He Can't Make It Stick

About This Movie

He Can't Make It Stick is quite the curiosity from '43, a wartime animation that takes direct aim at Hitler. The tone is biting, but there’s a certain playful absurdity to the visuals that contrasts with its serious subject matter. There’s something really fascinating about how it uses humor and satire to tackle such a heavy theme, even as some of the animation has regrettably been lost. The pacing feels brisk, typical of the era, and the sound design remains intact, which gives the remaining scenes an odd, almost haunting quality. It's a unique piece that serves as both entertainment and a historical artifact, reflecting the anxieties of the time while also showcasing the creative spirit of animation during war.

Finding this film in its original format can be a bit of a hunt, as many copies have suffered from the ravages of time and war. The soundtrack, however, is a treasure in itself, and collectors often focus on the remnants of the animation that still exist. There's definitely a niche interest in these wartime cartoons, especially ones that engage with specific historical themes, so if you come across a copy, it's worth considering for its historical value and the peek it provides into the era's animation style.