Hell-Bent for Election
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| Hell-Bent For Election | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Charles M. Jones |
| Produced by | Stephen Bosustow (executive producer) John Hubley (producer) |
| Story by | E.Y. Harburg (lyrics) |
| Voices by | Marvin Miller (narration) |
| Music by | Earl Robinson |
| Animation by | Dave Hilberman Adrian Woolery Robert Cannon Ben Washam Zack Schwartz (design) |
| Studio | United Film Productions |
| Distributed by | United Auto Workers |
| Release date(s) | July 1944 |
| Color process | Technicolor |
| Running time | 13 mins (two reels) |
| IMDb profile | |
Hell-Bent For Election was a 1944 two-reel (thirteen minute) animated cartoon short subject. The short was one of the first major films from United Productions of America (then known as "United Film Productions"), which would go on to become the most influential animation studio of the 1950s. As UPA did not have a full staff or a studio location until the late-1940s, this film was made in animator Zack Schwartz's apartment with the help of moonlighters from various local Hollywood animation studios. Among the moonlighters was Chuck Jones, who directed the film.
The film is an allegorical campaign film, designed to inspire viewers to vote for Franklin D. Roosevelt. Democratic Party candidate, Roosevelt, is depicted as a streamlined bullet train, and his Republican opponent Thomas E. Dewey is depicted as an old creaky steam engine harboring misfortune, taxes, and, representing African-American rights, a caboose named "Jim Crow." The conflict in the film centers on Sam, a railroad switch operator who represents the American voting public. Sam must decide whether to listen to the influence of an elfin Dewey supporter who tries to make him fall asleep at the switch, or fight his influence and make sure that the FDR "Surplus Special" stays on the track. At one point, the elfin character metamorphisizes into Adolf Hitler, while trying to force Sam to neglect his duties.
Hell-Bent for Election is a far more literal film than later UPA entries such as Gerald McBoing Boing and the Mr. Magoo shorts. Nevertheless, its strong symbolism, non-literal design styles, and unusual camera angles made the short stand out among its peers.
The film was sponsored by United Auto Workers, and features a song, "We're Going to Win the War", written by Earl Robinson and E.Y. Harburg, famous for writing the music for The Wizard of Oz. Hell-Bent for Election was UPA's first major success, and paved the way for its later achievements, including nine nominations and three wins Academy Awards for Animated Short Film.
