Search - Bugville (aka Hoppity Goes to Town) on DVD

Not necessarily what it seems - a rebuttal to 'Pigface'

Keith Paynter | Regina, Sask. CANADA | 05/22/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I have not purchased this disc, but I have read reviews and comments from other animation sites, and as a result, I will say this - a company that has to disguise a film that is not PD, and not authorized by the copyright holder, with not only a new name, but also replaces the opening titles with a simulated 'aged' title is treading on very shaky ground legally. Treat it for what it most likely is - a well-disguised bootleg, like so many others, regardless of how may look. An "authorized release" would not resort to hand-drawn corporate artwork for its cover. Something you can get from a $.99 bargain bin. Independent distributors may be able to get away with it simply because the copyright owners won't win enough in a lawsuit to pay the legal bills (if they ever collect). If Legacy were 'partners with Paramount', they wouldn't need to alter the name of the film, both on the cover and within the movie itself.

"Pigface"'s defence of the DVD (his only review to date), coupled with the fact that he has uploaded several images from Legacy DVD's, leads me to believe that he is actually a front for the company (he may even work there).

Caveat Emptor."

A Classic Brought Back from the Dead

Teresa Anson | Michigan, USA | 12/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bugville is the second re-titling of the 1941 Max Fleischer animated classic, which has otherwise been known as Hoppity Goes to Town or Mr. Bug Goes to Town, respectively. For the uninitiated, the Fleischer brothers were an animation powerhouse that rivaled Disney at the time--producing cartoon greats like Popeye, Superman and Betty Boop--only to be undone by the extremely poor timing of this film's release (several days after Pearl Harbor). Since the Fleischers were often distinguished from their competitors because of their use of human characters in their cartoons, as opposed to the industry standard anthropomorphic animal, I find it interesting that the film that forced them out of their own studio featured anthropomorphic animals.

History lesson aside, anyone who has seen Popeye would have an excellent feel for the style and quality of the animation in Bugville, which more or less conforms to the visuals of the Fleischers' more renowned cartoons. Speaking directly to the quality of this particular DVD, it is certainly better than many of the other versions I've seen floating around the internet. The picture is clear, as opposed to the blurriness that seemed to pervade the other copies I've seen. The sound is likewise better, although still in mono. Overall, if you're interested in acquiring a version of Mr. Bug/Hoppity, this Bugville release seems to be the best readily available.

Noteworthy extras include biographical information on the Fleischers and several more of their cartoon shorts."

WONDERFUL STORY

Bo Bipidty | Ohio | 01/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bugville is filled with great musical numbers and a very interesting and engaging story. The characters are lovable and charming and there is heart in this film and lessons to be learned. Both my boys (9 and 3) were enthralled with the story as was I. It is filled with adorable adaptations of human's items (a compact case and powerder-puff is used as a bed, a glove over a doorway becomes a drape).

The quality of this particular DVD is excellent. The picture is clear and the sound is very good, although still in mono.

As another reviewer indicated, I too almost missed this title because I had heard of and was looking for "Hoppity Goes to Town." (There was some legal reasons why the name had to be changed.) This is a wonderful film. It is a classic and it's a shame more people don't know about it.

The Fleischers' really outdid themselves with this and never quite did so again. In reading up about this release, it was the first animated feature not adapted from a work of literature. (Also, the first one to take place in contemporary times, rather than "long ago and far away.") More recent feature cartoons such as Ants and Bugs were clearly influenced by this wonderful story. If this had originally been released a month sooner, I believe it would've been as well known as Disney's Snow White, and maybe better, since it's an original story. It's a shame it was never re-released to the theaters in the late 40's or released in video decades ago so that during the Fleischers' lifetimes, they would've been properly recognized for this wonderful production. Highly recommended for the whole family!"

BUGVILLE - WONDERFUL

KAREL R. GOTTLIEB | FERNLEY, NV USA | 04/26/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I almost missed this title because I knew it as "Hoppity Goes to Town." This is a wonderful film. It is a classic, it's a shame more people don't know about how wonderful Max Fleischer's work was. Highly recommended for the whole family."