Hoppity Goes to Town (1941)

Every time I manage to cross off a title on my ever-expanding list of films that I would like to see, I get a real frisson of pleasure, since so many of these have proved elusive over the years.  This family animation was the last joint project of the Fleischer Brothers -- Max and Dave -- now two nearly forgotten pioneers lost in the Disney shadow.  And while I would be hard-pressed to insist that this film is some sort of lost masterpiece, it is at least masterly done and deserving greater recognition.  As later well-known releases like "Antz" and "A Bug's Life", this handsomely-drawn story follows the ups and downs of an insect community, living in the cracks and wasteground of a cityscape and their struggle to survive amongst humans.  We are offered well-defined characters, a love story, hissable villains, and some excellent songs from Hoagy Carmichael and Frank Loesser.  It also boasts some very inventitive animated sequences.  What else could you want in a family treat?