Chop Suey

About This Movie

Chop Suey is an animated short from 1930 that dives into a rather curious portrayal of Chinese culture, though it leans heavily on stereotypes. The film depicts its characters, the Chinese, as anthropomorphic rats running a laundry, which feels quite jarring today. The animation style is typical of the era, with a mix of lively sequences and that unmistakable charm of early cartooning. The pacing is brisk, fitting for a short, but it doesn’t shy away from painting a picture of cultural quirks with a satirical edge. What’s interesting here is how it reflects the attitudes of the time, making it a curious piece for collectors interested in animation history and cultural depictions in film.

Chop Suey is quite the oddity in the animation realm, and finding a decent print can be a challenge due to its age and the controversial nature of its content. The film has seen limited releases over the years, which adds to its scarcity. Collectors often seek it out not just for its animation but for the provocative themes it presents, making it a noteworthy piece for those delving into the evolution of cultural representations in early cinema.