The Shindig (1930) - Mickey Mouse and the Giant Pig

So, should you actually watch The Shindig today?

If you have seven minutes and want to see a mouse go absolutely feral on a harmonica, then yes.

People who hate old-school 'rubber hose' animation where everything bounces for no reason will probably find this annoying.

But if you like the weird, slightly chaotic energy of early Disney, it's a fun little time capsule. 🐭

The plot is basically nothing.

It is just another barn dance, which felt like the only thing they knew how to animate back in 1930.

Mickey shows up on a horse that has teeth like piano keys.

Actually, the horse's teeth are literally used as a piano later, which is the kind of logic I miss in movies.

Minnie is there too, and she starts playing the piano with so much force her hat almost falls off.

She is really going for it.

It is way more intense than the stuff you see in The Babes in the Woods.

Then Mickey starts playing the fiddle.

The way his arms move like noodles is still pretty impressive to watch even now.

There is no skeleton in that mouse, just pure vibes and ink.

The middle part of the short gets a bit repetitive because it is just a sequence of 'Mickey plays an instrument.'

He does the fiddle, then some percussion, then the harmonica.

The harmonica bit is actually kind of gross if you think about it.

He basically swallows the whole thing while he’s playing.

I wonder if people in 1930 thought that was peak comedy? Maybe.

It certainly isn't as dramatic as something like Torrent, but it's not trying to be serious.

Then we get to the main event: Patricia Pig.

She is huge. Like, genuinely massive compared to Mickey.

When they start dancing, Mickey is basically just hugging her stomach because he can't reach any higher.

There is a moment where she accidentally sits on him, and he just gets flattened like a pancake.

Classic stuff, but it feels more 'real' because of how much they emphasize her weight.

The movie is definitely not like Thin Twins, that's for sure. 🐷

One thing I noticed is how the background characters just bounce in place.

It is like they are all standing on invisible trampolines.

It gives the whole barn a weird, shaky feeling that makes you feel a little dizzy if you stare too long.

The music is loud and constant.

There is almost no silence in this thing.

It reminds me of the non-stop noise you get in Starland Review No. 1.

I did find it funny how the animals seem to be having a better time than the actual 'star' of the show.

Mickey looks a little exhausted by the end of his dance with Patricia.

The ending is very abrupt.

No big message, no 'the end' credits that stay on screen for long.

Just a quick gag and then blackness.

It is alot more raw than the polished Disney stuff we get now.

I think I prefer this version of Mickey where he is just a guy trying to survive a party.

It isn't a masterpiece, but it’s a good look at how they used to do comedy with just shapes and sound.

Anyway, watch it for the pig dance. It’s the best part. 💃