Smile, Darn Ya, Smile! Review: A weirdly catchy 1931 fever dream

You should probably watch this if you have seven minutes to kill and you like rubber-hose animation from the days when physics were just a suggestion. It is perfect for people who miss the early, slightly chaotic vibe of 1930s shorts.

If you hate repetitive songs or characters that look suspiciously like Mickey Mouse clones, you are probably gonna have a bad time. Foxy is the lead here, and yeah, he’s basically Mickey with pointy ears and a tail.

The whole thing is basically a music video for the title song. It starts with Foxy driving his streetcar through this very wobbly town. The background loops are so obvious it’s actually kind of charming. 🏘️

The first big moment involves a hippo trying to get on the trolley. She’s wearing a corset that looks way too tight. The way the streetcar groans and stretches under her weight is such a classic bit of animation. It feels heavy even though it's just lines on paper.

I noticed a small detail where the streetcar wheels actually turn into little legs when it’s struggling. It is those tiny, unnecessary touches that make these old cartoons feel alive. It’s not just a machine; it’s a tired little guy doing its best. 🚃

Then there is the cow on the tracks. This cow looks so unbelievably bored. Foxy tries to move her, but she just stares. It’s a long gag, maybe a bit too long, but the payoff with the cow's expression at the end made me chuckle.

The singing hobos on the back of the car are a whole other vibe. They are just back there, harmonizing while the world falls apart. It’s very Depression-era optimism, I guess. It reminds me a bit of the energy in Oh What a Knight, where everything is just bouncing to the beat.

The middle part gets a bit frantic. There’s a hill that looks way too steep to be safe. When the streetcar starts sliding backward, the movie actually gets some decent tension. Not real-world tension, but like, 'oh no, the cartoon fox might go off a cliff' tension.

I did find the villain—this big, shadowy train—a little bit scary for a kids' cartoon. It has these giant eyes and teeth. It feels like something out of a nightmare compared to the bouncy fox. 🚂

The ending is… well, it’s a 1931 ending. It’s abrupt. It feels like they ran out of paper or time. But that song is still playing. Smile, darn ya, smile!

I’ve seen some other stuff from this era, like Boneyard Blues, but this one feels more polished even if it's less original. The animation is smooth, even if the plot is basically non-existent.

Things I jotted down while watching:

• The hippo’s umbrella is weirdly small.
• Why does the streetcar have a face sometimes but not others?
• The way Foxy dances while driving is definitely a safety hazard. 🕺
• The sound quality is a bit crunchy, but it adds to the feel.
• That cow definitely didn't want to be there.

One reaction shot of Foxy looking at the camera lingers just a second too long. It makes you feel like he’s asking for help. Or maybe I’m overthinking it. It's just a fox in a hat.

The backgrounds are actually pretty detailed if you stop looking at the characters. There’s a lot of little signs and storefronts that pass by in a blur. It makes the world feel bigger than just a track in the middle of nowhere.

Is it a masterpiece? No. But it’s a fun little relic. It doesn’t try to be anything other than a reason to tap your foot. Sometimes that’s enough when you’re tired and just want to see a hippo in a corset. 🦛

I think the best way to watch this is on a small screen, maybe while you’re waiting for the bus. It fits that 'commuter' energy perfectly. Just don't blame me when you're humming that song at dinner tonight.