Elmer the Great Dane

About This Movie

So, Elmer the Great Dane is this interesting little short from 1935 that kind of gets lost in the shuffle of animation history. It was part of Universal's push to revitalize their cartoon offerings when Oswald the Lucky Rabbit wasn't pulling in the crowds anymore. The animation style feels very much of its time, with a certain charm that's distinct yet somewhat simplistic. You really see the early experimentation with character design and humor, especially in how Elmer interacts with Oswald. There's a playful sense of pacing that keeps the short engaging, though it's not exactly groundbreaking. Still, if you appreciate the evolution of cartoon characters, this one’s a quirky peek into the past.

Elmer the Great Dane is a bit of a rarity among collectors, primarily due to its age and the fact that it's not as widely known compared to other animated shorts from the era. It was released on 16mm and is harder to find on home video formats, which adds to its intrigue. Die-hard collectors of early animation will certainly appreciate its historical context and the glimpse it offers into Universal's experimental phase during the mid-30s.