How to Play Football (1944)

"Goofy" features prominently (well he plays everyone) and quite bravely in this. We start off with quite a sarcastic appraisal of the purpose of American Football - as opposed to the proper sort. It's all about kit, big stadia, huge crowds, hot-hog vendors, indeed virtually everything that has nothing to do with touching the actual ball! The teams align, realign, move a few yards, then it all happens again as they call out random numbers and 200lb players routinely squish their flyweight opponents before scrummages and penalties ensure as little as possible actually happens on the scoreboard. The narrative takes a swipe at not just the haphazardness of game, but at the relentless style of commentary frequently associated with the hype and hysteria these games encourage - matched only by the perfectly choreographed cheerleaders and big brass bands beside the pitch as "Taxidermy Tech" take on "Anthropology". It's quite a funny and honest observation this, and I quite enjoyed it.