Dave Fleischer was responsible for many gems. Ones that were amusing and charming, though over-cuteness did come through in some efforts and the stories were always pretty thin, with appealing characters, outstanding music and visuals that were inventive and with innovative animation techniques. Ko-Ko similarly was an always amiable character to watch and among the better recurring characters in Fleischer's early work. Likewise, his series of Out of the Inkwell cartoons were among the best early efforts of Fleischer and silent cartoons in general. 'Ko-Ko's Earth Control' has been described here as one of the best Ko-Ko cartoons, and cannot agree more with this sentiment. It is hugely enjoyable and deliciously wild, one can definitely see the appeal of Fleischer and the Out of the Inkwell series here.The story, as can be expected, is slight but also boasts one of the most imaginative and oddball concepts of a Ko-Ko cartoon. Really though the criticisms are next to none.Everything else though is done so brilliantly that any issues had with the story don't stay for long. The delight of the character interplay, the surrealism of some of the visuals and the wild fun are just a few things.One expects the animation to be primitive and very low quality, judging by that it's the early 20s when animation techniques were not as many, as refined, as ambitious and in their infancy. While Fleischer became more refined and inventive later certainly, 'Ko-Ko's Earth Control' is one of the best-looking Ko-Ko cartoons with the surreal visuals being remarkably creative and one wishes there was a little more than there was.Pacing is lively and the bizarre and wild nature of the humour is done very imaginatively and never less than fun to watch (mostly hilarious even), making the most of a strong concept. Ko-Ko as ever is very likeable and amusing and love his interaction with the every bit as strong a character that is Fitz.In summary, great cartoon and one of Ko-Ko's best. 9/10 Bethany Cox

With a poll taking place on IMDbs Classic Film board for the best titles of 1928,I started looking round for cartoons to view from the year,and I stumbled across one by Dave Fleischer,which led to me getting ready to see Koko take over the earth.The plot:Walking round with his dog Fitz,Koko stumbles on a building which contains leavers which control various aspects of the earth.Messing around with ones controlling the weather,Koko and Fritz spot a lever which if touched will destroy the earth.Finding the lever far too tempting,Koko and Fritz pull the lever.View on the film:Drawn in thick marker pen, Fleischer gives the animation a bold appearance,which sadly lacks any sense of detail.Whilst the animation is drawn in a broad manner, Fleischer displays a real precision in the blending of various film style,with Koko & Fritz steps into live action giving the animation a strong depth,whilst Fleischer covers the screen in dashes of startling lightning,as the world turns on Koko.

This is a Koko the Clown silent short produced by the Fleischer studio. There will be spoilers ahead:One of the most fascinating cartoon characters ever created is Koko the Clown, though he's largely forgotten these days. If he's remembered at all by the average person, it's as a sidekick to Betty Boop. While the shorts with Betty Boop are typically good ones, the Koko shorts done prior to Betty Boop's creation rank among the best shorts the character appeared in. Koko's Earth Control is one of the best of them.The short opens with a rapid sketch of the globe by the cartoonist, with Koko and his dog Fitz striding the globe. They come upon a building housing the controls for the planet Earth. Once inside, Koko amuses himself by making it rain and making darkness fall. Fitz comes on a large lever. The sign on the wall behind the lever cautions that it should not be touched, as if it is, it will cause the end of the world.Naturally, Fitz is overcome by the total desire to pull the switch. Koko reads the sign and is horrified. He immediately does everything in his power to stop Fitz, which of course makes Fitz all the more determined to pull the damned thing. Eventually he does and that's when things get interesting.The animation becomes surreal, with volcanoes and earthquakes, monsters, the sun and the moon in competition and all manner of strange things, even in the later live action sequence near the end. A fascinating ending to boot.This short can be found online and is well worth checking out. Most highly recommended.

This is an amazingly imaginative film and one that deserves to be remembered. Even though KO-KO'S EARTH CONTROL came out the same year as Mickey Mouse debuted, somehow the mouse was remembered and KO-KO went on to be a lame sidekick for Betty Boop. This is a shame because I had so much fun watching this film--even more than when I recently watched PLANE CRAZY and STEAMBOAT WILLIE (Mickey's first two films).The film is odd and surreal, with Ko-Ko and his idiotic dog, Fitz walking around the Earth again and again (which they could circumnavigate in about 30 seconds--tops!). Eventually they discover a control room that controls not only the weather for the Earth but the solar system! Being curious, Ko-Ko monkeys around--making it go from day to night again and again. However, Fitz is an idiot and insists on trying to pull a lever that would destroy the planet. Oddly, despite Ko-Ko's best efforts, Fitz gets his wish and the Apocalypse begins! And, in an odd twist, it's all rather funny and makes one almost look forward to total destruction!! Bizarre, imaginative and totally irreverent--this short cartoon is a must for lovers of animation.