Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		2.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Private Snafu Golden Classics Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman February 13, 2016

I grew up with an incredible father who had made the rank of Major General in the Army by the time I was probably 4 or 5, and so I was raised in a family where the military was a part of everyday life and where it was unabashedly and unapologetically honored. One day when I was a bit beyond the toddler stage but still very young, I accompanied my Dad to the fort where he was in charge, where I found the odd inscription “FTA” carved inside the wooden stall of a men’s room I visited. Not knowing any better, I innocently asked my Dad what that acronym meant, and he was obviously not pleased about it, refusing to tell me (if you're not familiar with the acronym, it's probably not appropriate for a young kid to know). The same “f” is part of Snafu, another military acronym that in its “original” state does include the f-bomb, but which in the somewhat bowdlerized world of Private Snafu, becomes “fouled”, so that the phrase referenced is situation normal, all fouled up. While that f-bomb may have been slightly modified, what’s interesting about Private Snafu is how much provocative material actually was offered in this series of “not for the general public” cartoons that typically played to servicemen who were already often either deployed or about to be.

That very envelope pushing is actually alluded to in the very presentation of the title, where it seems for a moment that the f-bomb is going to be dropped. Other at least somewhat unusual elements include a couple of topless women and some caricatures of our World War II nemeses that some modern viewers may find politically incorrect. The Snafu shorts were done by the cream of the crop of Warner animators, including such iconic names as Chuck Jones and Fritz Freleng. They may seem a bit dated in some references today, but they’re often hugely enjoyable and a fascinating window into one corner of our nation’s own quasi-propaganda efforts during the war.

Private Snafu Golden Classics Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Private Snafu Golden Classics is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Thunderbean Animation with AVC encoded 1080p transfers in 1.37:1. This is another sterling effort by the "homegrown" Thunderbean aficionados headed by Steve Stanchfield which proves that even when original (or maybe even best available) elements aren't around to be utilized as sources, that doesn't necessarily mean a botched release. In the somewhat discursive insert booklet, it's mentioned that "most" of these were sourced from 35mm materials housed at the United States National Archives. While these transfers show typical age related wear and tear, including a bit of print-through, and mottling and clouding which rolls through the frame, the overall look of these is extremely commendable and orgainc, with stabilized contrast and decent black levels and a natural looking grain field. Contrast is also very good (if sometimes not at optimal levels) and line detail and general sharpness is generally excellent throughout.

Private Snafu Golden Classics Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Dolby Digital 2.0 mono soundtracks offered on this collection are often pretty boxy and marred by little moments of distortion or minor pops and cracks. That said, nothing is overly problematic, and both narration and dialogue within the shorts, as well as those incredibly evocative sound effects that were part of the Warner animation library, come through with decent if never overwhelming force and fidelity.

Private Snafu Golden Classics Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Still Galleries (1080p) are devoted to Magazines and Other Appearances, Original Storyboards and Artwork, Scripts and Storyboards, and Reports from the Field.


• A Few Quick Facts about Snafu with Jerry Beck (1080p; 3:58) is a nice but way too short overview of Snafu.


• Making a Snafu Cartoon (1080p; 3:57) offers what was evidently a staged set of scenes supposedly documenting Snafu being animated, from an unused 1944 newsreel (with no actual soundtrack, just appended orchestral music).


• Commentaries:

  Fighting Tools by John Kricfalusi

  The Home Front by Mike Kazaleh

  Rumors by Eric Goldberg

  Rumors by Mike Kazaleh

  Booby Traps by John Kricfalusi

  Snafuperman by Eric Goldberg

  Malaria Mike by Eric Goldberg

  Gas by Eric Goldberg

  Going Home by Eric Goldberg

  Censored by Jerry Beck

  Target Snafu by Jerry Beck

  Hot Spot by Eric Goldberg

  No Buddy Atoll by Mark Mayerson

• Army/Navy Screen Magazine Titles (1080p; 2:37) offer a couple of alternate closing credits.


• Alternative Soundtrack U.S. Soldier (1080p; 1:34)

Private Snafu Golden Classics Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Private Snafu shorts are obviously a product of their time, but when one considers how intimately the United States government must have been involved in their production, they're really quite anarchic and enjoyable, and they include material that would have never shown up in a mass market cartoon of the day. The Thunderbean team has once again provided some pretty impressive restorations, and despite the lossy audio, Private Snafu Golden Classics comes Recommended.