Night (1930 film)

1930 American film

July 31, 1930 (1930-07-31)

Running time

7 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglish

Night is a Silly Symphonies animated Disney short film. It was released in 1930 by Columbia Pictures.^[1]

Summary

The short opens to Piano Sonata No. 14 (Beethoven), the Moonlight Sonata.^[1] The sonata is hummed by the moon. Subsequently, several pairs of animals (owls, insects) dance to the sound of the sonata. Fireflies, while flying, also turn on their lights to the sound of the music. Mosquitoes and a frog walk on a lake to the sound of the music, although the frog eats the mosquitoes with its long tongue. The frog swims towards a leaf to woo a female frog, while another frog conducts a small symphony orchestra of frogs.

Reception

Variety (May 14, 1930): "Another of those Silly Symphonies from the Disney pen, and very good. Plenty funny, this one, with some new animation tricks to intrigue the trade as well as the public. It can play to any capacity and click. Script layout is episodic, change in characters coinciding with the switch in melodies. Principal innovation accompanies the well-known "Glow Worm" tune, fireflies in flight lighting up in cadence with the music. As far as known it's the first time in any cartoon for this effect. Otherwise, the moon "tra-la's" an accompaniment as its beams frolic on the water, there are a couple of comedy owls, and a bullfrog chorus which slightly slows up the pace but which can be cut at will without smearing the main impression. A trio of mosquitoes and a pair of ingenuous prancing bugs, unfolding the well-known mannerisms of hoofers, add to the merit of the reel. Old folks, as well as the kids, have evidenced a strong liking for this series. They won't be disappointed in Night."^[2]

Motion Picture News (June 28, 1930): "Clever: A lot of fun in this nonsensical cartoon. Owls performing jazz steps on water lilies; wasps turning collegiate; and even the man in the moon going in for the shimmy. Nicely synchronized and extremely diverting. Fine for any bill and particularly adaptable for hot weather entertainment. Recommended with no reservations."^[3]

Home media

The short was released on December 19, 2006, on Walt Disney Treasures: More Silly Symphonies, Volume Two.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Merritt, Russell; Kaufman, J. B. (2016). Walt Disney's Silly Symphonies: A Companion to the Classic Cartoon Series (2nd ed.). Glendale, CA: Disney Editions. pp. 72–73. ISBN 978-1-4847-5132-9.
^ "Talking Shorts". Variety: 19. May 14, 1930. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
^ "Short Subjects". Motion Picture News: 76. June 28, 1930. Retrieved February 23, 2020.