Old Mother Hubbard: A weird little trip down memory lane

Is this thing worth a watch?

Look, if you enjoy early animation that feels a bit like a fever dream, you might get a kick out of this. If you need a plot that actually makes sense or characters that don't bounce around like they've had too much coffee, skip it. It's for the animation nerds and people who find vintage cartoons oddly soothing.

The whole premise is just a classic nursery rhyme stretched out until it barely holds together. Hubbard is a laundress, the cupboard is empty—classic setup, really.

The dog really steals the show

That dog has more personality in his ears than most modern CGI characters. Watching him trot off to the palace, you just know he’s going to cause a disaster.

• The king looks perpetually bored, which I felt in my soul.
• The background art is surprisingly detailed for something so old.
• The pacing is just wild. One second he’s in the kitchen, the next he’s doing a circus act.

It reminded me a bit of the frantic energy in Sure-Locked Homes, where everything happens at once and you just have to roll with the punches. Sometimes the animation just... stops? Like the artists forgot to draw the next frame or decided they were tired for the day. It’s charming, honestly.

The scene where the dog tries to beg for food goes on for an eternity. It’s supposed to be sad, but he’s so bouncy it just comes off as funny. You can almost feel the movie trying to convince you to feel bad for the empty cupboard.

It’s not as gritty or weird as Frail Women, but it has that same dated, dusty feel. I think I watched it three times just to catch the background gags. The king’s reaction shot lingers so long I actually laughed out loud.

Is it a masterpiece? No. Is it a good way to kill ten minutes? Sure. It’s got that jittery, ink-and-paint soul that you just don't see anymore. Just don't ask me why the dog wears a hat. I still don't know. 🐶