DbcultAccessing Vault...
5.6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Organ Grinder remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, only if you have a massive soft spot for old animation or you're just really curious about how they used to entertain people before the internet ruined everything. It’s a quick watch. If you hate slapstick or find monkeys in tiny vests annoying, stay far, far away.
The whole thing kicks off on a New York street that feels like a fever dream. The monkey is the real star here, obviously. It climbs up buildings like it's training for a heist just to snag a few coins. It’s kind of impressive, honestly. The way it moves feels slightly frantic, like the animator had way too much coffee that morning.
Then things get weird. The monkey starts doing impressions of Harpo Marx and Stan Laurel. It’s jarring to see a cartoon animal try to capture the essence of a silent film star, but here we are. It’s a bit like watching Africa Squeaks but with way more piano playing. Does it make sense? No. Does it matter? Not really.
The monkey sits down and starts hammering away at keys, playing the title track. I found myself wondering where the monkey learned music theory. It’s one of those moments where you just have to turn your brain off or you’ll go crazy trying to find the logic.
The ending is pure chaos. A runaway car, a fruit cart getting absolutely demolished, and then the monkey crashing into a music shop. It’s the kind of over-the-top destruction you’d expect from a Looney Tunes short. The result? A one-man band mess. It’s almost too much activity for one frame.
It’s not as cohesive as High Play, but it’s got a weird, frantic energy that I kind of respect. Sometimes a movie doesn't need a plot. Sometimes it just needs a monkey playing the piano and a car crash. 🐒🎹