Chop Suey

"Chop Suey"; August 24th, 1930; produced by Paul Terry and directed by Frank Moser for Terrytoons Studios. A wonderful example of the openly racist history of cartoons before the moral uprising of the '50s and '60s in America when such caricatures were deemed too offensive for contemporary audiences.

Care of OpiumMuseum:
"This cartoon is supposed to be taking place in San Francisco's Chinatown as indicated by the famous pagoda roofs and view of the bay and Alcatraz Island seen at 4:33. Many Chinese laundries served as fronts for opium dens, which is the inspiration behind the scene at 00:50 which depicts two rats receiving an opium pipe from the cat in the laundry and then floating away on the clouds."

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• 1930
• cartoon
• terrytoons
• chop
• suey

[OpiumMuseum]

This cartoon is supposed to be taking place in San Francisco's Chinatown as indicated by the famous pagoda roofs and view of the bay and Alcatraz Island seen at 4:33. Many Chinese laundries served as fronts for opium dens, which is the inspiration behind the scene at 00:50 which depicts two rats receiving an opium pipe from the cat in the laundry and then floating away on the clouds.

[Savizzaviz]

Thanks for the tidbit, OpiumMuseum! Gonna add that to the description. Let me know if you'd rather I not.

[felixjazzage]

I'm more offended by the blatant & cheesy attempt to rip off the then very popular Mickey Mouse character, than by the horrible Chinese stereotypes.

[Savizzaviz]

To be fair, Mickey was as much a pattern of all the other animal characters floating around at the time (from Felix, to all the various Merry Melodies animals, even Walt and Iwerks's own Oswald) as these were. Though these may also be mice, they represent a different style of animation which is fitting more with the Terrytoons style than that of Disney's.

[infrogmation]

Yes, of course this is racist, but not with intent at spreading hatred but rather reflecting the ignorant and stereotyped attitudes about other peoples common at the time.

This is an interesting bit of history.

[Bogframe]

It's considered vile and racist today because of all the touchy-feely we are the world, we're all the same attitude of today. The so-called "racist" cartoons of yesterday weren't entirely negative. The depictions of Chinese people in this cartoon show them as industrious, inventive hard working people who like a bit of Opium now and again and enjoy a bit of tail once in a while. It's all in how you're indoctrinated.

[mojoboy1984]

Too bad British can't drug Chinese today. I mean they are working too hard, they clearly need relaxation .

[blupapillon]

hahahahahaha llloooooolllllllllllllooollll.­thumbs up guys!!

[fullmetaljaco]

americans are like shit. the chinese people built them railways, streets and skyscrapers, and passed many decades living like hell as victim of racist religious bullshit in response. bunch of silly spoiled bitches.

[bonkasthebluetoon]

at 0:50 what is that tune there called? i've been trying to look for it.

[ZoeMariRome2]

a 1929 anime cartoon

[SovereignStatesman]

Don't forget it was the British who introduced Opium to China in the 1800's, since they had nothing else that the Chinese wanted.

[1952kid]

I watched this on TV as a child, probably the late 1950's and early 1960's , along with silent Farmer Grey or sometimes known as Farmer Alfalfa cartoons in N.Y.C.

[84jessaud]

il see a hint of the chinesse sex trade in this cartoon

[84jessaud]

we need to bring back opium dens lol

[vmpickle123]

The popular song "Chinatown, My Chinatown" starts at 1:26, quite appropriately. As does "Ain't She Sweet", at 3:30.