Saw this on Mark Evanier's site. In this one, Private Snafu is trying to demonstrate how to effectively hide from the enemy. When he gets told to take cover, he takes cover but then he has to hide his jeep tracks. Then he has to hide his bicycle tracks. And so on. Next, he unwittingly gives a light to a person camouflaging himself as a tree. When he leaves, he gets followed by that tree and others in tree or stump wear. Finally, he gets told to hide in the shadow. Every time he tries, however, the shadow keeps moving. When the shadow finally stops, he goes there but the Nazis have already seen him and aim. At the end, the Technical Fairy First Class who had been narrating all along simply says to "just make youself part of the natural surroundings" before going to the screen and putting himself between two mermaids saying, "See what I mean?"...Pretty funny outing from Chuck Jones and I'm sure a valuable lesson for G.I.s wrapped in entertainment. Worth a look for animation buffs interested in World War II history.
8 Reviews
This ending of this one is definitely adult in nature, even for a Snafu
llltdesq11 January 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of a series of training films done by Warner Brothers during World War II under a contract with the US Army. There will be spoilers ahead:
The lecture is delivered by Technical Fairy, First Class. As is the norm for the Private Snafu series, Snafu is used as the perfect example of what you SHOULDN'T do! Snafu is first seen in a vehicle equipped like a Good Humor ice cream truck, which naturally draws fire. Then he fails to hide his track in a very funny bit.
The fact that the enemy, of course, will also use camouflage is also covered, with Snafu and a Nazi coming into contact. This is also a very interesting and humorous scene which also makes the point that you need to exercise caution and know your surroundings.
There's a section on the use of shadows as camouflage, which Snafu fails royally. The end result is what one would expect for Snafu. The short closes on Technical Fairy, First Class imparting one last bit of sage advice before taking advantage of an opportunity to join two mermaids not for younger eyes.
This short is available on various DVDs and online and is well worth seeking out.
The lecture is delivered by Technical Fairy, First Class. As is the norm for the Private Snafu series, Snafu is used as the perfect example of what you SHOULDN'T do! Snafu is first seen in a vehicle equipped like a Good Humor ice cream truck, which naturally draws fire. Then he fails to hide his track in a very funny bit.
The fact that the enemy, of course, will also use camouflage is also covered, with Snafu and a Nazi coming into contact. This is also a very interesting and humorous scene which also makes the point that you need to exercise caution and know your surroundings.
There's a section on the use of shadows as camouflage, which Snafu fails royally. The end result is what one would expect for Snafu. The short closes on Technical Fairy, First Class imparting one last bit of sage advice before taking advantage of an opportunity to join two mermaids not for younger eyes.
This short is available on various DVDs and online and is well worth seeking out.
Better than most of the others
Horst_In_Translation14 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
"A Lecture on Camouflage" is another 4-minute black-and-white cartoon from the days of World War II. Director is Chuck Jones, voice acting comes from Mel Blanc as usual. And the narrator is Robert C. Bruce this time. I thought this Snafu film was funnier than most of the others and there were a couple scenes in here where I had to smile. Also the ending makes it very clear with the graphic nudity that this cartoon is not for children, but for people in the forces who may be happy to see something like this again. And Snafu is as clumsy as always, as he is basically the only one on this video who fails to go properly into disguise. Hilarious and I recommend checking this one out.
A few laughs...just a few.
planktonrules27 October 2018
During WWII, various artists from the different cartoon units (such as Looney Tunes, Disney and Walter Lanz) all gave their time to the war effort by working on training films (among other things) meant only to be shown to the soldiers. Because of this, the cartoons were not in color but DID have some colorful content...such as swearing and sex jokes! I can only assume that folks thought that if the young men were old enough to die or kill, they were more than old enough for some bawdy humor.
The Technical Fairy First Class is back and he's giving the soldiers a lecture on camouflage. Most of the examples feature Private Snafu and the lecture is only occasionally funny....and so I would not place this among the better films in the series. For that, try one such as "Booby Traps"....now that is filled with laughs.
The Technical Fairy First Class is back and he's giving the soldiers a lecture on camouflage. Most of the examples feature Private Snafu and the lecture is only occasionally funny....and so I would not place this among the better films in the series. For that, try one such as "Booby Traps"....now that is filled with laughs.
This "lecture" provides something for pretty much everyone . . .
oscaralbert29 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
. . . from Dr. Seuss' fans to those viewers turned on by soft-core cartoon pornography. One of Snafu producer Seuss' future CAT IN THE HAT stories deals with the virtual impossibility of eradicating a household stain (particularly when the home lacks paper towels and disinfectant wipes). When Pvt. Snafu drives his Jeep into the jungle at the direction of his "Technical Fairy, First Class" (who delivers this LECTURE ON CAMOUFLAGE), his mentor points out that the Jeep's tire tracks constitute a dead give-away of his position to the Axis plane stalking him. Under the Fairy's chiding, Snafu erases his tracks three times with a succession of distinctive Seuss-like vehicles (the first two of which leave THEIR OWN tell-tale tracks!). Later, in a nod to 1939's WIZARD OF OZ, Nazis camouflaged NOT as lions, tigers, and bears but rather as a tree, stump, and rock chase Snafu from his lounging spot. Finally, the Fairy demonstrates himself the best way to hide amid a pair of topless blonde mermaids (clearly D-Cuppers who'd easily put Disney's LITTLE MERMAID to shame!).
"Gentlemen, the fig leaf today is not enough."
utgard1418 September 2015
A fun short cartoon from the Private Snafu series made for use by the U.S. Army during WWII as instructional films for soldiers. The hope was the grunts would learn by watching buffoonish Snafu make mistakes in humorous fashion. In this short, Technical Fairy, First Class uses Private Snafu to illustrate proper camouflage techniques. Typically fine voice work from Mel Blanc. Nice black & white animation with a particularly shocking ending! These shorts weren't made for public viewing so they didn't have to pass the Production Code, which means these cartoons sometimes had risqué subject matter that wouldn't be allowed in a theatrical release. It's an enjoyable short with some funny moments and an ending you won't expect from a 1944 cartoon.
Technical Fairy First class gives important tips on Camouflage with the help of Snafu
emasterslake28 October 2005
Once again another fine Snafu shot.
This is mainly having to do with how to hide yourself from the enemy with the technique of camouflage.
Technical Fairy does all the talking while Snafu demonstrates. Course he's no good at doing it for one thing.
Throughout the lesson Snafu keeps running and hiding from the enemy. With Technical Fairy Fist Class yelling at him and telling him what to do.
A Good lesson on how to blend in with the scenery when your in war.
My rating for this one 8/10
This is mainly having to do with how to hide yourself from the enemy with the technique of camouflage.
Technical Fairy does all the talking while Snafu demonstrates. Course he's no good at doing it for one thing.
Throughout the lesson Snafu keeps running and hiding from the enemy. With Technical Fairy Fist Class yelling at him and telling him what to do.
A Good lesson on how to blend in with the scenery when your in war.
My rating for this one 8/10
Lessons in effective camouflaging with Private Snafu
TheLittleSongbird4 March 2017
Many of the Private Snafu cartoons are very enjoyable, being very well-made, entertaining and educational with good morals and interesting historical and instructional material. Even when inept, Snafu is still very much endearing and fun for a vast majority of his cartoons.
To me 'A Lecture on Camouflage' is up there as one of the better Private Snafu cartoons. A great concept, executed in a way that's very funny often (especially in Snafu's complete and utter failure at doing what he's been taught) and also pretty educational. While the ending is shocking and ahead of its time, there is nothing here that's questionable, unintentionally creepy or disturbing.
Actually, my only problem with 'A Lecture on Camouflage' is that part of me wanted it to be longer.
On the other hand, 'A Lecture on Camouflage' is very well-animated though with fluid character designs, detailed and not sparse backgrounds and lively colours/shadings. Carl Stalling always did write outstanding music for the many cartoons he scored for and that is true for 'In the Aleutians', the orchestration is very lush and the pacing is characteristically lively.
Snafu is endearing and amusing, even when so hopelessly inept and Technical Fairy First Class is a great teacher and contrast. The voice work is great, as one would expect from the immortal Mel Blanc.
In conclusion, great cartoon and one of Snafu's better ones. 9/10 Bethany Cox
To me 'A Lecture on Camouflage' is up there as one of the better Private Snafu cartoons. A great concept, executed in a way that's very funny often (especially in Snafu's complete and utter failure at doing what he's been taught) and also pretty educational. While the ending is shocking and ahead of its time, there is nothing here that's questionable, unintentionally creepy or disturbing.
Actually, my only problem with 'A Lecture on Camouflage' is that part of me wanted it to be longer.
On the other hand, 'A Lecture on Camouflage' is very well-animated though with fluid character designs, detailed and not sparse backgrounds and lively colours/shadings. Carl Stalling always did write outstanding music for the many cartoons he scored for and that is true for 'In the Aleutians', the orchestration is very lush and the pacing is characteristically lively.
Snafu is endearing and amusing, even when so hopelessly inept and Technical Fairy First Class is a great teacher and contrast. The voice work is great, as one would expect from the immortal Mel Blanc.
In conclusion, great cartoon and one of Snafu's better ones. 9/10 Bethany Cox
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