Cubby's Picnic: More Annoying Than Charming?

So, Cubby's Picnic. Is it worth tracking down today? Look, if you’re into the super old, quick-hit cartoons or just need something really, *really* short and kinda weird to put on, then maybe. It’s a curious little thing. But if you’re looking for anything with a story that goes beyond “bear wants to eat, gets bugged,” you’ll probably find yourself just shrugging. It’s definitely not for anyone hoping for deep laughs or intricate animation.

Cubby Bear, apparently a bandleader when he's not trying to relax, just wants a quiet moment. He’s with Honey, and the whole setup is pretty simple: they’re out in nature, trying to enjoy some grub. You get this instant feeling of calm, almost *too* calm. Like the animators were just setting us up for something. The way Cubby is drawn, kinda chunky, with that little hat – it’s classic old-school charm. Honey, well, she’s mostly there to look sweet and be the reason for Cubby's attempts at romance, which are kinda cute, honestly. 🥰

Then the mosquitos hit. And man, do they hit. Not just one or two, but a whole swarm. They’re these little black dots, buzzing around with a sound effect that honestly, after a while, started to grate on my nerves. You know, that high-pitched whine that just makes your skin crawl? It’s *that* sound, dialed up. The animation here really leans into the chaos, showing them just everywhere, invading Cubby’s space.

Cubby’s reaction is pretty spot on for someone trying to keep his cool but failing miserably. He starts swatting, getting more and more frantic. His face goes from happy-go-lucky to totally annoyed, then desperate. There's this one moment where he tries to shoo them away with a napkin, and it’s just not working, they’re relentless. You can almost feel the humidity and the itch. Honey, bless her heart, mostly just looks on, maybe a little bewildered, but she doesn't do much swatting herself. She’s more of a bewildered observer to Cubby’s escalating meltdown. 😅

The whole thing feels a bit like a sketch that just keeps going. The scene goes on about 20 seconds too long with the mosquito attacks, and the constant buzzing just makes you wish they’d find a solution already. It’s effective, I guess, at conveying annoyance, but it also makes *you* annoyed. Red McKenzie, who plays Cubby, does a good job with the vocalizations, you can really hear the frustration build in his voice. It's subtle, but it's there.

What stuck with me? Probably the sheer volume of those cartoon mosquitos. And Cubby's increasingly futile attempts to protect his picnic. It's a simple premise that doesn’t really develop much beyond that initial setup and conflict. You watch it, you get it, and then it’s over. No big lessons, no complex emotions, just a bear fighting bugs. It’s got a certain *vibe* though, if you appreciate these early shorts for their historical curiosity.

It’s not a masterpiece, not by a long shot. But it’s a quick peek into a different era of animation, where a simple idea could carry a whole short film. Like, you see it, and you think, “Huh, wonder what they were going for there?” And then you move on. Not bad, not great. Just *is*.