Hot Spot (1945)

Best movie of this year hands down!

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Another entry in the Private Snafu series made for use by the US Army during World War II. This one's directed by Friz Freleng and focuses on the hazards of transporting supplies across the mountains and desert areas of the Middle East. The Devil (voiced by the Great Gildersleeve himself, Harold Peary) leaves his cushy seat in Hell to go to Iran because he's told how hot it is and refuses to believe it's anything more than propaganda. He discovers it's true as he watches a group of soldiers (including a surprisingly mature if still not entirely competent Snafu) work in the scorching heat to transport supplies across dangerous terrain. Fun stuff helped greatly by Peary's marvelous voice work.

To me there are better and funnier Private Snafu cartoons than Hot Spot, especially Spies and Booby Traps, Hot Spot outside of the Devil's heat reaction and the camel(both of which are funny) is more amusing than hilarious. Snafu while still likable and entertaining has also been more interesting, here he is in a secondary role and there are cartoons in the Private Snafu series that do a better job at showing Snafu's appeal.However that is not to knock the cartoon because Hot Spot is still very well done and interesting. The animation is slick and fluidly drawn and the black and white is very crisp. If you are a fan of Carl Stalling, which I am, his music here does not disappoint, lively, lush and filled with energetic character it is quite possibly the best thing about the cartoon. The cartoon is entertaining and there are two particularly fun moments, but again the series has been funnier. The story is a good length and goes at a cracking pace, Hot Spot is more an informational cartoon and the cartoon certainly is informative and doesn't preach so it does a good job in that respect. Snafu is likable but the Devil is the more interesting character and features more, good news is the Devil is a great and engaging character being cute and amusing. Mel Blanc and Harold Peary's voice work is fine, no complaints in this regard.Overall, interesting, informative and well done but not one of the best in the series. 8/10 Bethany Cox

This is one of a series of shorts in the Private Snafu series of training shorts commissioned by the US Army during World War II. There will be spoilers ahead:This actually isn't a training film so much as an informational film about the supply routes the Allies used from Iran to the USSR during World War II. The supplies shipped to the USSR via land and sea routes were absolutely vital to keeping the USSR capable of fighting at the optimum against Nazi Germany.Private Snafu is actually a secondary character here, with the Devil instead taking center stage to be the narrator and supplier of information. The cartoon has its humorous moments, but it's more dry and informative than funny. Snafu only has a couple of foul ups ad they aren't central to the point of the short.The funniest aspect of the short is the Devil's reaction to the heat in Iran. He goes from his domain dressed in a full tux only to gradually shed layers of clothing, taking salt tablets and showing definite signs of heat distress. There's a nice gag involving a camel which has a beautiful payoff.This short is available on various DVDs and also online and is well worth the time to find. Most recommended.

This Snafu short is educational and funny to watch.The Devil who is working in his office in Heck received a call about a place hotter than where he's at. He goes to the place hotter than Heck which is Iran.Throughout the short the Devil watches the U.S. Army build camps and transport shipments to Russia. He reads facts and info of the country. We even get to see Snafu do his usual screw ups.Some funny parts here and there.I recommend this short to those who want to know the basics of Iran.All and all it's another Worthy Snafu Cartoon.