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7.6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7.6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Skeleton Dance remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Alright, so The Skeleton Dance. It’s a quick one, no doubt. If you’re at all into animation history, or just curious to see how early sound cartoons really *popped*, this is a must-watch. Anyone looking for a storyline or character development will be totally lost, but that’s really missing the point anyway.
It opens strong, really setting the mood. The clock tower striking midnight, that whole spooky vibe with the bats flying out of the belfry. Then there’s a dog howling at the moon and, like, two black cats having a proper scrap in the cemetery. It’s all very atmospheric, even now. 🦇
And then the main event: four skeletons just… *rising* from their graves. They’re so jaunty about it, not even a little bit scary once they get going. It’s the way they use their own bodies for sound, isn’t it?
One pulls its ribs out to play them like a xylophone. Another uses a thigh bone as a flute, which is a _choice_. The synchronization here is what blew people away back in ’29, and honestly, it still holds up as a neat trick. You can almost feel the animators having a blast with what they could suddenly *do* with sound.
There’s a bit where they tap a skull with a bone, making this perfect little percussion. It’s so simple but incredibly effective. The whole thing has this playful, almost mischievous energy, not scary at all, just delightfully macabre.
The pacing is… well, it’s a bit repetitive, sure. They dance, they make music with themselves, they do a little circle, then they dance some more. But it never really overstays its welcome, given its short run time.
It’s not trying to be anything more than what it is: an experimental, fun little cartoon showing off new tech. And it nails that. It’s a good peek into how Disney found its footing, even if the characters are, you know, just bones. 💀
Just a neat little historical piece that still puts a smile on your face, if you’re into that kind of thing. Don’t go in expecting Pixar, obviously. But for a few minutes of clever, old-school fun, it’s definitely worth a watch.