Normally I am a typical "creepy-crawly-hatin'" girl; but after watching this film (on youtube.com of course), I'm having different perspectives. And also I did not know that my favorite animation studio Fleischer's made another film that's about community of insects whose city garden home is threatened by humans (lighted cigars and cigarette butts,footsteps,etc.), and how a plucky young grasshopper named Hoppity saves the day and wins the heart of Honey the bee (I love the lovely Ms. Honey). You know, after watching the film, the bugs reminded me of the "jitter-bugs" from Don Bulth's Thumbelina. And out of the songs in the film I love "We're a Couple in The Castle" (when I sing it, it almost made me cry).

This wonderful film was the second (and final) feature to come out of the Fleischer studio. The film was originally going to be released on November of 1941, but since the Fleischer's rival, Disney, released Dumbo weeks earlier, Paramount changed the date to December of the same year, but "Mr. Bug" unfortunately went into a, then unrealized, trap of terrible timing. Having the misfortune of opening two days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mr. Bug was a financial disaster and led to the ousting of Max and Dave Fleischer, from the studio they had established in 1919, and reorganized the company as Famous Studios. Another huge factor in their departure was the fact that Max and Dave Fleischer were no longer speaking to one another due to disputes (how sad it was). Overall I love both films from the Fleischer bros. - Gulliver and Mr. Bug.

Hoppity Goes to Town is Fleischer Studios undisguised homage/rip-off of Jimmy Stewart films. It was even alternately released under the name 'Mr. Bug Goes to Town' in order to more firmly drive home the connection--made it sound even closer to Stewart's hit, Mr. Deeds Goes to Washington. Hoppity has suffered the historical obscurity of most creative copy-catting, and is barely known or available.

But these days its unoriginality is less glaring, and the old-fashioned plot and characters are part of its charm. There's even one animated scene--involving neon-outlined figures on a black background--which is very stylistically striking, and really ahead of its time in animation design.

It's sad that this sweet, old-fashioned film has been so overlooked. Hoppity's movie is as charming and entertaining as any other film of its age. And I'm sure that Jimmy Stewart wouldn't be ashamed for this film to be considered part of his legacy.

after the much loathed Gulliver's travels ( sorry I never liked the movie) Hoppity is a refreshing treat from Fleischer studios.

the songs and score are equally as good as any Disney Film.. and the characters are lovable too.. shame this film fell through the cracks after it's release .. you'll notice lots of gags in this movie were also used in other fleischer cartoons.