Molly Moo Cow and Robinson Crusoe: A Weird Little Trip

Is it worth your time?

If you're into the history of animation, especially those strange, rubbery shorts from the thirties, yeah, give this a spin. It’s short, it’s bizarre, and it doesn't overstay its welcome. If you need a movie that actually makes sense or has a point, you’re going to hate every second of it. It’s a bit like Busted Blossoms in that it feels like it’s operating on dream logic more than anything else.

Molly Moo Cow just sort of... shows up. There isn't much build-up to her arriving on the island, which is fine. I don't need a three-act structure for a cartoon cow.

The animation style

The way the characters move is just jittery. It’s that old-school frame-by-frame chaos where limbs seem to stretch and snap back into place. It reminds me a bit of the frantic energy in Winnie's Vacation, though maybe a little less polished.

There’s a moment where Robinson Crusoe is just standing there looking miserable, and the background looks like it’s vibrating. It’s distracting, but in a way that’s actually kind of charming. 🐮

A weird detour

Watching this made me think about how these old shorts have a weirdly empty feeling. It’s just them, the island, and the ocean. It lacks the crowded, noisy feel of something like Pardon Us, which is honestly a nice change of pace for ten minutes.

I found myself staring at the palm trees. They barely move. It’s like the animators gave up on the flora halfway through. It’s not great, but it’s honest. You can almost see the artists getting tired of drawing leaves.

The dialogue is sparse. It’s mostly just noises and expressions. I prefer it that way. When these old cartoons try to be funny with dialogue, it usually falls flat anyway.

It’s not going to change your life, but it’s a neat little relic. Don't go looking for deep meaning. It’s just a cow on an island. Sometimes that’s enough.