rumor be a memorable entry in the wartime series of instructional cartoon star private snafu . the film be aim at serviceman and be direct and animate and score by some of the top talent from warner bros. termite terrace and include friz freleng and chuck jones and and carl stalling . the invaluable mel blanc supply the voice for snafu and and the story and rhyme narration for many of the film be supply by theodor geisel and i. e. dr. seuss . the idea be to convey basic concept with humor and vivid imagery and use the character of snafu a a perfect negative example represent he be the dope and the little twerp who would do everything youre not suppose to do . accord to chuck jones the script have to be approve by pentagon official and but army brass also permit the animator an unusual amount of freedom concern language and bawdy joke and certainly more than theatrical censorship of the time would allow all for the great good and of course . a the title would indicate and this cartoon be an illustration of the damaging power of rumor . the setting be an army camp . private snafu sits next to another soldier in the latrine ( something you would not see in any other hollywood film of the era ) and their casual conversation start the ball roll . we observe a an offhand remark about a bombing be misinterpret and then exaggerate and then turn into an increasingly frightening rumor that sweep the camp . the imagery be indeed vivid represent the brain of one anxious soldier be depict a a percolating pot and while the fevered speech of another be render a steamy hot air and i. e balloon juice . a soldier shoot his mouth off and cannon style and and before you know it actual baloney be fly in every direction . wing baloney and at that . panic soldier tell each other that the brooklyn bridge have be pulverize and coney island wipe out and enemy troop have land on the white house lawn and and the japanese be in california . the visuals become ever more surreal and nightmarish until at last the camp be quarantine for rumor itis and private snafu have be lock up in a padded cell . this be a highly effective piece of work . the filmmaker dramatize their theme with wit and startle energy and and the message be still a valid one . in recent year we have see that catastrophic event ( real or imagine ) can breed all kind of wild rumor that spread more rapidly than ever thanks to communication advance . because the technology have improve and the private snafu of our time be able to broadcast their own balloon juice via e mail and cellphone and blogging . consequently and rumor be a rare example of a wartime educational film whose essential message doesn not feel at all date while in fact it may be more timely than ever .