April Maze is six minutes of Felix the Cat getting bullied by weather

Is it worth your time?

If you have six minutes and want to see a classic character get absolutely dunked on by nature, then yes. It is for people who like rubber-hose animation and don't mind a bit of scratchy audio.

If you need a deep story or high-definition visuals, you will probably hate this. It is just a cat and some kittens getting wet in the rain.

The Picnic from Hell

So, Felix takes his nephews—Inky and Winky—out for a picnik. I always forget thier names because they just look like smaller, rounder versions of Felix himself.

The way they walk is the best part. It has that rhythmic, bouncy logic that only existed in the 1930s. Their knees don't really exist; they just sort of bend like noodles.

They find a spot, set down the basket, and immediately a rabbit shows up. This isn't a cute Disney rabbit. This is a jerk rabbit.

He moves with this weird, frantic energy. He steals their food and just mocks them. It's actually kind of frustrating to watch because Felix is usually the smart one, but here he’s just getting outplayed by a bunny.

The Weather is a Character

The rain in April Maze isn't just water. It feels like a personal attack from the sky.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of April Maze (1930) through its definitive frames.

The clouds look angry. When the thunderstorm hits, it’s not just noise—the animation makes the environment feel genuinely hostile to the characters.

There is a moment where the lightning actually scares the kids. It’s a bit sad, honestly. They just wanted some sandwiches.

I noticed the background art is super simple. It is mostly just white space with a few lines for grass. It makes the characters pop, but it also feels a bit empty, like they are picnicking in a void.

Random Observations

• The music is incredibly tinny. It sounds like it was recorded inside a metal bucket.
• Felix’s tail does some heavy lifting. It’s basically a multi-tool.
• The rabbit’s ears have a mind of their own. They stretch more than his actual legs do.
• One of the nephews cries in a way that is actually kind of annoying.

Final Thoughts

It’s a strange little artifact. It’s much faster than something like Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler, obviously, but it has its own kind of madness.

I think I prefer this era of Felix where he’s a bit more vulnerable. Later on, he became too much of a "star," but here he’s just a tired uncle trying to keep it together.

It’s better than The Cow's Kimono if you want something with a bit more slapstick. Watch it for the rabbit. He’s the real villain of 1930.

The ending is very abrupt. They just run away. No moral, no big finish. Just a wet cat. 🐱⛈️

It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s a good reminder that nature has always been a bully.