Apache Kid: A Wild, Wonky Trip to Early Krazy Kat

Okay, look, Apache Kid isn-t for everyone, not even close. If you're into early animation, especially the wild, slapstick charm of Krazy Kat, then absolutely carve out ten minutes for this. But if silent, black-and-white cartoons feel like homework, you'll probably bounce off this one faster than Krazy off a brick.

This little short, it’s a peek into a different world of storytelling. It’s got that raw, almost improvisational feel that early cartoons just did. You can tell they were still figuring things out, but in the best way possible.

The whole Parisian demimonde bit? It’s pretty loose. Krazy and Kitty are doing their apache dance, which is already a fun, almost violent kind of performance. Their movements are so exaggerated, so full of energy, you can practically feel the dust in the dive bar.

Then, bam! A big striped guy just *appears* and grabs Kitty. No real setup, just instant abduction. It’s wonderfully absurd, like something out of a dream. Krazy’s reaction is just as immediate, a frantic chase that doesn't waste a second.

The pursuit itself is a blur of motion. Krazy is all over the place, utterly determined. He ends up in the sewers, which feels like a classic cartoon trope, but it’s still effective here. The villain’s hideaway is exactly what you’d expect: dark, cramped, a bit unsettling for such a silly premise.

The big moment is this bloodless sword fight. It’s less a duel and more a chaotic scramble. The swords are flimsy, the swings are wild, and nobody really gets hurt, which is perfect for Krazy Kat. It’s all about the energy, the desperate struggle, not actual violence.

Honestly, the animation style is just a trip. It’s so fluid and yet so jerky at the same time. Characters stretch and squash in ways that still make you smile. You can see George Herriman’s touch everywhere, even if it's not as refined as later Krazy Kat stuff.

I kinda love how the movie just… ends. There’s no big moral or lingering shot. Kitty’s rescued, and that’s that. It feels like a quick thought scribbled down and brought to life. A real relic, but a charming one.

Didja notice?

• The way Krazy’s legs just turn into springs when he’s running.
• Kitty’s outfit is actually pretty daring for 1920!
• That big striped guy? He doesn't say much, just *acts*.
• The Parisian background details are pretty minimal, just enough to set the scene.
• How quickly they move from the dance hall to the grimy sewers. No time for breath!
• The sword fight looks like two kids playfully whacking each other. So innocent, somehow.