.

Just rewatched this public domain Famous Studios cartoon on YouTube. This is the one that introduced a little ghost named Casper to movie audiences in the last year of World War II. It's message of tolerance to anyone different-whether physically or otherwise-seemed quite relevant to anyone wanting to understand other nationalities and cultures. Well, actually, this was probably just a cute story meant to amuse and maybe scare children a little for a brief six minutes before the main feature but like that tale of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, does address in some way how ignorant prejudice is. Anyway, while the syrup seemed to be laid a little thick concerning Casper's sadness and seeing him trying to kill himself by laying on the tracks might not be something you'd want your child to witness, this is still just a harmless tale of how useful one is despite shortcomings you think you have.

This cartoon has historic value in that it is the first "Casper" animated short, so they give a short introduction about the main character. The narrator even gives the viewers the option of believing in ghosts, saying if you do, you'll like the story and if you don't well.....just pretend you do! Who says people weren't "tolerant" in the "old days?"The basic premise is that all the ghosts in the haunted house would go out each night and scare people. However, Casper preferred to stay home and NOT scare people. Hence, the title "the friendly ghost." He would even sit and read a book called, "How To Win Friends."The story is about how he gets disgusted with his fellow ghosts and one night decides to leave his house to go out and try to make friends in the world. He finds that easier said than done as people freak out when they see him!This Technicolor cartoon would look really good with a nice restoration job as has been done with Looney Tunes and Popeye cartoons. The color and artwork in this one is excellent.