'Toon Reviews 14: Animaniacs Vol 1 Part 11: No Pain No Painting/Les Miseranimals

Episode 11

No Pain No Painting

For this next entry in the types of Warner siblings cartoons where they annoy a historical figure into creating his biggest accomplishment, we have them in the presence of Pablo Picasso trying to convince him to make Dot his new model while he struggles to come up with a new style.  It doesn’t have the same comedic edge or as endearing characterizations as the previous Warners in a historical event cartoons, but it’s still funny and likable as it is. 

Like the other historical figures, Picasso is portrayed as relatable with his constant frustrations of finding his style as well as easily agitated with his lack of progress and good people to work with.  Of course, when the Warners show up and unleash their brand of antics, his matters aren’t helped at all.  The characterization of Picasso is good and entertaining, but is not as appealing as other versions of historical figures for lacking the endearment of Einstein and charismatics of Michelangelo.  He’s basically a mildly amusing egotistical artist having a bad day with not much else too him. 

As for the Warners, their jokes aren’t as plentiful as usual, but they’re still the highlights of this cartoon as they always are when they’re the stars.  There’s some solid witty remarks to Picasso as he boasts about his accomplishments and when he tells them to go away if he gives them “franks.”  Also, while I’m usually not fond of bathroom humor, there are a few instances of that which work for their subtlety when presented and how they lead to humorous punchlines about the vulgar subjects like the P.P. on Picasso’s smock or his mention of the French phrase, “oui, oui”. 

The zany ways of the Warners continue when, in a sloppy bit of storytelling that completely drops the model plot as if it never existed, they convince Picasso to play “Guess the Picture.”  The catch is that whenever Picasso draws something professionally, the Warners play dumb and don’t get the artist’s obvious pictures.  However, when the Warners draw something, they do so in a ridiculous manner with certain features being abnormally large and they get what’s drawn instantly.  It’s a humorous play on the mind for both Picasso and the audience that perfectly fit how the Warners function.  It’s unfortunate though that when Picasso is too annoyed by how the Warners mess with him, they just leave, and it’s unlike them to give up without getting what they want from who they encounter.  Then again, they leave at the right time when Picasso ends up using their crazy drawings as his new style, cubism.  This is mostly a solid conclusion to his main arc, but it can get concerning when after two cartoons where the Warners simply laid the groundwork for historical discoveries and creations, here they completely come up with it and someone else takes the credit for it.  It’s further shown when at the end, they’re seen doing the paintings everyone thinks Picasso did.  Plagiarism much?  At least we get a funny follow-up to the earlier “franks” gag. 

This cartoon is flawed and somewhat dull in parts, but the Warners continue to delight and what we have still has some good entertainment, so you’re still in for something good if only a bit artistic.  8/10

Les Miseranimals

Whenever the dramatic and soulful tone of Rita and Runt cartoons is fully embraced, the result is something that’s vastly different from most of the show, but still beautiful and impactful achievements.  Usually, the heavy stuff is only for a few scenes amidst a typical funny cartoon, but this cartoon prides itself in what makes cartoons starring these characters stand out in the cast, modelled after one of the most dramatic musicals, Les Miserables. 

It presents Rita in a bleak situation where she’s trapped in a pen with cats who frequently insult and talk down to her, and the owner, Monsieur Tristesse, is planning on putting her and the others into pies to attract customers to his restaurant.  Her only hope of escape is for a big dumb dog, Runt Valrunt, who’s on the run from the pound who has accused him of stealing a bone, to break through the walls.  Through such a simple setup, the cartoon goes all out with theatrical qualities and drama.  Set against the moody streets of France at night, you get a very dark and foreboding tone tying into Rita’s dire situation and how serious it is for her and the cats. 

Plus, there are the songs which are straight-up parodies of those from Les Miserables.   From the sounds of it, you may think that the songs are just all jokes on the heartfelt numbers of this emotionally heavy story, and at times, the songs do work in some goofy concepts in the lyrics. They include how Rita is insulted by the cats, how Tristesse’s customers complain about their pies, Rita berating Runt for trying to pull her out of the pen, Runt appointing an army of poodles to dig the cats out, and Tristesse commenting on getting bitten in the butt.  Even with these bits of comedy, the dramatic weight of the situation is thoroughly elevated musically, and has the comedic bits mesh with the serious tone.  Even if they’re simple takes on the songs from the original, they’re all composed with the same dignity, helping to make all the moments, in spite of their light-heartedness, stand as grand and unforgettable.  We also get a few song parodies that shed anything comedic to be full-on emotional.  These bring the heart out in moments such as Rita dreaming of being out of the pen in a perfect home helped by the great singing talents of Bernadette Peters, the triumphant and intense climax of Runt and the poodles digging the cats out, and the ending of Tristesse and the dog pursuing Runt getting defeated and the strays escaping to Paris. 

The whole cartoon is easily one of the most theatrical of the series, and it further impresses with how it makes every moment, even the comedic ones, fit well with the simple yet dramatic story.  With songs that give everything an epically dramatic feel, likable characters at the focus, and a strong crafting of a story worth taking seriously but still finding some things to laugh at, this not only pays great respect for Les Miserables, but it also stands as an interesting achievement for the show and a great example of the appeal of Rita and Runt. 10/10

Cartoon Ranking

1. King Yakko
2. Slappy Goes Walnuts
3. H.M.S. Yakko
4. Hooked on a Ceiling
5. Temporary Insanity
6. Bumbie’s Mom
7. Les Miseranimals
8. When Rita Met Runt
9. De-zanitized
10. Win Big
11. Taming of the Screwy
12. Piano Rag
13. Cookies for Einstein
14. The Big Candy Store
15. Wally Llama
16. Where Rodents Dare
17. Operation: Lollipop
18. No Pain No Painting
19. Goodfeathers: The Beginning

Song Ranking

1. Yakko’s Universe
2. Yakko’s World
3. The Monkey Song
4. What Are We?

Miscellaneous Ranking

1. Gilligan’s Island Parody
2. Nighty-Night Toon
3. Flipper Parody

Be sure to stay tuned for the review of the next episode where the Warners go to a garage sale to buy a garage, and we see another musical parody, this time of West Side Story starring the Goodfeathers.

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