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5.3/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.3/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. That Old Gang of Mine remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like old, scratchy animation that feels a bit more moody than your average Disney short, you’ll dig this. People who demand coherent plots or modern pacing will probably find it boring as hell. It’s only a few minutes long, so you might as well watch it while you eat lunch.
There is something weirdly sad about the way this cat sits on the fence at the start. It’s not just a cartoon trope; she looks genuinely lonely. You rarely see that kind of quiet, downbeat energy in these old studio shorts.
Then the mouse shows up. He’s the classic optimistic sidekick, but he doesn't feel like a pest here. He just wants his friend to stop moping.
You can tell this came from the same shop that made the weird, rubbery stuff. The movements are liquid and jittery at the same time. It lacks the polish of later cartoons, but it has a gritty texture that feels honest.
The middle part turns into a full-blown singalong. The bouncing ball shows up, and suddenly the story just stops to let us belt out the tune. It’s jarring. It’s also exactly the kind of thing that makes these relics charming.
I couldn't help but think about how different this is from something like The Big Party, where the energy is so much more frantic and calculated. Here, the animation feels like it’s just breathing.
One weird detail: the cat’s eyes when she’s pining. They have this hollow look. It’s a bit creepy, honestly. I wonder if the animators knew how sad they were making her look, or if it was just a byproduct of the era’s style.
Don't expect a masterpiece. Just expect a quick, messy, and kind of sweet moment from a long time ago. It’s not trying to change your life. It just wants to finish the song. 🐈🎶