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5/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Opening Night remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like old-school, rubber-hose animation that feels like a fever dream, sure. It’s short, it’s loud, and it’s completely unhinged. If you need your cartoons to have a coherent plot or realistic physics, skip this one and watch The Sea God instead.
Cubby the Bear basically gatecrashes the Roxy Opera House. There’s no security, obviously, because why would there be? Suddenly, we’re watching a bear conduct Faust with a bunch of barnyard animals.
It’s the kind of logic only 1932 could provide.
The pacing is honestly all over the place. One minute Cubby is sneaking around, the next he’s holding a baton like he’s been studying classical music his whole life. It reminded me a bit of the frantic energy in The Royal Razz, but with way more singing critters.
I caught myself staring at the background characters. Some of them are just standing there, frozen, while the main action happens. It’s like the extras forgot they were in a cartoon. Very distracting.
You can tell they put a lot of work into the musical cues, even if the timing is a little loose. It’s not quite as polished as other stuff from the era, but it’s got personality. Most cartoons these days are so clean you can’t see the pencil marks, you know?
There is a specific shot of a hippo in a tutu that stayed on screen for maybe two seconds too long. I laughed, but I also felt kind of bad for the animator. 🐻
If you’re looking for a deep message about the arts, don't look here. It’s just a bear in a tuxedo waving a stick. Sometimes, that’s all you really need for a Tuesday afternoon.