Don't Look Now (1930) Review: A Sweet, Silly Valentine's Day Diversion

Alright, so if you're into seeing how cartoons used to be, like, way back when, then Don't Look Now is a neat little peek. It’s a 1930 short, a real early Tex Avery one, and it’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like: a Valentine’s Day romp. If you appreciate the history, or just a dose of innocent silliness, give it a shot. Everyone else, especially those who need big laughs or slick animation, might just find it a bit too old school. 🤷‍♀️

The whole setup is simple. We've got Cupid and a Devil, both zooming around, having a grand old time messing with people's hearts on Valentine's Day. It’s not deep, just a couple of mythical beings being kind of chaotic. The Devil, of course, is all about breaking things up, while Cupid's trying to get everyone together.

One moment that sticks with you is the introduction of this lonely skunk. He’s just… there, longing for love. It's actually a pretty sweet, almost melancholic, touch amidst the silliness. You can almost feel the cartoon going, "Aw, even skunks need a hug!"

The animation is definitely from its era. It's got that bouncy, rubber-hose style you expect from the early 30s. Sometimes characters just kinda stretch and squish in ways that defy physics, which is part of the charm, I guess. The designs are really simple; Cupid’s just a baby with wings and a bow, the Devil has his pitchfork and pointy tail. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done.

What I found interesting was how much personality they crammed into such short bursts. The way the Devil sneers, or Cupid giggles when he makes a match… it’s all very *expressive*, even with limited frames. There's a particular bit where Cupid tries to help the skunk, and you can tell he's really trying to figure out how to make this work. It's not just random arrows; there's a little bit of *thought* in his mischief. 🤔

The gags are pretty straightforward for the time. Lots of chasing, near misses, and people falling in or out of love with a single arrow. It’s not laugh-out-loud funny for a modern audience, but it elicits a gentle smile. You appreciate the effort, if nothing else.

And that ending? Cupid wins, of course. He figures out what to do with that lonely skunk, and it’s actually a rather endearing wrap-up. It's not some big surprise, but it feels earned, you know? Like, **good for the skunk.** 💖

Little things I noticed:

• The music is so wonderfully old-timey, always swelling with the action.
• The backgrounds are surprisingly detailed for such a short.
• The way characters just *pop* into existence sometimes is kinda jarring.
• There's a scene where the Devil tries to break up a couple with a tiny, ridiculous hammer. It's a nice little detail.
• Voice work from folks like Billy Bletcher really sells the characters, even if it's just a few grunts and giggles.

Overall, it’s a tiny piece of animation history. Not a masterpiece, but a cute, sometimes clever, glimpse into the beginnings of some serious cartoon genius. If you've got ten minutes and a soft spot for the classics, give it a watch. ✨